A Message From Academic Affairs
Augustana Connections
I have asked to use this space to offer a public thank you to the staff and faculty who made Fall Connection such a positive experience for the class of 2012. It is crystal clear from student reaction that your time, effort and attention made our newest students feel welcomed and supported by everyone they encountered. I am particularly grateful to the 53 First Year Advisors who helped their advisees get on solid footing during their first few days on campus. Student satisfaction with the support they received from their advisor rose from last year’s 76% to a new high of 89%!
The extra day of programming afforded us by our new calendar gave us the opportunity to help our students connect not only to various campus constituencies, but beyond campus as well. Saturday morning began with a welcome by Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert. Following his brief remarks, members of our faculty and staff took several hundred of our students out into their new community. Many of these students contributed sweat and energy to such service organizations as Habitat for Humanity, Greenbush Neighborhood Association, Child Abuse Council and Keep Rock Island Beautiful. Some of these students have already made long term commitments to continue their work with these and other service organizations.
If you have suggestions about how to make Fall Connection ’09 an even better event, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Nancy Loitz
Associate Dean of the College
Center for Vocational Reflection
Grants