Nate Sammer
Graduation year: 2023
High school: Le Roy High School
Hometown: Le Roy, Ill.
Majors: Business administration – management and finance
Activities: Varsity baseball, intramural flag football, Scandinavian Club
Post-grad plans: Work as a business and finance manager for O'Neal Builders in Bloomington, Ill.
Why Augustana?
Being from a small town, I was attracted to the small class sizes and the chance for closer relationships with professors, which I wouldn't find at a bigger school. Augustana also gave me a great opportunity to play baseball while earning a high-quality degree.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
When I came to campus, I had no clue where I would I be after these four years and to me that was really scary. Since I didn't have to declare a major right away, I got to try my hand at a couple different options and eventually found my home in the business department.
I'm very proud at how far I've come in my years at Augustana and can confidently say that I couldn't have dreamed it up any better.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
There are many people who have helped me on this journey, but the support that I've received from my parents, siblings, teammates and professors have gotten me to this point. I would not be who I am today without these people and their support.
My family and friends reassured me that they would be with me wherever I chose to go.
My teammates have been with me every step of the way as we have battled through adversity and learned many lessons together. I could not have asked for a better group of guys to have by my side than the Augustana baseball team.
My professors have provided unwavering support all along my academic journey by spending time inside, as well as outside the classroom to make sure that I gain as much as I can from my experience.
Peak experience?
My peak experience would have to be beating North Central in a 14-inning thriller to bring home the CCIW Tournament Championship my junior year.
It was an emotional roller coaster, but in the end it was an incredible way to top off our great season. I am looking forward to an opportunity to have a similar experience on our field this season.
What surprised you?
One of the most surprising things to me was how beautiful the campus is. It's incredible what a walk through the Slough on a nice fall day can do for your mood right before your Monday 9 a.m. class.
The changing of the seasons is breathtaking on campus, and the nature is something that — I think most students could agree — gets them in a good head space for class.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss seeing my friends and teammates every day. I have built lifelong friendships here at Augie, but I know soon we'll all go down our separate paths and no longer be able to see each other on campus or at practice every day.
I know these relationships will last a lifetime but nothing beats grabbing some lunch between classes at the CSL with your closest friends.
Advice for the Class of 2027?
Enjoy every second you have at Augustana because four years goes by a lot faster than you think. Be intentional with the relationships that you build here because it won't always be as easy as meeting in the Brew for coffee.
“Nate is a well-rounded student-athlete and a person of tremendous character. He also is a character and quite entertaining. It’s been a delight to get to know him in class and through my capacity as a faculty mentor for the baseball team. He took my first-year Swedish language class, four days a week for an entire year. Despite all the distractions during that first full year of the pandemic, Nate brought a positive attitude that I really appreciated. Getting to watch Nate and his teammates play baseball and support each other the last three seasons has been a highlight of my time at Augustana, hands down.”