While this story is about Augustana Campus Pastor Rev. Jon Splichal Larson ‘06, it begins with an Augustana alumna — his mother.
Miriam (Ulring) Larson ‘73, graduated from Augustana Academy in Canton, South Dakota, in 1969 — just two years before it closed its doors. In addition, Miriam and her four siblings, David Ulring ‘69, Rev. Paul Ulring ‘69, Rhoda Ulring ‘80 and Rebecca (Ulring) Black ‘80 all graduated from Augustana College. These connections, including his cousin who was an Augustana student, gave Splichal Larson a familiarity with the college. He was also familiar with the city as his father, David Larson, a former window and door business owner turned lawyer, had grown up in Sioux Falls. The magic that is Augustana took over from there.
“I went to a choir concert when they were on tour one year and was amazed. I knew I wanted to sing in the choir wherever I went, and did the ProMusica audition with Dr. (James) Johnson,” said Splichal Larson. “That was a huge draw for me.”
The Minnesota native came to Augustana not quite knowing what he wanted to pursue, perhaps a profession related to music or education. But, what happened next is what helped him really “see the next step.”
“My mom is deceased. She died my first year of college,” said Splichal Larson. “When a parent dies, it is hard in a lot of ways, including financially. So, the Dean of Students Office really helped me get other grants and loans to make it affordable to stay. ”
In working through his mom’s death, Splichal Larson threw himself into the Augustana campus community. He became a Viking Advisor (VA), New Student Orientation leader, president of the Chapel staff, was the recipient of the Covenant Award exemplifying the Christian core value, as well as Viking Days King in 2005. As part of the Augustana Choir, he traveled for international tours to Ireland and Tanzania, Africa, which he said opened him to the global church and societies. While some of his family members were pastors, it wasn’t until Splichal Larson took some religion classes and built connections with those professors that he “drifted into the religion, religion/philosophy majors.”
“I worked at a Bible camp and that was also really formative in terms of seeing my ability to be a leader in the church,” said Splichal Larson.
Following graduation, Splichal Larson went on to pursue a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, with hopes of one day becoming an ELCA pastor. However, after being invited to Haiti by the Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Haiti) on a January Interim (J-Term) trip with his classmates in 2010, tragedy struck again. During a massive earthquake, the building in which they were staying, St. Joseph’s Home for Boys — an orphanage, guest house and faithful community — collapsed on Jon, his cousin, Ben Splichal Larson, and Ben’s wife, Renee. Along with hundreds of thousands of others, Ben never made it out of the rubble alive.
“After the building collapsed on us, and as we searched for Ben in the rubble, Renee heard Ben singing a ‘Lamb of God.’ In his death, Ben lifted a song of prayer and hope for the sake of the world,” said Jon. “The people of Haiti demonstrated deep faith and courage following the earthquake, and it was the ELCA and wider Lutheran church that coordinated and led the recovery of Ben’s body.”
Out of tragedy, something good transpired. After both were called to serve as pastors in North Dakota, Jon married the woman who had experienced the same inconceivable grief — Rev. Renee Splichal Larson.
“We believe in resurrection from the dead for our dear Ben, and for all — that genuine joy can exist even in deep grief. The grief continues, as we will always miss Ben terribly. Renee and my love for Ben, the support of our families, perseverance and faith of the Haitian people, and presence of God: those are the things that drew us together in life and marriage,” added Jon.
And, as it turned out, it’s Renee’s most recent calling to serve the South Dakota Synod that led to Jon’s return to Sioux Falls 3.5 years ago. He then returned to Augustana when a second pastor position opened up on campus last year.
“I love Augustana and I feel exceedingly fortunate to do this,” said Jon.
Jon said he now has the “privilege” of serving alongside his former classmate Campus Pastor Rev. Ann Rosendale ‘04 — both once under the direction of former Campus Pastor Rev. Dr. Paul Rohde.
“It’s great to have a trust level with your colleagues, especially in ministry,” Jon said, of Rosendale. “Pr. Paul Rohde and I, we’re still very close. He’s giddy that I serve here, in this capacity.”
Just like Rohde, Jon said he’s “over the moon” with the “cornucopia of learning opportunities” available to him at Augustana.
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Having conversations with amazing professors and administrators who are experts in their field of study, it’s not often that we get to be exposed to that on a regular basis, and to consider them colleagues and friends, is huge,” Jon said.
This position has also been a learning curve for Jon. He said serving in campus ministry is much different than the congregational setting.
“It’s humbling. I really enjoy it, and Pr. Ann does a great job helping us have the mindset that we’re here to serve the students and we're also here as pastors to serve the whole community,” said Jon. “Being here has helped me to grow in my understanding of how to answer the question of how to be a faithful Christian in the midst of a pluralist world.”
Nearly 15 years after graduating from his alma mater, he is still learning and growing, and planting the same seed his family members did so many years ago…one that begins at Augustana.
“My children are just avid Vikings fans now!” said Jon.