Augustana College is pleased to announce the summer graduates of 2009. Students were awarded their Bachelor of Arts degree at the completion of the summer term in August. From your area, the following students graduated:

Augustana College is pleased to announce the fall graduates of 2009. Students were awarded their Bachelor of Arts degree at the completion of fall term in November. From your area, the following students graduated:

The artistic and musical talents of Augustana students will be the focus of the third annual Augustana Sights and Sounds at Bucktown Center for the Arts (225 E. 2nd St., Davenport) on Friday, January 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. The free event will feature distinctive student photography from both Augustana and Quad-City area high school students and a raffle fundraiser for the Fistula Foundation. Augustana Photo Bureau students will display a series of photographs that highlight student life on the Rock Island campus, experiences in the Quad Cities or the world through international study programs. The event will incorporate the photography on display with several existing galleries and music. Three pieces of artwork will be raffled off by the Augustana Artisans to benefit the Fistula Foundation. These include two paintings from Augustana student Maria Ford and a photograph by Hunt Harris, a local businessman. High school photographers who would like to be featured can submit their work in the categories of music, dreams, urban wilderness and portraits by January 18. Members of the Photo Bureau will judge the entries, and winners will receive scholarships to Augustana College. Photo Bureau students featured in the show are Veronica Smith, Corynn Hanson, Dana Gustafson, Maren Mathisen, Mark Marogil, Matthew Peters, John Cairns and Grace Drenth. Smith, who serves as the Photo Bureau manager, assisted with planning the event. To view a students' work, click on each name to access a high-resolution photograph. From your area this includes:

The Augustana Theatre Arts and Music Departments are collaborating to bring the beloved family musical The Secret Garden to life in the Quad Cities. Performances will be held at the Potter Theatre in Bergendoff Hall (3701 7th Ave) on January 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m.; February 5 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and February 6 at 1:30 p.m. These shows will be the first in ten years to reflect collaboration between the Theatre Arts department and Augustana's opera company, Opera@Augustana. The Secret Garden follows the story of a young girl, Mary Lennox, who is suddenly orphaned and sent to live with her wealthy but deeply unhappy uncle. Despite her gloomy, oppressive surroundings, Mary maintains her natural spirit and is able to bring new life both to her uncle's household and a special, secret garden she finds dormant on his property. The musical was written in 1991 by Marsha Norman with music by Lucy Simon. Robin Quinn, a first year student who plays the role of Mary, loves the show's family-friendly storyline. "This show is really special in that it appeals to all different ages and tastes. There's romance, tragedy, adventure and humor throughout the musical. Everyone can find something in it that they enjoy." The Theatre Arts Department performs a musical every other year. However, this year's production is especially exciting because of the department's collaboration with Opera@Augustana. Jeffrey Coussens, the director of the musical, says the result of their joint efforts promises to be a show of very high caliber. "Musical theatre presents a host of challenges that are different from non-musical productions. You need to cast actors who can sing, singers who can act and dancers who can sing and act. However, meeting these challenges produces great rewardsaEUR"the students have a tremendous learning and training experience and audiences love them." Coussens has been a professor of theatre for over 25 years and serves as the current theatre department chair. He also has experience as a professional actor and director. For this production, he will be assisted by musical director John Pfautz, who is the program director of Opera@Augustana. Students from your area who are performing in The Secret Garden include:

Nineteen adventurous students from Augustana College will make a cross-country trek on January 3 ending in Holden Village in the Cascade Mountains. The students and three faculty members will spend five weeks living and studying in Holden, a tight-knit mountain community with no phones, television or roads connecting to the outside world. The trip begins with a two-day journey on Amtrak, a three-hour ferry ride and a slow 10-mile bus ride up mountain switchbacks. "I became really interested in the trip when I found out we would be taking a cross-country train ride to get to the village," said Andrew Ehrhardt, a junior history education major from Schaumburg, Ill. "To me, that is an adventure in and of itself." At Holden, students will take two English classes, a theater class, and a class on the history of Holden. They can also take cross-country skiing lessons and a course in the art of letter-writing. Without phones or email, the students will depend on postcards and letters to stay in touch with family and friends back home. "There are no typical days at Holden," said Dr. Jan Keessen, one of the English professors who will be teaching on-site. Holden Village attracts everyone from scholars to musicians to artists to ecologists, who bring their skills to contribute to the community. When students are not in class, they might take a sleigh ride, weave a basket, power a dishwasher with a bicycle, discuss religion, listen to a harmonica player, spin yarn or go sledding. "Holden is a risky place for anyone who is frightened by spontaneity or afraid to take a chance on learning creatively, with passion and courage," Keessen added. English professor Dr. Paul Olsen and theater professor Dr. Melissa McBain will also teach in Holden. Olsen has served on the Holden board of directors for 12 years, has taught summer courses in Holden since 1987 and is currently the summer teaching staff coordinator. McBain is also eager to return to Holden. "What I experienced my first summer in Holden was magical and inspiring," she said. "Over the course of one day I led a sunrise devotional, taught a playwriting class, attended exciting discussions, performed scenes from my play-in-progress and ended the day singing with new friends." Many students were attracted to the program because of the variety of people and activities in Holden. "I think it will be rejuvenating to wake up each morning away from the routine life of a student, with endless possibilities of adventure waiting right outside my door," said Ehrhardt. The students will return to Augustana on February 6. From your area, participating students include:

Thirty-one Augustana students will spend the first two months of 2010 studying and working as interns in Sydney, Australia. The international study program known as "Augustana in Australia" places students in career-relevant positions in Sydney and immerses them in Australian culture. The students take a five-week on-campus internship seminar before leaving for Australia on January first. In Australia, students work four days a week for seven weeks at their internship site and use the remaining time to explore Australia. From your area, participating students include:

The Augustana Chamber Singers and Office of Campus Ministries will present the beautiful Christmas service Lessons and Carols on Thursday, December 17, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Ascension Chapel (820 38th St.). The Quad-City community is invited to share in this free gathering, which honors Christ's birth through songs and Scripture readings. Lessons and Carols is a tradition that began over 25 years ago. This year's service will include music by the Augustana Chamber Singers, the Augustana Handbell Choir and a small number of percussionists. The music will be interspersed with Bible readings by senior students in the campus ministries program. At the end of the service, the audience will be invited to sing "Silent Night" by candlelight, an annual part of Lessons and Carols and a long-standing tradition throughout the Christian world.

The Handel Oratorio Society will share a special Christmas tradition with families throughout the Quad-City community with its performances of Handel's Messiah on Saturday, December 12, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m. The performances will be held in Augustana's Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). Community members young and old are invited to build this longtime Quad Cities' tradition into their own holiday celebrations. This Christmas season marks the 129th consecutive year the Handel Oratorio Society will perform Messiah for the Quad-City community. However, Dr. Jon Hurty, director of the performance for the past 13 years, says the music is just as vibrant and meaningful today as when the Oratorio Society performed it for the first time in 1881. "It is an enduring story because it follows the prophecy, birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Handel's music is filled with glorious arias, choruses and instrumental sections that have become familiar and beloved by listeners." One of the most distinctive aspects of the Handel Oratorio Society is the variety of performers it brings together. This year the choir features 62 Augustana Choir singers and approximately 200 others from the Quad-City community. They will be joined onstage by the 37-member Handel Oratorio Society Chamber Orchestra and four professional soloists. The result, Hurty says, is a show that is impressive not only to hear, but also to see. "The visual appeal of 300 people on stage and the way in which they reflect the music is an important part of the performance experience," Hurty says. "You can listen to Messiah as a recording or even watch a DVD, but there is nothing quite like seeing your friends, colleagues, students and neighbors perform the piece." This year's performance is especially noteworthy because two of the soloists, tenor Brent Wilson and baritone Mark Walters, live in the Quad Cities. They will be joined by soprano Sarah Hibbard and mezzo soprano Jessye Wright. Wilson, a '01 Augustana alumnus and current Augustana professor, has sung Messiah in numerous venues around the nation. However, he says performing Messiah with the Handel Oratorio Society will be especially meaningful for him. "I was a four-year Messiah participant when I was at Augie. I feel very honored to come back and be able to participate in this event. I know how much it means to the community." Like Hurty, Wilson also values Messiah for its timelessness. "Messiah is a piece that gets born again every time you hear it," Wilson says. "Every time I'm sitting up front listening to another soloist, the choir or the orchestra, I hear something I've never heard before. That's what keeps the piece alive for me." From your area, this year's performers include:

Christmas at Augustana, a holiday concert featuring choir, band and orchestra ensembles, will return to Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.) in early December with an expanded schedule. Augustana student musicians and vocalists will perform on Friday, December 4, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 5, at 4 p.m. The music department added another concert this year after the ensembles played to a sold-out crowd at last year's inaugural concert. The concerts are truly an "advent of the Advent season," says Dr. Daniel Culver, orchestra director and department co-chair. "I look forward to working again with all of my colleagues in an ensemble effort. It is a marvelous opportunity for our students and audience alike. In the development of the program, we focused on bringing a sense of unity to the program and how it works with each ensemble." Audience members will experience a true celebration of Christmas with performances by seven ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, Ascension Singers, Wennerberg Men's Chorus and Cantilena Augustana, and the world premiere of "Veni Emmanuel (Come Emmanuel)" arranged by Augustana music faculty member Dr. David Davies. Dr. Jon Hurty, director of choral activities and department co-chair, says the opportunity to commission a new work is an added learning experience. "This adds an entirely new creative element to the program and exposes the students to great music that was written specifically for the occasion," says Hurty. "Bring your best singing voice," reminds Culver. The concerts also feature several well-known congregational hymns for a sing-along during the program. From your area, this year's performers include:

Augustana's opera singers will delight audiences with their heartwarming performance of "Little Thieves of Bethlehem" from Friday, November 20, through Sunday, November 22, at 8 p.m. in Wallenberg Hall at Denkmann Memorial Building (3520 7th Ave.). The opera is set in Bethlehem after Jesus' birth and follows three outcast children who find new hope in the Christmas story. Augustana students will be only the second group to perform "Little Thieves of Bethlehem," which was first performed in Rochester, N.Y., in the 1990s. The story focuses on an orphaned brother and sister in Bethlehem who must steal food to keep from starving. They are shunned by children and adults in their community, but they are the first to hear Mary sing to her new baby. The three kings who come to see Jesus also bring along a child servant who is an outcast, but is embraced in the Christmas story. The opera runs approximately 55 minutes. Kelly Mitroff, a vocal music major who will play the innkeeper's wife, says the performance is fun and family-friendly. "This opera has a song about a camel, which seems to come out of nowhere. It gives everyone a break from the drama of what's going on, and let's face it, you just can't go wrong with a song about a spitting camel," says Mitroff. Melissa Goode, a senior music major from Davenport, will play the lead role of Mary. Goode has performed with Opera@Augustana in the past, but finds this production to be particularly special because it is only the second time the show has been performed. "It is a twist on the traditional story of Christ's birth, so that will make it new and exciting for audiences," she says. "The magic of Christmas comes alive to all on stage and in the audience," says Dr. John Pfautz, professor of voice and the opera's director and producer. Pfautz founded Opera@Augustana shortly after coming to Augustana in 1987. He earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts from West Virginia University where he studied under Frances Yeend and has performed as the featured tenor soloist in operas throughout the United States and Canada. Pfautz is excited that "Little Thieves of Bethlehem" includes some of the faculty and staff's children, in addition to Augustana students. Aislinn Geedy, daughter of biology professors Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedy and Dr. Kevin Geedy; Mackenzie Parboosingh, daughter of theater professor Adam Parboosingh; and Robert Ducey, son of Beth Ducey from art history, will appear onstage as local children.

Eleven students from Augustana College were recently accepted to the highly selective University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. The college's unique 3-4 program allows students to earn their Bachelor of Arts degree in just three years before completing four years in vet school at U. of Illinois. Augustana is the only college to offer this guaranteed and early acceptance program with U. of I. and has a veterinary school acceptance rate of over 80% compared to the national average of 35%. Augustana's pre-veterinary program includes courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology, as well as clinical rotations at various veterinary clinics in the Quad-Cities area. The coordinated degree program with U. of I. requires a 3.5 GPA, a successful interview, and 3 letters of recommendation. Dr. Darrin Good, the pre-veterinary medicine advisor, credits the faculty for their willingness and ability to prepare students. "We coach our students so they know what veterinary schools want and expect," he says. Tara Czepiel, a senior biology and Spanish major in the pre-vet program, agrees with Good. "I am able to talk to my professors one-on-one. I always have questions, so the fact that my professors are approachable and willing to help has really made a difference for me." Good also attributes students' success in vet school to alumni's success in the past. "Because of the impressive reputation our alumni have built, our current and future students have an advantage when applying. Also, our alumni are fantastic in helping our students as mentors and allow them to shadow or work for them." Michael Rosser, a junior biology major, became interested in shelter medicine through his volunteer experience at CatNap from the Heart, an animal shelter in La Grange Park, Illinois. "What interests me about shelter medicine is the problem solving aspect: the patient cannot describe how/what they are feeling, so the veterinarian must rely on observable symptoms, changes in behavior, test results, etc. to determine what health conditions a certain animal may have and prevent transmission to the rest of the shelter population." Rosser values how the liberal arts curriculum at Augustana has prepared him to think critically and creatively in his future career. "Not only will I have a strong foundation in biology and chemistry as I enter vet school, but I will also be able to draw upon my background in the humanities and social sciences. These skills will continue to help me through the rest of my life, not only as a veterinarian, but also as a well-rounded person." From your area, students accepted into the 3-4 program with the U. of I. include:

Four students from Augustana College were recently accepted to the highly selective Southern Illinois University dental program. The college's distinctive 3-4 program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in just three years before earning their doctorate of dental medicine at SIU. Augustana is the only college to offer this guaranteed and early acceptance program with SIU and has an impressive 70% acceptance rate to dental school. Augustana students in the pre-dentistry program complete chemistry, biology and physics courses in addition to clinical observations at various clinics in the Quad-Cities area. The coordinated degree program with SIU requires a 3.75 GPA and a high level of achievement on the Dental Admissions Test. The application process also involves an interview and three letters of recommendation. Dr. Darrin Good, the pre-dentistry advisor, credits the faculty for their willingness and ability to prepare students. "We coach our students so they know what dental schools want and expect," he said. Good also attributes students' success in dental school to alumni's success in the past. "Because of the impressive reputation our alumni have built, our current and future students have an advantage when applying. Also, our alumni are fantastic in helping our students as mentors and allow them to shadow or work for them." John Cairns, a sophomore biology major, feels well-prepared for the program at SIU. "The liberal arts curriculum at Augustana will allow me to enter SIU with a variety of subjects incorporated into my education. I'm confident that the high standards of Augustana professors will prepare me for the course load in graduate school." From your area, students accepted into the 3-4 program include:

Fifty-nine Augustana students are heading back to school over 3,000 miles away for a 10 week international studies program in Latin America next week. The program, established at the college over thirty years ago, immerses students in Latin American culture as they live and study in Ecuador, Peru and Mexico. The program begins in late August in Cuenca, Ecuador, where students will spend four weeks living with host families and studying at the Center for Inter-American Studies. They will then take a three-week tour of Lima and Cusco in Peru and five-day excursions to the rainforest and Machu Picchu, the famous sacred city of the Incans. Their trip will end with four weeks in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where the students will again live with host families. The students represent a broad range of academic majors, and many have little or no Spanish-speaking experience. "The Latin America term is really not a program geared towards Spanish majors," said Dr. Allen Bertsche, chair of the Spanish department and the program's director. "It is a program designed to increase cultural and global awareness among all majors at Augustana." During the first four weeks, international professors will teach Spanish courses at all levels from introductory through advanced alongside courses taught by Augustana faculty. Junior Emma Fane, of Berkeley, California is one of the many students with a limited Spanish background. Fane is studying French and communication sciences and disorders with a psychology minor. She admits she is nervous about communicating with her host family, but is also excited for the wide array of opportunities she will have on the trip. "I can hardly wait to live with my two different host families, go to markets, explore Machu Picchu, and even hike through the jungle," she said. Liz Hinds, a junior pre-med and biochemistry major with a Spanish minor from Monticello, Illinois, is similarly excited. "I've literally been planning my classes around this trip since my freshman year," Hinds said. Hinds is from a Puerto Rican family and has been taking Spanish her whole life, so she looks forward to experiencing the culture first hand. "When people ask me about this term, most are confused and wonder if I'm taking time off from my major. Why else would someone majoring in pre-med and biochemistry go to Latin America? But I graduate in '11 and this might be the last chance I get to travel to these amazing countries and learn so much about them while I'm there." The students will take up to four courses in Spanish, biology, literature, history, art, or political science. All of the courses are specifically designed to integrate classroom learning and cultural experiences. For instance, students in the "Art in Americas" course will study native arts in Latin America and then travel to sites where these artistic styles are produced and displayed. All students will also participate in a cultural seminar that uses sites, speakers and excursions that go beyond the usual "tourist" experience. Dr. Bertsche recognizes the unique academic opportunity that the program gives students. "When students go on Latin American term, they are asked to combine the perspectives, attitudes, strategies and knowledge of artists, scientists, writers, social scientists and historians to try to decipher the experiences they have as part of the trip. Our hope is that students develop a more nuanced understanding of the world, their home culture, and their own background and values. Many a student has returned from the trip with a new perspective on the United States as much as on Latin America." Bertsche is one of several Augustana faculty members who will teach a course during the trip. Other faculty include art professor Ms. Rowen Schussheim-Anderson, environmental studies and biology professor Dr. Bohdan Dziadyk, political science professor Dr. Mariano Magalhaes and history professor Dr. Molly Todd. The students and professors will return to the United States at the end of November. Four of the students will be keeping a blog of their adventures on Augustana's Globologs. To read more about their trip, log-on to http://www.augustana.edu/blogs/international. From your area, participating students include:

Wittenberg, Germany, the hometown of famous religious reformer Martin Luther and center of the Lutheran reformation, will be the classroom this fall for 13 advanced Augustana College German students and their professor. The Augustana German department is adding this new two-month international program to its established international study terms to offer students direct immersion in German language and culture by staying with a host family. Living with a host family will quickly improve the students' language skills. Although all the students are basically proficient in German, they know they can learn a great deal from native German speakers. "When you have to mime and explain things to learn a word, you don't easily forget it!," said junior Kevin Collins. Dr. Kim Vivian, who has been teaching German at Augustana for 20 years, is excited the college can offer this program to students. "We hope the students will form friendships with the German locals, which helps them better understand German culture, and thereby their own culture," said Vivian. The students will take classes four days a week through the Institute of German Language and Culture at the University of Halle-Wittenberg. In addition to German history and literature courses, they can take a class on Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran church, or Lucas Cranach, the influential Reformation artist. All the courses will be taught entirely in German. Exploring the rich history of the Lutheran religion will be a highlight for students like senior Michelle Ruf, who has been a lifetime Lutheran. "I am looking forward to visiting different historical sites connected to Luther while I'm on the trip and attending church services at Luther's church. We will also take a history class about Luther, so it will be interesting to learn more about Luther from the perspective of a German professor," she said. The students plan to travel outside of Wittenberg to other parts of Germany and Europe on their three-day weekends. The group will hike in the scenic Bavarian Forest take a day trip to Berlin and visit the site of Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar. Students also plan to visit places such as Munich, Prague, Vienna and Poland. Dr. Vivian vividly remembers his own junior year in Germany, and he expects this trip will be as pivotal in his students' lives and education. "No study of a foreign language is complete without some time spent in the native country," he says. From your area, students traveling to Wittenberg include:

Twelve outstanding psychology graduates were given a financial boost towards graduate school as recipients of the 2008-09 Geraldine Wallin Sickler Award. This annual monetary award is given to outstanding senior psychology majors at Augustana College who are enrolled in a graduate psychology program. Dr. Jayne Rose, professor and chair of the psychology department, estimates that over 50% of Augustana psychology majors go on to grad school within two years."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." To prepare students for the application process, the psychology department holds informational sessions for students each fall, ranging in topics from finding the right grad program to writing personal statements. Sarah Downie, one of the award-winners from Rock Falls, Illinois, started her first graduate class at the University of Iowa in June. "Like many of the students, I was nervous about the intensity of the school counseling program," she said. "However, after the first few days, I knew I was prepared because of my four years at Augustana. Augustana taught me to think outside of the box to reach original answers. I am able to apply a lot of the material I learned at Augustana to a wide range of subjects because I was taught how to think instead of what to think." The Geraldine Wallin Sickler fund was established by the father of Geraldine Wallin Sickler, who died in a car accident in 1959. The award-winners are chosen each year by the Augustana psychology faculty. To qualify, students must enroll in a graduate program within 19 months of graduation. From your area, scholarship winners included:

Julie Gass received the 2009 J.E. Wallace Wallin award for her engagement in psychology research activities at Augustana College. This annual scholarship is awarded to one senior who has been accepted into a doctoral or specialist degree psychology program. Next year, Gass will pursue her PhD in clinical psychology at the University at Buffalo in New York. "Even though Augustana's psych department is relatively small compared to large universities, it provided me with ample opportunities for diverse research," she said. "As someone moving on to graduate school, I appreciate the experience in independent and faculty-based research study." Gass's research experience included working with Augustana professor Dr. Erin Stoffel, who studies the relation between impulsive behavior and drug abuse. Gass represents a majority of psychology students who will enroll into a graduate school after leaving Augustana. Dr. Jayne Rose, professor and chair of the psychology department, 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." Gass graduated Cum Laude with a psychology major and Spanish and Latin American studies minor. She is the daughter of Reed and Theresa Gass from Algonquin, Illinois, and attended Harry D. Jacobs High School. At Augustana, she played in the symphony orchestra, was a member of the Chi Omega Gamma sorority and volunteered at the Quad City Animal Welfare Center and the Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Center. She was also a member of the Mortar Board national honor society and Psi Chi National Honors Society in Psychology. John Edward Wallace Wallin graduated from Augustana in 1897 and became one of the primary contributors to the development of school psychology and special education services in the early twentieth century. He wrote numerous ground-breaking books and established psychoeducational clinics and special education departments at several colleges and public school districts. The endowment established in his honor funds the Wallin lecture and the annual J.E. Wallace Wallin award.

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.

Psychology major Spencer Campbell is the 2009 recipient of the Ralph Hansen Scholarship because of his extensive research on language and cognitive science. The award is granted to an Augustana junior each year who demonstrates exceptional interest and achievement in psychology. Augustana psychology professor Dr. Daniel Corts says Campbell was a clear choice for the Ralph Hansen Scholarship. "Spencer gets good grades in tough courses, participates in psychology department activities, and has distinguished himself through his research activities." Campbell is interested in cognitive science, a field that primarily focuses on memory, language, perception, and reasoning. He began working with Dr. Corts in the fall of 2008 to understand how people can effortlessly understand non-literal language without getting literal and figurative meanings confused. For instance, they might investigate why people can easily understand the phrase "rumors are a plague in this office" without thinking that rumors are a literal disease. Campbell and two other students designed and conducted three experiments with Dr. Corts. In May 2009, Campbell presented their research at an international association of psychological science in San Francisco. At the end of July, he will travel with Dr. Corts to a research workshop at the University of Liverpool in England. Campbell serves as the Augustana Chapter President of the Psi Chi National Honors Society in Psychology and recently received the Midwestern Psychological Association Research Award. As a senior, Campbell will have the chance to further explore his research interests by designing and conducting an independent study for his senior inquiry project. After graduation, he plans to pursue his doctorate degree in cognitive psychology. Campbell is grateful for the research opportunities he has received at Augustana. "Extensive research like this is exactly the sort of thing needed when going into a Ph.D. program. Thanks to the help and guidance I've received from the staff here in the psych department, I feel very prepared in facing the fast-paced world of professional psychology." Campbell also appreciates the family-like support of the psychology faculty. "When I walk into a psych professor's office, I know I will receive the same amount of interest and care whether I come to talk about a paper or my weekend. The psych department at Augustana is a fantastic environment to learn about an important discipline and yourself." Campbell is the son of James and Deborah Campbell from Glen Ellyn, Illinois and a graduate of Glenbard West High School. He enjoys playing ultimate Frisbee and is the co-captain of an intramural Frisbee team at Augustana. The Ralph Hansen scholarship was established in 1986 in honor of Dr. Ralph Hansen's 25th year of teaching. Dr. Hansen was a psychology professor at Augustana from 1961-1993 and the department chair from 1964-1976. He also organized and directed the Student Counseling Service at Augustana. Hansen passed away in 2004 and is remembered at Augustana for his love of teaching and counseling.

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."

Lisa Platt Hjelm, a '09 graduate of Augustana College, earned Honors in Psychology for her award-winning research on prejudice in education. She was the only graduate to receive this award and was recognized at the psychology honors banquet and honors convocation in May. Platt Hjelm, a double major in elementary education and psychology, investigated how students' socioeconomic class might affect teachers' behavior in the classroom. She gave participants a computerized test, where they had to make associations between words like "tardy," "well-prepared" or "cheating" and either the word "rich" or "poor." She was awarded a regional research award through Psi Chi National Honors Society in Psychology for her study. Platt Hjelm believes the psychology department helped her become a better educator by teaching her to understand the whole child. She is grateful for the department's support. "When I needed something, school related or not, someone in the psych department was always willing to listen. The faculty really felt like family." Lisa Platt Hjelm is the daughter of Gary and Christine Platt of Barrington, Illinois, and is a graduate of Barrington High School. At Augustana, Platt Hjelm was the President and publicity chair for the psychology club and the Jonquil chair for the service sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha. She was married to Greg Hjelm shortly after graduation and is currently living in St. Charles, Illinois. She hopes to pursue her master's degree in early childhood special education. Honors in Psychology are selectively awarded to students who complete a special research project during their senior year. Professor Dr. Daniel Corts said, "Every psychology student completes an original research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Honors in Psychology is awarded to students who complete a project above and beyond what is required for the psychology major."

