THE AUGUSTANA FALL 2026 | VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 1
MESSAGE FROM THE President
Fall greetings from Augustana University! We marked the start of AU’s 166th academic year with our third consecutive year of record enrollment! Just a few weeks later, we celebrated the rededication of the Chapel of Reconciliation. What a joy it was to have so many alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students join us for this special worship service and weekend of festivities. The newly-renovated and expanded Chapel of Reconciliation represents what has long defined Augustana University — a community rooted in faith, grounded in its core values and united by the belief that all things are possible when we place our trust in God. Vikings now call Foundation Heights — our newest apartment building — home, and the first phase of the Elmen Center revitalization has transformed this campus cornerstone, enhancing the space for athletics and a wide range of university events. This progress reflects the remarkable impact of Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030. With Phases I and II complete, we give thanks for all that has been made possible through the extraordinary generosity and partnership of alumni, friends and strategic partners. Together, you have invested in our students, faculty, programs, facilities and future — strengthening Augustana today, while positioning the university for continued growth and impact. We’ll celebrate the many Viking Bold milestones we have achieved during Vikings Reunite on Saturday, Oct. 24. In this issue, we introduce you to new members of the Augustana community and share the achievements of our students. These stories remind us that Augustana’s greatest strength is its people — those who create opportunities, inspire others and carry our mission forward. Thank you for being among them. Your prayers, encouragement, generosity and engagement continue to shape our university and the lives of our students in profound ways. I hope the stories in the pages ahead fill you with pride for all we have accomplished together — and excitement for Phase III of our bold journey. With gratitude,
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President
OUR MISSION Inspired by Lutheran scholarly tradition and the liberal arts, Augustana provides an education of enduring worth that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity and integrates faith with learning and service in a diverse world.
OUR VISION Augustana aspires to become one of America’s premier church-related universities.
OUR VALUES Central to the Augustana experience are five core values. The community lives them and honors them, and they infuse the academic curriculum as well as student life: Christian, Liberal Arts, Excellence, Community and Service.
IN THIS ISSUE
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EDITOR Nichole Hansen
CONTRIBUTORS Nancy Davidson Andrew Thurston Jill Wilson
DESIGNER Kami Gladis
PHOTOGRAPHER Peter Chapman
Viking Bold Updates
Filling the Gap in Social Work
The ‘Heart of Campus’ Reimagined
A New Foundation for Students
Elmen Center Refresh
CWS Names New Leader
New Coaches Take the Helm
Victories in Athletics
New at AU
Class Notes
CONNECT WITH US
@AugustanaSD
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2025-26 KEY SUCCESSES ENROLLMENT & STRATEGIC SCHOLARSHIPS • Increased enrollment to 2,143 undergraduate and 405 graduate headcount, achieved a first- to second-year retention rate of 85.9% and set a new record for overall headcount of 2,548 (Fall 2025 Census Day numbers) • Increased the number of first-year undergraduate Pell-eligible students to more than 33% • Expanded club sports options to include student staffing for game-day operations, women’s hockey, bowling and a club sports specific website to provide schedules, results, rosters and news
OVERALL CAMPAIGN
ACADEMICS
Exceeded the $225 million Viking Bold campaign stretch goal to complete Phase I and Phase II of the campaign for a campaign total of $225,715,609
• Refined the identity of the College of Arts & Sciences by establishing a specific mission and vision for the college
ENDURING COMMITMENTS
• Established branding guidelines, processes and workflows that support the consistent use of Canvas Catalog professional development offerings and Canvas Credentials for micro-credential issuance
• Implemented Timely Care to expand graduate student support and YuJa Panorama to enhance digital accessibility of all graduate courses • Provided Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) and allocated professional development funds upon request from managers • Strengthened the university's enterprise systems foundation through the implementation of Ramp to automate expense payments and ADP to digitize Human Resources processes • Assessed the university's current grant strategy, gaps and opportunities; established an internal support model for grant applications and initiated the development of a comprehensive "Grants FAQs" document to communicate best practices for writing, securing and executing grants at Augustana • Adapted new graduate program approval workflows, endorsed strategic principles for undergraduate instructional modalities and updated the Faculty Handbook to better align with structural changes
PHYSICAL CAMPUS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • Established the Information Services division that integrates Information Technology and Library Services to maximize opportunities for student learning, information, innovation and technology • Completed Elmen Center Phase I renovation that included new lighting, sound system, flooring and chairback seating in the competition forum
ATHLETICS • Continued to address the changing landscape of college athletics and position Augustana as a leader in single sport NCAA Division I /multi-sport NCAA Division II by preparing for the 5-year eligibility legislation, executing on a plan for Cost of Attendance and Alston payments, and advocating for college sports at the congressional level
Augustana will celebrate its Viking Bold accomplishments during Viking Days at Vikings Reunite on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in Midco Arena.
augie.edu/VikingBold
3 Viking Days Schedule SATURDAY, OCT. 24
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• Pancake Feed 8-10:30 a.m. | Ordal Dining Hall, Morrison Commons
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• Viking Days Parade 10:30 a.m. | Augustana's Campus
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• Viking Days A-Club Tailgate 11 a.m. | Augieville, Outside Kirkeby-Over Stadium ACROSS 5
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2. Formerly located in Old Main, rang annually during opening convocation 3. AU's longest-serving president 6. AU's student newspaper 8. School of Music's annual Christmas concert 9. AU's school colors 10. AU's furry goodwill ambassador
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• Viking Football vs. Southwest Minnesota State 1 p.m. | Kirkeby-Over Stadium • Vikings Reunite: Alumni Achievement Awards, Celebration of Viking Bold Phases I & II, Drawing for Classic 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Convertible 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Midco Arena
SUNDAY, OCT. 25 • Viking Days Worship 10 a.m. | Chapel of Reconciliation
DOWN 1. AU competes against its next-door rival in this annual football game 4. Newly-renovated heart of campus 5. Breakfast tradition served during Viking Days 7. This statue keeps watch over the campus green 8. AU's homecoming celebration Answers on page 25
• Viking Soccer vs. Minnesota State 1 p.m. | Morstad Field • Augustana Orchestra Fall Concert 7:30 p.m. | Hamre Recital Hall, Fryxell Humanities Center
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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21
FRIDAY, OCT. 23
• Viking Feast 5-7 p.m. | Elmen Center
• Milestone Reunion Social 9-10 a.m. | Back Alley, Morrison Commons
• Coronation Ceremony 7 p.m. | Elmen Center
• Rendezvous International Student Presentation: Norway 4 p.m. | Back Alley, Morrison Commons
THURSDAY, OCT. 22 • Opening Augustana Theatre Performance: Straw Boy 7:30 p.m. | Edith Mortenson Center Theatre
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• Viking Soccer vs. St. Cloud State 4 p.m. | Morstad Field • Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Social Hour 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Ceremony Hall Sports Forum, Elmen Center • Augustana Art Reception: "Identity // Identify: 9 Interdisciplinary Printmaking of Gracie Korstjens '24" 7-9 p.m. | Eide/Dalrymple Gallery
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& augie.edu/VikingDays
FORWARD SIOUX FALLS
GAP
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HELPS FILL THE BY JILL WILSON
The Forward Sioux Falls Campaign is generously supporting Augustana University’s Harriet Emily Scott Social Work Program — awarding the program $50,000 annually over the next five years. “We’re always trying to increase and improve the pipeline of talent that we have in Sioux Falls. One of the big things that we always have had a hard time bringing into the fold is social services. They are a vital part of our overall community,” said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. “Augustana’s social work program was a really good option for us to take a look at — how do we get more of those young people who are being educated in these fields here in Sioux Falls?”
do that in real life,” said Sarah Vining, assistant professor of social work and field director of the Augustana BSW Program, who previously worked with at-risk youth as a social worker in Sioux Falls. “We have a wide variety of organizations where students can be placed, which is the beauty, but also the challenge of social work — it’s where students really figure out and narrow down what type of social work they’re interested in.” Many of Augustana’s social work students are getting experience at organizations such as Avera and Sanford Health, the Boys & Girls Club, McCrossan Boys Ranch, Lutheran Social Services, Solace, Southeastern Behavioral Health and Tallgrass Recovery.
