The Nancy Dickinson Writing Center on the second floor of the Fryxell Humanities Center on campus. Since being established by former instructor and director Nancy Dickinson ‘79 in 1984, the center has amassed 20 tutors — helping an average of more than 1,600 students per year. The Writing Center is also proud to have renewed its College Learning and Reading Association (CRLA) certification — the only Augustana campus group to have this accreditation.
This past spring, Dr. Austin Schmitt ‘25 made history as one of the first students to earn three different degrees from Augustana University. Schmitt earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in exercise science in 2022, Master of Science in athletic training (MSAT) in 2023 and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in 2025. The Augustana alumnus now has a full-time fellowship with a team in the NFL.
The Augustana University School of Music (SoM) has launched The Tiårasang (Norwegian for “10-year song”) Project as part of a bold, decade-long initiative by the Augustana Choir to honor, preserve and reimagine the legacy of Lutheran collegiate choral music.
With the launch of the The Tiårasang Project, the SoM released recordings made by the Augustana Choir in March 2025 at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minnesota, which can be found now on all streaming services.
The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery at Augustana University is presenting “Shrines and Portals: Darrel Nelson,” an exhibition of assemblage sculptures by one of South Dakota’s most distinguished sculptors. The exhibit is on view through Thursday, Nov. 6, with a closing reception on Nov. 6 and free public artist talk the same evening at 7:30 p.m.
Presented at the Augustana University Nursing Pinning Ceremony this past May, Augustana alumna and former assistant professor of nursing Muriel Larson ‘89 was honored as the recipient of the Daisy Award for Lifetime Achievement for her contributions in the field of nursing.
For more information about the Augustana Nursing Program, visit augie.edu/nursing.
With hearts full of school pride, Viking Days now holds an extra special place in the hearts of this year’s royals Alex Folgar ‘26 and Gabriela “Gabi” Rabonni ‘26.
Meet your 2025 Viking Days Royals.
In Spring 2023, Augustana University established the Honorary Alumni Society to recognize individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication to Augustana’s mission, along with its core values of Christian, liberal arts, excellence, community and service. Through sustained commitment to the university, honorary alumni have demonstrated the gold standard of engagement. This year, Augustana inducted five members into the honorary alumni society. The inductees were recognized on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Honor Guard Luncheon during Viking Days.
Augustana has been ranked the No. 1 Regional University in the Midwest in Best Value for the second year in a row by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best College Rankings — viewed as the gold standard in college rankings lists. In addition, U.S. News ranked Augustana No. 7 in Best (Overall) Regional Universities in the Midwest. AU is listed in other Best Regional Universities Midwest categories, including No. 6 in Most Innovative and No. 7 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (OSL) will soon begin hosting the performances of the Augustana School of Music’s ensemble — the Augustana Bach Collegium. Thanks to support from Dr. Greg ‘74 and Karen (Devick) Schultz ‘75, the Augustana Bach Collegium will perform its fall and spring events at OSL over the next four years. The first will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5, in collaboration with the Augustana Choir. To purchase tickets to the Oct. 5 concert, visit augie.edu/MusicTickets.
Augustana University’s third annual Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium will culminate with Dr. Joy Buolamwini as the featured speaker. Buolamwini, bestselling author, MIT researcher and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, will give a keynote presentation to the Augustana community, alumni and friends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Elmen Center, with a book signing to follow.
Tickets for the 2025 Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium are free and available to the public at augie.edu/CICCTickets.