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.

Bethany Jochim, Augustana class of 2011 and first-year physics Ph.D. student at Kansas State University, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Leroy Apker Award, the top undergraduate honor awarded by the American Physical Society (APS).

Augustana’s Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is selling t-shirts 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.

“In today’s economy, we’re humbled to see that students and families continue to believe in the world-class liberal arts education Augustana’s great professors provide,” said Rob Oliver, president. For Fall 2011, the College is serving 1,745 full-time undergraduate students – the highest full-time enrollment since 1980.

Meet the legendary and passionate music educator Weston Noble, guest conductor of The Augustana Choir. Of conducting, Noble says: "You can certainly remember when you had tears in your eyes. Goose bumps. Joy rushes. Whatever you want to call it. Those experiences are very strong."

“Rob’s passion for Augustana is unmatched. He absolutely believes in the vision of this institution and is committed to doing all he can to support our mission of providing students with the education they need in order to make tomorrow’s world even better than today’s,” said John Thomas, chair of the Board of Trustees.

A number of events are planned in support of “World Hunger and Poverty,” Augustana’s International Theme for the 2011-12 academic year. “By taking time to explore issues and support causes ...  we will all be better suited to appreciate and understand important topics that extend far beyond our ... borders,” said Sam Ogdie, instructor of Spanish and faculty chair of Augustana’s Co-Curriculum Council.

Dr. Paul Bahnson, Augustana class of 1979 and professor of accountancy at Boise State University College of Business and Economics, has been named one of the "Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting" by Accounting Today.

Dr. Sandra Looney, professor of English, will lead the first-ever Faculty Film Festival with a showing and discussion of Salaam Bombay!, an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language film, at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, in the Gilbert Science Center auditorium.

Dr. Colin Beavan and his family spent a year trying to live without negatively impacting the environment. His discussion, set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29,  in the Chapel, will detail the struggles, frustrations and discoveries that come with adjusting to a new lifestyle.