The Forward Sioux Falls Campaign, which is a joint economic and workforce development program run by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, is providing compensation for qualifying Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) students who are completing internships at non-profit organizations.
“I was so thrilled at how embraced we were by the social work community,” said Associate Professor of Social Work and Field Director of the Augustana MSW Program Dr. Heather El-Khoury, who came to the university from Michigan in 2023. “Being new and having support like this is just amazing.”
At Augustana, both BSW and MSW students are required to complete two semesters of field placement work; 400 to 500 hours over the course of nine months.
“A lot of students coming back for their master’s degrees are established — they have family responsibilities, and then they’re trying to put 14-18 hours a week of field placement on top of that,” noted El-Khoury. “With classes and time to study, there’s very little time to have a part-time job, so students really struggle trying to make ends meet.”
“We really believe that field practicum is the capstone experience that’s helping students cement their academic learning with what it looks like to
However, many field placements are at nonprofit organizations that are often unable to provide students with paid internships.
Ariet Bawar ‘27, in Augustana’s MSW program, is one of several Augustana students who recently benefited from Forward Sioux Falls’ scholarship. Bawar came to the Midwest from Ethiopia in 1997. Her first interaction with a social worker came at a really hard time in her life. Her family was homeless, and she was about to begin her freshman year of high school. “I don’t remember her (the social worker’s) name, but if I close my eyes, I can see her face. She was just the nicest person I’ve ever met, and she did everything in her power to help my family. She didn’t judge us. She was just really there for us and made a difference in our lives. And I said, ‘I want to do that for somebody one day.’ She really inspired me to be a social worker,” recalled Bawar. On top of MSW courses and a part-time job, Bawar spent two days a week this past spring shadowing a therapist at Child’s Voice with Sanford Health — a nationally-accredited children’s advocacy center (CAC). The single mom, who wants to “dig into therapy one day,” said she “heard some very heavy stuff” during her field practicum, which only validated her decision to go into social work as a career. “I don’t think social workers get into the field to make a lot of money — they’re there to really make a difference in people's lives,” said Bawar. Which is why this scholarship makes all the difference in Bawar’s.
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“Hearing that there was a scholarship that could help and lift a little bit of the burden. I’m just very grateful, very thankful for Forward Sioux Falls, the social work faculty and Augustana,” Bawar said when she learned that she would be receiving the grant. “I feel like there’s never enough hours in the day, so it’s going to do wonders for me.”
“It’s hard enough. The curriculum is difficult, challenging. We ask a lot of our students and then to be the best they can for their clients,” added ElKhoury. “Having scholarships is so important. This gives students a little bit of a safety net to help them be successful.” Since launching Augustana’s Harriet Emily Scott Social Work Program in Fall 2023, more than a dozen students have graduated with a BSW. As part of its inaugural cohort this past spring, eight students graduated with an MSW. Augustana provides MSW students with the opportunity to specialize in three different cognates or specializations, which include addiction, integrated behavioral health and play therapy. These cognates are also offered as stand-alone certificates — available for social workers who are beyond the master’s degree level. “They’re tremendous assets to the community. I mean, all you need to do is look around and see the impact that they have,” said Mundt. “We need to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to feed that because it has a ripple effect on everybody else.” augie.edu/BSW
Provides Augustana Social Work Students With
PAID INTERNSHIPS
augie.edu/MSW
6 Reimagined
THE ‘HEART OF CAMPUS’ Renovation and Expansion Brings New Life to Chapel of Reconciliation
BY NICHOLE HANSEN
On Friday, Sept. 18, Augustana University celebrated the rededication of the Chapel of Reconciliation following the completion of a $4.4 million donor-funded renovation and expansion project — renewing a space that has served as a place for worship, reflection and community for more than four decades. “As much as the renovations are about supporting functionality, it’s also supporting what the university values — faith, daily worship and spiritual well-being,” said Rev. Ann Elizabeth Rosendale '04, senior university pastor and vice president for mission integration at AU. “The investment certainly is practical, but it is also very much symbolic. Not very many colleges and universities are renovating their chapels, and Augustana is. I am so proud of that.” Worship space on campus has evolved over the years — transforming from a sanctuary in the gymnasium to a dedicated worship space, which serves as the “heart of campus." The chapel was built in 1981 and remained largely unchanged until last year. The renovations — envisioned by Koch Hazard Architects and led by Beck & Hofer Construction of Sioux Falls — began in the sanctuary in May of 2025. Significant donor support allowed for upgrades that included a wall of east-facing windows, enhanced lighting, new flooring and paint, and a state-of-the-art audiovisual system unveiled in October 2025. The pastors’ offices also got a refresh, and were rededicated as The Williams Campus Pastor Office through the generous support of the family and friends of Rev. Dr. Bruce Williams ‘62. The addition of the gathering place was completed in April, while renovations to the chapel’s narthex and plaza continued into the spring and summer.
THE FENSTERMACHER BUE NARTHEX Made possible through the support of Dr. Joseph “Joe” Fenstermacher ‘56, The Fenstermacher Bue Narthex created a more welcoming space to gather and linger after each service. Fenstermacher, who spent the majority of his career as a neuroscientist studying brain disease, said his best memories of the chapel were shared with his wife Mary Ann (Bue) ‘56, who passed in 2020 from dementia-related complications. “I would sit down next to my wife, and I would hold her hand,” Fenstermacher said. “We would hear the sermon and the readings from the Bible. My most pleasant memories are of sitting with her in the chapel during those services.” Now, the narthex bears his name and his wife’s maiden name — a name Fenstermacher said matches the space perfectly. “Her maiden name was Bue, and in Norwegian, that means 'beautiful,'” he said. “And she was beautiful — my beautiful Mary Ann.” The narthex also holds six of a 14-piece art collection depicting the life of Christ, which once served as the reredos in Augustana’s chapel-gymnasium. Painted by the late Professor Emeritus of Art Robert "Bob” Aldern ‘51, the reredos was commissioned by the American Lutheran Church (ALC) and served as an important backdrop for the International Luther League Convention held in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1961. Tired and faded from years of display and moves, the reredos was in need of restoration. With help from several Augustana art students and John Peters, Eide/Dalrymple Gallery & Liturgical Arts coordinator and assistant professor of sculpture & 3D design, Aldern’s daughter, Noreen Aldern Groethe, repaired and restored the paintings. “It’s a labor of love,” said Groethe, who owned Aldern Art Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the time it was being restored. “What a responsibility it is to be painting the face of Christ. As an artist, you hope people are going to sit, look at the paintings and feel something.” The collection is known as “The Rogness Memorial,” donated to Augustana in honor of the late Paul Rogness ‘58. Fenstermacher and Rogness were good friends and teammates on the football team. “It pleases me to no end that the paintings will be in the narthex because I knew Paul well,” said Fenstermacher. “My oldest son’s name is Paul — partly in honor of Paul Rogness.” Continued on page 8
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THE JERSTAD & LIMBURG GATHERING PLACE Named in memory of Campus Pastor Rev. Mark A. Jerstad and Professor of Religion Rev. Dr. James “Jim” W. Limburg, the Jerstad & Limburg Gathering Place was made possible through the generous support of the Jerstad Family and Limburg Family Foundations. The space honors Augustana leaders whose lives reflected faith, learning and service. “They (Mark and Jim) were good friends and had a close working and personal relationship,” said Jim’s son, Paul Limburg ‘87, a member of Augustana’s Board of Trustees. “They would always trade creative ideas for how to engage the Augustana community more broadly.” Honoring their close friendship and legacy, the Limburg and Jerstad families partnered to fund the new gathering place, designed to welcome all members of the campus community, much like Mark and Jim once did themselves. “Augustana is unique,” said Paul. “It’s an institution that provides both an experience and education to students on campus. Anything that we can do to help support the continued mission of Augustana and the chapel is very worthwhile.” The gathering place, located on the north side of the building can host up to 95 people and addresses the long-standing need for students and staff to have a meeting space for religious and non-religious events and activities. The space has wall-to-wall windows that fill the room with natural light and offers views of the campus green. Sandy (Skustad) Jerstad ‘79, who had a highly successful career as head coach of Viking Softball and also served as associate professor of health, physical education & recreation (HPER) and senior women’s administrator, was married to the late Mark Jerstad — who helped inspire the creation of the original chapel building. “He really felt that there should be a chapel at a Christian college and there should be a community space where people can get together in Christian love,” Sandy said. “He met with the people who were in charge of things and explained how important it would be to have a chapel right in the middle of the campus — he would love where it is today.” A labyrinth set into the floor of the gathering space offers a path for prayer and reflection. As students, faculty and staff move through the room, the intricate design allows them to slow down, listen and notice God’s presence. The room also features a podium designed and built by Dr. Scott Boyens ‘91, Augustana Athletics team physician, and a team of woodworkers who attend Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.
