Soon, the Augustana Band, led by Dr. Paul Schilf, will embark on a 23-day tour of China. Sixty students will make the journey to perform and participate in a course designed and taught by Dr. John Pennington, professor and co-chair of the music department, about Chinese culture and history.

The Nobel Peace Prize Forum consortium is accepting student applications for two 2015 Peace Scholars, who will be awarded a six-week educational experience in Oslo, Norway, designed to deepen their understanding of issues related to peace, justice, democracy and human rights. The application deadline is Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015.

Tips for making year-end, tax-deductible gifts to Augustana.

When Augustana alumna Nancy Erickson '84 was appointed Secretary of the Senate on Jan. 4, 2007, she became only the 32^nd person, and sixth woman in history, to serve in that capacity. With her term at a close, she was featured in a USA Today/Argus Leader media story.

Augustana's Scott Parsons, associate professor and Chair of the art department, was featured recently in the Argus Leader recognizing his successes in creating public artwork around the country. Read the story here.

An article featuring an experiment on dark matter done in part by Dr. Drew Alton, assistant professor of physics, has been showcased in an October newsletter called Fermilab Today.

In an effort to help those in need this holiday season, Augustana students are collecting gifts for area teens and families. Gifts may be brought to the Campus Safety desk inside Morrison Commons by Friday, Dec. 12. Monetary gifts may also be submitted online.

Augustana is pleased to announce that bus rides will be provided to and from the Sioux Falls Arena for students who want to attend any and all basketball games.

In his new role, Kinsinger will work across campus on curriculum development and innovation, faculty development and student success initiatives. He will also provide leadership to the undergraduate general education program and college level assessment and accreditation initiatives. He will begin his appointment in January 2015.

A group of sophomores will travel to Joy Ranch in Florence, South Dakota, Nov. 14-15, for a new program called Sophomore Retreat. A pilot initiative, the retreat will be hosted by Campus Ministry, the new Center for Student Success, Academic Affairs and Student Services.