2025 in review
In 2025, Augustana received national recognition for innovation and affordability; expanded opportunities for students in business, health care and STEM; strengthened community connections in support of the Bold & Boundless strategic plan; and provided students with access to hands-on research and educational experiences abroad.
January
Augustana's Tredway Library awarded for diversity excellence
Tredway Library was featured in Insight into Diversity magazine's March 2025 issue for receiving the 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) award.
Other stories:
- Students explore, reflect, even rest during 2025 J-term classes
- Community members share their stories to kick off MLK Week
- Football standout Smith '26 named Academic All-American
February
Fulbright Scholar Dr. Lena Hann preparing the future of public health
Dr. Lena Hann enjoyed 20 months of scholarship and research in Sweden, including spending fall semester as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, a distinguished appointment from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Commission Sweden.
Other stories:
- Delivering love songs on Valentine’s Day
- Alumni, community leaders 'invest' in students' companies
- Augustana, Huazhong celebrate 36-year (and still going) teacher exchange program
March
Students map plan to restore Louisiana coastline
Augustana students have been working with the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribal community in Louisiana to develop a spatial database for use in planning how to restore the coast and mitigate rising water.
Other stories
- Dr. Jon Hurty honored for excellence in choral music
- 2013 grad named top tech educator in Illinois
- Biology Department unveils collaborative mural
April
National spotlight shines on Augustana history professor
Dr. Lendol Calder is no stranger to awards and honors, being named Illinois Professor of the Year in 2010. And now he's a finalist for Baylor University's Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching, the top teaching prize in the nation.
Other stories:
- Revitalization begins in College Hill as Augustana launches CDC initiative
- Augustana and Palmer College of Chiropractic launch dual-degree program
- Student-athletes inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma honor society
May
Augustana College introduces Business for Humanity
Augustana is welcoming the first cohort of Business for Humanity, a program inviting students to reflect on what makes work meaningful — not just profitable — and to imagine lives of significance and service through business.
Other stories:
- Augustana's Class of 2025 recognized at commencement ceremony
- New Augustana and UnityPoint Health PACE partnership expands hearing care for seniors
- Vikings make history at 2025 NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships
June
Hilltop CDC names first executive director
Leading this next phase is Jerry Lack, newly appointed executive director of the Augustana Hilltop Community Development Corporation (CDC). A lifelong resident of the Quad Cities, Lack brings decades of experience in economic development, labor leadership and public service.
Other stories:
- Vikings test-drive their careers this summer
- Student-athletes take the Viking spirit to Europe and Costa Rica
July
Teagle Foundation awards $225,000 grant to Augustana
A Cornerstone: Learning for Living implementation grant from The Teagle Foundation builds on progress the college is making to redesign its general education curriculum. The end goal is to create a cohesive, engaging experience for students — from their first year on campus and into their lives beyond college.
Other stories:
- Augustana again named ‘Best College’ by Money magazine
- Mapping coral reefs to study and help a critical ecosystem
- Augie Acres students make an impact through the food they grow
August
Augustana welcomes Class of 2029
Members of Augustana College’s Class of 2029 started the next chapter of their educational careers on Sept. 2 when classes begin. The class of 783 was selected from across the globe from 9,100+ applications — the largest in college history.
Other stories:
- Forbes names Augustana one of 25 private colleges with generous financial aid
- Augustana announces STEM/Q Center and coordinator
- Older adults find community, student finds new calling
September
U.S. News ranks Augustana No. 34 in innovation
U.S. News & World Report has named Augustana one of the most innovative liberal arts institutions, recognizing how the college is reshaping a classic liberal arts education to meet the needs of today’s students. Among the top-tier liberal arts colleges, Augustana is ranked #34 in the nation — and #1 in Illinois.
Other stories:
- Augustana College named a national ‘Dream School’ in new book by bestselling author
- With a boost from faculty, students go abroad to do research
- Razin ’26 earns national Rossing Scholarship for excellence in physics
October
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025 in photos
About 2,000 alumni, friends of the college, students and families gathered on campus Sept. 26-28 for Homecoming and Family Weekend. Bingo was a hot ticket for alumni of the last 10 years, and QuadFest connected Vikings and guests of all ages.
Other stories:
- Augustana invites Quad Cities communities to partner in solving regional challenges
- Empen '26 named Lincoln Academy student laureate
- Symposium Day 2025 expresses voice and vision
November
Newell selected as Augustana College’s director of choral activities
Augustana has appointed Eric Newell as director of choral activities beginning fall 2026. Dr. Newell’s duties will include conducting the Augustana Choir, succeeding longtime conductor Dr. Jon Hurty, who is retiring in June 2026.
Other stories:
- Football Vikings win big with team-first culture
- Augie NAMI is nationally recognized for its hard work
- Discovering careers in health care – the Augie way
December
Augustana ranked No. 4 in enrolling international students
Augustana College once again moved up the ranks in the federal 2025 Open Doors Report among baccalaureate colleges for the number of international students it enrolls. Augustana's 2024-25 ranking is now #4 in the nation.