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Augustana Magazine

Fall 2021

Lindberg Center front

Water polo's Colin McDowell '25 (top) takes a shot in the new pool inside the Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance.

In March 2020, Augustana closed the campus and moved to long-distance learning as the number of COVID-19 infections escalated in the Quad Cities, the country and the world.

Construction of an academic/athletics building on campus, one that would set Augustana apart from its peers, was scheduled to begin that same month. Despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead, college leaders moved forward with the new facility and continued to announce new programs across campus.

Nineteen months later, in October 2021, Augustana dedicated the Peter J. Lindberg, M.D., Center for Health and Human Performance — a symbol of the college’s vision and strength in tough times, and its commitment to new thinking that answers to the future.

Read on to learn why Dr. Lindberg would have been pleased

Innovation

Engineering program press conference

A new B.S. in engineering

For more than a decade, high school sophomores and juniors have reported an increased interest in the field of engineering. Augustana answered the call and launched a Bachelor of Science in engineering this fall.

Augustana will offer tracks in mechanical, civil, and environmental and sustainability engineering — three industries experiencing rapid growth. 
Read more

President Steven Bahls on innovation:

Augustana takes a “market-smart and mission-driven” approach.

Dr. Sharon Varallo in class

Grant-funded prison education channels Augustana's mission

“For taxpayers, it’s about the best value for the money and time invested,” said Dr. Sharon Varallo, the driving force behind the inaugural Augustana Prison Education Program.
Read more

New minor in integrative medicine and humanities

Augustana College has been awarded $34,966 to plan a new minor in integrative medicine and the humanities, as well as a new internship program with UnityPoint Health.
Read more

Women's wrestling team

When other schools cut teams, Augustana added

The COVID-19 pandemic put college athletics on the ropes. Large universities and smaller liberal arts schools chose to drop or suspend at least one varsity sport in 2020 because of financial challenges.

At this same time, Augustana added three: varsity men’s and women’s water polo, and varsity women’s wrestling.

Despite hardships brought on by the pandemic, Augustana’s leaders chose to play offense. They did what they knew would strengthen the student-athlete experience and boost recruitment in the future.
Read more

Alumni news

    

1977 graduates Chris Coder and Jack Pace

Travel memories

It’s no secret that students often make lifelong friends at Augustana. 1977 graduates Chris Coder and Jack Pace are no strangers to that idea.

For the past 40-plus years, they and a group of Augustana friends have embarked on at least one trip a year. → Follow their adventures

Music education alumni show Jones '24 what's possible

Until Ryan Jones '24 applied to Augustana, he didn’t realize all his music teachers from elementary through high school in Lake Zurich, Ill., were Augustana alumni.

Charles Hughes

An interview with poet Charles Hughes ’73

The path from successful attorney to award-winning poet led Charles Hughes to his latest prize: Augustana’s 2021 Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement. → Read the interview

→ See all award winners from 2020 and 2021

Geology alumni contribute to climate science

Three alumni climate scientists have been selected as lead authors for state, federal and international climate assessments, climate modeling and research.

LIzeth Galarza '11

More than I imagined — a decade later

Lizeth Galarza '11: A lot of what makes me a successful professional and leader I learned at Augie. Everything from my microbiology lab with Dr. Wegman-Geedey to my racial inequality class with Dr. Croll. More 10-year stories

Nwatu '20 lands selective CDC public health fellowship

Public health/neuroscience double major Ruth Nwatu has taken her next career step; she is working in the Health Equity Office at the North Dakota Department of Health.

Campus news

New pastor invites all to come and see

Melinda Pupillo, Augustana's new chaplain, looks forward to engaging with students from different religious backgrounds.

TRIO Scholars Program starts strong

• DEI leader recognized for excellence, impact

• Campus works to mitigate COVID-19

Local grants for Upper Mississippi Center

Augustana’s Upper Mississippi Center has been working for the community, and now it is giving back.

• Solar panels to provide 10% of energy needs

• New marketing internship honors Wrath '80

• Vikings back in action this fall

Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts renovation

Bergendoff re-creation? Accelerando!

Not only has the re-creation of Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts begun, one feature is already completed. 

• Anonymous donor surprises 26 students

College welcomes new trustees

2020-2021 Honor Roll and gift report

1916 pool

1916 photo courtesy of Augustana's Special Collections

Final Shot

A 1916 photo shows men demonstrating the depth of the then-new gym pool before it was filled. Before bleachers were added in 1960, spectators had to watch swim competitions through windows in the wall of a basement corridor — a big difference from the new pool at the Lindberg Center with its large wall of windows.

Augustana Magazine is published by the Office of Communication and Marketing at Augustana College, 639 38th St., Rock Island, Ill., 61201. For information, contact Editor Debbie Blaylock, 309-794-8979.