Contact: Bruce Conley, Associate Director of College Relations
Phone: (605) 274-5526
Fax: (605) 274-4903
www.augie.edu

April 28, 2005

Augustana to Celebrate Norway’s Centennial of Independence

SIOUX FALLS – Augustana College is hosting a celebration of Norway’s Centennial of Independence (1905-2005) and the public is invited.

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, in the Elmen Center at 33rd Street and Grange Avenue. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

Hosted by Augustana President Bruce Halverson and Gjoa Lodge Sons of Norway President Larry Ritz, this salute to Norway’s Centennial of Independence and to Norway-US relations will include an elaborate smorgasbord dinner, a variety of music by the Augustana Band, the Sioux Valley Singers, and Ms. Lisa Grevlos of the Augustana Music Department.

In addition, reflections on the occasion will be offered by Deputy Consul General Eva. M. Vincent of New York City; Dr. Rasmus Sunde, visiting professor of history from Sogndal, Norway, and Ms. Merete Falch-Pedersen, chair of the Augustana Alumni Association in Oslo.

Tickets are $17.50 per person and are available through the Office of College Relations by calling 274-4546 or 274-4404.

Norway’s quest for independence began on May 17, 1814, with the signing of a new constitution. Yet Norway’s forced union with Sweden, which began January 14, 1811 (after 400 years of domination by Denmark) was to last until 1905 when Norway proclaimed, and secured, full independence. May 17, Norway’s Constitution Day, is often celebrated as an “Independence Day.”

Between 1835 and 1924, approximately 750,000 Norwegians immigrated to the United States. It is estimated there are now some four million Norwegian Americans in this country.

For many years, Syttende Mai was Augustana’s “skoal” to Norwegian Independence Day as well as the last weekend before finals. “Queen Inga” and “King Ole” were the reigning royalty for the occasion. A pops concert, style show, raft race, and steak fry were other events that set the stage for this joyful celebration by the Oles of Augie.

Augustana’s Norse Club, formed in 1935, fostered Norwegian culture in art, literature, and history, and was particularly active in sponsoring the Syttende Mai events. The campus celebration returns this year in honor of the centennial observance.