2024 in review: BESLA program, Augie Choice expansion and new film facilities

Augustana receives $6.7 million from Illinois Board of Higher Education

The year kicked off with a $6.7 million Independent Colleges Capital Investment Grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education for the renovation of Erickson Residence Hall. The project includes a new HVAC system, windows, bathrooms, flooring and storage/cabinets in residence hall rooms. The first phase of the project was completed this past fall, with work continuing for the remaining wings beginning next summer.

Augustana announces combined film and theatre department

On Feb. 16, students and faculty cut the ribbon for the state-of-the art film production facilities and iMac lab space in Sorensen Hall. The event also marked the combination of the college's film and theatre departments, building upon the college's rich tradition of theatre arts and visual storytelling.

Dr. Allison Haskill, MS-SLP program director, with Olivia Book, Kansas City, Mo., at the May 24 master's hooding ceremony in Wallenberg Hall.

Augustana's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program earns full accreditation

Augustana's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program was awarded full accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The 24-month program includes academic coursework and clinical work. Graduates accrue 400+ clinical hours through semester-long school-based and medical externships.

Eulle Casaquite '25 used Augie Choice to help fund an internship with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Augustana expands student-engagement initiative Augie Choice

Fifteen years after launching Augie Choice, Augustana expanded the transformative initiative. Now sophomores, in addition to juniors and seniors, may apply for up to $2,000 to help pay expenses related to an internship, research or a study away experience. Each year nearly 550 students utilize Augie Choice, with more than $11.8 million invested since it began. Expansion of the program coincided with the college's launch of the Bold & Boundless strategic plan, which prioritizes engaged learning, maximized student potential and connecting community through partnership. So far this academic year, nearly 30 sophomores have taken advantage of the expansion.

David Staples, courtesy Jason Smith '23

Inaugural Augustana Prison Education Program student graduates

The college's 164th commencement ceremony recognized 498 candidates for graduation, including David Staples, the inaugural graduate to have benefitted from the Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP). Staples is now in graduate school, studying counseling psychology at Western Illinois University. APEP currently has 32 students enrolled, and the East Moline Correctional Facility will host an inaugural in-person commencement ceremony in May.

Five more Vikings named Academic All-Americans — 183 total

Five Vikings won Academic All-American status this past spring/summer. Three Augustana teams — women's water polo, men's water polo and men's volleyball — had their first athletes earn Academic All-American recognition. Now with 183 Academic All-Americans, Augustana ranks 14th among the NCAA's 1,100 schools in DI, DII and DIII across the country.

Augustana welcomes Class of 2028

An unprecedented 9,000+ students applied to Augustana in 2023-24. The Class of 2028 included 677 first-year students and 80 transfer students. The 171 international students of the Class of 2028 made up an unprecedented 25% of the first-year cohort. First year and transfer students represented 33 countries and 26 states.

Making Augustana Possible for students

This fall 156 high-achieving students were awarded Augustana Possible grants. Launched in 2023, the innovative program has benefited 339 qualifying students to meet 100% of their demonstrated financial need, with the average grant per student this year totaling $7,551. Launched by a $40 million commitment by alumnus Murry Gerber '75, Augustana Possible is fueled by the Gerber Grand Challenge for Philanthropy, which aims to increase endowed scholarship support with a pledge to match dollar-for-dollar donors who seek to keep Augustana accessible. A total of 1,817 gifts in the amount of $19.1 million have been made to support Augustana Possible. Since March 2022, the match money raised/committed through the Gerber Grand Challenge has established 100 new endowed scholarships for qualifying students.

Students at the Culture Houses Block Party

Augustana's inaugural Culture Houses Block Party unites campus in celebration of diversity

The inaugural Cultural Houses Block Party on Sept. 18 brought together students, faculty and staff for a vibrant celebration of diversity and culture. Attendees enjoyed food, music and activities at the college’s three culture houses on the upper campus — Casa Latina, the Black Culture House, and the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American House.

Augustana awarded $105,000 to launch business-liberal arts scholars program

With a $105,000 "Vocation Across the Academy" grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, Augustana announced the launch of an enrichment and mentorship program for business administration students. Beginning in the fall of 2025, these students may enroll in the Business Education Steeped in the Liberal Arts scholars program, designed to help enhance students’ career achievement, vocational reflection and graduates’ contributions to the common good. Program participants will pursue a second major or minor from the traditional liberal arts disciplines and devote some of their general education requirements to courses tailored to the intersection of career, calling, happiness, industry and living good lives.

Augustana Symphonic Band alumni performance

Augustana Symphonic Band celebrates 150 years in November

On Nov. 23-24, more than 200 alumni, parents and friends of the college attended the 150th anniversary celebration of the Augustana Symphonic Band. Participants came to campus from as far away as British Columbia; the Netherlands; Washington, D.C.; Texas; Colorado; and California. In addition to reuniting at their alma mater to make music, alumni exceeded the fundraising goal to the Symphonic Band Sesquicentennial Endowed Fund by $17,000, ensuring that the tradition of connecting through music continues for the next generation.

President Talentino named to 2024 Most Influential Leaders list

President Andrea Talentino was named No. 6 on the Quad City Business Journal’s Most Influential list. Completing her second year of service in July, she has led the college in bold ways, including providing strategic leadership with the Bold & Boundless strategic plan and a proposed campus master plan – two influential plans that will have an impact on Augustana for many years to come. Hats off to President Talentino on this recognition and her service in shaping Augustana’s present and future.

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