The Rev. Dr. John Sorenson, former professor of sociology and past chair of the Social Sciences Division at Augustana, passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, at his home in Hickory, North Carolina. He was 75. Sorenson served Augustana from 1973 to 1994.

For Dr. Rick Andrews, professor of music and recipient of the 2015 ASA Faculty Recognition Award, a piano teacher in a small Texas town changed his life. Read the text of the story he shared with the Augustana class of 2019 about Mrs. Ganze – his treasured boyhood mentor and life-long friend – on Thursday in the Chapel of Reconciliation as the concluding event of New Student Seminar (NSS). 

The Augustana University Department of Music presented the first “Friends of Augustana Music” award to Dr. Dennis and Mary Ann Knutson in recognition of the couple's longtime philanthropic and artistic support of the musical arts at Augustana. The award was presented at an Augustana choirs and orchestra concert on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Washington Pavilion.

Some people just have that little something — that charisma, that charm, that warmth that makes others remember them despite years past. For anyone who's called Augustana's Solberg Hall home over the last 30 years, that someone could likely be Albert Wendt, the ever-smiling, always happy hall custodian.

After more than 30 years at Augustana, Wendt is retiring next week. An open house in celebration of his service is set for 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, in the Nelson Service Center. 

Augustana University's Dr. Julie Ashworth (education) is the recipient of the 2015 Humanitarian Award for Individuals from the Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission. Ashworth was presented with the award on Monday, Oct. 26. 

Five Augustana alumni were honored for outstanding contributions to their fields of endeavor and for exemplifying the University’s values of Christian faith, excellence, the liberal arts, community and service last weeked during Viking Days.

Bridget Beck '00, a professional artist and community collaborator, worked with area students on an art project this week, to coincide with the opening of her exhibit, de la Mancha: Laster Out First: Sculptures and Community Collaborations by Bridget Beck '00, in Augustana's Eide/Dalrymple Gallery. Read more in this Argus Leader story.

Teresa Resch '04 has been named vice president for basketball operations and player development for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. 

Seniors Tori Wilson and Brad Ostendorf were crowned Viking Days Queen and King at Coronation on Monday.

In an effort to promote pedestrian safety, the Augustana University Department of Campus Safety is launching Operation S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness for Everyone) Crossing.