Augustana Endowment Society graphic

Augustana Endowment Society

Thirty–four years after the founding of Augustana College and Theological Seminary, a group of women interested in supporting the institution organized what is now known as the Augustana Endowment Society. Incorporated in June 1894, the Society set annual active membership dues at one dollar. Increases, including a three–dollar boost in 2008, pushed the membership fee up to $10.00 where it remains today. Though the Society conducts no fundraising activities, its collection of annual dues and their investment in securities have enabled the Society to turn over to the college cash gifts totaling more than $189,000 through 2020. Also, the Theater Endowment Fund has provided $77,554 to the Theatre Arts Department through 2020.

Additionally, the Society has purchased and given to the College three grand pianos and has furnished and renovated various campus rooms.

"The best endowment any institution can have is a host of loyal friends and intelligent supporters."

Mrs. Margaret (C.W.) Foss, Augustana Endowment Society president, 1898-1904, 1905-1914 and 1915-1920

Recent projects

In 2023, the society supported the college by giving $1,500 in grants, which was awarded to three departments. In addition, the society's two endowed funds distributed $11,665 to the music, art and theatre departments. Ten new members join the society’s roster. A recruiting brochure was developed to be used during alumni events and general recruiting efforts. Job descriptions for officers and committees were updated.

In 2024, the Endowment Society purchased a sound and video system in conjunction with Residential Life for Westerlin. The sound and video system was funded with grant money. The Endowment Society also chose a logo design to be used on the yearbook, brochures and letterhead.

Endowment distribution to Augustana College in 2023-2024:

Music: $1,250
Fine Arts Fund: $536
Theatre Fund: $4,732
Special Collections: $900

