The Augustana: Spring 2026

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.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Spring brings fresh momentum to Augustana University, and the stories in this issue reflect a community that is energized, goal-oriented and future-focused.

Our cover celebrates a remarkable milestone: 130 years of the Augustana Band. For generations, the band has provided empowering and exhilarating experiences — uniting alumni, students and audiences worldwide through excellence, tradition and collaboration. The university’s musical legacy continues to grow as the Augustana School of Music expands its offerings, including the addition of a new Bachelor of Music in performance and through the achievements of individuals such as our Artist-in-Residence Matthew Whitaker, whose recent GRAMMY win reflects the caliber of talent among those who are mentoring and inspiring our students.

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.

This spirit of collaboration and connection also lies at the heart of Augustana being awarded a transformative $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., supporting a national storytelling initiative that invites communities to explore faith, meaning and vocation. The initiative is a powerful affirmation of Augustana’s mission and the ways our faculty, staff, students and partners engage their neighbors with curiosity, courage and care.

You’ll also read news that affirms the value of an Augustana education. According to our latest Outcomes Report, 98% of graduates from the Class of 2025 are employed in their chosen field and 22% are continuing their education in graduate or professional school — clear evidence that Augustana students are well prepared to make immediate contributions through their vocational callings.

Innovation continues across our academic programs. We are expanding our national footprint with the launch of a second Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Colorado, modeled on the success of DPT-Minnesota. In the Rydell School of Business, new offerings, including both a trust minor and an organizational leadership minor, respond to emerging needs and prepare students for thoughtful, ethical leadership.

These stories and all those you’ll find within, reflect a university grounded in its core values and confidently shaping its future. As you turn the pages ahead, I hope you feel the pride we share in Augustana’s people, programs and purpose, and the gratitude we hold for your continued partnership in this remarkable Viking Bold journey.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin President

Painting Possibilities A Colorful Colorado Expansion

Faith Finds a Voice

Liberal Arts Equals Results A Resounding Anniversary The Dedication of a Presidential Legacy A "Major" Milestone

PHOTOGRAPHERS

2 4 6 8 10 14 16 CONNECT WITH US

Making a Splash

AU Student Organization Partners With MAKE-A-WISH to Bring More Color to ACE'S PAINTING PARTY

the community to come together to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“We love getting involved with different initiatives and Make-A-Wish is a big initiative for us,” said Dr. Kimberly Miller, senior associate athletics director for compliance and senior woman administrator at AU.

The event is only one of many that SAAC organizes with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in mind — each known as a Make-A-Wish Family Fun Day. Miller said that partnering with the organization has been a highlight for everyone involved, especially the foundation families.

“Anytime that we have an opportunity to partner with Make-A-Wish in order to allow those families to have a good time, take a mental break from everything that’s going on and just enjoy each other, we love to do it,” Miller said.

Miller said events like this also give the student-athletes an opportunity to volunteer and give back to the community away from their everyday routine.

“Our student-athletes do a lot when it comes to competitions, preparation and academics,” she said. “This is an opportunity for them to get some experience outside of athletics — to do things that they love.”

Maxwell Ramberg ‘27 is a special education and elementary education double major on the Viking Wrestling Team and serves as Augustana’s SAAC president. The Baldwin, Wisconsin, native said the event is important in getting young kids in the community involved and “keeping good athletes and good people coming to Augustana.”

“I think back to when I was younger, and I would look at all these college athletes and say, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re super cool,’” remembered Ramburg. “I really look forward to getting around the kids and letting them know we do super cool stuff and that we’re just people.”

But more than adding to AU’s good reputation, both Miller and Ramberg said the event may make an impact on someone’s life.

“I think it’s really powerful when young kids, whether they’re going through illness, stuff in their home life, or they’re just a big fan of athletics, I think it’s a really cool thing to just see them conversing with athletes,” Ramberg said.

community, Augustana hopes to raise $30,000 and continue to lead all of NCAA Division II in donations to the foundation.

Ace’s Third Annual Painting Party: A Make-A-Wish Family Fun Day

Sponsored by Nyberg’s Ace Sunday, April 26 | 3-5 p.m. | Midco Arena

Free Admission | Free Will Donations to Benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation

If you’re unable to attend Ace’s Painting Party and would like to help AU’s effort in donating to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit augie.edu/MakeAWish

Augustana University Set to Launch Second DPT Program in January 2027 Expanding Footprint to Colorado

BY JILL WILSON

As part of its strategic plan, Augustana is expanding its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program to Colorado — home to one of the university’s largest alumni bases — in January 2027.

Housed in the university’s School of Health Professions, the launch of the Augustana Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in Colorado (DPT-CO) comes after its DPT program in Minneapolis, Minnesota, graduated its inaugural cohort of 70 students in Spring 2025. The launch also follows the Augustana DPT-MN Program being granted full accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) in April 2025.

“Launching the DPT program in Colorado reflects the strategic work to build a regional presence grounded in our mission and strengthened by our alumni connections,” said Augustana’s Dean of the School of Health Professions Dr. Matt Volansky, who started the inaugural DPT-MN program. “The program aligns with our Viking Bold commitment to innovation and expanding access while preparing physical therapists for contemporary practice.”

“I taught at the inaugural Augustana DPT Minnesota (DPT-MN) program for two years and realized this is a great thing,” said Augustana Program Director of DPT-CO Dr. Shelene Thomas, who grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, and now resides in Longmont. “We feel like Colorado is hungry for a progressive, hybrid option. The information age is accelerating and students are able to tolerate a faster, shorter way to enter the profession.”

Just like DPT-MN, DPT-CO will be an accelerated program that prepares graduates to be health care leaders in two years. The program’s hybrid model will combine online learning, lab immersions, as well as clinical education rotations, which will take place across the country. Over the course of the program, students will take online courses for eight weeks and then travel to Englewood, Colorado, for lab immersions. They will spend anywhere from five days to two weeks in Colorado depending on their course load that semester.

“Our hybrid program offers students the ability to learn in place, to continue their career growth wherever they’re at so they don’t have to uproot their family to go to physical therapy school,” said Thomas. “A 2-year program lowers the cost significantly.”

With the inaugural program’s success, the Augustana DPT-CO Program looks to emulate much of what the Augustana DPT-MN Program is doing. However, Thomas said there will be a few slight differences, such as strategically placing courses to allow a deeper understanding of the primary care role as a physical therapist. This allows students more preparation for the variety of roles of physical therapists in the future.

“The program in Colorado will also elevate the primary care focus because our scope of practice here is broad. We want PTs to be able to treat people in primary care, assisting other health care providers with patients with acute musculoskeletal injuries, non-pharmacological intervention on low back pain and vestibular challenges, etc. PTs are well designed health care providers with significant education in anatomy and hands-on psychomotor skills to help with complex issues of high frequency that need a component of non-pharmacological intervention,” noted Thomas. “PTs can practice at the top of their scope here.”

Thomas said her goal for the DPT program in Colorado is to also create the opportunity for its students to be master adaptive learners.

