Annie Johnston ‘25 has given her fair share of speeches, even in front of large crowds.
That’s because of what she has done with her time at Augustana University. Johnston was elected to an Augustana Student Association (ASA) position for four consecutive years — in the senate and as president her senior year. In addition, Johnston has served as a mentor and tutor for the Augustana Government & International Affairs Department, as well as a tutor for the Augustana History Department. She has also served on the Welcome Week Committee, been named to the Viking Days Royal Court and nominated for Covenant Awards for excellence and community.
Initially though, when thinking about applying to speak at commencement, Johnston believed she was “all speeched out,” if you will — had “speech burnout.” Then, she thought, “What a cool honor,” to be provided the opportunity to address her graduating class.
“This one’s definitely more personal, and it’s catered toward, not just my experiences, but our class’ experiences. I want to represent my class well and speak to something you know they can all relate to,” said Johnston, of Sioux Falls, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in history and government & international affairs with a minor in English. “It was a form of therapy. I kind of thought about it like I was journaling.”
Yes, Johnston will touch on things like the sweaty experience of Move-In Day, football games, studying abroad, professors who have provided her with “bits of wisdom” over the last four years and even the blizzard that swept through campus a few years back. But, it’s the inspiration she received from two different women in her life that make her speech more meaningful.
The first piece of advice came from mom.
“It came during Move-In Week during my freshman year in Solberg (Hall),” said Johnston. “As she (her mom) was leaving, she said, ‘Annie, try your best to be present and make your bed every morning.’ I was like, ‘OK, mom, I’ll do my best.’”
The second piece came last year…from an Augustana alumna and former ASA president during a difficult time in Johnston’s college career.
“She (Lauren Teller ‘24) just looked at me and said, ‘Annie, life is not a performance.’ It sunk in with me. I feel like these big moments kind of feel like a performance. They’re a celebration, but they can also feel a little bit like…we underestimate all these little moments that made it possible for us to get here. Those don’t get appreciated (enough), but they’re just as important in shaping us into who we are and what we’re going to do,” said Johnston, who is pursuing work in political advocacy and plans to apply to law school in the fall.
Johnston said she has tried to do just that — appreciating the small moments when it comes time to celebrate the not so small ones, like graduating from college. Small moments that she’ll be celebrating with a host of family members come Saturday, including her four older brothers, dad and of course, her mom, too!
“My mom has poured so much love into me and when I think about everything — who I am is a result of various people, but above all, my mom is just my biggest support system,” said Johnston, who said she gets emotional when speaking about her. “I just hope she knows that anything I do is because of her.”
Someone that Johnston has yet to tell about her upcoming speech.
“I haven’t outright told anyone. I haven’t told my parents at all, and I don’t plan on it. If I do, my mom will get super emotional,” said Johnston. “She won’t know until she sees this!”
And, we can’t wait to see her reaction at the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, which will take place tomorrow — Saturday, May 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Kirkeby-Over Stadium. The graduate ceremony will take place later in the day at 2 p.m.
For more information on Augustana’s 2025 commencement ceremonies, visit augie.edu/commencement.