THE TORNESS RASMUSSEN PLAZA The Torness Rasmussen Plaza, made possible through the generous support of Jane (Torness) Rasmussen ‘72 and John Rasmussen, extends to the Morrison Commons. The open outdoor space offers additional seating for conversation and reflection, along with a new north entrance to the chapel. “The chapel is like a wheel with spokes,” said John. “You can go off to the library, to a classroom in another building, to the Morrison Commons or off to your dorm. But the center of the wheel — where all the spokes come together and turn the wheel — is the chapel.” Jane, who studied English education and social work at Augustana, and John, a former U.S. Army officer and community banker raised their three children with a deep appreciation for Lutheran higher education. Throughout their lives, the Chapel of Reconciliation has remained a meaningful place of solace and reflection for their family. While reminiscing about the relationships and memories the chapel holds for them, the couple is excited about what the chapel has become. “When you look back on a college experience, that’s a lot of what you remember is those relationships with professors and other students,” said Jane. “You get to know those people in a really personal way, and I think the chapel was and still is one of the ways that you get to know people more deeply.” As the Chapel of Reconciliation enters its next chapter, the renewed spaces serve as a testament to the generations of Augustana alumni and supporters who have invested in its future.
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“These renovations certainly reflect and allow us to live out some of the core values of Augustana,” said Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. “It’s a place where people dedicate time to come together to center individually and collectively. What that means for each person may be different, but at its core, it’s about our Christian foundation and our value of community.”
And it means just as much to the students who utilize the updated spaces. “College in general is a time to really explore and expand your faith and having the chapel here at AU has allowed me to do that in numerous ways — from meeting people from different parts of the world to people with different faiths,” said John Mortrude ‘28, chapel president and Buntrock Scholar. “The chapel is that piece that brings it all together and allows me to expand my faith in so many different ways and explore new things about myself as a person while still learning about others.” Another addition to the plaza that the campus community can expect to see later this fall is the 45-foot Hamre Bell Tower, designed by Professor Emeritus of Art Steven Thomas ‘80 and made possible through the support of John Hamre ‘72 and his wife, Julie. The base is already in place, featuring the Augustana seal and a plaque bearing the Hamre name. The structure will also support eight Whittington Chime Bells — creating a full octave of sound. The bell tower is expected to arrive in November with a dedication ceremony to follow.
Continued on page 13
augie.edu/faith
10 A NEW
FOUNDATION Augustana Holds Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony for $12 Million Apartment Building for Students
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BY JILL WILSON
As part of a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Aug. 26, Augustana dedicated Foundation Heights — a new apartment building for students. The approximately $12 million project is part of the university’s strategic plan — Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 — to transform the physical campus to include new and enhanced facilities. “The team really did an incredible job of putting it all together and taking Augustana’s campus housing to the next level. Students are going to love living here. It's sure to be among our most in-demand living spaces for years to come,” said Shannan Nelson, Augustana CFO & executive vice president, who helped bring the project to fruition. The building was designed by VanDeWalle Architects LLC and developed in partnership with Lloyd Companies. As a member of the Augustana Board of Trustees and an honorary alumnus, the project was inspired by the late Craig Lloyd. In addition, Lloyd and his wife, Pat, are founding partners of the Augustana Men’s Hockey Program and Midco Arena. According to Mark Quasney, president of development for Lloyd Companies, the project is one of the last that Craig “put his fingerprints on in such detail” before he passed away in January 2025. So, too, did several Augustana alumni — from the Vice President of Development at Lloyd Companies Luke Jessen ‘14 to its Project Manager Blake Jans ’16 — who worked closely with the design and construction teams to bring the vision to life. “It’s an emotional, joyful day,” said Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. “We all wish Craig were still with us to celebrate the ribbon cutting and to meet some of the students who live here, yet he’s most certainly with us in spirit. He lives on through his family and the colleagues he empowered and developed over the years. It means a lot that as Lloyd Companies continues to grow and give back to this community, Augustana is also growing and seeking to give back. It's a partnership between two organizations aligned in their culture and values.” In collaboration with the Lloyd family, the university named the building Foundation Heights in celebration of Craig, who helped shape the Sioux Falls region. The name represents him as a person and leader, as well as something he believed in deeply: the importance of building strong foundations — in business, in relationships and within communities. A plaque bearing Craig’s and the Lloyd family name now adorns a wall inside Foundation Heights’ lobby.
“Our family is so touched that Foundation Heights honors Craig’s legacy and that his story will be shared with generations of Augustana students to come. I know Craig would be humbled by this tribute and by all of the kind words shared about him. He would be grateful for the partnership and teamwork that brought Foundation Heights to life. And I think what would mean the most to him would be seeing students walk through these doors, make this place their own and create memories here that they will carry with them long after they leave Augustana,” said Pat Lloyd, co-founder and board member of Lloyd Companies and Augustana trustee, who was present for both the groundbreaking and ribbon cutting ceremonies for Foundation Heights. Located on the northeast corner of 28th Street and Grange Avenue, Foundation Heights is at full capacity in its first year — housing more than 100 students. With hints of navy and gold elements throughout, the building consists of four stories with primarily 2- and 4-bedroom suites, as well as 13 single units. The building’s first floor has both living and lounge spaces. Elliana “Ellie” Pulse ‘27, a biology major who is a member of the cheer team, moved into Foundation Heights at the beginning of the academic year. “It’s beautiful. It has everything I want in a living space,” said Pulse. The Sioux Falls native lived off campus last year and found that she deeply missed what Augustana is known for: community. To finish out her senior year, she decided to be closer to what she values most — the people and the experiences. “Living on campus is such a crucial aspect of college life — students are able to integrate themselves into the community effortlessly. When upperclassmen move off campus, they often miss out on those everyday moments that make college so special. I definitely missed living one door away from other students,” explained Pulse. “I’m so excited for more students to experience what I love most about Augustana with the addition of Foundation Heights!” The new building is the sixth apartment offering on Augustana’s campus.
Continued on page 12
augie.edu/housing
12 Ellie Pulse '27
A LEGACY REFRAMED Created by Augustana Professor Emeritus of Art Robert “Bob” J. Aldern ‘51, the Rogness Memorial Reredos, now showcased on the wall of The Fenstermacher Bue Narthex in the Chapel of Reconciliation, was commissioned for the 1961 International Luther League Convention in Miami Beach, Florida. The 14-panel work depicts the life and teachings of Jesus. Originally designed as the worship backdrop for the convention, the oilon-fiberboard panels were mounted within a 24-by-36-foot framework inspired by the convention theme, “Christ is Living.” The reredos served as a visual focal point for the gathering, where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed 14,000 teenagers. The reredos was gifted to Augustana in 1962 in memory of Paul Rogness ‘58 — a beloved alumnus, Rhodes Scholar and Luther League leader who was killed in a vehicle-pedestrian accident. From 1963 until the construction of the Chapel of Reconciliation in 1981, the work served as a backdrop for worship and campus gatherings in the chapel-gymnasium.