“We can’t teach students everything they need to know for their 30-year career. What we need to do is teach them how to learn. There’s a strategy book I hope to implement in our curriculum that allows students to understand how to learn when they don’t know what’s in front of them, how to be flexible and nimble,” explained Thomas. “We need to teach them how to think critically and adapt, not teach them to regurgitate protocols.”

Augustana has hired five directors to help Thomas lead the program in Colorado and is seeking additional core faculty to start in 2026. The program has a goal of recruiting 80 students in its first year, 90 students in its second year and 100 students in its third year.

DPT-CO is now accepting applications for admittance into the program. To learn more about Augustana’s DPT programs and how to apply, visit augie.edu/DPT

Triple Threat

Austin Schmitt Becomes One of the First Students to Earn Three Different Degrees

From Augustana

BY SAMUEL MARTIN

Dr. Austin Schmitt ‘25 made history as one of the first students to earn three different degrees from Augustana University. Schmitt earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in exercise science in 2022, Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) in 2023 and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2025.

The Augustana alumnus, who now has a full-time fellowship with a team in the NFL, admitted that he had no idea about the “first” he had achieved at the university.

“It is truly humbling to be recognized in that way,” he said of the distinction.

The Boyd, Minnesota, native, who grew up on a farm, was first drawn to Augustana for its strong academic reputation after learning about the university through friends. He appreciated that “Sioux Falls offered the opportunities of a larger city while Augustana still provided the feel of a close-knit community.”

Schmitt was inspired to pursue physical therapy because of his past experiences as an athlete and the growing need for more professionals in the field.

“I have always had a passion for sports. Once I finished competing myself, I wanted to find another way to contribute,” he shared. “I understand how challenging athletics can be, particularly when injuries occur. I wanted to be part of helping athletes overcome those setbacks. Athletic training provided that opportunity and physical therapy was the natural next step.”

Schmitt’s timing couldn’t have been better. The launch of Augustana’s DPT program aligned perfectly with the completion of his master’s degree and helped him grow even more — both in skillset and expertise.

“Augustana has been very influential in shaping who I am today. Each time I advanced in my education, Augustana had exactly what I needed to prepare for the next stage of my career,” Schmitt said. “The people were my favorite part of being at Augustana. The professors who invested in me, the mentors who guided me and the peers who became lifelong friends are what I value most from my time at Augustana. Those relationships made all the difference.”

As a student, Schmitt interned at organizations including Sanford Health, Dakota Physical Therapy and Home Health, as well as the Minnesota Vikings. Upon graduation, Schmitt passed the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and currently serves as an athletic training/physical therapy fellow with the Green Bay Packers.

Schmitt said his experiences and the lessons he learned at Augustana prepared him not only for a career, but life beyond college.

“As a student, I learned discipline and critical thinking,” Schmitt said. “As a professional, my experiences at Augustana prepared me to step confidently into roles. As a person, I grew through the relationships and sense of community that surrounded me — I even found my wife (Brianna Wildermuth ‘25) along the way!”

A lifelong learner, Schmitt has advice for those who want to follow in his footsteps.

“Be clear about your ‘why.’ Pursuing multiple degrees is demanding, but if you are passionate about your path, it is worth the effort,” he said. "Rely on the support of peers and faculty, take advantage of the opportunities Augustana provides, and embrace the challenge. It will prepare you in ways you may not anticipate.”

augie.edu/academics

BY JILL WILSON

Augustana University has recently been awarded a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for the “promotion and support of religious, educational or charitable purposes.” Augustana is one of 48 recipients in Lilly Endowment’s National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life 2025.

“We are honored to receive funding from Lilly Endowment through an initiative that aligns so deeply with Augustana’s mission, core values and strategic priorities. Lilly Endowment’s commitment to lifting up stories of Christian faith and life further inspires our efforts to empower young adults to share their faith journeys and strengthen the witness of the church within families and communities across our region and beyond,” said Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

With support from Lilly Endowment, Augustana is launching a 5-year storytelling initiative, “Sacred Discoveries: Stories of Christian Flourishing in College.” The initiative will provide storytellers with the resources and platform to produce hundreds of narratives that illuminate God’s faithfulness — from the profound ways that their childhood congregations shaped them to the faithful questions they are asking of God and the church as they navigate the complexity of college. These stories will be shared widely through podcasts, short films, written publications, live storytelling events, service experiences and artistic expressions to inspire

As part of the grant, Augustana has hired three full-time staff to ensure faithful administration and effective implementation of the initiative. Although every student will have the opportunity to share their stories, Buntrock Scholars — Augustana students who are active and engaged in ELCA congregations throughout the Midwest — will serve as lead storytellers. Opportunities for micro grants will be made available to Augustana faculty and staff, as well as congregations, synods and other ministry partners wishing to explore storytelling.

“For more than 165 years, Augustana University has been a beacon of faith-based education — nurturing generations of students who bring their spiritual curiosity, deep convictions and servant-leadership into a rapidly-changing world,” said Bishop of the South Dakota Synod, ELCA Rev. Constanze Hagmaier. “Augustana embodies a rare and robust partnership between church and higher education. Its vibrant campus ministry, commitment to theological reflection and engagement with the broader church make it an ideal institution to steward the vision of Lilly Endowment’s storytelling initiative.”

Strategic partnerships will further the reach of faith stories. Augustana is partnering with The Moth Educational Program to equip students, faculty and staff in authentic and compelling storytelling. Mud Mile Communications is beginning to capture and share high-quality digital

LIBERAL ARTS AND SUPPORT at the Heart of

BY JILL WILSON

Like clockwork every fall, the Augustana University Student Success Center tirelessly makes phone calls, sends emails and text messages to its recent graduates — those who completed degrees in August, December and May of the previous academic year.

The center’s goal is simple: to reach as many graduates as possible and find out what they’re up to — an indicator of how well the university prepared them for their future beyond Augustana. As it turns out, the success center is pretty good at it: Augustana obtained information on 81% of its most recent graduates — exceeding the minimum National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) knowledge rate by 16%. And the answer they get from most graduates year after year: they’re doing pretty well. According to the center’s most recent report published in February, 98% of 2025 graduates achieved a positive career outcome.

“Even in a challenging economy, Augustana University’s Class of 2025 entered the workforce and secured admission to graduate programs in impressive numbers,” said Mary Toso ’90, director of the Student Success Center at Augustana.

As Toso said, many of these graduates chose to continue their education, with 22% enrolled in graduate school or professional programs. Of the graduates who sought admission or continuing education, 96% were admitted. Augustana alumnus William “Will” Allen ‘25, who grew up on a family acreage just outside of Harrisburg, South Dakota, was one of them.

“The support that I got at Augie was awesome,” said Allen. “Looking back on it, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

Allen initially visited Augustana to play golf, but having family members who attended the university, he knew the kind of education he was going to receive as well.

“Both academic and athletics opportunities were a big push toward Augustana,” said Allen. “I had a couple of college visits lined up, and Augustana was the first. After I visited and talked to people there, I didn’t go on any of the other visits. I decided that Augie was going to be my place; and it helped me get to where I am now.”

A “place” that would build a foundation for his success in health care.

