News Archive

02/08/12 TribLocal basketball stars help keep Augustana among elite

Augustana’s men’s basketball team has had its ups and downs over the past two seasons but one thing remains the same – the Vikings continue to hold down a spot among the nation’s best. TribLocal athletes have had a hand in keeping the team among the nation’s elite.

02/08/12 Symphonic Band tour: new works, historical moments

The Augustana Symphonic Band begins its 2012 tour of Pacific Coast states on Feb. 17, stopping at two locations in Illinois before continuing to California, Oregon and Washington. The band will return and perform a home concert at 8 p.m. March 10 in Centennial Hall on campus. For this tour, director Dr. James Lambrecht has devised a program worthy of a band so grounded in history.

02/07/12 Orchestra, Concert Band performances Saturday

On Saturday, Feb. 11, Augustana student-musicians will present two concerts, starting with a Concert Band performance at 2 p.m., followed by a Symphony Orchestra performance at 8 p.m. Both concerts are free, public events, and they will be held in Centennial Hall.

02/07/12 Students bring two of Durang's comedies to the stage

Augustana theater arts enthusiasts have produced and will perform two of Christopher Durang’s comedies, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You and The Actor’s Nightmare, on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 11, at 3 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre.

02/06/12 Professor's advice: It's best to be bored

David Snowball makes his living as a communications professor. But when he's not teaching, he is also an unpaid mutual-funds guru, the founder and editor of the free, noncommercial Mutual Fund Observer website.

02/06/12 "War Requiem" project brings international partnership

Benjamin Britten's 1962 "War Requiem" is one of the biggest masterworks around, requiring about 350 musicians. To mark its 50th anniversary, Mark Russell Smith, Quad City Symphony Orchestra conductor, and the Augustana College Choir will go to Germany to perform it with German students Feb. 18-19. Then, members of the German choir will sing it with the Augustana choir, Quad City Choral Arts, University of Minnesota Choir, Macalester College Choir and Minnesota Boychoir March 3-4 in the Quad-Cities.

02/06/12 $500,000 gift honors former Deere CEO

The John Deere Foundation has donated $500,000 to Augustana College in honor of former Deere CEO and 1948 Augustana alumnus Robert A. Hanson. The funds will support renovations to Old Main, the college’s signature academic building, and two classrooms within Old Main will be named for Hanson.

02/06/12 Quiros meets challenge for Augie

In wrestling, as in life, Alberto Quiros has had to work for everything he has earned. The Augustana College senior 149-pounder has developed into one of the top competitors in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin this season and would like nothing better than to conclude his career at the NCAA Division III national tournament Thursday.

02/05/12 Budding writers have their own major at Augustana

Creative writing is Augustana's newest major in the English department. After starting in fall 2010, the first two creative writing majors will graduate this May. The college has 11 creative writing majors, 11 English majors with a writing emphasis and 65 English majors.

02/05/12 Augustana food festival shows international flair

Once a year for the past decade, the kitchen at the Augustana College Center becomes a warring mess of smells from spices, sauces, meats and piles of brightly colored food, each representing one of seven regions of the world.

02/03/12 Professor Levin, a lifelong scholar, dies at 79

The Rev. Dr. Arnold G. Levin, Augustana professor emeritus of religion, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the age of 79. A memorial service will be held at Augustana’s Ascension Chapel at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, followed by an informal gathering in the Wilson Center

02/03/12 Augustana employees get hands on with the heart

Three hearts sat side by side on a stainless steel platter Thursday in the cadaver lab at Augustana College. College employees were escorted into the lab by a local physician and a member of the biology department’s faculty, who then poked, prodded and stretched the organs to show the difference between a healthy heart and a diseased muscle.

02/01/12 Four Choirs Concert showcases global music

Cantilena Augustana, Wennerberg Men’s Chorus, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble and the Ascension Singers are the four choirs who will perform together in one concert on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 4 p.m. in Augustana College’s Centennial Hall

01/31/12 2012-13 school year comprehensive fee announced

Video: President Steve Bahls on 2012-13 comprehensive fee

01/31/12 Air Force influences shape Winter Jazz Concert

The Augustana Jazz Ensemble will present its winter concert on Friday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. in Centennial Hall.