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After being taken down once construction of the chapel was complete, the reredos was occasionally brought out for worship services in the Elmen Center. While tucked away in storage, the paintings experienced damage from being moved around. Within the past year, Aldern’s daughter — Noreen Aldern Groethe — worked to restore the panels with help from John Peters ‘76, Eide/ Dalrymple Gallery & Liturgical Arts coordinator and instructor of sculpture & 3D design. His sons Skyler and Jonah ‘17 also helped design the current display and framing. “We’ve been getting to this point for a while now,” said Groethe. “It has always been a part of my life. Growing up, we always knew about these paintings.” Today, these panels continue to bear witness to the stories of alumni, artists, civil rights leaders and more. Six of the 14 panels were selected for permanent display in the Fenstermacher Bue Narthex.
Continued from page 9
14 new competition floor
EDGING THE COMPETITION BY JILL WILSON
15 new c h a i r ba c k seating
Support from the Bob ‘52 & Rita (Hale) Elmen Family Foundation, the James ‘60 & Eloise (Saugstad) ‘61 Elmen Foundation and other significant donors allowed Augustana to begin reimagining the Elmen Center — elevating the experience for students, coaches, fans and visitors. As part of Phase I of the project, the 37-year-old facility saw $2.9 million in updates to the Hall Sports Forum over the spring and summer. The updates included new competition floor, chairback seating, enhanced lighting, as well as upgraded sound capabilities. A rededication ceremony will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11:30 a.m. — prior to Augustana Men’s Basketball vs. Minnesota State — in the Elmen Center. To support Phase II of the Elmen Center revitalization project, visit augie.edu/ElmenRenovation.
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BY JILL WILSON
The Center for Western Studies (CWS) at Augustana University has named Dr. Jon K. Lauck as its next executive director — only the center’s fourth leader since its founding by author and Augustana Professor Emeritus of English Dr. Herbert Krause in 1964. “The Center for Western Studies is in good hands. Dr. Lauck brings with him a wealth of historical knowledge and great familiarity with the CWS and its programs. He is ideally suited to carry on the mission and activities that former Executive Director Dr. Harry Thompson established at the center. I am genuinely impressed by his enthusiasm and his great love for history and the humanities. He will continue the tradition of excellence that Harry set. The future is bright for the CWS and Augustana,” said CWS Board of Directors Chair Jamie Volin.
Since 2000, Lauck has authored, edited or co-edited more than 30 books. The books that Lauck wrote himself include Prairie Republic: The Political Culture of Dakota Territory, 1879-1889 (2010), The Lost Region: Toward a Revival of Midwestern History (2013) and The Oxford Handbook of Midwestern History (2025). Lauck’s best-known book is his history of the Midwest titled The Good Country: A History of the American Midwest (2022). He also worked alongside his CWS predecessor, collaborating with Thompson as co-editor of The Missouri, America's Longest River: A Cultural and Environmental History (2026). Lauck was also the editor of several CWS books, such as The Interior Borderlands: Regional Identity in the Midwest and Great Plains (2019), Heartland River: An Environmental History of the Big Sioux River Valley (2022) and Old Trails and New Roads in South Dakota History (2023).
The appointment by both the Augustana Board of Trustees and CWS Board of Directors comes after Thompson’s retirement, who had been associated with the center for more than 40 years and at the helm for 16. Lauck said it was Thompson who encouraged him to apply for the position.
But Lauck’s ties to the CWS go back much farther. In 1993, he submitted his first of many papers to The Dakota Conference, which is hosted annually by the CWS. The conference was first held at Dakota State University (DSU) in Lauck’s hometown of Madison, South Dakota, before it moved to Augustana’s campus in 1989.
“I don't think there was ever a doubt in my mind that I would apply,” recalled Lauck. “And my wife, Amy ‘99, was extremely enthused about it. That's obviously a big factor in the decision we made. I think Augie was extremely good to her when she was a student. She’s a proud Norwegian Lutheran and Augustana alum.”
LAUCKED IN Center for Western Studies at Augustana University Names New Leader
Thursday, Aug. 20, marked Lauck’s first day on the job, and he already had a mug resembling a quintessential Viking in hand. While walking through the Fantle building admiring artwork from the center’s latest exhibit “Still Becoming: America at 250," Lauck was particularly drawn to a piece that depicted a combine working its way through a field — noting that it reminded him of his roots.
The author, historian, attorney and longtime political advisor grew up on a farm near Madison, South Dakota, where his family raised corn and cattle. He attended South Dakota State University (SDSU), where he double majored in political science and history. While in Brookings, Lauck said, he “fell in love with history,” in part because of his mentor, the late SDSU Professor of History John E. Miller. Lauck also was elected student body president and got more involved civically, including working for then Sen. Larry Pressler in Washington, D.C. Lauck went on to earn a Master of Arts (M.A.) and Ph.D. in history from the University of Iowa, a juris doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Minnesota Law School and became a business lawyer at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, where he met his wife. Lauck then took over for Miller, following his retirement from SDSU in 2003. Shortly after his friend John Thune was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, he asked Lauck to work for him — serving as senior advisor and general counsel to the senator for more than 20 years. Lauck also remained an active writer and historian. He served as an adjunct professor at various colleges and in 2014, founded the Midwestern History Association and Middle West Review, known as the only scholarly print publication dedicated exclusively to the study of the Midwest as a region.
“I did my M.A. thesis on Karl Mundt, who was a long-time senator from South Dakota, and in particular, Mundt's views on the Vietnam War. It was the first deep archival research I had done and was very exciting,” said Lauck, whose excitement now rests on continuing the long-held traditions of the CWS, like hosting the Dakota Conference, Artists of the Plains Art Show and Boe Forum on Public Affairs, as well as continuing its momentum as a major academic publisher.
“Harry Thompson is irreplaceable. He's one of a kind. We have the luxury of building on his legacy and taking the center in new directions while staying true to its heritage and what it has accomplished,” said Lauck. “I have high hopes for the future.” Lauck said he wants to build on the center's mission by exploring other river valleys in the region — mentioning his interest in the Jim River, otherwise known as the James River and Red River of the North, as well as the Minnesota River. He hopes that publications like these, along with more events and marketing efforts will lead to an increase in public awareness about the center and traffic through the center’s doors. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jon Lauck as the executive director of the Center for Western Studies. Jon is a dedicated scholar whose extensive work has significantly contributed to regional history and public discourse. Alongside his research and record of public service, Jon has a proven ability to bring people and projects together, exemplified by the many collaborative and edited volumes he has organized throughout his career. He is well prepared to build upon the strong foundation established by Dr. Harry Thompson and guide the center into its next chapter,” said Augustana Provost & Executive Vice President Dr. Joel Johnson.
augie.edu/CWS
18 Vikings Welcome THREE NEW Athletics Head Coaches BY ANDREW THURSTON & JILL WILSON
SOFTBALL In June, Colleen Powers was named head coach of Augustana Softball following the departure of longtime head coach Gretta Melsted. "I'm deeply grateful for the people and experiences that have shaped my journey and am incredibly honored to be named the head softball coach at Augustana," said Powers. "My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place, honor those who came before us and help this program continue to win championships for years to come." Powers came to Sioux Falls following 13 seasons at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she turned the Wildcats into a mainstay near the top of its league. As head coach, Powers led St. Kate's to back-to-back appearances in both the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Playoff Tournament and NCAA Tournament in 2016 and 2017 — marking the most successful seasons in program history. She was named MIAC Coach of the Year both seasons and earned NFCA Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2017, after leading the Wildcats to their first appearance at the Division III Championships.
