Fall 2025 Symposium Day: Voice and Vision

Gerber Center, You Belong Here Lounge

Presenters: Brian Leech (associate professor and chair of history) and the students of History 330

This morning you may be greeted with a friendly smile and a question or two by a student in HIST 330: Public History and Memory. They're working on a project about the history of student clothing at Augustana College in conjunction with the Augustana Historical Society. While most of their research will focus on the past, they'd love to know more about your own clothing choices in the hopes that they can include those thoughts in an exhibit at the end of the semester. They'll be out and about to ask: what do your clothing choices say about you?

Gerber Center, Gävle Rooms
Overflow seating (livestream) in Olin Auditorium

Presenter: Kaveh Akbar

Kaveh Akbar’s first novel “Martyr!” was a New York Times Bestseller, the 2024 recipient of the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize for Fiction, a 2024 Discover Prize Finalist and a 2024 National Book Award Finalist.

Akbar's poems have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Paris Review, Best American Poetry and elsewhere. He is the author of two poetry collections: “Pilgrim Bell” and “Calling a Wolf a Wolf,” in addition to a chapbook, “Portrait of the Alcoholic.” He is also the editor of “The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 100 Poets on the Divine.”

In 2020 Akbar was named poetry editor of The Nation. The recipient of multiple Pushcart Prizes, a Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship and the Levis Reading Prize, Akbar was born in Tehran, Iran, and teaches at the University of Iowa and in the MFA programs at Randolph College and Warren Wilson. In 2014, he founded Divedapper, a home for dialogues with the most vital voices in American poetry.

Olin Auditorium

Presenter: Steven Pico

In 1977, at age 17, Steven Pico became one of the founders of the freedom to read movement when he and four other teens sued their school district in Long Island, NY, for banning 11 books from their school libraries. The case, Board of Education v. Pico, became a landmark case in the fight against book censorship, when the Supreme Court sided with the students and ruled in a 5-4 decision that “local school boards may not remove books from school library shelves simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books." Join us for this talk as Steven discusses his success against book banning, the importance of non-violent activism, and the state of Freedom of Expression in the U.S.A.

Bergendoff, Hamann Hall

Presenter: Robert Elfline (professor of music)

In 1733 George Frideric Handel composed a chaconne for keyboard that has since become a staple of the piano repertoire; in 2016, composer Danny Clay composed "Still Cycles," a response to Handel's chaconne, that borrows elements of the original, while using a distinctly twenty-first century voice. In a way, this is a remarkable conversation that is taking place over 283 years, involving two very different speakers with two very different voices. This session will discuss the many conversations that take place when performers and composers use models from the past to create concert experiences that are both informed by history, and enlivened by modern techniques. A complete performance of both works will be presented.

Lindberg 205

Presenter: Tobi Matter (digital content strategist)

Are you ready to share your Augustana story and make an impact? This session introduces students to student content creation, where you become the influencer shaping how campus life is seen online. Learn what we’re looking for, how to get involved, and how your creativity can bring the Viking experience to life on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Through examples, tips, and hands-on ideas, you’ll discover how to tell authentic stories, showcase your perspective, and be part of a movement that highlights student voices. Join us to see how your content can inspire, engage, and represent the Augustana community in fun and meaningful ways.

Hanson Lecture Hall 102

Presenter: Christine Jeske

Is racial justice a passing fad? Headlines spark moments of outrage, but how do we keep pursuing racial justice when attention fades? Drawing on years of in-depth interviews and visits with activists who have devoted decades to building communities where everyone can thrive, Dr. Christine Jeske explores how we can cultivate lasting hope and put effective practices into action. This talk offers inspiration and practical guidance for sustaining justice work in challenging times.

Lindberg 205

Presenters: Isabel Joseph and Israa Fya

Our presentation addresses medical students' and residents' moral distress, compassion fatigue, and burnout, focusing on how they affect both their own well-being and patients' care. We will define these concepts, present some real-life examples, and review two case studies—one on psychiatric problems in medical students and another on resident burnout under demanding schedules. With research proving that nearly half of the residents report symptoms of burnout related to depression, medical error, and turnover, we will connect these results with broad issues in healthcare. Finally, we will explain interventions such as wellness programs, mentorship, and institutional changes to prevent burnout, cultivate resilience, and sustain empathic care. 

Hanson 234

Presenters: Kelly Daniels (professor of English) and Steve Jones (data migration specialist, former Augustana College instructor)

The Moon Under Water is a podcast, inspired by George Orwell, that examines post-apocalyptic and dystopian narratives, broadly defined, in informal language designed to speak to a general audience. This will be TMUW's first live performance ever. For this special episode the hosts--a creative writing professor and a data migration tech specialist--will analyze WALL-E, a well-known animated film created for a young audience, in the context of the history of dystopian texts and our own current moment as humans on Earth. The audience is encouraged to participate with questions and comments throughout the event.