01/31/12 Convocation speaker will step into Darwin's shoes

Imagine an afternoon at London’s Royal Geological Society, with a young Charles Darwin, listening to the tales of his adventures and the scientific evidence that lead to his revolutionary theory. Storyteller, author and naturalist Brian “Fox” Ellis will step into Darwin’s shoes for a free, public performance on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 10:30 a.m. in Augustana College’s Centennial Hall.

01/30/12 Jennings '03 named as Michigan Tech coach

Matt Jennings '03 has been named as volleyball coach at Michigan Technological University. The Chicago native played men’s club volleyball at Augustana from 2000-03 and helped his team to a national third-place finish in 2002. Jennings earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and political science from Augustana in 2003.

01/30/12 Dr. Donald Davis, pioneer in speech therapy, dies

Retired professor Dr. Donald C. Davis, 89, who was instrumental in building Augustana's Center for Communicative Disorders, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2012.

01/27/12 "I Heart Augustana" employee wellness campaign

On Thursday, Feb. 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Augustana employees will do more than learn about heart health. In the Hanson Hall of Science (726 35th St.), employees can step into the college’s cadaver lab and compare a healthy human heart with a diseased heart and a heart with bypasses, as part of a wellness campaign titled “I Heart Augustana.”

01/27/12 Walton '98 overseeing state-of-the-art hospital in Haiti

Even before the earthquake in 2010, Haiti's public health care system was perhaps the worst in the Western Hemisphere. Dr. David Walton '98 is overseeing the construction of the National Teaching Hospital in Haiti. The Boston-based group Partners in Health has set out to build a world-class teaching hospital in what used to be a rice field in the Haitian countryside.

01/26/12 Youngberg offers fresh look at 'Alice'

Forget the fall down the rabbit hole, the Cheshire Cat or the constantly tardy bunny. They’re not Karin Youngberg’s favorite parts of “Alice in Wonderland.” “That tea party is really the most interesting part of the whole book,” said Youngberg, who will celebrate her 45th anniversary in the Augustana College English department later this year.

01/26/12 Augie alumnus returns for Pulitzer-winning play

An Augustana College senior and a locally prominent alumnus actor are paired in the disturbing, Pulitzer-winning play "How I Learned To Drive" by Paula Vogel, opening Friday at the Rock Island campus.

01/24/12 Hippler '86 to speak at Youth Science Expo

Exxon Mobil researcher Dr. Susan Hippler will speak at the Bettendorf Youth Science Expo Feb. 4 at Bettendorf Middle School and share her experiences in the world of science. She graduated from Bettendorf High in 1982, earned a B.A. in geology from Augustana in 1986, and received a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Leeds (England) in 1989.

01/23/12 Avant-garde melds music, tech

Associate professor of music Randall Hall has a simple explanation for his rather complicated music duo. "I play sax," Hall says. "He plays laptop." Hall and Jonathon Kirk, a former student who is now on the faculty at North Central College in Naperville, Ill., form Pendulum. The avant-garde music duo kicks off a new series called Emanations at Rozz-Tox in Rock Island on Jan. 27.

01/23/12 Symposium focuses on building leaders

Trust, pride and camaraderie can make the difference between a workplace where leaders create a positive environment — and a place where employees flee at the end of the day. Speaker Jennifer Robin shared insights into developing effective leaders at the Women in Leadership Symposium at Augustana Sunday.

01/23/12 Trustees approve plans for new Center for Student Life

Augustana College’s Board of Trustees has approved the design and financing of a multimillion-dollar Center for Student Life that will be connected to the Thomas Tredway Library.

01/23/12 Engineering a field that is in demand

Despite a lagging economy, one field that seems to stay in demand is engineering. That's why many colleges are expanding their engineering programs. Dr. Joshua Dyer, Augustana assistant professor of engineering physics, thinks engineers are in demand is because engineering is about solving problems.