Five Augustana Spanish majors are getting a full-time lesson in speaking Spanish during a month-long international study opportunity in Salamanca, Spain, which is located about 130 miles west of Madrid. The students participating in the four-week program are immersed in Spanish language and culture by taking classes at a Spanish university and spending time with the locals, who are historically known to speak the purest form of Spanish in the world. On Monday-Thursday, the students take a morning class at Centro Universitario Marista and spend the remainder of the day sightseeing, shopping and spending time in Salamanca's famous Plaza Mayor, which is within walking distance from the university where they are staying. Their three-day weekends are free for more extensive traveling and sightseeing throughout Spain. Dr. Ana Borderia-Garcia, the faculty advisor for the trip and a native of Valencia, Spain, encourages her students to speak only in Spanish on the trip. "They are eager to experience as much of the language and culture as they can," she said. Christine Hedlin, an Augustana junior with a double major in Spanish and English, agreed with Borderia-Garcia. "When we converse with native Spanish-speakers, we pick up on subtleties of Spanish culture and language that we couldn't necessarily learn from our textbooks. We want to absorb as much of the language as possible, so if a native speaks to us in English, we politely ask them to speak to us in Spanish instead." Salamanca plays an important role in the history of the Spanish language. The first Spanish grammar book was written in the city, and many inhabitants of Salamanca continue to speak formal Castilian Spanish, which is known as the purest form of Spanish in the world. For this reason, Salamanca draws Spanish students around the world looking to refine their language skills and experience Spanish culture. The students will also visit Paris and Madrid before returning to the United States on July 28. From your area, participating students include:

The academic achievements of forty-one Augustana students earned them election into the Phi Beta Kappa society this spring. Only about one in every one hundred college students nationwide is selected as a member of the oldest and most prestigious honor society in the nation. Augustana students are selected for Phi Beta Kappa based on their academic standing and recommendations from faculty members. Members must be senior students who exhibit strong intellect and integrity and are committed to freedom of thought and expression. Augustana emphasizes that election to Phi Beta Kappa is more than an honor of past academic success. It is also recognition of a student's outstanding potential for growth and achievement. For Dr. Jeff Abernathy, dean of the college, Phi Beta Kappa scholars exemplify the goals of an Augustana education-creative, critical thinking and the willingness to question conventional wisdom. Their leadership and service is as important as their high academic standing. "Phi Beta Kappa students contribute greatly to our college and to the Quad Cities. Even as they serve Augustana in many ways, most are deeply involved in service to the broader community," said Abernathy. Phi Beta Kappa was established in 1776 to celebrate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. A select 10% of the nation's leading colleges and universities have Phi Beta Kappa chapters, and the chapters only elect about 10% of their most exceptional arts and sciences students for membership. Augustana's Phi Beta Kappa chapter, Zeta of Illinois, was officially established in 1949 to recognize students of high academics, leadership and service. From your area, the inductees include:

Rock Island, Ill.- Five hundred and thirteen students of the class of '09 graduated from Augustana College with their Bachelor of Arts degree. Augustana's 149th commencement convocation was held on May 24, 2009 at the iwireless Center in Moline, Ill. From your area, the following students graduated:

Rock Island, IL- Twenty-two aspiring doctors and nurses, one biology professor and an Augustana alumna spent two weeks in June providing medical care to people in six small Nicaragua towns. The service trip was organized through JETS (Joining Education Through Service), a student organization at Augustana. Students saw patients in their free clinic, which they typically set up in a tent, church basement or covered pavilion. Each patient would explain his or her symptoms, through a translator, to a group of two or three Augustana students. The students would make a preliminary diagnosis and then consult with one of five Nicaraguan doctors who would make an official diagnosis. If needed, the patient would receive free medicine or health supplies from the makeshift pharmacy the students set up at the clinic. Augustana biology professor Dr. Dara Wegman-Geedey, who accompanied the students on the trip, said the clinic gave students the opportunity to use their physiology, anatomy and immunology knowledge. "JETS students gain first hand experience working as healthcare providers and quickly learn what it means to use critical thinking skills to follow a line of questioning when evaluating patients." For Jaynee Krippel, a junior biology and pre-med major at Augustana, the most meaningful part of the trip was making a home visit with one of the doctors. "We were bringing the people medical care they otherwise could not get," Krippel said. "The patients were eager to tell us about themselves and their lifestyles. Seeing where and how they lived helped me understand why the patients contracted certain diseases so frequently." Wegman-Geedey and fellow biology professor Dr. Darrin Good established Augustana's Joining Education Through Service (JETS) program in 2008. Augustana students interested in health-related fields can apply to go to Nicaragua twice a year through the organization. Wegman-Geedey says these trips give students more than just experience as a doctor or nurse. "The JETS students realize how much we in the U.S. take for granted and begin to understand why a country such as the U.S. shouldn't just take over and make things 'better' for a third-world nation. Cultural identities must be preserved and cherished," she said. Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, but it is also one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. According to the United Nations 2007-08 human development report, 80% of the population lives on less than $2 a day and a large number of households are headed by woman. Quality medical aid is either unavailable or unaffordable to much of the population. From your area, participating students included:

Nine hundred thirty-nine students have been named to the spring term Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2008-2009 academic year. Students receiving this honor have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) for courses taken during the 2009 spring term. From your area, this includes:

Twenty advanced high school science students from Illinois and Iowa took part in the first Human Cadaver Gross Anatomy Enrichment Program at Augustana's Science Building in early June. This unique program allowed the students to learn about human anatomy in a cadaver lab, an experience usually reserved for Augustana seniors, and a glimpse into what a future career in the medical field may require. Teams of five students worked on four cadavers, two men and two women. The students were taught to identify anatomical structures and were introduced to dissection techniques under the guidance of Augustana professor Dr. Darrin Good, who has been teaching with cadavers for over 20 years. "It is obviously a program that attracts a certain type of student, but we were all impressed with the students' motivation to learn and respect toward the cadavers," said Good. Students had to be juniors or seniors in high school, have completed a semester of human anatomy or Advanced Placement biology and have a serious interest in a medical career. Good is proud to offer this opportunity to young students and hopes the participants appreciate the rarity of Augustana's cadaver lab. "Very, very few schools in the country allow undergraduates access to human cadavers, let alone the opportunity to dissect. Augustana students are accepted to professional schools (medical, dental, physical therapy, etc.) at a much higher rate than the national average. Their superior background in human anatomy due to work in our cadaver lab is one of the advantages they carry with them to professional schools." Kent Barnds, vice president of enrollment and communication, recognizes that Good like many other Augustana faculty desires to work with students and plays a key role to the success of the program. "The only reason we were able to offer a program like this is because we understand the need for hands-on learning and have full-time faculty willing to reach out to interested students-students who are ready to learn in these ways earlier in their educations than ever before," he said. Good is the Chair of the Natural Sciences and teaches anatomy and biology courses at Augustana. He also directs the Nicaragua Medical Service Learning Program, and taught several courses during Augustana's Latin America term. Next year, he plans to lead several Anatomy Enrichment Programs to allow even more students to participate. From your area, the following students participated in this year's program:

The musical artistry of Augustana's premier band, choir and orchestra will culminate in the Augustana Music Festival on Saturday, May 23 at 8 p.m. in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Avenue). This concert brings together the Augustana Symphonic Band, Augustana Symphony Orchestra and Augustana Choir for a final showcase performance. Admission to the concert is free and open to the public. Although the annual Music Festival is in its second decade, band director Dr. James Lambrecht still considers it one of the "newer" traditions in the band's 134-year history. He goes to three or more music performances a week in May, but still believes the festival holds a special place. "It's enjoyable. Energetic. A large packed hall," he said. This year's concert will feature a unique pairing of the Augustana Symphony Orchestra and Augustana Choir to present Vivaldi's Gloria, a 12-movement work for orchestra and choir. The ensembles also will perform the works of composers David Maslanka, Philip Sparke and Jean Sibelius. The Augustana Music Festival is just one of 17 performances happening during the month of May. The Augustana Symphonic Band also will perform at a special outdoor concert on the lawn of Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts (3701 7th Ave, Rock Island) on Saturday, May 23 at 2:30 p.m. This free public concert will feature ten student conductors who are studying music education. From your area, this includes:

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.