“I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a physician, but I always knew I wanted to do something in health care,” said Allen. “My mom worked in the lab at Sanford (Health) for more than 35 years. My job throughout college was working as a phlebotomist in the hospital, and I really enjoyed it. That solidified what I wanted to do in life, and I knew Augie would set me up for that pretty well.”

ORGANIZATIONS, UNIQUE 121

At Augustana, Allen earned Magna Cum Laude honors with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. Not on his diploma, though, are the minors he received in history and medical humanities. As part of these courses, Allen said he learned “different ways to think about material, how to approach material, how to read material … the idea of medicine being something more than just a science.”

INCLUDING AVERA AND SANFORD HEALTH AND SIOUX FALLS

SCHOOL DISTRICT

PROGRAM, WITH 22%

“Medical humanities helps you look at medicine and science through a more holistic, philosophical, ethical point of view — it’s more about how to take care of the person rather than just the disease,” explained Allen.

ADMITTED 96%

Allen said the liberal arts degree he received at Augustana “helped him learn how to think rather than just know.” ACHIEVED A POSITIVE C AREER OUTCOME

Will Allen’s father, Bill Allen, Will ’25 and Will’s mother, Sheri Allen

Anniversary AUGUSTANA BAND

Augustana Band Celebrating 130th Anniversary With Alumni, Scholarship Campaign

BY JILL WILSON

Founded in 1896, the Augustana Band has endured as one of the university’s most visible and beloved ensembles for more than a century. This year, for its 130th anniversary, the university will celebrate this longstanding tradition in a big way. Along with the Augustana School of Music (SoM), the Augustana Band is inviting its alumni — both former students and its conductors — to participate in several events in the spring, as well as a fundraising initiative to raise money for band-related impact scholarships.

“I’ve just always been so proud of what it (Augustana) did for me and how it transformed my life,” said Dr. Greg Handel ‘91, executive vice president and provost at Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

The Freeman, South Dakota, native was a music education major and played trumpet in the Augustana Band. Handel’s mom claims that he wanted to go to Augustana ever since he was old enough to say it. He grew up playing piano and trumpet under the direction of the late Drs. Mary Helen Schmidt and Harold “Doc” Krueger, both professor emeriti of music at Augustana.

“I looked at other places (colleges) certainly, because I needed to, but everywhere else just paled in comparison,” said Handel, who also earned master’s and doctorate degrees in music education. “My heart was always at Augie.”

During Handel’s time at Augustana, he met Jill Weber Aanenson ’93. Weber Aanenson was an engineering physics major at Augustana, however, the Lincoln High School graduate said playing in a symphonic band in college was still really important to her.

“I just loved that my experience at Augustana never required me to eliminate either of those two parts of who I am and really let me bring them together,” said Weber Aanenson, the founder of Scientific Consulting, Inc. who also serves on the Augustana Board of Trustees (BOT).

Weber Aanenson said she and Handel became “fast, immediate friends” and still talk regularly more than 30 years later.

“Greg and I sat next to each other at the (Augustana) Choir 100 concert. We were visiting and I said, ‘We need one of these.’ My brother was in the choir, and I got to watch him on stage with all of his friends,” Weber Aanenson said. “There are so many people I haven’t seen — not everyone comes back for homecoming (Viking Days) or Vespers, so this is a great opportunity to have alumni come together for fellowship, to share stories, and 130 seemed like the perfect time for us to do that.”

Now, the celebration they’ve been dreaming of is just months away. The Augustana Band 130 Celebration will begin on Thursday, April 23, at Trio Jazz Club in Sioux Falls, featuring Augustana Artist-in-Resident Matthew Whitaker — a Grammy-winning pianist.

The festivities will continue into Friday, where alumni are invited to join a luncheon, followed by an alumni band rehearsal and dedication of the Pat Masek Instrumental Library in the Fryxell Humanities Center. The anniversary celebration will conclude with a performance that evening, with a reception to follow. The concert will pay homage to Dr. Bruce Ammann. The former conductor of the Augustana Band will come back to campus to lead the alumni band.

“Bruce was the example of everything I wanted to be in a professional, a musician, a conductor, a colleague … just his approach to the band, to teaching, to the dedication of the process and helping us learn what it’s like to be a part of this ensemble … he really did change my life,” said Handel of Ammann, who took over as conductor of the band his junior year. “I’m personally really looking forward to playing under his baton again.”

parents were music teachers, it was Ammann who convinced the Dell Rapids, South Dakota, native to attend Augustana following a job shadow in high school.

“I was a band geek, and his excitement for the music he was doing and what he wanted to create at the college was infectious. It spoke to me. It was fun,” said Hegg, of The Hegg Brothers, who majored in music and helped start an acapella group on campus.

When Hegg was a senior, it was Ammann again who convinced him to write and conduct his first piece for the band, which has led to countless others for the music department, now School of Music, and beyond.

Dr.BruceAmmann

“A lot of people have been impacted by his (Ammann’s) teaching, by his leadership. Not only that, he’s a change-maker. He just did so much for the institution, for the band program and really, just music all around in the region — working with schools and adjudicating festivals,” said current Conductor of the Augustana Band Dr. Chris Unger. “We’ve programmed one of his favorites, ‘The Hounds of Spring.’ He absolutely loves this piece.”

Another highlight of the concert will include the premiere of a commissioned piece by Jeremy Hegg ‘94, performed by the Augustana Band.

Hegg, who was in the same section of the Augustana Band as Handel in college, was also under the direction of Ammann. While both of Hegg’s

Now an instructor at Augustana, it’s only fitting that Hegg does it

“In a way, he (Ammann) was my first backer as a composer, a budding composer, so it’s very meaningful to me. It’s meant to be,” Hegg explained. “I just want to write a

“It’s challenging to write original music in this concert setting. I’m used to working in a jazz setting or pop setting, so this is a lot of fun. They just tell me the parameters. I just ask Dr. Unger, ‘What should I know about your woodwinds?’ You have to make sure these different parts are covered in a way or what to avoid. It’s no different than scouting an opponent for

The event is sure to please, but Handel and Weber Aanenson also hope it strikes a chord with other alumni — inspiring them to support the ensemble for another 130 years. In conjunction with the celebration, they are inviting fellow alumni to help raise $130,000 by April 24 in support of band-related impact scholarships.

“To think about sitting on the stage close to the spot where I always sat when I was in the Augustana Band and looking across at some of those familiar faces who I played with 30 years ago … I mean, that’s pretty neat — an opportunity that you just don’t come by every day. It’s really fun and exciting to think about,” said Weber Aanenson. “As alumni, we need to remember how great we had it and all of the people who combined together to make those possibilities available to us while we were students. I feel it’s such an obvious way to give back.”

130 Years of History

From a student-led organization to being a part of the School of Music, the Augustana Band has come a long way in 130 years.

“It was a student-led initiative — a group of students met to discuss the possibility of forming a band. There was a lot of ingenuity there,” Handel said. “I think that ingenuity and that drive to establish and become an ensemble of enduring worth, to me, embodies Augustana.”