01/19/12 Callie Crossley will discuss civil rights issues

On Thursday, Jan. 26, Callie Crossley, a radio talk show host from Boston, will explain why civil rights issues once again are front-page news. Her free, public lecture begins at 10:30 a.m. in Centennial Hall and is funded by the Augustana Institute for Leadership and Service.

01/19/12 71% of Augie applicants admitted to dental school

Over the past five years, 71 percent of Augustana students applying to dental school have been accepted. "This rate is significantly higher than the national average of approximately 40 percent," said Dr. Jason Koontz, coordinator of Augustana's pre-dentistry program and a member of the faculty since 2004.

01/18/12 "I Hate Rabbits" magic show comes to Augustana

Australia’s number one magician, James Galea, will present the art of magic with a wicked sense of humor in his show on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. in Augustana College’s Centennial Hall.

01/16/12 MLK tribute celebrates "Power of One'

More than 1,000 people turned out for the "The Power of One" tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., Saturday at Centennial Hall. Augustana President Steve Bahls said when the college first began hosting the celebration several years ago, only about 60 turned out. The event celebrated Dr. King's life with words, songs, drama and dance. Jethro Cribbs of Bettendorf was given "The Power of One" award.

01/16/12 Leadership honor society inducts 38 students

Thirty-eight students were initiated Sunday into the Augustana Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society founded in 1914. The ceremony was held at the Butterworth Center in Moline. Dean of the College Dr. Pareena spoke and congratulated the students.

01/15/12 New Illinois secretary of transportation 'thinking multimodally'

Ann Schneider '82 was confirmed as Illinois secretary of transportation Nov. 29, 2011. "Her experience in public finance is an ideal background for facing the biggest challenge in transportation today: the need to do more with less money," says Chicago Business. Schneider received a bachelor's in public administration from Augustana and a master's in public administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 1989.

01/12/12 Augustana faculty takes talents to CommUniversity

More than a dozen faculty members from Augustana will participate in the 2012 Quad Cities CommUniversity, a series of classes offered on four consecutive Sunday afternoons on a range of subjects.

01/12/12 Gateway Airport leader has former base at full throttle

Lynn Kusy '68 is about to begin his 20th year at the helm of what is now Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Kusy has been a leader in its development as the nation's most successful military-base-to-commercial-airport conversion, say others who played key roles in the transition. Kusy was a geography major at Augustana.

01/11/12 Augustana receives planning grant to pursue renovations to athletic facilities

Thanks to the leadership of Ken Anderson, Augustana Class of 1971 and former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, and the generosity of the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation, Augustana College is announcing it will partner with Hastings and Chivetta, an architecture firm based in St. Louis, to begin planning a major renovation and new construction project at the college's football field and physical education building. Tentative plans include stadium and locker room improvements, all-weather turf, and the addition of team meeting rooms.

01/09/12 College Hill stakeholders pick streetscape peferences

The College Hill District is the neighborhood commercial area along 14th Avenue at 30th and 38th streets in Rock Island. Its board of directors recently recommended a plan for the appearance of the neighborhood after gathering information from focus groups and at a public meeting. The district's "stakeholders" include Augustana students and staff -- see page 8.

01/09/12 Female leaders to share insights with students

The Augustana College Women’s and Gender Studies Program will bring more than 20 women in leadership roles to campus to interact with student-leaders during the second annual Women in Leadership Symposium on Sunday, Jan. 22.

01/06/12 Food Festival will celebrate cultural diversity on Feb. 4

The International Food Festival will be a celebration of cultural diversity through cuisine. Now in its 10th year, the festival sells out quickly and attracts more than 500 guests who enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, with 45 dishes from around the world.

01/06/12 Sights and Sounds exhibition opens Jan. 27

Celebrate the artistic and musical talents of Augustana students at the opening of the fifth annual Augustana Sights and Sounds exhibition at Bucktown Center for the Arts (225 E. 2nd St., Davenport) on Friday, Jan. 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition will run through Friday, Feb. 24.

01/05/12 Newly tenured professors talk about teaching

This series of videos recognizes Augustana College's newly tenured professors. The most recently added interview is with associate professor of music, Dr. Randall Hall, who talks about improvisation and questioning assumptions.