RS C O L L E E N P OW E
Powers earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota, where she was a captain of the Gophers Softball Team — earning the team's MVP award twice while leading them to a Big 10 Tournament appearance. Upon graduation, Powers helped coach the West Texas A&M University Softball Team to its first national ranking in program history as a graduate assistant from 2008 to 2009.
From 2009 to 2011, Powers earned a master's degree in sports administration at Central Michigan University (CMU) and had multiple coaching, teaching and recruiting responsibilities as a graduate assistant. Following her time at CMU, Powers had two successful seasons as head softball coach at Lakeville South High School in Minnesota, where she led the 2013 squad to a second-place finish in the 3AA Section Tournament.
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19
VOLLEYBALL
'22
Former Augustana All-American Erika Bute ‘22 is back home after being named the head coach of the Viking Volleyball Team in late June.
"I'm incredibly honored to return to my alma mater," said Bute. "The university and the volleyball program have played a huge role in shaping who I am, and I am grateful for the journey that brought me back here. I couldn't be more excited for what's ahead." Bute returned to Augustana following her first full season as a head coach at Bemidji State University in 2025. She earned the head coaching position after serving as an assistant coach of Beaver Volleyball in 2024. In her lone season as an assistant, she moved into the interim head coach position with seven games remaining in the regular season. "She is a winner, competitor and rising star in the coaching profession. Her vision for the program and exceptional communication gives Viking Volleyball an opportunity to elevate and work toward an NSIC Championship,” said Vice President of Athletics Josh Morton.
E R IK A B U T E
A native of Alden, Minnesota, Bute earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in marketing at Augustana, where she served on Augustana's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and had a decorated career as a student-athlete for Augustana Volleyball. She received an American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention and was named a CSC Academic All-America Third Team member. She was also a 2-time NSIC Libero of the Year, 4-time AllNSIC honoree and named the 2023 NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year. In addition, Bute earned two master's degrees while at Augustana — a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Sports Administration & Leadership (MSAL) and served as the head coach of the Kairos Volleyball AAU Team from 2020 to 2023.
'24
ACROBATICS & TUMBLING In May, Sophia Gardner ‘24 was elevated from assistant to head coach of the Augustana Acrobatics & Tumbling Team — the second head coach in the program’s history. "I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity to be the next head coach of the Augustana Acrobatics & Tumbling Team. I'm looking forward to building on everything Coach (Kaelyn) Dillon accomplished over the past four years,” said Gardner. “I feel extremely privileged to work with such an incredible group of athletes. Together, we will continue to strengthen South Dakota as an acrobatics & tumbling state." Gardner, of Waco, Texas, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Azusa Pacific, where she competed as a back/base and tumbler for its acrobatics & tumbling team. In 2022, Gardner came to Augustana as a graduate assistant and was promoted to assistant coach in 2024, while earning a Master of Sports Administration & Leadership (MSAL) from Augustana. During Gardner’s time with the Vikings, the team tallied a 24-7 record over the course of four seasons, including two appearances in the NCATA National Championships.
SO P H IA G A R D N
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vikin victor 2025-26
g ies
1 2 2 4 9 10 10 10 10 12 33 47 95 334
NATIONAL CHAMPION
21
NSIC ELITE 18 AWARD WINNERS NSIC COACHES OF THE YEAR NSIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS NSIC PLAYERS OF THE YEAR CSC ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA HONORS NATIONAL TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES NATIONALLY-RANKED PROGRAMS ALL-AMERICA HONORS NATIONAL ATHLETES OF THE WEEK MYLES BRAND AWARD WINNERS CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETES ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE STUDENT-ATHLETES
22 Record Enrollment Augustana welcomed a total of 2,652 students for Academic Year 2026-27. Hailing from 46 states and 48 countries, the number marks the largest ever student body in Augustana’s 166-year history. The student body includes 2,228 total undergraduates, which is the largest ever overall undergraduate headcount at Augustana. Among those undergraduates, a total of 586 full-time first-year students chose to find their bold at Augustana. The university once again set a record for the overall number of graduate students with 424. The number of first-year students from Fall 2025 returning for Fall 2026 is 87.2% — the highest retention rate in the university’s history. augie.edu/enrollment New Government & International Affairs Majors Beginning in Fall 2026, the Augustana University Government & International Affairs Department is expanding its program offerings to include more specialized majors. It will transition to a political science major, covering a broad spectrum of fundamental concepts in the study of politics and political institutions. Three additional majors — American politics & policy, legal studies and global politics — will be added to the department’s offerings, each exploring distinct aspects of politics at the local, national and international levels.
AVP of Human Resources Elizabeth "Beth" Nixon was named the associate vice president (AVP) of human resources at Augustana on June 29. She came to AU from Denver, Colorado — bringing more than 30 years of human resources leadership experience in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. Most recently, Nixon served as chief human resources officer for AllHealth Network — a nonprofit behavioral health organization. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives focused on employee engagement, leadership development, organizational culture, talent management and strategic workforce planning.
augie.edu/GIA
AU + Go Beyond Partnership Augustana announced in May that the university is partnering with Go Beyond, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to creating innovative residential and community-based opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Through the partnership, Augustana and Go Beyond are collaborating on research and program development to better serve this population and expand resources. The partnership will help strengthen post-graduation support for Augie Access Program students, while serving a broader population across the region. GoBeyondLiving.org
VP of Administration Margaret Carmody joined Augustana as vice president of administration on July 20 — providing strategic oversight and operational leadership across key administrative functions, including human resources, safety & risk management, executive communications and operations, as well as institutional governance. Carmody brings extensive leadership experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. At Raven Industries, she led marketing, governance, employee engagement and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Most recently, Carmody held senior leadership roles with the Washington Pavilion and University of South Dakota Foundation & Alumni Association. She is also active in the community — serving as chair of the Board of Trustees for Dow Rummel Village, vice chair of the Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium Board of Directors, a founding board member of Go Beyond and co-founder of the Power Lunch mentoring program.
23 2026-27 ARTS CALENDAR
Straw Boy by Mikennah Oleson | Oct. 22-25, 2026 Bethel Park Falls by Jason Pizzarello | Nov. 20-22, 2026 Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare | Feb. 25-28, 2027 Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan | April 22-25, 2027 All productions are performed at the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre. Learn about future Augustana Theatre events at augie.edu/TheatrePerformances.
“Identity // Identify: Interdisciplinary Printmaking of Gracie Korstjens ‘24" Through Oct. 29, 2026 "Augustana High School Invitational" | Jan. 5 - Feb. 5, 2027 “Fruitful Illusions: Augustana Faculty Biennial" | Feb. 11 - March 4, 2027 "The Fiber Art of Lynn Verschoor" | March 18 - April 15, 2027 "Augustana Senior Show" | April 23 - May 22, 2027 All exhibits are at the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery. Learn about future Eide/Dalrymple Gallery events at augie.edu/gallery.
Augustana Orchestra Fall Concert | Oct. 25, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Hamre Recital Hall Augustana Choir Concert | Oct. 26, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Cathedral of St. Joseph Northlanders Jazz Band Concert | Nov. 10, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Hamre Recital Hall Augustana Band Festival Finale Concert | Nov. 14, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | Tea Area High School Augustana Trombone Festival Final Concert | Nov. 19, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Christmas Vespers | Dec. 4, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Dec. 5, 2026 | 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. | Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Learn about future Augustana School of Music events at augie.edu/SoMEvents.
24
Cole Fricke and Ali Ramsley ‘15 were married in the Augustana Chapel of Reconciliation on Nov. 8, 2025.
2013
CLASS NOTES
augie.edu/alumni
Jared Mitchell and Alyssa (Weber) Mitchell welcomed their second child, daughter Johanna, before moving home to Sioux Falls.
