Augustana College

The Lincoln Academy of Illinois recently honored outstanding senior college students during the annual Student Laureate Convocation, at the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in Springfield. The ceremony recognized a top student from each college and university in Illinois, with Aubrey Waddick, a native of Algonquin, Ill., representing Augustana College.

The "Excellence in the Liberal Arts Award" has been generously gifted by Professor Dan Lee of the religion department, and his wife, Ruth Lee. The purpose of this award is to reward students' academic achievements, the amount of scholarly work done in the liberal arts including the humanities, achievement in co-curricular programs and leadership and service both on campus and off-campus. Awards range from $400 to $4,000 and may be used for international study or summer programs in the humanities.

Augustana junior Chris Saladin won the 2016-17 Hasselmo Award for Academic Pursuit from Augustana College. The Hasselmo Prize was established by Dr. Nils Hasselmo '57, in recognition of the ways in which his Augustana education both informed and transformed his life and vocational calling. Dr. Hasselmo served as the president of the University of Minnesota from 1988 until his retirement in 1997. From 1998 to 2006, he was president of the Association of American Universities.

Augustana senior Abdul Rahman Merhi has been named the 2015 recipient of the SCA Glenn T. Seaborg Science Scholarship. This scholarship includes participation in the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar, which is a prestigious conference that draws together 25 of the most outstanding young scientists from around the globe.

Augustana junior Brandon Wills won the 2015-16 Hasselmo Award for Academic Pursuit from Augustana College. The Hasselmo Prize was established by Dr. Nils Hasselmo '57, in recognition of the ways in which his Augustana education both informed and transformed his life and vocational calling. Dr. Hasselmo served as the president of the University of Minnesota from 1988 until his retirement in 1997. From 1998 to 2006, he was president of the Association of American Universities.

Augustana College recognizes graduating seniors at the eleventh annual Honors Convocation.

Winners of Augustana College's Five Faith Commitments essay contest were announced. The Five Faith Commitments represent Augustana College's commitment to honor its roots as the college of the Augustana Lutheran Church, but in a way that meets today's students where they are.

Augustana College awarded six students the 2015 Eddie Mabry Diversity Award. The Eddie Mabry award recognizes academic work by dedicated students who have demonstrated a significant commitment to enhancing multicultural awareness at Augustana. Submissions included works that explore issues related to diversity and multiculturalism such as social class, culture, race/ethnicity, sex/gender, sexuality, disability and religion.

The Center for the Study of Judaism and Jewish Culture is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's annual Geifman "Responses to the Holocaust" Prize.

The Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics is pleased to announce the winners of the Tenth Annual Ethics Essay Contest.

Geography senior, Lorraine Stamberger recently received the Glenda Laws Undergraduate Paper Award from the Association of American Geographers.

Two Augustana students won national awards for their creative writing entries in the 2014 Suffolk County Community College's (SCCC) Creative Writing Festival.

The Augustana College chapter of Phi Beta Kappa has elected 57 senior students to membership. Phi Beta Kappa is the nation's oldest and most widely known academic honor society. Membership is granted upon reflection of outstanding academic achievement and the high opinions the faculty have of the awarded seniors.

Augustana junior Mark Hoffmann has been named a Rossing Physics Scholar for 2013-2014. Hoffmann is a native of Lansing, Ill., majoring in pre-medicine and engineering physics, and he receives a $10,000 award with this honor.

Six individuals were honored by Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., at the college's annual alumni association awards banquet on May 19, 2012. Individuals from your area receiving an award include:

Six individuals were honored by Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., at the college's annual alumni association awards banquet on May 19, 2012. Individuals from your area receiving an award include:

Two Augustana College seniors were honored with an award from the national organization, Sigma Alpha Iota. Samantha Tyner received the Scholastic Award and Veronica Smith received the Collegiate Honor Award. One of the students is from your area:

Augustana College's student-run newspaper, the Augustana Observer, won 14 awards at the annual Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference held recently in Chicago. The publication received third place in general excellence and set an Augustana record by receiving six first-place journalism awards. Among the students honored:

Augustana College's student-run newspaper, the Augustana Observer, won 14 awards at the annual Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference held recently in Chicago. The publication received third place in general excellence and set an Augustana record by receiving six first-place journalism awards. Among the students honored:

85 Augustana students were honored recently at the Recognition of Student Honors Program. The annual ceremony highlights exceptional students from various academic departments through scholarships and awards. The following students given awards are from your area:

85 Augustana students were honored recently at the Recognition of Student Honors Program. The annual ceremony highlights exceptional students from various academic departments through scholarships and awards. The following students given awards are from your area:

85 Augustana students were honored recently at the Recognition of Student Honors Program. The annual ceremony highlights exceptional students from various academic departments through scholarships and awards. The following students given awards are from your area:

Recent graduate Katie McCarthy received the Ralph Waldo Hansen Excellence in Psychology Award to commend her academic accomplishments and outstanding research in language and cognitive science. This scholarship, which is awarded by the psychology faculty, recognizes two exceptional psychology students each year who are enrolled in a psychology graduate program. McCarthy will attend the UIC to pursue her PhD in cognitive psychology. She appreciates how the psychology department has prepared her for graduate school and the working world. "The faculty and staff of the psychology department are what make the department so great. They are down-to-earth, approachable and personally invested in the success of their students," she said. Students bound for graduate school, like McCarthy, are the majority in the Augustana psychology department. Dr. Jayne Rose, professor and department chair, is proud of how Augustana prepares its students for demanding graduate programs. "We provide students with multiple opportunities to gain experience in clinical and research settings," said Dr. Rose. "This research gives students the opportunity to explore different areas and strengthen their graduate school application." McCarthy graduated in May with a double major in psychology and theater arts. She is the daughter of Robert and Marie McCarthy from Villa Park, Illinois and attended Willowbrook High School. At Augustana, she sang in collegiate choir and was the co-artistic director of Augustana's theater group, Electric Theatre Unplugged. She also served as the secretary of Psi Chi National Honors Society in Psychology. Dr. Ralph Waldo Hansen was a psychology professor at Augustana from 1961-1993. He organized and directed the Student Counseling Service at Augustana and was the psychology department chair from 1964-1976. Hansen passed away in 2004 and is remembered at Augustana for his love of teaching and counseling.

Jim Clinton received the 2009 Augustana College Outstanding Psychology Senior award. The award recognizes a student's extraordinary commitment to excellence in psychology and is given to just one graduating senior each year. Clinton was selected by the faculty because of his high academic achievement and involvement in research within the psychology department. Clinton began working for Dr. Ian Harrington, professor of psychology, during his sophomore year and developed his own study during his senior year with the guidance of psychology professor Dr. Daniel Corts. He presented his findings at multiple regional research conferences, including the Tri-State Undergraduate Psychology Conference and the MidBrains Undergraduate Neuroscience Conference. For Dr. Harrington, Clinton was an easy selection as this year's outstanding psychology major. "What set Jim apart from his peers was the extent to which he became engaged in his education, particularly the extent to which he became enthusiastic about research. Jim was a true pleasure to work with and I expect nothing but continued success as he moves on to graduate school," he said. Clinton appreciates all that the psychology faculty has done for him both inside and outside the classroom. "I've never seen a more cohesive faculty that genuinely cares so much for the well-being of students. They have given me so many opportunities, ranging from traveling to research conferences to sharing a meal at their dinner table," he said. Clinton graduated with a double major in psychology and biology this May. He is the son of James and Arlene Clinton from Gurnee, Illinois, and a graduate of Carmel Catholic High School. At Augustana, he was an ambassador in the admissions office, an executive for the student programming organization, the fall president of his fraternity Delta Omega Nu and the social chair on the Greek Council Executive Board. Next year, he will attend Illinois State University to pursue a master's degree in cognitive behavioral sciences. In addition to the Outstanding Psychology Senior Award, Clinton was granted the Ralph Waldo Hansen Excellence in Psychology Award, which provides a scholarship each year to two Augustana seniors pursuing the study of psychology. He was also inducted into the prestigious Psi Chi National Honors Society in Psychology.

Augustana junior Stephanie Loria is one of two students chosen to receive a Clifford Fenwick Scholarship for 2009. This scholarship honors students who have completed their sophomore year and show exceptional motivation and ability in their study of psychology. Loria is a double-major in psychology and art history. She is the daughter of Steven and Jill Loria from Crystal Lake, Illinois and a graduate of Crystal Lake Central High School. Her involvement at Augustana includes being a member of the Sigma Pi Delta sorority and serving as the vice president of both Augustana's mental health awareness organization and the Greek leadership honor society. As a sophomore, Loria co-authored two psychology research studies, formally presented her research, and assisted a graduate student with her dissertation. She was also inducted into the prestigious Psi Chi National Honors Society in Psychology. After graduation, she plans to enter a graduate clinical psychology program. Loria credits the supportive psychology faculty for providing her with so many valuable learning opportunities. "It is wonderful to know that you have a whole department of caring people standing behind you while you work towards your degree," Loria said. The Clifford Fenwick Scholarship Fund was established in 1991 in memory of Clifford Fenwick, the father of Augustana psychology professor Dr. S.A. Fenwick. Dr. Fenwick has been teaching at Augustana since 1979 and selects the Clifford Fenwick scholarship recipients. "It's always a hard choice because there are so many deserving students," she said. "I choose students who value their education for its own sake and also embody my father's love of people."