01/04/12 Playing basketball in Latvia an easy transition for Nelson

Kyle Nelson seems to collect overseas basketball adventures the way other players collect sneakers. Nelson, a Deerfield High School graduate, traveled with the Augustana College men’s basketball team on a trip to China in 2010. Now Nelson’s odyssey continues in Latvia where he plays professional basketball for Jelgava.

01/03/12 Zelms takes on deputy manager post in Prescott

Alison Zelms '00 has been appointed deputy city manager in Prescott, Ariz. While getting her degree in public administration at Augustana College, she worked as a city government intern in her hometown of O'Fallon, Ill. She also has bachelor's and master's degrees in city management from the University of Kansas. Zelms also worked as a management analyst for the City of Evanston, Ill., and as assistant city manager in Sedona.

01/03/12 Hayes on inaugural non-Jewish student leadership trip

Reach Across Illinois Campuses for Israel, a program of JUF's Israel Education Center, launched its inaugural Non-Jewish Student Leadership Trip to Israel last month. Augustana senior Maggie Hayes was one of a group of 10 student leaders from Illinois campuses to go to Israel as part of outreach, education and advocacy programming aimed at non-Jews.

01/03/12 Video: Bryant Voiles and a higher court

Augustana senior forward Bryant Voiles is contributing much more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game for the 10-1 Vikings. At 6'9'', Voiles has his eyes on a higher court as he competes.

01/03/12 Christian consumer book strings pearls of wisdom, whimsy

Dr. Laura Hartman, Augustana assistant professor of religion, was wearing a pearl necklace given to her by her grandmother and clothes she got from Goodwill and the Salvation Army as she discussed a new book she had written, titled ''The Christian Consumer: Living Faithfully in a Fragile World.''

01/03/12 Augustana professor sees strength of 'girl' power

The new American film version of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" will be closely watched by Dr. Larry Scott, chair of the Augustana Scandinavian department. The Stieg Larsson trilogy of books also includes "The Girl Who Played With Fire" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest." For the past four years, Dr. Scott has used the books in his class on Swedish crime fiction. "It's so new; it's also an extremely interesting book, really good to teach," he said. "It's contemporary Sweden, not through rose-colored glasses, but warts and all."

01/03/12 Stortz to become Rocks football coach

Bryan Stortz '00 soon will be named head football coach at Rock Island High School, according to The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus. Stortz, a math major at Augie, was a four-year member of the Vikings' football team who played cornerback. He is currently head coach at Lake Zurich, Ill.

01/03/12 Working for tomorrow: King Center director sees its impact

Jerry Jones '91, who has been at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Rock Island for the past 10 years, reflects on his work. "When someone comes in who knew this place from when it started in 1975, and looks around and says, 'Yes, this is what it is supposed to be.' These are great days."

01/03/12 For foster children, a safe and happy holiday

Augustana junior Nick Cummins and his family are profiled in a story about Iowa's foster care system. The Cummins family includes six children, five of them adopted — and four of those joined them from the state system.

01/03/12 No. 3 Vikings ready for CCIW slate

Augustana basketball players got a straightforward message at their first practice of the new year Monday. Coach Grey Giovanine wrote a quote (attributed to Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau) on the board, encouraging his team to buy into the notion that "championships are won with great defense and rebounding and by valuing and sharing the ball." Those ideals will guide Augustana, off to a 10-1 start and ranked third in the country in the most recent D3hoops.com poll, as it prepares to open CCIW play Wednesday at Millikin.

01/03/12 How a recycling drive became a big deal

Anna Pienta started an electronic-waste recycling program in 2009 as a junior at Rock Island High School, and was overwhelmed with the response. Dr. Bohdan Dziadyk, a biology and environmental science professor at Augustana, contributes to this story about groundwater contamination and "e-waste."

01/03/12 Hispanic film fest brings winners to Augustana

The 17th annual Augustana College Hispanic Film Festival will feature four films in Spanish or Portuguese with English subtitles. The film festival begins Jan. 11, 2012, and continues on Wednesdays through Feb. 1.