According to Handel’s dissertation, “The Augustana College Department of Music, 1921-1973: A History,” in 1900, the band was one of the few school activities in which students were able to participate. At that time, the band had 21 members and embarked on its first tour in southeastern South Dakota and Minnesota.

The band grew in number when the Lutheran Normal School and Augustana College merged in 1918. Over the next 10 years, the band provided concert music and music at athletics events.

A new era began when a symphonic band — exclusively a concert group — was created by the music department under then Director Richard J. Guderyahn. The symphonic band, which became known as the Augustana Band, made its debut during Viking Days in October 1931.

According to Handel’s dissertation, Guderyahn conducted the band until 1956 — the same year the Augustana Band would go on its first concert tour. That’s when Dr. Leland A. Lillehaug ‘51 came into the picture as Augustana’s professor of music and second director of bands.

The Lutheran Normal School (LNS) Band is formed as a student club. By 1900, the band is made up of 21 musicians and embarks on its first tour in southeastern South Dakota and Minnesota.

“I think Augustana has been very fortunate in the people who have served the institution as conductors of the band. They’ve understood what the students needed, what the department needed and what the college needed along the way,” Handel explained.

First documented in 1936, Lillehaug is credited with creating and developing the Viking Marching Band and Augustana Band Festival. The Viking Marching Band, which disbanded in 1974, returned to the university in 2021 after a 47-year hiatus. As for the festival, this year will mark its 69th year.

Lillehaug served as director of bands until 1977 and a faculty member until 1991. According to “A History,” when Lillehaug retired, Gary Tanouye became the third tenured conductor of the Augustana Band followed by interim directors Drs. Paul Schuerle, David Mitchell and Lillehaug once more.

In the fall of 1989, Bruce T. Ammann was hired as the band’s fourth tenured conductor. Under his leadership, the Augustana Band performed at many of the nation’s finest concert halls, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He also led the band on its first international tour in January of 1999 to Asia; others followed in 2003 and 2007 to China, and in 2011 to Egypt, during the start of the Egyptian Revolution.

Ammann retired as director following a sabbatical in 2013, but not before leaving a lasting impact on Handel, Hegg and a countless number of other students.

During that time, Dr. Paul Schilf led the Augustana Band, a position he held until Augustana appointed only its fifth tenured conductor.

The band grows when LNS and Augustana College in Canton, South Dakota, merge. Over the next decade, the band provides concert music, as well as music at athletics events.

A symphonic band — exclusively a concert group — is created under Director Richard J. Guderyahn. The symphonic band, known as the Augustana College Band, makes its debut during Viking Days.

Dr. Leland A. Lillehaug ‘51 is named director of bands; the Augustana Band goes on its first concert tour.

The Augustana Band Today

Unger, who holds degrees from the University of Western Ontario and the University of British Columbia, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) from the Eastman School of Music, came to Augustana in 2015.

“I’m in my 10th year at Augustana, and I’m immensely proud to be the conductor of this group,” said Unger. “The students are absolutely wonderful, and they are very aware of the history and tradition of the group.”

When Unger arrived at AU, the work that Ammann did and Schilf continued, demonstrated a good traditional band program with really strong roots and great fundamentals. However, the band has shifted from being a big symphonic band — a band of approximately 75-80 members — to a wind ensemble of 50 or so members, which showcases one to two players per part.

“When I was in the band, it was a symphonic band, the larger ensemble, but that was symbolic and indicative of the time. Now, ensembles have to be flexible. The top ensembles of most colleges and universities are that of a smaller group because of the integrity and rigor of the literature that’s played,” said Handel. “I think it’s exactly where it should be from a programmatic perspective, and I think Chris is doing a great job.”

In conjunction with the SoM, the band has taken part in recording initiatives, landmark performances at state and regional conferences and international touring. In fact, the band will travel to Spain next year.

“The core idea and the core traditions of the group remain the same,” noted Unger. “I feel like it is just such a wonderful family of musicians — they’re motivated, they’re smart, they work hard — and it’s such an honor to be in front of them."

To register for the Band 130 Celebration, visit augie.edu/Band130Registration. To support band-related impact scholarships, visit augie.edu/Band130

The Augustana Band Festival is held for the first time, which still takes place annually.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, April 23

• Pre-Gathering/Social — 7 p.m. Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls

Friday, April 24

• Alumni Luncheon — Noon Halverson Atrium, Center for Visual Arts Fryxell Humanities Center

• Alumni Rehearsal (Musicians Only) — 1:30 p.m. Lillehaug Instrumental Room, Fryxell Humanities Center (HUM168)

• Alumni Dress Rehearsal (Musicians Only) — 4:30 p.m. Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls

• Concert — 7:30 p.m.

Washington Pavilion | Reception to Follow

Gary Tanouye becomes the third tenured conductor of the Augustana Band followed by interim directors Drs. Paul Schuerle, David Mitchell and Lillehaug once more. 1977

The Augustana Band embarks on its first international tour during January Interim (J-Term) to Asia; others quickly followed, including those to China and Egypt. 1999

Following Ammann’s retirement, Dr. Paul Schilf takes over as interim director of the Augustana Band. 2013

2015

Dr. Christopher Unger is appointed the Augustana Band’s fifth tenured conductor.

ANTHONY G. TUVE HALL REOPENS With Renovations, Honors Historic Legacy

BY NICHOLE HANSEN

Augustana University’s Anthony G. Tuve Hall reopened in Fall 2025 after undergoing renovations for two years. Originally dedicated on Oct. 16, 1950, the residence hall received infrastructure, laundry, bathroom and common-area upgrades to complement the student room renovations completed in 2017. Tuve now houses up to 80 students in spacious single rooms.

A dedication ceremony for the Tuve 1894 Lounge was held Oct. 19 in the lobby of Tuve Hall. Christine Tuve Burris and her husband, Dr. James F. Burris, who reside in Washington, D.C., provided the naming gift in honor of her late grandfather — AU’s longest-serving president from 1890-1916.

“The Tuve 1894 Lounge is a living reminder that legacy is not only about what we carry forward, but the purpose it inspires,” said Augustana President

But it was in 1894 — hence The Tuve 1894 Lounge — that President Tuve was credited with “saving the school.”

A nationwide financial crisis in 1893 led to widespread unemployment, affecting the finances of the United Lutheran Church — Augustana’s main supporter. The following year, the church withdrew all funding from the college. Tuve was given the option to keep the doors open if he took on the school’s debt as his own. Tuve accepted the challenge and within weeks had hired additional teachers, recruited students and created the Augustana College Association. This financial support was composed of Canton community leaders who viewed the college as an important part of building a successful community. The academic year of 1894-95 ended debt free.

“The dedication was a real chance to say out loud to the Augustana community what President Tuve had done for Augustana in 1894,” Tuve Burris said. “I think the fact that he accepted the school debts is really quite stunning, and it’s worth making a big deal about it for the young people of today.”

Burris explained that President Tuve’s youthful nature helped him carry out his presidency.

“Tuve was not that much older than the students are now at the time he started,” he said. “So it really does make the point that young people can make a difference.”