History of the Augustana Endowment Society

Historical timeline

1907-08: First Endowment Society yearbook printed.
1929: Society began meeting in Woman’s Building (now Emmy Carlsson Evald Building) andassisted in furnishing its lounge.
1943: $40,000 gift to the College.
1944: Grand Piano gift facilitated by money received from Mr. D.L. Esterdahl.
1945: Society’s constitution revised and accepted.
1948-49: Society’s name changed to Augustana Endowment Society.
1952: $1,000 gift received from estate of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Swanson.
1957: $8,435 to College for furnishing Westerlin Hall lounge and lobby.
1959: Steinway grand piano for Westerlin Hall lounge. 1961 Society moved its meeting place to Westerlin Hall.
1963: $4,800 to furnish apartment of Westerlin resident director and social rooms in Westerlin.
1967: Mason and Hamlin grand piano for Erickson Residence Hall. 1971 $3,000 for Westerlin lounge new draperies.
1973: $1,000 to Harpischord Fund.
1973-80: Helped pay for minor renovations and refurbishing House on the Hill parlors; provided allowance up to $200 annually to enable academic student groups to use House on the Hill for special meetings.
1978: $1,000 to Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity to aid in purchase of Cassavant portative organ.
1980: $1,500 to Centennial Commission Fund of Handel Oratorio Society.
1981: $1,250 for House on the Hill furnishings. 1983 $4,600 for Westerlin Hall lounge draperies.
1984-85: $9,500 for furnishing an Immanuel Hall meeting room to be reminiscent of a Victorian parlor.
1985-86: $2,000 to Augustana Center for Communicative Sciences and Disorders and $600 for conservation of Sister Freda Hoff painting.
1986: Amended its constitution and by–laws so that its fiscal year would coincide with that of the College: July 1 through June 30.
1986-87: $2,739 to Science Department for equipment. 1987–88 $2,700 to ArtDepartment forrestoration of three Olaf Grafstrom paintings, one of which was a gift from the Telleen family in memory of Mrs. Joanne Telleen, the Society’s president 1975–77.
1989: In recognition of Society’s 95th anniversary, Rock Island Mayor Mark Schwiebert declared May 1-5 to be Augustana Endowment week in Rock Island.
1990-91: Special membership campaign attracted 57 new members. 1991–92 $3,544 for Steinway grand piano repair.
1993: Endowment Fund reached balance of $63,913 on June 30 following a major gift of $10,000 to the Society from the estate of Margaret Monroe Peterson (Mrs. Willard H.), a 1924-25 Augustana student.
1994-95: $200 to student organizations, $500 to Red Shoes Pre–School Endowment, $2,788 for sponsoring catalogue “Changing Images of Women” art exhibit at campus gallery.
1996: $50,000 check presented to the College as seed money for campus theatre facility at Society’s Centennial Anniversary luncheon hosted by the College.
1997: Purchased copy machine for Special Collections, $7,120. $250 to Conrad Bergendoff Scholarship Fund in his memory.
1999: $7,000 check presented to the College for recording studio equipment in new recording facility, Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts.
2000: On January 24 of this year, a gift of $10,000 was received from the estate of Alice Schwitzer, former faithful member of the Society.
2000: In May, a $2,000 check was presented to the College for a podium and sound system and $5,000 for the Choir’s Scandinavian Trip.
2001: Article III of the constitution was amended to reflect change of annual dues from $5.00 to $7.00.
2002: Create new fund for Augustana Endowment Society using amount presented to the college in 1994, now grown to more than $100,000; leave the principal of $100,000 in place and give the interest accrued each year to the Theatre Department for needs determined by the Chair of the Theatre Department.
2002: December 4, $4,000 check presented to the Music Department for the purchase of a bass flute.
2003: Augustana Board Meeting: the Society will accumulate requests during the school year and act on these requests on April 1 each year.
2004: March 10, amend the By–Laws and incorporate the offices of Treasurer and Endowment Treasurer.
2005: Purchased copying machine for Augustana College Library Special Collections, $5,500. Consolidated all Endowment Society’s Documents. (Charter etc.) from the Safety Deposit Box into the Augustana College Library Special Collections.
2006: The Augustana Theatre Arts Department received Endowment gift of $6,700; Endowment Society started an annual C.A.S.T. scholarship to be given to graduating senior.
2007: Society programs were listed on the college web page; established annual Founder’s Day celebration; approved change of Victorian Parlor at Emmanuel Hall to dorm use; approved Carlsson Hall to Emmy Evald Hall name change; supported the Theatre Arts and Music programs; awarded annual scholarship.
2008: Presented gift to Center for Communication Disorders; dues were raised from $7 to $10.
2009: Pledged $5,000 to Authentically Augustana Campaign designating $1,000 annually toward renovation of Old Main. Gave $500 to The Immediate Scholarship Support for Augustana Students.
2010: Theatre Arts used Endowment gift to upgrade lighting and sewing machines for Potter Theatre; annual scholarship gift was awarded; second year of pledge for Old Main renovation was given.
2011: Theatre Arts Department used the Endowment gift for upgrades and trips; annual scholarship was presented to a graduating senior; third year of pledge for Old Main was continued.
2012: Lighting and projector were purchased by Theatre Arts Department with Endowment gift; the annual scholarship was awarded; fourth year of pledge for Old Main renovation was given.
2013: The Theatre Arts Department used Endowment funds for additional equipment and facilities improvements; fifth year of 2009 pledge for Old Main renovation was completed; gave $1,000 to Library Special Collections, specifically Phil McKinley collection; annual CAST scholarship was also awarded.
2014: The Endowment gift for the Theatre Arts Department continued to be used for facilities and equipment improvements; a graduating senior received the annual CAST scholarship for a Theatre Arts student.
2015: The Theatre Arts Department continued to use Endowment gift for additional equipment; gave $1,000 for student to inventory and preserve objects in Augustana Historical Society Museum; $1,000 was given to a student to enter John Hauberg's glass plate image into a database.
2016: The Endowment gift was used by Theatre Arts for storage items, etc.; annual CAST award was made; $1,000 to support the continuing museum preservation project of the Augustana Historical Society.
2017: The Theatre Arts Department used Endowment gift to purchase equipment for new home in Brunner Theater Center and continued annual CAST award; gave $1,100 to Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center.
2018: The Theatre Arts Department used the Endowment gift to help pay for transmitters and microphones and the annual CAST scholarship was awarded; gave $2,000 to Augustana as part of our pledge toward the renovation of Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts. Upon completion, a music practice room will be named for the Society.
2019: The Endowment funds were used by the Theatre Arts Department to provide learning experiences for students and CAST award was given; gave $2,000 to Augustana as part of our pledge toward the renovation of Bergendoff Hall of FineArts.
2020: The Theatre Endowment Fund provided student funding for a field trip and CAST award was given; the Society gave $2,000 toward the renovation of Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts.
2021: The Theatre Endowment Fund approved money for a sewing machine and lighting, and the CAST award was given.
2022: Completed pledge of $10,000 for music practice room in renovated Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts; awarded CAST scholarship; "new found" funds at Augustana gave the Society the opportunity to help fund four Fine Arts Departments now and into the future, (theatre, art, Special Collections, and music). Twenty-three new members joined the Society (a 37% increase); changed Constitution regarding membership, using “person” instead of “woman”; welcomed first male member, Jim Horstmann, and nine others followed.
2023: The college was supported by giving $1,500 in grants awarded to three departments. In addition, the society’s two endowed funds distributed $11,665 to the music, art and theatre departments. Ten new members join the society’s roster. A recruiting brochure was developed to be used during alumni events and general recruiting efforts. Job descriptions for officers and committees were updated.
2024: The Endowment Society purchased a sound and video system in conjunction with Residential Life for Westerlin. The sound and video system was funded with grant money. The Endowment Society also chose a logo design to be used on the yearbook, brochures and letterhead.

