Rachel Amble
Class of 2007

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
High School: Roosevelt

Major: Business Administration with an Emphasis in Management

How and why did you choose your major?
I have actually changed my major three times throughout my college career. I started off with education until I realized that I couldn't teach myself some of the class material, let alone teach someone else things. Then I changed to computer science, and eventually learned that programming computers was not my forte in life. Now, I'm a business administration major and I think it's a perfect fit. I love interacting with people and getting to know them on a personal or business level. As the world shifts to a more global economy, the business aspect of life will never go away.

Looking back on your senior year of high school, why did you choose Augustana?
Augie has been in my life for as long as I can remember. When I was little, I remember going to Augie basketball games, being in the Little Vikes Cheerleading Clinics and performing at halftime. My grandfather was President for fifteen years and my mom, aunt, and two uncles went to school at Augie. I have had a few cousins graduate from here as well as my older brother. After hearing about their experiences - there was no other place I wanted to be.

You just got back from a J-Term class in Australia. What was the class? Tell us about your trip!
The class I took was "Australia in the Global Economy". We spent 8 days in Sydney, then flew to Western Australia and spent the last 14 days in Fremantle, Walpole, Albany, Margaret River and Perth. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The pictures that I have don't even do justice to the breathtaking scenery and the awesome friends I made while I was there. Being abroad and learning about Australia's culture changed my perspective on a few things. They are somewhat a laid-back society, and the pace at which I live my life will probably slow down a little. Learning to enjoy each and every day is something I am working on. I would suggest the Australia J-Term class in 2009, or really ANY study abroad course to anyone. It helps you grow on a personal level and teaches you more than you could ever learn in a classroom.

You have been very involved with Recreation Services at Augie. How did you get involved? Tell us about your experiences.
I interviewed with the Recreational Services Department the summer after my senior year of high school going into freshman year for a work-study position, and I've been there ever since. It has been a great way to meet people that visit the Elmen Center as well as connect with those that work there. One of my roommates right now I met because we both worked at the Elmen. The array of people that show up at the Elmen is incredible. We have Augustana athletes, students, faculty and staff as well as outside groups that rent various parts of the Elmen Center or participate in our Swim Program. People think that a work-study position means they should be able to get paid to do their homework - but I would take working at the Elmen and having the interaction and experiences I have had over getting my homework done any day!

What is your favorite intramural sport?
The nice thing about intramurals is that you get to pick what you play and who you play with. I'm not sure I have just one favorite intramural. I really enjoy the All-Terrain Volleyball Tournament - it is the first intramural of the year and it consists of playing volleyball on sand, court, mud, and in water. It lets you get a feel for all different types of terrain. Another favorite would have to be Walleyball. It is volleyball in the racquetball courts and you play off the walls - the season is in January so I missed it this year because of my J-Term trip, but it is always a blast!

What is the best class you have taken at Augie?
That is another hard question to answer so I narrowed it down to two classes. I think my favorite class was my Baseball Capstone class. Even though it was a summer school class it was worth every minute. We had "Movie Matinee Monday" where we watched movies that all had to do with baseball as well as went to a baseball game as a class. The best part of the class was our final presentations. The objective was to construct a baseball video. We interviewed players, coaches, and parents from the Sioux Falls community, added music and movie clips as well as information from our class readings and even acted out our own scenes wearing the Augie Baseball uniforms.

The second class was one I took during another J-Term entitled, "Managing International Business Opportunities". It was taught by President Oliver when he was a professor at Augie. The reading material he assigned was The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman . The book explains how the world is becoming more globalized and how many things that are possible now, were not possible ten - even five - years ago. The class taught me how important business overseas is, and made me realize that I will someday more than likely be working closely with companies from other countries.

What advice would you give to new freshmen at Augustana?
1. Don't stress too much at the beginning. Everyone is overwhelmed and no one is out to get you. Augie has a great support system and if you need anything you can talk to your advisors, NSO leaders, Hall Directors, Professors - anyone would be willing to help you figure out what things to focus on and what to leave behind for awhile.

2. Play TONS of intramurals. The Elmen Center loves giving away free t-shirts in return for you working out or playing intramurals... the more sports you're involved in the more t-shirts you're going to win!

3. Stay on campus until at least Fall Break. Don't go home on the weekends. It's easier meeting people and getting into the swing of things if you stick around.

4. Last but not least - become an Augieholic - it's a great way to meet people and support our athletic teams.

What is one thing that every Augustana student should do before he or she graduates?
Take any class from Dr. David O'Hara - I guarantee it will be one of the hardest classes you've ever taken - but at the same time, one that you will learn and laugh the most in.

Do you have any career goals for after graduation?
I should probably know what I'm doing after graduation - but unfortunately I'm not sure yet. There are many things I would like to do with my life on a professional level. For now, I'd like to stay around Sioux Falls for a few years and gain experience in the "real world" - after that, who knows?

What are you most proud of during your time at Augie?
I would say the work I've done at the Elmen Center. I've tried really hard to work as much as possible with my class load, and over the years I've accomplished many things and grown a lot. When I was a freshman I took over running the Rec. Center website, and just last summer I made the intramural calendar that each student gets at the beginning of the school year. The relationships I've made with my bosses, co-workers and students that visit the Elmen Center has made working there worth it.

What will you miss most about Augie after graduation?
Hands down - I will miss the people the most. I have made so many great relationships in the past four years, and hopefully I will be able to hang on to most of them. Augie's friendly atmosphere altogether will be greatly missed.