Augustana junior Amanda Muruato is one of two students chosen to receive a Clifford Fenwick Scholarship for 2009. This scholarship honors students who have completed their sophomore year and show exceptional motivation and ability in their study of psychology. Muruato is a double-major in psychology and political science. She is the daughter of Ruben and Kathy Muruato of Lombard, Illinois and a graduate of Willowbrook High School. She is currently a member of the Delta Chi Theta sorority and also volunteers with the American Cancer Society, Athletes Give Back and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She will pursue her master's degree in psychology after graduation from Augustana. Muruato appreciates how the Augustana faculty has made her a well-rounded student. "Anytime I go into the psychology department in search of assistance, I know a faculty member will be happy to assist me in whatever I need," she said. The Clifford Fenwick Scholarship Fund was established in 1991 in memory of Clifford Fenwick, the father of Augustana psychology professor Dr. S.A. Fenwick. Dr. Fenwick has been teaching at Augustana since 1979 and selects the Clifford Fenwick scholarship recipients each year. "It's always a hard choice because there are so many deserving students," she says. "I choose students who value their education for its own sake and also embody my father's love of people."

Augustana junior Dana Swanson has been named Dahl Scholar for the 2009-'10 academic school year. Swanson, an English and sociology double-major, was awarded the honor by Dr. Evelyn Campbell, dean and vice president for student services. Augustana graduates John Dahl '68 and Robert Dahl '74 established the scholarship to honor their parents, Arthur and Dorothy Dahl, the Dahl Leadership Scholarship recognizes a student for both academic achievement and student leadership. Swanson is the daughter of Brian and Sue Swanson of Barrington and a 2006 graduate of Wauconda High School. In addition to her major coursework, Swanson has played an important role in organizing and promoting student life programs at Augustana. She has served for the last year as philanthropic chair of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Service Sorority has been active on Augustana's Campus Ministries leadership team and recently worked for Wesley Acres Produce, an organic farm in Milan, Ill.,. The farm is partnering with the College's new Farm to Fork food program. In addition, Swanson has been active in Big Brothers Big Sisters and Relay for Life during her time at Augustana. She also has worked as a student ambassador for the Augustana Office of Admissions for two years. "Dana is a hard worker and a deep thinker. She is always willing to work behind the scenes to make an event go well and is increasingly comfortable in more visible leadership positions," said Richard Priggie, Augustana College chaplain. Priggie serves as faculty advisor to Augustana Campus Ministries and noted that Swanson has taken part in the group's spring break service trip to Mississippi all three years of her college experience. "She is a worthy recipient of the Dahl Leadership Scholarship; her caring and commitment demonstrate the kind of leadership that she offers and that the world needs," said Priggie. John Dahl and Robert Dahl, trustees of the Arthur E. Dahl & Dorothy E. Dahl Charitable Trust established by their late parents, provided for the scholarship as part of a $1,500,000.00 donation from the trust to Augustana. The gift, made in 2003, funded the scholarship, in addition to underwriting construction of the Dahl President's Home. Inspired by their parents' dedication to community service, the brothers established the scholarship to support their alma mater's efforts to develop and encourage student leaders. Arthur Dahl was the Senior Vice President of HNI Corporation and served on several boards, including the Iowa Employees Retirement System, the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust and Augustana College. Dorothy Dahl served on the Board of Trustees of Monmouth College, her alma mater, and she helped form a chapter of the American Association of University Women in Muscatine. The Dahls were both active members of Grace Lutheran Church in Muscatine. John and Robert Dahl have also served numerous community and civic organizations since graduating from Augustana. John Dahl serves as an Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Deerfield, Illinois. Robert Dahl, who was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention while a student at Augustana, has worked as an attorney with the Federal Election Commission and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Most recently, he participated in the USAID effort to organize the first democratic elections in Indonesia.