Angela Shubert
Class of 2009

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Hometown: Crookston, MN

Majors: Government/International Affairs and Journalism

Extracurricular Activities: Augustana Student Association, The Mirror [Augustana's student newspaper], Augustana Advocacy Team, volunteer at the Children's Inn, Lutheran Social Services student mentor.

How and why did you choose your majors?
I have been interested in politics since I was very young. I've also always enjoyed writing, so these two majors seemed to fit very well together.

Looking back on your senior year of high school, why did you choose Augustana?
I felt a strong sense of community each time I visited Augustana's campus. I knew that I wanted to attend a small, private liberal arts college, but I also wanted to live in a larger city. It was my desire to be part of a community in which I would be known by name, and at the same time I wanted to experience living in a city simply because I have lived in a small town my entire life. So, Augustana was the perfect choice. However, the most important factor which untimately led me to choosing Augie was that the college's core values (Christian, Liberal Arts, Excellence, Community, Service) were reflected through the faculty and students I met, as we engaged in conversations. I just knew this was the place where I needed to be. I have never regretted my decision for one moment.

What is the best class you have taken so far at Augustana? Why?
I have taken so many invigorating courses, but Religion 110: "Exploring the Christian Faith" with Dr. Swanson was probably the most intellectually stimulating. Dr. Swanson is a brilliant professor who encourages individual thought and welcomes new ideas and perspectives. I always left each class period with more questions than I had when I came. I loved this because it meant that Dr. Swanson's course allowed for a provocative investigation of truth and meaning.

You led a Service Learning trip to New York City over spring break. Tell us about your experience.
Yes, I had the absolute pleasure of being a student leader for a group that traveled to New York City during spring break. We volunteered at a community lunch in a church in West Harlem during the first part of our trip. Then, we traveled on the subway down to the lower east side of Manhattan to help in a soup kitchen and food pantry. Serving food to 300 homeless people in less than an hour at the soup kitchen was unfathomable to witness. The experience was both eye-opening and heartbreaking. I had never experienced poverty on this level in the United States. However, the service-learning trip also had some flexibility which allowed us time to see great tourist attractions. My highlights included visiting the United Nations Headquarters, attending a play on Broadway and standing in Rockefeller Center Plaza while the Today Show was being filmed live.

You also went to Washington D.C. with Augie's Advocacy Team. What was that like?
I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. in March to attend Ecumenical Advocacy Days with a group of students from Augustana's newly-formed Advocacy Team. This national conference brought together almost 1,000 progressive religious activists determined to work together to build bridges across issues faced by the poor and deprived in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States. Our group had a chance to network with other college and seminary students to share ideas about ways in which we can be powerful advocates on our college campuses. On the final day of the conference, we had the opportunity to meet with our senators and representatives on Capitol Hill as we lobbied for a "just" living minimum wage.

Do you feel that your off-campus experiences have provided you with different insights or perspectives in the classroom at Augustana?
Without a doubt, my experiences in New York City and Washington, D.C. have given me entirely new perspectives. I am now even more motivated to voice my ideas and concerns as I engage in class discussions. I believe these new insights will also contribute to the depth of my writing and hopefully influence change.

Do you have a favorite professor?
It would be unfair to single out one favorite professor, as all of the professors I have had at Augustana are scholars in their fields. They have provided me with much insight and knowledge. However, Dr. Janet Blank-Libra, my Journalism advisor, has been like a second mom to me while at college. She has challenged me to offer my best writing all the time. But most importantly, I have appreciated her genuine interest in me as a student and as a person. I am only a freshman, and yet she has already expressed her willingness to help me achieve my dreams, which she tells me are just plausible goals worth working for.

What is your favorite meal in the Commons?
Southwest Chicken Caesar Salads.

What advice would you give first year students at Augustana?
GET INVOLVED! You will never regret it. Whether you decide to participate in specific organizations, intramurals, music programs, or choose to do volunteer work, you will find your decision to be most rewarding. I have met so many of my best friends through the activities I chose to become involved with outside of the classroom, and it's just been so much fun. In addition, these opportunities have encouraged personal and spiritual growth.

Do you have career goals or immediate plans after graduation?
I would love to pursue graduate school to obtain my Master's in Journalism after I graduate from Augie. My goal is to be a journalist and advocate, while still being actively involved in the political arena. And my dream is to someday work for the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, D.C.

What do you plan to do this summer?
Good question! I hope to stay in the Sioux Falls area and secure employment somewhere. I will continue to volunteer at the Children's Inn, a domestic abuse shelter. In addition, I plan to help with U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth's re-election campaign.

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