An estate gift of $2.5 million from alumnus Dick Niebuhr, class of 1966, a native of Huron, S.D., and longtime resident of Aberdeen, S.D., will be used to support scholarships for Augustana’s top incoming students beginning in the 2014-15 academic year.

The Augustana community is mourning the loss of Kirk Dean, a member of the Board of Trustees. Dean died on Saturday, May 4, at his home in Fargo, N.D. He was 65. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, June 2, at Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo.

Senior art major Sarah Schoepf has been awarded the prestigious Harold Spitznagel Medal for Achievement in Art, the highest award presented by the Augustana Art Department to student-artists who demonstrate the highest standards of excellence in all their artistic endeavors. View photos.

Dr. Russell Svenningsen, assistant professor of music and conductor of the Collegiate Chorale, is the recipient of the Augustana Student Association (ASA) 2012-2013 Faculty Recognition Award. The award recognizes outstanding teaching and contributions to the Augustana community by a faculty member.

Rick Tupper, Augustana's director of campus safety, has been named one of three national Directors-at-Large for the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). His three-year term will begin in June.

Dr. Lindsay Twa, assistant professor of Art and director of the Eide/Dalrymple Gallery, is one of a select group of faculty members nationwide chosen by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) to participate in a special, week-long seminar on teaching European art in context.

Dr. Glenda Sehested, a longtime faculty member of the Sociology department, passed away today following a battle with advanced pancreatic cancer. A memorial service is set for 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3, in Augustana's Chapel of Reconciliation.

Associate Athletic Director Jeff Holm received the "Augie Pride" award at the Augustana Service Awards Presentation and Celebration on Wednesday. The event also honored members of the Augustana community who are retiring and those who have achieved milestone service anniversaries.

Seven Augustana students were recently inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society dedicated to promoting the study of history through research, teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.

Following last week's bombings at the Boston Marathon, more than 70 runners and walkers participated in today's "Joy Run," an event organized by Augustana's Dr. David O'Hara to promote the idea that "because we exist, we should not forget to live." Watch video from KSFY-TV reporter Mark Roper.