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History department people and events

Lydia Olsson's family

Hopman '11 found her future in the past

Rebecca Hopman never expected to meet one of the most influential people in her life when she was a student worker in Augustana's Special Collections. But Lydia Olsson’s diaries sparked a connection across time for Hopman — and a career devoted to preserving stories like Olsson’s. 

Academic All-Americans

Trio repeats as athletic/academic champs

Three student-athletes remain on top in their sport and studies — Charlotte Frere ’26, Charlotte Newport ’25 and Ocean Akau ’25. All three are repeat Academic All-American honorees, a feat achieved by only a few Vikings through the years.

lendol calder

National spotlight shines on Augustana history professor

Dr. Lendol Calder is no stranger to awards and honors, being named Illinois Professor of the Year in 2010. And now he's a finalist for Baylor University's Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching, the top teaching prize in the nation.