“He had the drive to believe that he could make this happen,” Tuve Burris added.

"THE TUVE 1894 LOUNGE IS A LIVING REMINDER THAT LEGACY IS NOT ONLY ABOUT WHAT WE CARRY FORWARD, BUT THE PURPOSE IT INSPIRES."

—

President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin

Tuve Burris said honoring President Tuve helps students better understand who he was as a person and that their residence hall is named after someone important.

“We go to buildings with obscure names and one wonders, 'Who was that? What did they do?' Now students can read about his special contribution and look at photos of him and his family from more than 100 years ago.”

In turn, the lounge has proved to be impactful to students who live in Tuve Hall. Given that the residence hall houses a lot of students living alone, Kalena Suquet ‘27, of Moscow, Idaho, is especially thankful for the community the lounge has created.

“I feel like having a common space is great, instead of just being cooped up in your room. It’s a place where you can go out of your way to meet people,” Suquet said. “I think it’s more cozy and warm. I feel like that’s important to make it feel more like home.”

Reflecting on the dedication, Tuve Burris said that the recognition of her late grandfather’s service is greatly meaningful.

“I can’t tell you how exciting it is,” she said. “It brings tears to my eyes, even to just talk about it. It’s really, really special to have his long years of service be recognized in 2025.”

Tuve Burris also believes that he would be proud of where AU is today.

“I think he’d be really pleased and perhaps surprised,” she said. “Augustana has had real challenges over the years. The contributions of the many presidents, faculty and students are part of what has made Augustana University what it is today.”

A ‘Major’ Milestone

Bachelor of Music Coming to Augustana School of Music

BY JILL WILSON

Dr. Peter Folliard called the move “a long time coming.”

The former dean of the School of Music (SoM), who has since fully transitioned to the role of vice president for innovation at Augustana, said offering a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) has been part of the conversation at the university since 2020. In 2023, the SoM worked on “honing the vision” for the degree and got the go-ahead from Augustana’s Undergraduate Curriculum Council in Academic Year 2024-25. The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) approved the plan in November 2025 — the final step needed to begin full implementation of the degree with a concentration in (instrumental or vocal) performance in Fall 2026.

“Every major school of music has a B.M. degree in performance,” explained Folliard, who joined Augustana in 2017 and became the inaugural dean of the SoM in 2020. “That’s attractive to a student who wants to be a professional performer.”

While the university has offered a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in music and music education for a long time — accredited by NASM since 1972 — Augustana has never taken music to this level.

Since arriving at Augustana, I have found that some of the coolest moments have happened on stage with a trombone in my hand. There is something so magical about playing music for audiences and to have that as a profession would be such a dream come true."

— Alexis Lawrence '29

“It’s sort of like (a student) saying, ‘I want to be a professional athlete. Are you going to make sure that I have the structure to do that?’” said Folliard of the “major milestone.”

Now there’s a degree that does.

The B.M. in performance at Augustana will require 20 more credit hours than the SoM’s current major offering — 65% being performance-based or rather, in the studio taking individual lessons. The degree would also require students to go through an audition process their sophomore year, just to ensure they’re on the right track.

“The B.M. protects the students’ time in order to specialize — that’s really the biggest piece. It means more (emphasis on) performance. It means more blocks of time so they can prepare for an elevated performance opportunity,” Folliard said.

Right now, music majors at AU are required to practice or attend lessons one hour per week, but in reality, Folliard said it typically takes two hours to maintain your skill and three or more to see progress. In the past, SoM graduates have seen great success in their careers, but they’ve “killed themselves” to be able to do it — practicing beyond what’s required for a B.A. degree — oftentimes, creating burnout.

“It’s like saying we want to have a football team that can win a national championship, but we’re building a training schedule that’s more like that of a middle or high school football team,” said Folliard, referring back to the sports reference. “We have all these ideas about teaching all these genres, but students don’t have time to hone their craft.”

As someone who doesn’t want to lead a life without music, Alexis Lawrence ‘29 is exactly who the SoM envisioned when crafting the degree.

“While the B.A. in music offers a broad, flexible education, it may not be the best fit for musicians who hope to master their instrument and eventually perform,” said Lawrence, who attended Washington High School in Sioux Falls before coming to AU. “That’s why having a degree specific to performance is so important. It opens up practice, lesson and performance time, and allows musicians to focus solely on what they are most passionate about.”

Growing up, music was a big part of Lawrence’s life — her siblings played instruments and had an unofficial garage band, which she “thought was the coolest thing ever.” Lawrence said her brothers and sister, along with the endless support of her trombone teachers and parents, “made music so much fun.”

“By the time I reached fifth grade, my brother had graduated and his trombone was just lying in the closet, waiting for me,” said Lawrence. “I played both the cello and trombone for several years, and at first, I was significantly more passionate about orchestra. It wasn’t until my seventh-grade year, when I received a new trombone, started lessons and made All-State Band, that I really started to fall in love with the trombone. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know.”

Lawrence said she’ll never forget her first experience in a symphony-setting during her freshman year of high school. She was so full of joy that “she knew.”

“... this is where my heart will always be. And, I’ve been pursuing music ever since,” explained Lawrence.

Along with “prayer and patience,” it’s also what led Lawrence to Augustana. Many of the ensembles she participated in took place at AU, which allowed her to become familiar with its campus. During her junior year of high school, she joined the university’s trombone choir and “fell in love with it.”

“I started taking lessons with Matthew Erickson (now interim dean of the SoM),” said Lawrence. “I was scared taking lessons with a college-level professor at first, but after that first lesson, I felt strangely empowered. I used to think that making mistakes meant failure, but he helped me see mistakes as chances to learn. For him to help me improve my trombone technique is one thing, but the fact that he has changed my whole mindset is truly incredible. He is also a phenomenal trombonist. His sounds and technique have been so inspiring to me.”

So much so that Lawrence is part of a countless number of ensembles, including the Augustana Band, Trombone Choir, Brass Choir, Brass Quintet, Valhalla Brass and Viking Marching Bands, as well as a member of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME).

“I’ve decided I want to pursue this degree in addition to majoring in music education,” said Lawrence, who wants to someday direct a high-level band or play professionally in a symphony or orchestra pit. “Since arriving at Augustana, I have found that some of the coolest moments have happened on stage with a trombone in my hand. There is something so magical about playing music for audiences and to have that as a profession would be such a dream come true. I believe that this degree is a good starting point, and it successfully sets me up to be able to achieve that dream.”

While the B.M. will allow Lawrence to explore her dreams in performance, the SoM said this opens up avenues for other concentrations in the future as well.

augie.edu/music

Re-Introducting Matthew Whitaker: GRAMMY Award-Winning Artist

The SoM is now home to a 2026 GRAMMY Award-winning artist. In collaboration with the 8-Bit Big Band, Matthew Whitaker took home the award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Capella on Feb. 1 for his organ work on “Super Mario Praise Break.”

The internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist, composer and educator was announced as the university’s inaugural artist-inresidence in Fall 2025. At the university, Whitaker co-leads the Augustana Jazz Combo with Associate Professor of Music Dr. Brian Hanegan — mentoring student musicians in improvisation, groove and ensemble artistry. In addition to collaborating with Augustana’s major instrumental and vocal ensembles, the Yamaha artist is active in recruiting and co-instructing Blues, Jazz and Rock within the Via Viking Core Curriculum.

ON YOUR FEET

BY JILL WILSON

Augustana University will soon be home to one of the first hockey cheer programs in South Dakota. Under the direction of Riley Block, Augustana Hockey Cheer will officially be added to the university’s list of club sports offerings in Fall 2026.

“It’s what it sounds like — combining cheer and figure skating for hockey cheerleading purposes,” said Block. “The team cheers in the stands during games; they’re part of energizing the crowd; they’re also on the ice during the starting lineup; and, they’ll perform occasionally during one of the period breaks.”

Augustana Hockey Cheer will support its NCAA Division I Viking Hockey Team and potentially, its club hockey teams during home games at Midco Arena. Block, also the director of the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club (SFFSC), said she has had a lot of inquiries about hockey cheer since becoming the inaugural Augustana Club Figure Skating head coach in Spring 2024.

“I’m excited for more opportunities. I’m excited for more attention on figure skating, and essentially, skating after high school. I don’t want skaters anywhere to wonder if 'I’m going to work this hard through high school and then I’m going to hang it up because I don’t have a lot of options or opportunities to continue to do that,’” said Block. “Augustana Hockey is obviously picking up a lot of love and attention, so I think now's a good time to continue to build on that.”

Unlike other programs that Block has seen, Augustana Hockey Cheer would allow its athletes to participate in the stands, on the ice or both. They could also be a part of the hockey cheer and club figure skating programs simultaneously. Together, the club figure skating and hockey cheer programs would give its student-athletes approximately 8+ hours of ice time each week, plus time away from the rink to work on lifts and stunts.

Augustana Hockey Cheer is looking to recruit 8-10 members in its first year. Block, who more than doubled the AU Club Figure Skating Team in its second year, already has at least a half-dozen skaters who are interested in its newest endeavor. One of them is Nicole Zimiga ‘27.

Zimiga, who is triple majoring in economics, strategic communication & leadership and Spanish on the pre-law track, was a cheerleader and dancer at Stevens High School in Rapid City, South Dakota, and coached both hockey and figure skating for beginners. When she got to Augustana, she joined the Viking Spirit Squad as a cheerleader, but has since focused on her studies and figure skating. Just this past year, she and Block started the SFFSC Hockey Cheer Program — a group of middle and high schoolers who support the Sioux Falls Flyers Varsity Team — thought to be the first in the state.

“My sophomore year, I told Riley, ‘Hey, we have a hockey team. Wouldn't it be cool if there was a cheerleading team for that?’ And she made it happen because that’s the kind of coach she is,” Zimiga said.

And Zimiga said she doesn’t mind the idea of being the first to try something — a trailblazer, if you will. She first joined club figure skating at Augustana when it was led by students, helped start the first of its kind cheer program in the state and even helped establish the Augustana Rydell School of Business honor society — the Eta Kappa chapter of Sigma Iota Epsilon (SIE).

“I feel like I’m doing something at Augustana that will be here long after I’m gone,” noted Zimiga. “There are young girls who come to Flyers games and want to interact with the cheerleaders. Getting to do this with the community and make hockey games fun for those who aren’t necessarily hockey fans will be really rewarding. I can’t wait for my friends in college to get to experience this, too!”

Add the excitement they hope it will bring to hockey at Midco Arena … that’s just icing on the cake.

“If you are at a hockey game, it’s hard not to pay attention if someone’s right in front of you encouraging you to get excited,” said Zimiga.

Boe Forum on Public Affairs — Presented by Augustana University and the Center for Western Studies (CWS), the 29th Boe Forum on Public Affairs will feature an evening with Former NATO Supreme Allied Cmdr. James “Jim” Stavridis — a 4-star U.S. Navy admiral, New York Times best-selling author, Bloomberg Opinion columnist and senior military analyst for CNN. His talk, entitled “Geopolitics Beyond the Horizon: 21st Century Global Risk and Opportunity,” will be held at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 26, in the Elmen Center on Augustana’s campus. augie.edu/BoeTickets

CPA Exam Pass Rate — Augustana University accounting graduates who took the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination for the first time in 2024 had the highest pass rate in South Dakota and the sixth-highest in the nation. This is according to the latest data released by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Among its first-time test takers, Augustana alumni earned an average Uniform CPA Exam pass rate of 75%, compared to the state’s 56.1% and national rate of 53.8%.

The Arthur Olsen Student Research Symposium — a gathering that fosters and celebrates student research at the university — will be held on Saturday, April 25, at the Fryxell Humanities Center on Augustana’s campus. The structure of the symposium follows that of a traditional academic conference, and Augustana students from all disciplines are invited and encouraged to present their original research.

This year’s featured speaker is Dr. Sara E. Lampert, an associate professor of history at the University of South Dakota and coordinator of its Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies program. She specializes in the history of early America, women and gender, as well as popular culture.

augie.edu/symposium

Trust Minor — In Fall 2025, the Augustana University Rydell School of Business introduced a trust minor to its offered studies — developed as part of Augustana’s strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030. The minor — available at only a handful of colleges nationwide — aims to offer Augustana students another avenue to study as a potential career. Three of the core courses focus on understanding what wills are and when they’re needed, the accounting side of trusts and trust administration.

augie.edu/trust

Organizational Leadership Minor —

The Augustana University Rydell School of Business will introduce an organizational leadership minor to its offered studies in Fall 2026. Open to students of any major, the minor will consist of eight classes or 24 credits, including five core classes and three leadership courses: Introduction to Leadership, Leading and Managing Teams, and Organizational Leadership. Each course focuses on the different steps to becoming a well-rounded leader.

augie.edu/OrgLeadership

Interim Dean of the School of Music — Matthew Erickson has been named the interim dean of the School of Music after the inaugural dean, Dr. Peter Folliard, transitioned fully into the role of vice president for innovation.

Erickson joined Augustana in August 2022 after a distinguished 22-year career as a trombonist and administrator for the U.S. Air Force Bands — performing as a soloist, ensemble member and

Erickson holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Dakota and Master of Music in trombone performance from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University.

augie.edu/SoM

Study Away + Exchange Students — A total of 173 Augustana students chose to make the world their classroom for January Interim (J-Term) 2026. The majority took part in Augustana facultyled courses in 13 different countries. Among these students was Gilman Scholarship recipient Vanessa Romero ‘26, who studied away with AU Nursing in Costa Rica. Nearly a dozen others traveled

During Spring Semester 2026, 19 students are studying away in nine different countries through AU and partner-led programs, including Gilman Scholarship awardees Lilly Roberts ‘26 in Czechia and Jessalyn Wienk ‘27 in Jordan.

This is the fourth-straight year that Augustana has made its J-Term study-away travel carbon neutral. Through the support of donors and a decades-long relationship with a forest reserve in Guatemala, Augustana provided support to Bio-Itzá to offset the cost of travel.

