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Augustana University

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This article is about the college in South Dakota. For other institutions with the same name or other uses of Augustana, see Augustana.
Augustana College
Ole, Augustana's mascot.
MottoVerbum Dei manet in aeternum (The Word of God endures forever)
TypePrivate
Established1860
PresidentMr. Robert C. Oliver
Students1,650 Full Time
Location
Sioux Falls
,
SD
,
USA
ColorsBlue and Gold
NicknameVikings
AffiliationsEvangelical Lutheran Church in America
Websitewww.augie.edu

Augustana College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and located on a rolling 100-acre (400,000 m²) campus in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Augustana’s name is from the origin of the Lutheran Church in the Confessio Augustana, the Latin name for the Augsburg Confession of 1530. Students, alumni, friends, employees, and those who know the College casually refer to it as “Augie.”

History

The institution was established in 1835 as Hillsboro Academy in Hillsboro, Illinois by Scandinavian immigrants. Its name was changed to “The Literary and Theological Institute of the Lutheran Church of the Far West.” The school was moved to Springfield, Illinois, where it was renamed Illinois State University. In 1860, Professor Lars Paul Esbjörn and a group of followers moved to Chicago because of differences over matters of doctrine. As the United States expanded westward, pioneers moved the school to Paxton, Illinois in 1863; Marshall, Wisconsin in 1869; Beloit, Iowa in 1881; and then to Canton, South Dakota in 1888. Three Lutheran synods united and merged with the Lutheran Normal School in Sioux Falls in 1918.

The Lutheran Normal School opened in 1889 with the purpose of educating teachers. In 1918, synod officials felt that having two institutions so close together was not fiscally prudent, and decided to merge the Lutheran Normal School and Augustana College in Sioux Falls under the name Augustana College. After the merger, the school site in Canton became the Augustana Academy. Despite the similarities in name, it was no longer affiliated with the college.

Athletics

The Augustana Vikings currently participate in NCAA Division II athletics in the North Central Conference. However, after the 2007-2008 seasons, the Vikings will be moving to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. In 2004-2005, Augie wrestlers finished second in the nation in NCAA Division II finals.

Football

The Vikings currently play their games at Howard Wood Field, but have had a desire to move the games back to campus. On September 26, 2007, it was officially announced that Bob and Kari Hall were making a $6.1 million donation for an on-campus football stadium. The stadium is to bear the name Kirkeby-Over Stadium in honor of Kari Hall’s parents. Construction began on November 12, 2007 [1] with the official groundbreaking to take place on November 16th, 2007. Although no completion date has been set, the school is hopeful that the stadium will be ready by Viking Days 2008. The Halls have been longtime football fans that have continually donated to Augustana Football. Augustana College recently completed the Hall Football Complex; complete with its own lockerrooms, weightroom, and football meeting rooms. This makes Augustana College one of the premier Division II Colleges in the area in terms of facilities. The head football coach is Brad Salem.

School Song

"Fight on for Augustana,

Fight on for victory!

Bear out the old traditions

Of the Vikings of the sea!

RAH, RAH, RAH!

Fight on for Augustana,

Fight on ye Vikings bold!

Fight on for your alma mater,

Augustana blue and gold!"

Sciences

Augustana is a regional leader in the natural sciences. The Augustana science is well-known for its research opportunities offered to students. Along with the opportunity of BRIN grants, Augustana College has received a pledge of $2.6 million dollars over five years from the National Institute of Health. [2]

Arts

Augustana is well-known for its contributions to the arts. The Augustana Choir and Concert Band tour widely nationally and internationally, and the college is one of the few schools in America to house its own student-run improvisational theater groups; BNi (or Brand Name Improv), specializing in short-form improvisation. Improv remains a vital part of the Augustana campus with other improvisation groups such as GoldMilk Favorites, who specialize in long-form improvised musicals. Augustana's concert band toured the People's Republic of China three times (1999, 2003, and 2007), and the Augustana Choir recently toured in Tanzania, Africa. The choir will also be touring Italy in the summer of 2008 and will have a special performance at St. Peter's Basilica during a Saturday evening Mass, a privilege and opportuniy granted to few - if any - choirs.

The Augustana College Theatre Company presents four main-stage shows a year. The 2006-2007 season featured a Shakespeare festival, The Comedy of Errors, Kin: The Trial of Carrie Buck, and Baby: The Musical. Full-time staff include Dr. Julia Bennett, Dr. Ivan Fuller, & RJ Fitzsimmons. Chair of Performing & Visual Arts is Dr. Janet Brown.

Augustana is also home to a burgeoning art department. In 2006, the new Center for Visual Arts replaced the old art department buildings, previously used as WWII barracks. It holds artist/professor studios, studio classrooms for design, drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and an art education lab, as well as the new Eide-Dalrymple gallery: host to several art exhibitions throughout the year. Each interim, drawing professor Scott Parsons organizes a study abroad opportunity that allows students to study the art and archeology of ancient Peru. Students have opportunities to interact with Peruvian culture as well as hike the Incan trail. Other noted artists and professors from the art department include Ogden Dalrymple, Palmer Eide, Robert Aldern, and Carl Grupp.

Media

The college operates a radio station, 89.1 FM KAUR, which broadcasts 24 hours per day and specializes in alternative/college music but also offers a variety ranging from jazz and folk to rap and regional South Dakota musicians.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ http://www.augie.edu/news/pressrel/2007/nov/1_9.html
  2. ^ http://www.augie.edu/news/pressrel/general/2005/aug/gen1_1.htm

Template:North Central Conference

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