Private colleges everywhere are closely watching the numbers, to see just how the economy is impacting enrollment and enrollments nationwide are down. At Augustana College in Sioux Falls, the story's a little different.

Dan Johnson, an Augustana College senior, has been selected among 43 “NASA Student Ambassadors” nationwide. He will promote astronomy and NASA activities in 2009, the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s discoveries with the telescope.

Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, assistant professor of history at Augustana, is the author of “They Are All Red Out Here: Socialist Politics in the Pacific Northwest, 1895-1925,” published by University of Oklahoma Press.

Jamie Horter, an Augustana senior majoring in chemistry and art, has won the school's Covenant Award for liberal arts.

A kinder, gentler Tom Shields emerges through his current abstract oil paintings. And a more daring ceramic artist Gerry Punt is revealed, his formerly symmetrical wheel-thrown works now pushed, pulled and distorted.

Visit Spearfish, an organization designed to market the Black Hills city, has been created – and its executive director is Mistie Caldwell, class of 1993.

The Center for Western Studies at Augustana hosts the 41st annual Dakota Conference April 24-25, 2009. The conference theme is Abraham Lincoln Looks West.

The Augustana Band and The Augustana Choir both embark on their annual interim tour which begins January 29.  Directed by Dr. Bruce Ammann and Dr. James Johnson, each concert promises to be an event you won’t want to miss!

Carolyn Hunter, an Augustana freshman, recently won the National Guild of Piano Teachers High School Diploma.  Her mother, grandmother and Augustana piano instructor Arlene Krueger helped her along the way.

Rachel Hurley, a sophomore from Canton, SD, has been selected to receive the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) 2009 Student Affiliates Leadership Award.