150 years ago, on Sept. 22, 1875, Augustana College opened its doors for its first academic year in Rock Island. Growth and change had compelled the college to leave Paxton, Illinois, for the promise of this booming community along the Mississippi River.
Today, Augustana is a force for catalytic change and innovative growth in the region. Civic partnership, economic growth and problem solving are not just in our institutional nature — they are a strategic priority for Augustana, and essential to the future of the college and our region.
Here are some of the ways the people of Augustana work in and for the community:
Research and solutions
- Dr. Ann Perreau (communication sciences and disorders) and her team’s work with community volunteers to develop online therapy for tinnitus and hyperacusis patients
- Lead pipe project between the City of Rock Island and Augustana’s Upper Mississippi Center and Center for Community Health and Wellness
“Our audiology clinic has a new partnership with PACE, a program serving elderly patients in three counties in Iowa around the Quad Cities, to provide audiology services for these patients.” – Dr. Ann Perreau, communication sciences & disorders
“Through water-quality monitoring of a tributary of the Duck Creek Watershed, by our environmental studies and aquatic biology courses, we identified a point source of high ammonia levels indicating sanitary sewage contamination, and worked with the City of Davenport to reduce this significant public health concern.” – Dr. Michael Reisner, environmental studies
Teaching and service
- K-12 education through our Longfellow Elementary partnership and student-teaching throughout the Quad Cities
- Theatre professor Jeff Coussens’ leadership in the Penguin Project, pairing college-age mentors with local young people with development disabilities to produce a theatre performance widely attended by the public
“I’m the Scoutmaster for Troop 243, chartered by the Rock Island Conservation Club. Five of my scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout last year, after completing about 800 community service hours.” – Dr. Dell Jensen, chemistry/biochemistry
“The pre-health club that I advise is working with the Quad Cities HEARTSafe Coalition to offer our students hands-only CPR instructor training—so they can then volunteer at community events and businesses to train others in hands-only CPR.” – Beth Ford, CORE
Civic leadership and expert partnership
- The Augustana Hilltop Community Development Corporation (CDC), led by Jerry Lack, supporting growth and investment in Rock Island’s College Hill District
- Augustana president (and former tennis coach) Andrea Talentino and her work with the City of Rock Island to bring new community + college tennis/pickleball courts to Lincoln Park
“I am a board member for the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation, and this year we awarded Rock Island High
School students more than $150,000 in scholarships.” – Rachel Gustafson, admissions
“I have given public talks on migration and women for the Quad Cities Community Foundation and Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees.” – Dr. Umme Al-wazedi, English
“I lead the scholarship team of a local nonprofit, to distribute annual scholarships to local high school students, using my skills in gaining philanthropic support.” – Karen Petersen, advancement
Culture and inspiration
- Public philosophy events organized by philosophy professor Deke Gould for Philosophy at the Pub, Rozz-Tox in Rock Island
- Entrepreneurial (EDGE) Center Director Doug Tschopp’s leadership in Genesius Guild, free outdoor classical community theatre in Lincoln Park
“I teach Sunday school with a focus on feeding the community. It’s important to educate the next generation on the values of feeding those in need.” – Amy Roehrs, dining services
“During my time serving for the Friends of Hauberg Civic Center, we have revitalized an important estate in Rock Island and made it a regional and local destination, with more than $1 million reinvested into the estate since 2017.” – Jacob Bobbitt, controller
Augustana College is a workforce for good.
Community-engaged learning is embedded in every academic program, and members of our campus community apply their skills, expertise and care in numerous ways throughout our neighborhood and region.