Past presidents

1894-1895: Mrs. Mathilda Sofia (J.) Jesperson
1895-1896: Mrs. Jenny (V.O.) Peterson
1896-1897: Miss Lillie Cervin, Mrs. Margaret (J.) Hasselquist
1897-1898: Mrs. Diana (J.A.) Bexell
1898-1904: Mrs. Margaret (C.W.) Foss
1904-1905: Mrs. Sophia (Louis) Ostrom
1905-1914: Mrs. Margaret (C.W.) Foss
1914-1915: Mrs. Marie (G.A.) Andreen, Mrs. Jeannette (Andrew) Kempe
1915-1920: Mrs. Margaret (C.W.) Foss
1920-1923: Mrs. Hannah (S.G.) Youngert
1923-1925: Mrs. Martha (Paul Gordon) Silas
1925-1927: Mrs. Hulda (E.L.) Nordgren
1927-1929: Mrs. Helen O. (C.Mauritz) Johnson
1929-1930: Mrs. Wilhelmina (Oscar N.) Olson
1930-1932: Mrs. Martha (L.S.) Hasselquist
1932-1943: Mrs. Sophia (Louis) Ostrom
1943-1945: Mrs. Margaret (J.P.) Magnussen
1945-1947: Mrs. Gerda M. (C. George) Engdahl
1947-1949: Mrs. Dora (O.Z.) Cervin
1949-1951: Mrs. Alma M. (Carl) Kronholm
1951-1953: Mrs. Hannah (Edwin C.)Munson
1953-1955: Mrs. Agnes (E. Edwin) Ryden
1955-1957: Mrs. Mary (Edward L.) Hill
1957-1959: Mrs. Barbara (Theodore) LeVander
1959-1961: Mrs. Alice (Henry) Veld
1961-1963: Mrs. Lael E. (Knut) Erickson
1963-1965: Mrs. Olive (Lloyd) Schwiebert
1965-1967: Mrs. Dorothy (Vincent) Lundeen
1967-1969: Mrs. Barbara Reynolds Steigman
1969-1971: Mrs. Lyal (Birger) Swenson
1971-1973: Mrs. Elaine (Glen) Brolander
1973-1975: Mrs. Marie (Ellis) Youngdahl
1975-1977: Mrs. Joanne (John) Telleen
1977-1979: Mrs. Dolores (John) Kindschuh
1979-1981: Mrs. Ester Albrecht
1981-1983: Mrs. Lois (Donald) Davis
1983-1985: Mrs. Dorothy (Kenneth) Moburg
1985-1987: Mrs. Jean (Robert) Boling
1987-1989: Mrs. Olive (Lloyd) Schwiebert
1989-1991: Mrs. Ruth (Everett Jr.) Anderson
1991-1993: Mrs. Dorothy (Marion) Bjornson
1993-1995: Mrs. Lillian (Harry) Nelson
1995-1997: Mrs. Dorothy (Ordell) Peterson
1997-1999: Mrs. Marilyn (John) Frost
1999-2001: Mrs. Annette (Leonard) Lindstrom
2001-2003: Mrs. Jacquelyn (Carl) Stone
2003-2005: Mrs. Carol (James) Horstmann
2005-2007: Mrs. Marilyn (John) Stone
2007-2009: Mrs. Bonnie (Daryl) Townsend
2009-2011: Ms. Loryann M. Eis
2011-2013: Mrs. Zen (George) Henning
2013-2015: Mrs. Janet (Norm) Moline
2015-2017: Mrs. Nancy (John) Califf
2017-2019: Mrs. Ruth Anne (Bill) Hartman
2019-2021: Mrs. Helene (John) Leaf
2021-2022: Mrs. Carol (James) Horstmann
2022-2023: Ms. Loryann M. Eis
2023-2024: Ms. Karen Dowsett

Historical highlights

From Janet Moline

Contact

To learn more about the Augustana Endowment Society, contact Krista Rittenhouse, Director of Individual Giving and Estate Gift Planning.

Upcoming meetings

See all

Augustana Endowment Society meeting

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • 1:30 pm

Augustana's Endowment Society encourages all interested persons to gather for the monthly meeting.

This month, Dr. Norm Moline, Professor Emeritus of Geography, will present “Asian Studies: History of Its Growth at Augustana.”

Augustana Endowment Society meeting

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 • 1:30 pm

Augustana's Endowment Society encourages all interested persons to gather for the monthly meeting.

This month's presentation is “165 Years Since Jefferson Prairie: Augustana’s Early History.”

Augustana Endowment Society meeting

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 • 1:15 pm

Augustana's Endowment Society encourages all interested persons to gather for the monthly meeting.

This month, Dr. Jon Hurty, Henry Veld Professor in Music and Director of Choral Activities, will join with Christmas music from the Augustana Chamber Singers.