In recognition of national "Ban the R-Word" day, a day to promote awareness of the campaign to stop using the word "retarded," members of Augustana’s Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) gathered together to show their support.

Andrew Pole, class of 1994, had just started working as a statistician for Target in 2002 when he was tasked with identifying unique moments in consumers’ lives when their shopping habits become more flexible and the right ad or coupon could prompt them to spend in new or different ways. His work and research into the science of habit formation are featured in the New York Times Magazine.

This student-designed production brings the "fabulous fifties" back to life — and a few other things that should have stayed dead. The show, by John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe, tells the story of teenage love gone wrong. The show runs March 1-3 and 8-10. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. in the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre.

Juniors Molly Kokesh (Scotland, S.D.) and Maren Engel (Owasso, Okla.) have been named the 2012 Peace Prize Forum Scholars. This summer, the two will spend seven weeks at the University of Oslo’s International Summer School deepening their understanding of issues related to peace, justice, democracy and human rights.

Professor emeritus of geography and long-time coach Virgil Sandvig, class of 1949, died on Sunday, Feb. 19. He was 87. Sandvig joined Augustana as an assistant football coach 1960 and spent the next 30 years at the College, teaching geography and serving in a variety of coaching positions. Following graveside rites, a memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, at the Augustana Reconciliation Chapel.

Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Sara Bareilles will perform at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 22, at the Washington Pavilion. Tickets for the acoustic concert, “An Evening with Sara Bareilles,” are available at www.augie.edu/sara.

Phillip Bruns, Augustana class of 1953, starred with legendary actor Jackie Gleason on “American Scene Magazine;”  played the unforgettable dad, George Shumway, on TV's “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman;” and made more than 40 feature films in Los Angeles, New York and around the world. He passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at age 80.

Nominations were accepted for the 2012 Covenant Awards, five honors that recognize students who exemplify and illustrate Augustana's core values: Christian, Liberal Arts, Excellence, Community and Service. Nominations were due Friday, March 9. The 2012 awards were presented on Friday, April 20, as the culminating event of Verdier 2012, a week-long celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the Covenant Awards.

Dr. James F. Krier, D.V.M., a long-time member of the Augustana College Board of Trustees, died on Wednesday, Jan. 25. He was a member of the President's Club and served as a leader for many Augustana fund drives, including the Commitment to Excellence, Augustana Renewal and Sunrise campaigns.

The Black Hills Playhouse in Custer State Park will be auditioning actors and interviewing technicians beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Augustana's Edith Mortenson Theatre.This year the BHP will present "Run for your Wife," "Godspell," "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "The Three Musketeers."