Augustana University is excited to announce that it will be celebrating 100 years of homecoming during Viking Days 2023 — the week of Monday, Sept. 18. Homecoming at Augustana is one of the university’s longest-standing traditions and officially became known as “Viking Days” in 1929.
“Viking Days is a special week, not just for our students and alumni, but for the entire Augustana community. It’s shaping up to be a fun week filled with a full slate of events for people to enjoy, especially as we celebrate 100 years of homecoming at Augustana,” said Director of Alumni Engagement & Event Services Hosea Kost ‘20.
During Augustana’s homecoming, current and past Vikings come together for a week of festivities to celebrate all things blue and gold, including:
- Viking Days 2023 will kick off on Monday, Sept. 18, where Augustana students will gather on the Campus Green.
- For Sailing Into Service, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Augustana community is invited to the Back Alley in the Morrison Commons to write letters to Augustana alumni from the classes of ‘53, ‘58, ‘63, ‘68, ‘73 and ‘78.
- Coronation or the crowning of Viking Days Royalty will take place on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 20, in the Elmen Center, following the Viking Feast. Fireworks will follow in the Elmen Center parking lot.
- Float building will commence in the Fryxell Humanities Center parking lot on Thursday afternoon into the evening.
On Friday evening, the Augustana community will have a chance to rub elbows with its current and past presidents at the Presidents & the Pond event at the Froiland Science Complex.
- On the morning of Saturday, Sept. 23, Augustana will bring back a time-honored tradition with its Pancake Feed in the Fryxell Humanities Center's Halverson Atrium at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Viking Days Parade at 10:30 a.m.; tailgating at 11 a.m., with the Viking Marching Band and its alumni in Augieville; and Viking Football vs. Minnesota State University (MSU) Moorhead at Kirkeby-Over Stadium at 1 p.m. The Augustana community is invited to the Brew Pub — hosted by JJ's Wine, Spirits & Cigars — at the Elmen Center on Saturday, Sept. 23. The pub will be available in between the Viking Football and Volleyball matches.
- Viking Days Worship will conclude the festivities on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m., in the Chapel of Reconciliation where past and present members of the Augustana Choir will sing and the Augustana Orchestra will perform.
- The Augustana Class of 1973 will celebrate its 50th reunion with a tour of campus on Friday, followed by Vikings Reunite, an all-alumni gathering at R Wine Bar and Queen City Bakery in downtown Sioux Falls on Saturday. Vikings Reunite will feature jazz music from School of Music faculty and students throughout the evening.
- The Eide/Dalrymple Gallery on Augustana’s campus will feature the “Homecoming 100th Anniversary: Alumni Art Invitational,” a special exhibit during Viking Days, showcasing art pieces of alumni from the last decade with a gallery reception on Friday, Sept. 22.
- The Center for Western Studies (CWS) on campus is featuring an exhibit exploring 100 years of homecoming at Augustana.
For information on all things Viking Days, visit augie.edu/VikingDays. View the full Viking Days 2023 schedule.