Bob Goodwyn
Class of 2009

Hometown: Lewistown, Montana
High School: Fergus High School

Major: Secondary Education and Mathematics

Extracurricular Activities: Augustana Football for 3 seasons, Union Board of Governors, Intramural Sports, Mathematics Department Aid, Elmen Center Lifeguard for 2 years, Student Alumni Association, Augustana Club Soccer.

How and why did you choose your Secondary Education and Math majors?
I have felt ever since sophomore year that teaching was for me. I did a lot of coaching, tutoring and mentoring while I was in high school; throw in two younger siblings and teaching fits perfectly. Lots of people scoff when I tell them math too, because it sounds just horrible, but math has always been a challenge for me, and I look forward to changing a few minds on the subject. All these ideas have been reinforced here at Augie. I've gotten an amazing look into education as well as a continued challenge in math class.

Looking back on your senior year of high school, why did you choose Augustana?
Believe it or not, I wanted to get out of Montana for awhile. Why? Sometimes I question that myself, but I knew I wanted to get out and experience a part of the world I'd never seen before. Augie gave me that opportunity in a safe and comfortable environment, so I jumped at the chance. It's been tough being nearly 900 miles away from home, the scenery, my family, and friends, but that makes holidays and other random visits that much more special.

Tell us about your experience on the Augustana football team. Is it difficult to balance academics and athletics or does being involved keep you focused?
I played Augie football for three seasons and loved every minute of it. I had no trouble keeping my academic scholarship, nor staying on top of my other activities. I gave it up after the fall of my junior year for no other reason than I thought it was time to focus more on those activities and start looking towards my career in teaching. I am still very active in those groups as well as a participant in intramural sports and I plan on playing soccer for Augie's club team this spring. College athletics were a great experience; I made a lot of good friends and had a lot of fun. I would recommend it to anyone who has the chance.

What other campus organizations are you involved with? What's the best part about being involved?
I like being involved around campus. For one thing, you get to know so many more students, and with such a small campus, being involved even just a little goes a long way. I like being able to plan events for students to enjoy, that's probably my favorite part, just providing a good time for others. Outside of that, I like the fact that I have a little to say with where our student activities money goes as well as the progression our college is making towards a more enjoyable institution. I believe that even though we don't have [a large] student body, we can still provide the same opportunities [that big schools do] for our students that add up to a great college time.

In your opinion, what is the best intramural sport?
Personally, I can't get away from dodgeball and frenzy-football. They are definitely the most exciting and I have fun with them every year. They are the two that I always wish had longer seasons. However, other sports like 5 vs. 5 basketball, co-ed volleyball, and flag football get really intense. The most laid back event would have to be co-ed softball this spring. It's just a great time and an even better time of year to be outside.

What's one of your best stories from your down time at Augustana?
Sophomore year we were infatuated with getting on top of the roof of Granskou, and once we achieved this 8-story feat we decided we needed a place to sit up there. So, we borrowed a couch from the downstairs lobby of the building, hauled it up on the roof and propped it perfectly on the top of the building. That was a great time, but the funny part was the next year when I was sitting in the Common's lobby selling tickets for the Widespread Panic concert and Rick Tupper, head of Campus Security, plopped down next to me. He had a big smile on his face, which made me feel real comfortable, and then he said, "I know it was you, Bob, and it's not a big deal, but how in the heck did you get that couch up on the roof of Granskou?" I didn't know if I should be scared or laughing or proud or apologetic. Either way, we both had a good time talking about it for the next half hour or so. He shared a few stories and I told him about my experiences drifting from roof to roof. That was a pretty good time. [*We do not recommend this activity unless you have trained with Bob*]

Tell us about your volunteer and mentoring experiences.
Many of my education classes require volunteer time on and off campus through tutoring and after-school programming. I believe I've had at least one of these experiences in each of my classes. They have all been great learning experiences as well as a relieving break from campus life. Often times I would get overwhelmed with professors, coaches and classmates being the only personal contact I had here on campus and spending time with kids was just the answer.

What is the best class you've taken at Augustana?
Generic Methods, Education 275 with Professor Julie Ashworth, for sure - it was an eye-opening experience. I had no idea I knew so little about teaching. The best thing about her class was watching her demonstrate exactly what she was teaching as she taught our class, and then we got the chance to show what we learned in an experience of our own. It was phenomenal.

What is one thing every Augustana student should do before they graduate?
I think every student should see an Augie vs. USD basketball game at the Sioux Falls Arena. I've been to both events in the last two years and both times were two of the proudest moments of my college career. Augie just rises to the occasion, from the players to the parents, Augie gives its best the whole game. At those moments, I never want to be anywhere else.

What is your favorite meal in the Commons?
The Commons makes a dang good buffalo chicken wrap. My friends and I have a deal that if they are ever serving buffalo chicken wraps that the first person to find out text messages the rest of us as soon as possible. We don't like to miss things like that.

What advice would you give new Augustana freshmen?
Get involved early, look for friends who wouldn't have been your friends in high school and don't go home on the weekends - this place is something you don't want to miss a minute of.

My dad is a great man, and he gave me some advice on the day I left for college: "College is supposed to be the best time of your life. If you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong - figure out what it is and change it."