ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (October 1, 2024) — Thousands will gather on campus this weekend, October 4-6, for Augustana’s Homecoming and Family Weekend. Special reunions are planned for classes with graduation years ending with four and nine.
“We’re excited to welcome our alumni and families to our beautiful campus to enjoy activities, and connect with old and new friends,” said President Andrea Talentino. “If you can only visit campus once a year, this is one of the best weekends to do that.”
Events kick off Thursday, October 3, with the public health program’s tenth anniversary celebration, featuring a lecture by Dr Alan Bridges in the Peter J Lindberg MD Center for Health and Human Performance. The lecture is sponsored by Dr John O'Connor ('79) in honor of his brother, the late Dr Richard O'Connor Jr ('72). A complimentary dessert reception and open house will follow the lecture.
On Friday, six alumni will be honored by the Alumni Association. Award-winners are Lisa Woodroffe (Neverman) (’09), Finest Under Forty; Michelle King (’93), Outstanding Achievement; Joy Bussert (’74), Richard A Swanson Humanitarian Award; Janice Edmund (’65) Mauras, Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and David Moe (’69) and Nancy Swanson Moe (’70), Outstanding Service.
At 11AM-2PM on Saturday, free family activities and food trucks will be available on the Quad during QuadFest. The Vikings football Homecoming game against North Park kicks off at 1PM, with tickets available for purchase at the gates of Lindberg Stadium. Also Saturday afternoon, the men’s and women’s soccer teams will take on Carroll on Thorson-Lucken Field.
Reunion dinners and gatherings, including a Phi Omega Phi 110th Anniversary reunion; bingo for graduates of the last decade; music recitals and concerts; open houses; and family programming are also planned.
In addition, the weekend will include a Board of Trustees meeting and the Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting. Steve Bahls and Jane Easter Bahls; Richard Godfrey (’76) and Alice Godfrey; Axtell Kramer (’62); and Lee Selander ('72) will be inducted into The Old Main Society, in recognition of achieving more than $1 million in lifetime giving to the college.
Sunday’s events include a worship service followed by a Met and Wed renewal of vows service for alumni who met or were married at Augustana. A cruise on the Celebration Belle riverboat with a lunch buffet wraps up the weekend.
