Employee Engagement

Yuletide

Presented by the Augustana University Office of Human Resources in partnership with the Office of the President, the university's favorite holiday tradition is known as Yuletide, where faculty, staff, retirees and their family gather for worship, cookie decorating and dinner together.

In 2023, Yuletide took place on Monday, Dec. 18, with worship in the Chapel of Reconciliation and a buffet-style dinner in the Ordal Dining Hall in the Morrison Commons.

Ole and the Sioux Falls Santa often make an appearance to help celebrate the magic of the Christmas season.

History of Yuletide

Augie Pride Award

The Augie Pride Award Winner is nominated by other Augustana University employees and given annually to an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Mary Toso '90, the 2024 Augie Pride Award Winner, was recognized with the award on Wednesday, April 17, at the university’s annual Service Awards & Retirement Recognition Ceremony in the Ordal Dining Hall in the Morrison Commons.

2024 Augie Pride Award Winner

Past Augie Pride Award Winners

Mary Toso '90 (2024)
Rick Tupper (2023)
Karie Frank (2022)
Amy Meyers '98 (2022)
Jennie Holland (2021)
Sandy Pohlmann '90 (2020)
Joni Krueger (2019)
Luanne Wuestewald (2018)
Deb Frederick '76 (2017)
Rob and Angie Oliver (2017)
Brian Rieger (2016)
Libby King (2016)
Brenda Murtha (2015)
Nate Dally (2014)
Jeff Holm (2013)
Adam Heinitz '99 (2012)
Tracy Riddle (2011)
Marsha Brooks (2011)
Mary Moline (2010)
Peg Ustad (2009)
Dianne Hammrich (2009)
Donn Grinager (2008)
Carol Weisz (2007)
Mary Jane Minnig '99 (2006)
Butch Huizenga (2005)
Nancy Davidson (2004)
Judy Dovenmuehler (2003)
Stan Eitreim '67 (2002)
Larry Borgum '61 (2001)
Mark Hecht '84 (2000)
Mike Wajer (1999)
Glenn Wika '62 (1999)

Employee Service Recognition

Along with the Augie Pride Award, Augustana University recognizes its employees who are celebrating milestone service anniversaries and retirements annually.

Milestone anniversaries are recognized in increments of five years. In 2023-24, Augustana celebrated 77 employees with milestone anniversaries — totaling 1,005 years served.

2024 Milestone Service Award Anniversaries

5 Years

Dr. Jay Kahl — Academic Affairs
Robin Anderson Spronk — Advancement
Joel Gackle — Advancement
Clay Collison — Athletics
Zach Dibble — Athletics
Dan Morrison — Athletics
Emily Punt — Athletics
Kelsey Thompson — Athletics
Luke Groth — Athletics
Dr. Stephanie Bruggeman — Biology
Shannan Nelson — Business Office
Dr. Charlie Weiss — Chemistry
Gilbert Varona — Custodial Services
Willette Capers — Diversity & Inclusion
Paul Christiansen — Financial Aid
RaeAnn Coughlin — Genetic Counseling
Dr. David Golemboski — Government/International Affairs
Dr. John Babb — History
Natalie Hecht — Human Resources
Liz Van Westen — Human Resources
Ashley Kalda — Nursing
Dr. Ranae Aukerman — Nursing
Ashely Heupel — Nursing
Megan Kuipers — Nursing
Kate Minnich — Nursing
Dr. Julie Swanstrom — Religion, Philosophy & Classics
Dr. Daniela Cambetas Syed — Sharon Lust School of Education
Dr. Brad Uhing — Sharon Lust School of Education
Dr. Celeste Uthe-Burow — Sharon Lust School of Education
Sara Waring-Tiedeman — Sharon Lust School of Education
Angie Hummel — Student Affairs
Travis Ahlers — Student Success Center
Jacee Casarella — Theatre

10 Years

Chism Fink — Athletics
Kary Best — Campus Learning Center
Melissa Dykstra — Enrollment Management
Dr. Lindsay Erickson — Genetic Counseling
Kevin Klawonn — IT
Kelsey Bulock — Mikkelsen Library
Carolyn Cordie — Registrar's Office
Julia Paluch — Registrar's Office
Tanya Cross Miller — Sharon Lust School of Education
Scott Olson — School of Music
Maria Peters — School of Music
Cindy Bakke — Theatre
Dan Steinwand — Computer Science
Dennis Gale — English/Journalism

15 Years

Tim Huber — Athletics
Dr. Jennifer A. A. Gubbels — Biology
Dr. Barry Eichler — Chemistry
Pete Roberts — Enrollment Management
Greg Binstock — Financial Aid
Dr. Cory Conover — History
Karie Frank — Humanities Division
Matt Fox — IT
Dr. Martha Gregg — Mathematics
Dr. Patricia Waltman — Nursing
Dr. Karla Abbott (Retiree) — Nursing
Dr. Rocki Wentzel — Religion, Philosophy & Classics
Larry Puthoff (Retiree) — Sharon Lust School of Education
Dan Workman — Theatre

20 Years

Rick Tupper — Campus Safety
Dr. Joel Johnson — Government/International Affairs
Amy Meyers — Human Resources
Dr. Eric Wells — Physics

25 Years

Dr. Steven L. Matzner — Biology
Lt. Mike Humpal — Campus Safety
Dr. Jetty L. Duffy-Matzner — Chemistry
Dr. Julie Ashworth — Sharon Lust School of Education
Geoff Gunderson — School of Music

30 Years

Cheryl Jackson-Nelson — English/Journalism
Donovan DeJong — IT
Lisa Brunick — Mikkelsen Library
Becky Folkerts — Mikkelsen Library

35 Years

Dr. Janet Blank-Libra — English/Journalism
Dr. Mike Mullin — History
Mike Chapman — IT
Mark Hecht — Recreational Services
Dr. Sharon Andrews — Sharon Lust School of Education
Anna Vorhes — School of Music

40 Years

Dr. Harry Thompson — Center for Western Studies
Ronelle Thompson — Mikkelsen Library

Retirement Recognition

Retirees Joining the Golden Vikings in 2024

Dr. Cecelia Miles — Biology (13 years of service)
Peg Ustad — Creative Services (26 years of service)
Dr. Karla Abbott — Nursing (15 years of service)
Janell Christenson — Nursing (23 years of service)
Nancy Wright — Registrar Office (22 years of service)
Rev. Dr. Richard Swanson — Religion, Philosophy & Classics (34 years of service)
Larry Puthoff — Sharon Lust School of Education (15 years of service)
Dr. Sharon Andrews — Sharon Lust School of Education (35 years of service)
Tom Billeter — Athletics (21 years of service)
Dan Steinwand — Computer Science (10 years of service)

The Golden Vikings

Employee, Retiree & Family Picnic

To mark the end of each academic year and a job well done, the Augustana University Office of Human Resources hosts a year-end picnic for employees, retirees and their families.

In 2024, the celebration was held at Midco Arena, where the AU community enjoyed food, fun and one another on Monday, May 13 — complete with Ace the Augie Doggie, of course!