2007 2026
Ava Brandt is attending the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law.
Tressa (Munger) Wieseler earned a master’s degree in anthropology in 2021 and married Keenan Wieseler in 2023. They welcomed a son in 2024 and a daughter in 2026. Wieseler works as an archaeologist for Merjent and sells her artwork through Tressa Makes Art LLC.
2024 Jack Grell and Courtney (Cohrs) Grell ‘23 were married in Okoboji, Iowa, on June 27.
2012
2010
Andrea (Carstensen) Spilde married Jordan Spilde in Watertown, South Dakota, on Dec. 6, 2025.
2022
Madeline Borgmeier and Ted Van Alstyne were married at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls on June 27.
2015 Ali Ramsley and Cole Fricke '09 were married in the Augustana Chapel of Reconciliation on Nov. 8, 2025.
Isak Larson and Hannah Risch are engaged and planning a June 2027 wedding. 2020
2014
Elizabeth (Petersen) Shaw, a 2023 graduate of New England Law, opened Humanitas Legal Group in Boston, Massachusetts, where she is a partner. She is also a member of the Boston Spark Council.
Liz (Bunkers) Fagerness and husband, Mike, welcomed a daughter, Maisy Vera, in August 2026. Maisy joins big brother, Graham Michael, 3. Jesse and Kelsey (Junget) Fonkert welcomed Anneliese Clare on Dec. 30, 2025.
2019
Kirsten (Nyberg) Palkert welcomed Carter Joan Palkert on May 5.
Julie DeWitt Garcia and Darwin Garcia welcomed their daughter, Margot, on Aug. 6. 2018 James Even married Talia DeWitte on June 20. Loghan Huiskes Clark and Heath Clark ’17 welcomed their second daughter, Lottie Isla, on Dec. 1, 2025.
Heath Clark and Loghan Huiskes Clark ’18 welcomed their second daughter, Lottie Isla, on Dec. 1, 2025.
Courtney Cohrs and Jack Grell '24 were married in Okoboji, Iowa, on June 27.
Sarah Parmenter and Emily Bartscher co-founded Uniquely Yours Specialized Care, South Dakota’s first nonprofit pediatric day habilitation center, which provides specialized care for individuals with disabilities ages 3 to 21.
Maggie (Olson) Taylor and husband, Jeff, welcomed daughter, Louisa, on April 10. Louisa joins big brother, Teddy.
2017 2023
Mike Amolins is assistant superintendent of academic services for the Harrisburg School District. Amolins and his wife, Miriah, a teacher, live in Harrisburg, South Dakota, with their sons, Henry and Sawyer, and dogs, Kylo Ren and Bella.
Julie Ailts got engaged to Ethan Schmitz on July 3.
2006
Liz (Soukup) Van Westen and husband, Brandon, welcomed son, Edmund Theodore, in November 2025. Edmund joins big sister, Eleanor.
Tracey Fredrick was selected as one of three sports officials to represent the state of Minnesota at the National Association of Sports Officials Summit in July 2026.
2009
Alicia (Coggins) Boe and husband, Eric, reside in Gilbert, Arizona, where they are proud parents to Amelia, 7, and Cora, 4. Since December 2024, Alicia has been utilizing her sociology/ communications education as the communications director for Visit Mesa.
Rev. Jon Splichal Larson rejoined the staff of the AU Office of Faith & Spiritual Life as associate university pastor.
P NTS WITH
PROFESSORS
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin Augustana President
Monday, Nov. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. Remedy Brewing Company, Sioux Falls
Dr. Andrea Powell Assistant Professor of Exercise & Sport Sciences, Program Director of Strength & Conditioning Tuesday, Feb. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. Remedy Brewing Company, Sioux Falls
To view all Augustana Alumni Association events and RSVP, visit augie.edu/AlumniEvents.
1977
1973
John Lynch retired as a psychotherapist in the 2010s after 40 years in practice.
Jeffrey Jorgenson is active with Sons of Norway Washington Lodge 3-428, where he has served as secretary, vice president and in 2025, as president.
1976
augie.edu/LegacyScholarship
Jason Leach was promoted to the rank of captain with the Sioux Falls Police Department in October 2025 and oversees the patrol division.
1996 Anne Gerrietts is capital improvement project manager for CoNorth — a nonprofit organization that helps manufactured home communities become resident-owned cooperatives.
2005
Jill (Adams) Moore and the late Timothy Moore welcomed son, Noah Timothy, on July 19.
1995 Sheila Anderson DeRose retired after 27 years as a speechlanguage pathologist (SLP) in Illinois and moved to Colorado, where she is enjoying the outdoors.
2003 Jeremy R. Haugen was ordained at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau, South Dakota, on June 20. He has been called to serve Grace Lutheran in Lake Benton, Minnesota.
1980 2002
Lars Gjerde earned an MBA in business analytics in healthcare to further his work as an advanced practice manager at UC Davis Health.
Jean Reece retired in 2025 and after 40 years in Tennessee, returned to her hometown in South Dakota. She looks forward to spending more time with family and friends.
2001
1978
Elena Arushanyan has served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 22 years and currently serves as a military treatment facility director and group commander at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.
Page Duroe Kern and her doubles partner won national titles at the Women’s Senior/Masters National Racquetball Tournament held in Fountain Valley, California on May 1-3. David Sneen placed second in the Senior Bench Bash in Columbus, Ohio, on March 6, with a 421-pound bench press. He lives in Sioux Falls and drives a school bus for the Harrisburg School District.
25
Becky Bagaason Hallberg and David Hallberg ’74 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 31. The couple met at Augustana before beginning careers devoted to service. David worked in Washington, D.C., where he served as a congressional chief of staff and established the Renewable Fuels Association. Becky served as an Army nurse at Walter Reed Army Hospital. They later lived in Atlanta and Omaha, Nebraska, where they raised their daughters, Amanda Greenwell and Berit Mansour. 1974 David Hallberg and Becky Bagaason Hallberg ’76 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 31. The couple met at Augustana before beginning careers devoted to service. David worked in Washington, D.C., where he served as a congressional chief of staff and established the Renewable Fuels Association. Becky served as an Army nurse at Walter Reed Army Hospital. They later lived in Atlanta and Omaha, Nebraska, where they raised their daughters, Amanda Greenwell and Berit Mansour.
1966 Don Smith utilized his Augustana education for the past 60 years and retired from public school finance on June 30. Smith was recognized multiple times for excellence in financial reporting and budgeting, twice for Service to the Profession by the Colorado Association of School Business Officials, presented the Excellence in Education Award by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and previously served as president of the Colorado Association of School Executives. 1963 David and Judy (Krohn) Helgager celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary and David’s 85th birthday. Marilyn (Olson) Mitchell retired in 2024 and continues to live in Northern California near her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Jonah, 17, and Mandolin, 15. She is enjoying retirement and spending time with family and friends.
CROSSWORD ANSWERS: DOWN
ACROSS
1. Key to the City 4. Chapel 5. Pancake Feed 7. Ole 8. Viking Days
2. Eidsvaag Bell 3. Tuve 6. Mirror 8. Vespers 9. Navy & Gold 10. Ace
26
Michael Victor Knight, 65, passed away at home in Independence, Minnesota, on May 4.
IN MEMORIAM 2000
Kay E. Francis, 60, of Harrisburg, South Dakota, died on May 4. 1998
Marilee Erickson Driver passed away on May 30. 1994
Christopher Lewis Scott, 53, of Mitchell, South Dakota, passed away at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls on Jan. 29. Dr. Eric Richard Thomas, 53, passed away unexpectedly in Sioux Falls on June 25.
Dr. Alexander “Alex” Willem van Amerongen, 67, of Lebanon, Illinois, passed away at home on March 18. 1985
Carolyn Anderson of Hartford, South Dakota, passed away at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls on March 25.