The Augustana De & Dave Knudson Center for Global Engagement currently supports 292 international students, which includes the 13 new international students it welcomed to campus in Spring 2026.

augie.edu/CGE

CLASS NOTES

augie.edu/alumni

CLASS OF 2024

Lauren Teller is the director of alumni engagement & event services at Augustana University.

CLASS OF 2020

Shelby Baatz welcomed Kylo Cade Jackman on June 13, 2025.

CLASS OF 2018

Erika Farr started a period

CLASS OF 2016

Jeff Larsen and Sarah Zobrist ‘12 were married on Nov. 8, 2025.

CLASS OF 2015

Jackie Adelmann and Matthew Lind ‘08 were married on Nov. 2, 2025.

Kirsten (Noska) Taylor and Tanner Taylor welcomed their first child, Kya Renee, on March 24, 2025.

CLASS OF 2014

Michelle (Braun) Baker is serving her community of Austin, Minnesota, as executive director at Austin Aspires — a nonprofit focused on educational excellence from cradle to career.

Jessica (Hovland) McEwen welcomed Wesley McEwen on May 20, 2025.

CLASS OF 2013

Alexis (Preheim) Burwitz and Jeff Burwitz ‘12 are parents of future Vikings, Landon, 6, and Maci, 2.

Hannah (Kuelbs) Entenman has been elevated to partner at Abacus Wealth Partners.

CLASS OF 2012

Jeff Burwitz and Alexis (Preheim) Burwitz ‘13 are parents of future Vikings, Landon, 6, and Maci, 2.

Seemab Hassan works in New York's health care analytics sector after completing a master's degree in business analytics. He develops Medicare analytics systems, machine learning risk assessment tools and compliance dashboards that address critical U.S. health care challenges.

Capt. Tyler Kanaly took command of Alpha Battery, 1-194 Field Artillery, in September 2024. The unit deployed in May 2025 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East and is expected to return in Spring 2026.

Sarah Zobrist and Jeff Larsen ‘16 were married on Nov. 8, 2025.

CLASS OF 2011

Ciara (Godfrey) Hirte and Tony Hirte celebrated the birth of their son, Blake, on Jan. 12.

CLASS OF 2009

Rachael (Miedema) Fricke opened Fricke Counseling in January, beginning a private practice journey in Harrisburg, South Dakota.

CLASS OF 2008

Matthew Lind and Jackie Adelmann ‘15 were married on Nov. 2, 2025.

CLASS OF 2005

Gregory Asplund is an elementary school assistant principal for Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colorado. He recently celebrated the sixth anniversary of his company, Brews ’n’ Clues Denver.

CLASS OF 2002

Kim (Holter) Mann is the inaugural recipient of the Elizabeth Hedin Award for Educator Excellence.

CLASS OF 2000

Jason Sauer was recently featured in VoyageDenver magazine as a rising star in Arvada, Colorado.

CLASS OF 1999

Rebecca Hagen received the 2025 American Family Insurance All4One Award — a prestigious internal recognition honoring the top 1% of employees nationwide. Nominees embody the company’s purpose, values and commitment to innovation and collaboration.

CLASS OF 1996

Julie Voelker-Morris is one of only six Distinguished Teaching Professors at the University of Oregon.

CLASS OF 1994

Anne Hinseth was named the October 2025 University of South Dakota Civil Service Employee of the Month. Hinseth is the library technology librarian at I.D. Weeks Library.

CLASS OF 1992

Connie (Mathistad) Agnor retired after 22 years of working for the federal government, having served at the General Services Administration for 17 years and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for five years. After a few months of rest and relaxation, she began a new career with SS&C Health.

CLASS OF 1991

Rev. Kyle Hanson is serving as pastor at St. James Lutheran Church in Crystal, Minnesota. He is also the executive director at Agate Housing and Services in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Recently, the organization opened a new shelter and permanent housing project.

CLASS OF 1982

Kay Wohlhuter retired and relocated to Fairmont, Minnesota, in 2024 after working in mathematics education at the University of Minnesota Duluth for 26 years.

CLASS OF 1976

Paul Munson retired after 40 years as a partner with Munson Law Offices in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and 25 years as a criminal justice professor and program director at Winona State University, where he was honored as professor emeritus. He continues as an owner of Munson Realty Inc. with his wife, Deb, and their son. He is enjoying time with Deb, their four children and eight grandchildren.

CLASS OF 1975

Sandra (Wahrlich) Stapela is happily retired and enjoying international life in Germany and Portugal.

CLASS OF 1970

Dale Allen Pommer won first place in the USA Songwriting Competition’s Gospel/Christian category for his song “Be Still and Know.”

CLASS OF 1963

Arlene (Jessen) Bich and her husband, Howard ‘62, celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Aug. 9, 2025. Their grandson is a first-year student at Augustana and member of the cross country and track teams.

CLASS OF 1962

Howard Bich and his wife, Arlene (Jessen) ‘63, celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on Aug. 9, 2025. Their grandson is a firstyear student at Augustana and member of the cross country and track teams.

IN MEMORIAM

Jane Kuper, 77, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, passed away on Feb. 16.

Kuper joined Augustana in 1990 as director of human resources and faithfully served the institution for more than 25 years. In August 2006, she was promoted to vice president for human resources — becoming one of the first women in Augustana’s history to hold the title of vp. Following her retirement in July 2015, Kuper continued to serve the university part-time and later in a consulting role to ensure a smooth transition and provide continued support.

Kuper’s leadership helped cultivate a culture of professionalism, integrity and genuine care for others. She will be remembered for her wise counsel, thoughtful guidance and the countless positive impressions she made on colleagues and prospective employees alike.

Kuper was preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen Thoma, and grandson, Ty Mason. She is survived by her husband, Dan Kuper; children, Walter Wright III, Kathryn Hendrickson and Jennifer Mason ’08; and grandchildren, Zoey, Harper, Nolan, Cole, Morgan, Monica and Will.

CLASS OF 2008

Katherine Ann McKenna, 41, passed away in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sept. 10, 2025.

CLASS

OF 2007

Christopher Paul Wentzlaff, 41, of Edina, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly in San Francisco, California, on Oct. 20, 2025.

CLASS OF 1997

Douglas Rinken passed away unexpectedly at home on Nov. 28, 2025.

CLASS OF 1995

David Scarbrough, 60, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Sept. 30, 2025.

CLASS OF 1994

Paul Lasley, 54, of Alexandria, South Dakota, passed away unexpectedly at home on Nov. 20.

CLASS OF 1993

John P. Legel, 55, passed away on Oct. 11, 2025.

Beth Eileen Mulder, of Caledonia, Michigan, and Sioux Falls, passed away at home on Oct. 18, 2025.

CLASS OF 1990

Elizabeth (Lisa) Flinn, of Sioux Falls, passed away at home in Van Nuys, California, on Jan. 14.

Jon Schroeder passed away on Nov. 26, 2025.

CLASS OF 1989

Grant R. Clancy, 71, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Ava's Hospice House on Sept. 14, 2025.