Lindberg 203

Presenters: Dr. Allie Barringer (assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience) and Alex Bernheimer-Wyffels

This session, co-presented by Dr. Allie Barringer, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and Director of the ACCESS Lab, and Alex Bernheimer-Wyffels, Outreach Assistant with the Figge Art Museum and Augustana graduate, explores a 4-year collaborative research partnership focused on adolescent mental health. Together, they evaluate the Figge’s art education program at Rock Island High School, which uses creative expression to support student well-being. The presenters will share insights from their community-engaged evaluation and invite participants to reflect on what authentic, cross-institutional collaboration can look like. This session highlights the power of art, research, and shared purpose to support youth and build stronger community connections.

Olin Auditorium

Presenters: Stacy Barton (associate professor and film program director), Dr. Çağlar Çetin-Ayşe (visiting assistant professor of sociology), Sawyer Carver, Joshua Traugott, Blake Sloyan, AJ Friel, Jake Kracinski, Mackenzie Whitlock, Isabella Blanford, Ludovica Chiovini, Rylon Hall, Aron Stewart, Emma Watts, Atticus Georgas, Rhiana Winston, Lauren Dobbels, Ethan Chezum, Matthew Chezum, current and alumni film majors and minors

The Film Program invites you to experience an exciting line-up of nine short student films representing the best-of-the-best created in 2024-2025 film production courses at our annual awards show event. Laugh, cry, recoil in terror, and be inspired with these creative audiovisual works of media art! Vote for your favorite as we hand out the Audience Choice and other genre and craft awards to the student filmmakers after the show!

Centennial Hall

Presenters: Professors of art Larissa Frimpong, Vincent Frimpong, Anne Heide, V Phipps, Kay Roderick and Peter Xiao

See recent works, visit with the artists, and enjoy light refreshments.

Brunner, Black Box Theatre

Presenters: Rebecca Wee (professor of English and creative writing) with Nathan Almeda, Olivia Fleming, Skylar Guarini, Adilene Hernandez, Madeline Hutchinson, Olivia Julian, Ian Niemeier, Marlee Oros, Gaia Splendore, Katie West and Mackenzie Whitlock

Poet Laureate Joy Harjo believes that "without poetry we lose our way." Please join Augustana creative writing students for a reading of their own poetry, followed by an open mic offering.

Lindberg 203

Presenter: Dr. Maria Hannah (assistant professor of interpersonal communication)

Neurodivergent college educators navigate disclosure decisions that suggest a double bind. This qualitative pilot study surveyed 15 neurodivergent faculty about their experiences across campus relationships. The findings reveal that disclosure often leads to competence questioning - one participant described it being "used against me, even in subtle ways." Concealment requires exhausting masking behaviors while preventing meaningful connections with neurodivergent students who need role models. What emerged most clearly was how consistent these challenges were across all campus interactions - with students, colleagues, and administrators alike. We will examine what neurodivergent faculty members may be experiencing behind the scenes while exploring how current institutional approaches to neurodiversity shape authentic expression in academic environments.

Lindberg 202

Presenters: Morin Windle (lead peer educator for the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention Education) and Steve Wehling (Title IX coordinator)

“Dear Augustana: Title IX, DEI, and the Impact of Federal Legislation on the Student Body” examines how recent changes in federal policies shape campus life. The presentation highlights the evolving role of Title IX and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives in addressing student needs, rights, and responsibilities. By exploring both challenges and opportunities created by these shifts, it encourages dialogue on how legislation impacts the lived experiences of Augustana students. Ultimately, the talk invites the community to reflect on ways to support equity, safety, and inclusion in higher education.

Wilson Center

Hosted by: Erin Kempker (director of the Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship), Dr. Michael Reisner (associate professor of environmental studies and director of the Upper Mississippi Center) and Lindsay Adolphs (assistant vice president of CORE and community-engaged learning)

Ever considered trying to do a community engaged project but unsure what it would entail or how to even get started? Come and have a drink with colleagues and explore what is possible. Learn how you can try something new with a strong support network and the help of a community of practitioners.

Faculty only.

Gerber Center, Gävle rooms

Hosted by: Dr. Christine Jeske

Is work merely what we do to survive? Is it a curse or a blessing? Should it define our purpose and identity? In an era when AI threatens to replace so many human jobs, can we hope to find good lives, in or out of work? In this conversation we’ll consider meanings of work from multiple perspectives, developing a deep imagination to foster work experiences that truly work.

Registration required and limited.