1987
1981
Robert (Bob) B. Elbridge Benson passed away on April 20. 1984
Dawn Ranae (Swier) Hillman, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Aug. 1, following a motorcycle accident while traveling with her husband and family.
Sister Phyllis Gill, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, passed away at Presentation Center in Sioux Falls on Aug. 21. 1980
Karl Otto Gehrke, 63, of Sioux Falls, passed away on June 9. 1982
Laurel Kay Vanderbilt, 66, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away on March 7.
Gretchen Morrow Bray passed away on Feb. 25. Sharon R. Jolivette, passed away on Feb. 5.
Richard Selle passed away at Ava's House in Sioux Falls on July 16.
1979 Melanie Anne Riddle Gellhaus, of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away on June 8, after becoming ill while traveling with her husband in Sicily, Italy. Kristine Kreiter O’Connell, of Sioux Falls, passed away at the Dougherty House on Feb. 25. 1977 Barbara Hylle, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home on March 6, after a short battle with cancer. 1976 Douglas “Doug” Alan Anderson, 73, of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Longville, Minnesota, passed away on Dec. 15, 2025. Nancy Kay Clauson, 72, passed away at home in Sioux Falls on Feb. 17. 1975
Dean L. Buntrock, founder and longtime CEO of Waste Management, Inc., passed away on April 17, at the age of 94. A South Dakota native, Buntrock was a visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist and champion of education whose leadership helped transform the waste services industry. A man of deep faith, Buntrock was deeply committed to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Lutheran higher education. He believed education was “the greatest gift we can give our youth.” He and his wife, Rosemarie, made a historic and transformational gift to Augustana, which established both the Buntrock Scholars Program and Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium — advancing the university’s mission and sustaining its core values. Buntrock’s legacy will live on through the lives he shaped, institutions he strengthened and individuals, ELCA congregations and communities that will benefit from his vision and generosity. He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie; daughters Dana (Leroy Howard), Margot (Gary Weinstein) and Charley (Robert Zeches); six granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren.
T. Denny Sanford, of Sioux Falls, passed away on July 18, at the age of 90. One of the nation’s most generous philanthropists, Sanford believed deeply in the power of giving to transform lives. Over the course of his lifetime, he contributed more than $4 billion to organizations and initiatives benefiting children, healthcare, higher education and communities throughout South Dakota and beyond. Sanford’s generosity touched Augustana University in many ways. Students have benefited from the Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship and South Dakota Freedom Scholarship, while his vision and philanthropy helped inspire Augustana’s Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program in partnership with Sanford Health. In 2024, Augustana honored Sanford with its Spirit of Augustana Award for Philanthropy & Leadership. A lifelong hockey fan, Sanford also made a transformational investment in bringing NCAA Division I hockey to Augustana, Sioux Falls and South Dakota. He became a familiar presence at Midco Arena, cheering on the Vikings and witnessing the broad community impact he believed the sport could have. Sanford is survived by his sons, Scott (Rada) and Bill (Andrea), and three grandchildren.
Darwin Husby died unexpectedly of natural causes at home in Sioux Falls on May 3. 1974
Kevin Carlson passed away in August 2025. Mary Ellen Carlson, 74, passed away on May 6. Kathleen Jean Hovey Dinger, 73, passed away at the Kadoka Nursing Home in Kadoka, South Dakota, on April 26. Gerald Jerry Flanagan, of Sioux Falls, passed away under the compassionate care of the staff at the VA Hospice Cottage on April 14, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Pastor Gary Garnatz, 73, died at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, Minnesota, on April 13. Stanley Vernon Meyers, 74, of Sioux Falls, passed away on June 11. 1973 Curtis Alfred Bevers, 75, passed away on April 16, after a short battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
1968
Roger Bly, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital on March 31.
John Eldon Jacobsen passed away at home in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 31.
Merridee Ekstrom passed away on April 15.
Randall S. Knox passed away on May 13.
Anthony (Tony) Mikkelson passed away unexpectedly on April 21.
Jane Richmond Lundstrom, 79, died at home under the care of Northern Illinois Hospice on May 16.
LaDonna Rae (Wattnem) Rasmussen, 74, passed away in Brownsburg, Indiana, on June 8.
Pam Sonnichsen, a 5-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, died at Dougherty Hospice House on Aug. 5.
27
Doris Carolyn Stoll, 79, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away on May 20, 2024. 1966
1967 Ralph DeRaad, 87, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dow Rummel on July 27. Kenneth Alan Hotz, 84, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on April 21.
Ardyce Charles, 81, passed away peacefully. James (Jim) Lewis Watson, known to old friends as “Whitey,” passed away at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls on July 1.
1972 Ralph “Jake” Jakobsen, of Sioux Falls, passed away under hospice care at home on June 13.
Dr. Charles D. “Chuck” Lein ’63, of Lafayette, Louisiana, passed away on March 8, at the age of 84. A Sioux Falls native, Lein graduated from Augustana in 1963 before earning advanced degrees from the University of Wyoming and embarking on a distinguished career in higher education and business.
Wayne Olson passed away at home on May 15.
Lein served as dean of the College of Business at Boise State University before becoming the youngest president in the history of the University of South Dakota in 1977. He later held executive leadership positions with Landstrom’s Black Hills Gold and Stuller, Inc., and served for 28 years on the Albertsons Inc. Board of Directors.
Lorallen “Smudge” Schmeling, 76, of rural Cosmos, Minnesota, passed away at Prairie Senior Cottages in Hutchinson on April 24.
Augustana recognized Lein with its Alumni Achievement Award in 1978 and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1996. Remembered for his integrity, generous spirit and deep South Dakota roots, Lein is survived by his wife, Sue ‘63; sons, Kent ’95, Keith (Lynn), Steve (Paula) and Greg (Nicole); nine grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
1971 Martha Kristin “Kris” Bertus passed away on March 28. Roger Lee Suurmeyer passed away at home in Spring, Texas, on Jan. 29. 1970 Robert Loren Higgins, 77, of Roland, Iowa, passed away at home on May 27, 2025.
IMPACT THE FUTURE You can make a gift that will transform lives and sustain our enduring mission for generations to come.
John Lovald passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on July 15. 1969
Wayne Donald Anderson passed away at home in New Richmond, Wisconsin, on June 7. Robert (Bob) Engebretsen, 78, formerly of Bloomington, Minnesota, passed away on April 30. Harriet Ann (Fisher) Pancoast, 93, Ballwin, Missouri, passed away on June 2. Mary E. Roesler, of Orient, South Dakota, passed away at the Faulkton Area Medical Center, on July 23. Steven B. Zieske died on Feb. 2, after battling pneumonia.
If you are considering leaving a legacy through your estate plan, contact
Visit AugieGiving.org to get started.
28
IN MEMORIAM 1963
Bruce E. Wornson, 82, of Canby, Minnesota, passed away at Ava's Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Aug. 26. 1965
James (Jim) Arthur Berry, 84, passed away at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls on May 29.
Rollyn Habeger Samp, of Sioux Falls, passed away under the compassionate care of Dow Rummel Village Hospice on Sept. 1. 1964 Gary Edward Dartt, 84, passed away at home in Statesboro, Georgia, on July 18. Donald Paul Evenson, 84, of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away on March 20, 2025. Glenn Gravelle passed away at home in Centennial, Colorado, on May 27, following a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Phillip James Nelson, 83, of Waverly, Iowa, died at home on March 13.
Elizabeth (Betty) Schulz Davis passed away at home in El Paso, Texas, on April 26. Donald Johnson passed away at Epstein Center of Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Nov. 7, 2025. Reginald Lee Knight, a resident of Stonecrest in Summerfield, Florida, passed away on Aug. 15. Dr. Charles D. Lein, 84, of Lafayette, Louisiana, passed away at home on March 8. Leona Joyce Bochek Polyak passed away at home on July 28. Ruth Wood passed away at Bethesda Place on Aug. 27, just hours before her 85th birthday.