CLASS OF 1985

Randall C. White, 70, of Crooks, South Dakota, passed away at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls on July 24, 2025.

CLASS OF 1984

Brett Charles Stamm, 65, of New Columbia, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly at home on Sept. 16, 2025.

CLASS OF 1981

Shirley Drobny, of Humboldt, South Dakota, passed away at Sanford USD Medical Center after a brief illness on Jan. 25.

CLASS OF 1980

Linda Marie Stoops, 69, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital on Dec. 6, 2025.

CLASS OF 1979

Cynthia (Cindy) Kay Knickrehm, passed away on Oct. 12, 2025.

CLASS OF 1978

David Lynn Bauge, 69, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Oct. 4, 2025.

CLASS OF 1977

Deb Diercks passed away on Nov. 22, 2025.

Kristine “Kris” Kreiter O’Connell ’79, 69, of Sioux Falls, passed away on Feb. 25.

Kreiter O’Connell worked as a registered nurse in critical care for more than 10 years, held the CCRN designation and was an active member of Sigma Theta Tau — the International Honor Society of Nursing. In 1993, she earned a law degree from the University of South Dakota as a Sterling Honor Graduate and joined Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith P.C., where her practice included insurance defense litigation, health insurance compliance, governmental relations and family law.

Kreiter O’Connell served Augustana with distinction as a member of the Alumni Council (1992-95; 1998-01) and the Board of Trustees (2015-19), leading with wisdom, generosity and an unwavering commitment to her alma mater.

She was preceded in death by her parents and survived by her husband, Robert “Bob” O’Connell; daughter, Kelly Wagner; and three grandchildren.

Jeff Fylling ’78 Falls, passed away following a battle with leukemia on Feb. 5.

The longtime voice of Augustana University Athletics, Fylling was a beloved figure in sports broadcasting. He served as the play-by-play announcer for football, as well as men’s and women’s basketball for more than four decades — becoming a defining voice for generations of students, alumni and fans. He called more than 2,000 Vikings games, including championship seasons and milestone moments, such as football’s NSIC titles and men’s basketball national championship. Fylling’s passion for the Vikings and his deep knowledge of Augustana’s athletic programs made him a trusted and familiar presence in the press box, on the radio and throughout the region.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Jean Fylling. He is survived by his brother, Robert (Christie) Fylling; two bonus sons, Josh (Allyson) Kunzmann and Brody (Libby) Kunzmann; and a grandson, Thomas.

CLASS OF 1975

Freda Hosen, 90, passed away at home in Sioux Falls on Dec. 14, 2025.

William ”Bill” Mitchell passed away at Clarks Crossing in Wells, Minnesota, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease on Dec. 14, 2025.

Wesley “Wes” W. Weller, 81, passed away on Oct. 15, 2025.

CLASS OF 1974

Dean Duane Christoffersen, of Garrison, North Dakota, passed away at home on Lake Sakakawea on Oct. 11, 2025.

CLASS OF 1973

Wendy Mae Covington Penna passed away on June 29, 2025.

CLASS OF 1972

David B. Gudmastad, 76, of Winona, Minnesota, passed away at Emplify Health in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on Sept. 13, 2025.

CLASS OF 1971

Anthony Bucciarelli died at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls on Nov. 1, 2025.

CLASS OF 1970

Emily Terry McDonald passed away on Jan. 11, 2025.

CLASS OF 1969

Craig Randall "Randy" Andersen, 77, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away on July 30, 2025.

Randee Lee Arfmann, of Fridley, Minnesota, passed away at Arbor Lanes in Burnsville, Minnesota, on Jan. 1.

Tom Devine passed away on Oct. 29, 2025.

Ronald Schetnan, 80, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, died at Pioneer Cottage in Fergus Falls on Oct. 16, 2025.

CLASS OF 1968

Gary Wayne Benson passed away on Dec. 22, 2025.

Col. Gary P. Drugley passed away on Jan. 14.

Edna Kipp, 95, passed away at Sanford Health on Jan. 26.

Paul Simonson passed away on Aug. 9, 2025.

CLASS OF 1967

Delray "Madd Frank" Dvoracek passed away on Oct. 11, 2025.

CLASS OF 1966

Jerry LeRoy Larson, 81, passed away on Sept. 5, 2025.

Marie Ann Nelson passed away at Avera Sunrise Manor in Tyler, Minnesota, on Dec. 20, 2025.

CLASS OF 1965

Marliss Pedersen Fiscella, 90, of Inwood, Iowa, passed away at Fellowship Village of Inwood on Oct. 9, 2025.

Richard Lyle Lunder passed away on Dec. 14, 2025.

John Masgai, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House on Sept. 14, 2025.

CLASS OF 1964

Nancy Blaess Pistel, 83, of West Barnstable, Massachusetts, passed away in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on Nov. 18, 2025.

CLASS OF 1963

Lynn Aspaas, 84, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls on Nov. 28, 2025.

Donald Allan Johnson, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away at Hospice of the Valley Eckstein Center after a courageous battle with cancer on Nov. 7, 2025.

Jerome "Jerry" Knutson, 84, of Crookston, Minnesota, passed away at home on Nov. 22, 2025.

Allan Martin Scharf, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away under hospice care on Jan. 8.

CLASS OF 1962

Gwenda Gayle Herrick (née Roseth) passed away following a stroke on Jan. 20.

Phyllis (Finstad) Johnson died at Abbott Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Dec. 12, 2025.

CLASS OF 1961

Robert “Bob” Doescher, of Sioux Falls, passed away at Avera Dougherty Hospice House on Sept. 27, 2025.

CLASS OF 1960

Allan Ledebur passed away in January.

CLASS OF 1959

Judith June Halamka, of Port Huron Township, Michigan, passed away at Stonegate Health Campus in Lapeer, Michigan, on April 6, 2025.

Dr. Carolyn Geyer ’58 professor emerita of English, of Viborg, South Dakota, passed away on Jan. 29.

Geyer’s 36-year tenure at Augustana (1963–99) reflected her deep commitment to teaching, leadership and service. Through her many roles — chair of the Augustana English & Journalism Department, assistant and associate academic dean, director of adult learning, faculty representative to the Board of Regents (now Trustees) and chair of the Faculty Personnel Council — she helped shape academic policy, faculty development and student pathways.

CLASS OF 1958

Rev. Leslie Ordien Hernes, 94, passed away at Ava's Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Dec. 18, 2025.

CLASS OF 1954

Karl E. Holte, 94, passed away in Pocatello, Idaho, on Dec. 6, 2025.

CLASS OF 1953

Lois Gau-Akkerman passed away on Dec. 1, 2025.

CLASS OF 1952

Lois Norby Hammer passed away in Dillon, Montana, after a brief illness on May 17, 2023.

Glorice (Hill) Hansen, 94, passed away in Stillwater, Minnesota, on Aug. 3, 2025.

CLASS OF 1948

Kenneth Osborne Fladmark, 100, of Selinsgrove, passed away at Brookdale Grayson View on

Geyer earned a Master of Arts and/or family members. They may be edited

or update your legal will, for free. augie.edu/FreeWill

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