With the start of the 2013-2014 academic year less than a month away — and students moving in even earlier — all of campus is preparing for the new semester, including the faculty and staff. View faculty and staff offices and the unique objects found inside them.

Meet John Detlie ‘13, a native of Dexter, Iowa. After graduating from Augustana with majors in history and philosophy, he spent time this summer serving as an intern for the Navy Historical Center in Washington, D.C. Detlie shares his journey from Augustana to the nation’s Capital.

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue team members conducted high-rise fire training at Granskou Residence Hall on Augustana's campus Thursday morning. The event involved real-time training scenarios in full firefighter gear simulating real high-rise fire conditions in- and outside the eight story building.

In May, Augustana faculty and staff gathered at the Mikkelsen Library to celebrate more than 50 recent works, including book chapters, journal articles, and artworks published by Augustana faculty members.

Archaeology students from Augustana and the University of Exeter were featured on KELO-TV for their work at the Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell, S.D. Through the Augustana-Exeter exchange program, Exeter sends students from its archeology program to Augustana’s South Dakota field school each summer. In exchange, Augustana anthropology majors spend three years on campus and one year abroad at Exeter, an internationally recognized university for archeology.

Before retiring last year, Augustana alumna Mary Hart '72 served as co-host of TV’s "Entertainment Tonight” for 29 years. Now, another Viking alumna has joined the ET crew: Jenny Brown '13, a Spanish and business administration major, is now working for the popular Hollywood news show.

This fall, Augustana will welcome approximately 75 new international students from more than 40 countries all over the world. The College is seeking friendship and host families to befriend a new student, offer opportunities for home-cooked meals, and create opportunities to participate in various cultural or community activities throughout the year, beginning Friday, Aug. 9.

“Dust of War,” an independent film shot in South Dakota by alumnus Andrew Kightlinger, is set to make its premiere at San Diego’s Comic-Con this month. The film tells the story of a lone soldier who fends off a warmonger to rescue a girl fated to be the savior of mankind.

In the Summer 2013 issue of The Augustana, we share the stories of “Augustana legacy families” – those whose ties to this great place have spanned generations including, the Rev. David Johnson, class of 1956, whose Augustana story first began in 1927 and continues on today in his grandchildren; Augustana Professor Emeritus of Music Dr. Leland Lillehaug, class of 1951, whose three children grew up on campus, earned their degrees here, and still hold fond memories of Augustana deep in their hearts; Jeff Fylling ‘78, longtime “Voice of the Vikings,” who has artfully chronicled the play-by-play stories of our Football and Basketball teams for nearly four decades; and others.

The three-year, $320,000 grant is to establish a Research Experiences for Undergraduates site for the exploration of topics in cellular and molecular biology. The grant will offer $5,000 stipends to 10 students for participation in 10-week research programs.