1962
1960
Elaine Lorenzen (Rothwell) Ault, 85, of Litchfield Park, Arizona, passed away on Feb. 14.
Avis Howe, of rural Northwest Perkins County, South Dakota, passed away at home on April 7.
Derald Norbert Jendersee, of Cockeysville, Maryland, passed away on May 23.
Holly Pederson passed away on Jan. 20.
Phyllis Ruth Olson, 84, of Mankato, Minnesota, passed away on March 4, 2025. She and her husband, Paul (Doug) ‘62, were soulmates for 62 years. Helga Maria Szameit, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Ava's Hospice House on Aug. 2. 1961 Barbara Johnson Kilani, 86, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on May 30. Quentin Oliver Neufeld passed away at home on June 12. John Elmer Simko, 87, passed away at Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on June 6. Larry Tieszen, 85, died of a pulmonary embolism on Dec. 29, 2025.
John Simko ’61, of Sioux Falls, passed away on June 6, at the age of 87. A gifted multisport athlete, Simko competed in football, basketball, tennis and track at Augustana. He was inducted into the Augustana Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977 and later into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. Simko’s commitment to Augustana continued throughout his life. He served on the Alumni Council and Center for Western Studies Board and was a member of the Viking Bold Campaign Steering Committee. In 2025, he received the Milt and Clara Harvey Award — recognizing his outstanding contributions of time, service and financial support to Augustana Athletics. A longtime Sioux Falls attorney, Simko later served as the first full-time U.S. magistrate judge for the District of South Dakota. He remained an enthusiastic Viking — regularly cheering on Augustana alongside forever friends and former teammates. Simko is survived by his sons, J.B. (Kris), Jamie (Susie) and Josh; stepsons, Christopher ‘91 (Robbin) Nelson, Matthew (Carrie) Nelson and JT Nelson; and 17 grandchildren.
Larry Tieszen '61, professor emeritus of biology, died on Dec. 29, 2025, at the age of 85. A beloved Augustana faculty member from 1966-99, he inspired generations of students through his passion for ecology, groundbreaking field research and extraordinary mentorship. Alumni credit Tieszan with shaping their careers by opening doors to research experiences that changed their lives. Following his retirement, he continued his scientific leadership at the U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Center. Tieszen is survived by his wife, Sharon ‘75; and children, Jackson, Kimberly and Natalie.
Ruby Schroeder, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, Minnesota on Feb. 21. Robert Dean Shuck, 87, passed away on Feb. 10. Richard (Dick) Martin Smith, 90, of Lakeville, Minnesota, passed away on March 2. 1959
Leland Johnson, 88, of Sioux Falls, passed away on April 16, following a brief illness. Sylvia Moore, 88, passed away at St. Luke’s Lutheran Home in Spencer on June 16. LaDonna (Voss) Nelson died at Gable Pines Retirement Living in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, on March 30, following a brief bout with cancer. Carol Quail, 91, of Faribault, Minnesota, died at Faribault Senior Living on July 7. Robert (Bob) Walton, Sr., 93, of Moorhead, Minnesota, passed away on March 16. 1958 Joan Ardell Christen, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on Sept. 11, 2025. Mary Ann (Thormodsgaard) Leafstedt, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House on April 7. Richard (Dick) Merrill passed away on Dec. 24, 2025. Don Munson, 89, of Yankton, South Dakota, passed away at home in West Lafayette, Indiana, on April 24. Inez Marie Nelson, 90, of Northfield, Minnesota, passed away at home on April 26. Gary Wehlage passed away on March 29.
JoAnn Zorn, of Eagan, Minnesota, formerly of Doon, passed away at the Good Samaritan Society in Inver Grove Heights on Feb. 17, 2025.
1952
1951
Lester C. Bly, 98, passed away of natural causes on July 4.
John “Jack” Harris, 97, of Mitchell, South Dakota, passed away at Firesteel Healthcare Center on May 20.
1957
Evelyn Louise Dennis, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away at AdventHealth in Winter Garden on Jan. 28.
Suzanne Marguery Alderson, 90, formerly of Goleta and Santa Maria, California, passed away in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on April 7. Paul J. Heine, a longtime resident of the St. Cloud, Minnesota, area, passed away on May 10. Ben Newcomb passed away at Generations at Rock Island on June 8. Donna Stavig, 90, passed away on Feb. 16. Marianne Hauge Vatne, 91, of Carmel, Indiana, passed away on Jan. 22. 1956 Floyd Florey, 94, of Montevideo, Minnesota, passed away at Avera Granite Falls Care Center on Feb. 18. Luther Paul Lerseth passed away on March 9. Mildred “Millie” Moser passed away on Aug. 13. Dwayne Gustav Olsen passed away in Prior Lake, Minnesota, on March 12. Ann DeReu Wheeldon Stich, 92, of Sioux Falls, passed away at home on May 25. 1955 Reverend Alvin J. Bergh, 93, died on July 3. Beverly Laird, 93, of Hector, Minnesota, passed away at Prairie View Assisted Living on Feb. 8. 1954 Melvin John Tschetter, 94, of Ames, passed away at Mary Greeley Medical Center on April 15.
Dolores Mae Costello passed away at her lake home on July 29.
Gloria June Vatne, of Greenwood Village, Colorado, formerly of Denver, passed away on Dec. 17, 2025.
Lyle Krueger passed away at Avantara in Groton, South Dakota, on July 24. Lorraine Olson, 96, passed away at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota, on July 22. Mark Steece, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, passed away on March 19, missing his 102nd birthday by just 10 days.
1950
29
Twyla Mae Boe, 99, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on Feb. 16. 1948 Lorna Kilian, 99, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital on May 20, just shy of her 100th birthday.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The class notes sent to Augustana University come from alumni and/or family members. They may be edited for length and clarity, along with grammar and spelling to reflect the editorial style guide of the university.
Darrell Butterwick ’23, Honorary Alumnus, of Woodbury, Minnesota, passed away on Aug. 18, at the age of 96. Butterwick built a long career with Northern States Power Company — holding management positions in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Following his retirement, Butterwick served as commissioner of economic development under South Dakota Gov. George Mickelson. Butterwick served on the Augustana Board of Regents from 1974-84, contributing a decade of leadership to the university. He is survived by his children, Valerie (Robert) Miller, Deborah (Mark) Hubbell and David (Mary) Butterwick; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Verlyn Lindell, professor emeritus of mathematics, passed away on May 14, at the age of 94. Lindell joined the Augustana faculty in 1967 and taught mathematics until his retirement in 2005 — shaping generations of students through his love of the subject and patient, thoughtful teaching. During his 38 years at Augustana, Lindell served the university in numerous leadership roles, including as chair of the mathematics department, chair of the Personnel Council and faculty representative to the Board of Regents. In 1985, he and his wife, Nora, established the Edward G. and Estella Lindell Scholarship in honor of his parents. The scholarship has since supported 55 Augustana mathematics majors, extending Lindell’s impact and legacy well beyond the classroom. A man of deep faith and a devoted educator, Lindell was known for his warmth, kindness and remarkable memory. He is survived by his daughters, Karin ’87 and Lisa ’87.
Rev. Dr. Ann Milliken Pederson, professor emerita of religion, passed away on July 15, at the age of 69. Pederson served Augustana from 1990 to 2024, including as interim campus pastor during the 2009-10 academic year. A gifted and beloved teacher, theologian and scholar, Pederson was known for making connections between religion and other disciplines, particularly science. She played a significant role in developing Augustana’s medical humanities & society minor, taught interdisciplinary courses with colleagues from across the university and published five books. Above all, she was a mentor who had a profound influence on generations of Augustana students. The Dr. Ann Milliken Pederson Endowed Scholarship has been established in her memory — extending her legacy of teaching and mentorship. Pederson is survived by her husband, Gary.
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