Augustana University News

Augustana University is celebrating its 102nd homecoming during Viking Days 2025, beginning on Monday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 28. Throughout the week, current and past Vikings will unite to celebrate all things blue and gold — a beloved tradition that officially became known as "Viking Days" in 1929.

The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery at Augustana University is welcoming alumna Gracie Rothering ‘22 for a homecoming exhibition that is on view through Oct. 2. Rothering will exhibit two photographic series, “Hola Daniela” and “HomeTown,” and will present a free public artist talk on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. as a part of the Viking Days festivities. A gallery reception will be held the same evening from 7-9 p.m.

Augustana University welcomed a total of 2,548 students — part- and full-time undergraduate and graduate students — for Academic Year 2025-26, the largest ever student body in Augustana’s 165-year history. Among those undergraduates, a total of 615 full-time first-year students chose AU — a record high and 15% increase from last year. Augustana also set a record for the overall number of graduate students in the university’s history.

Each year, Alumni Achievement Awards are presented to Augustana University alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their fields of endeavor, communities and/or churches. The Horizon Award recognizes young alumni who have graduated within the last 15 years and quickly demonstrated outstanding vocational achievement and provided faithful service to their community and/or church. Recipients of both awards must exemplify one of the shared core values of the university.

Meet the 2025 Award Winners.

The Augustana School of Music has appointed Matthew Whitaker, an internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist, composer and educator, as the university’s inaugural artist-in-residence.

The Math & Statistics Skills Center at Augustana University opened to students in Fall 2024 — a response to what faculty were witnessing among students in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the center has become popular among students with a variety of different majors — taking advantage of its resources, community and vibe.