Earlier this year, Augustana reported the largest class of incoming international students in College history. These young men and women from all over the world are learning the skills they need today to lead and change the world tomorrow – students like political science major and Myanmar native Ye Khaung Oo, who hopes to be part of the change as his native country transitions from a dictatorship.

Honorary Augustana alumna and local philanthropist Helen Madsen has been honored with the 2011 Friend of the Foundation Award by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

As part of Augustana's reaccreditation review, students are invited to attend a Q&A forum hosted by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Augustana Student Association at 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, in the 3-in-1 room. Watch a "Fireside Chat" about the forum by ASA President and VP Jake Bury and Thad Titze.

A major gift from South Dakota amateur baseball legend Lee “Goldy” Goldammer to the Viking baseball program will provide funds to turf the infield at Ronken Field and make further improvements to the on-campus facility.

In true Big Apple fashion, Casey Ortbahn and Jackie Miles were crowned King and Queen of Viking Days 2011 during Augustana’s “Late Night Coronation Show” Monday at the Elmen Center.

The important contribution of alumnus Peter Eide '66, creator of the Ole the Viking statue that has kept watch over the Augustana campus since 1967, will be recognized at a re-dedication ceremony at 10:20 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14. A plaque commemorating the statue will be unveiled during this event.

Augustana’s Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) has sold more than 200 t-shirts, buttons and posters to raise awareness about the negative connotations associated with the word "retarded." SCEC is hoping elected officials will pass legislation to formally change the phrase “mental retardation” to “cognitive impairment” on state-issued Special Education teaching certifications.

Cataract surgery takes about seven minutes; yet, cataracts are the No. 1 cause of treatable blindness worldwide. Dr. John Berdahl ‘99, a Sioux Falls ophthalmologist, will discuss “Eliminating Blindness in our World” at the Augustana Thought Leader Forum on Friday, Oct. 14.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools will review and consider Augustana's reaccreditation during its visit to campus Oct. 17-21.

National security; the U.S. economy; agriculture; the environment – they’re among the most significant issues in the U.S. today. And at the center of all these is something called ethanol, according to Doug Berven, '90, vice president of Corporate Affairs for POET. Berven discussed “Revolutionizing Energy” at the Augustana Thought Leader Forum on Thursday.