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Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

AI is generating our livelihoods
Santino Bedolla November 8, 2025

On Oct. 9, 2025, the newest generative artificial intelligence (AI) application, Sora AI 2, was released by OpenAI. This application creates short-form text-to-video content that can help visualize ideas...

Showing your fandoms: The key to feeling free
Vivian Bornhoeft November 8, 2025

Even though Halloween was just a few weeks ago, some college students will be plagued with fears that scare them more than death itself: Being judged for what they like. While this certainly is not...

Who am I to become?: ‘Edges’ addresses essential questions in sold-out run
Bethany Yanchick November 7, 2025

Augustana’s student-directed fall musical, the contemporary song cycle “Edges,” opened on Oct. 30 in the Blackbox Theatre to a sold-out audience, a pattern repeated all four nights. The Augustana...

Iowa residents Ashley Willits (front) and Laura Sempf look through vintage t-shirts during Iowa’s Vintage Fest at the River Center on Nov. 1, 2025.
Iowa Vintage Fest: A fashionable cause
Kellan King November 9, 2025

In a world that is seeing “fast fashion” produced more than ever before, awareness of the industry’s negative environmental impact has...

Iowa residents Ashley Willits (front) and Laura Sempf look through vintage t-shirts during Iowa’s Vintage Fest at the River Center on Nov. 1, 2025.
Iowa Vintage Fest: A fashionable cause
Kellan King November 9, 2025

In a world that is seeing “fast fashion” produced more than ever before, awareness of the industry’s negative environmental impact has...

Junior Brianna Phorasavong interacts with Cash, a service dog in training, during an outdoor session on Thursday, Oct. 16. The golden retriever wore his service vest as he practiced commands in the grassy area surrounded by fall foliage.
Pawsitive impact: Viking Pups builds bonds together through service
Calista DeCoster October 26, 2025

Every other Sunday, the familiar sound of paws padding across the third floor of Hanson signals the start of another Viking Pups training session....

One last round: Brandon’s Pub and Grille closes its doors
Selina Adelaide Osebre Yawson October 18, 2025

After six years of serving the Quad Cities community, Brandon’s Pub and Grille closed its doors on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, marking the end...

Ceasing the cycle of burnout and busyness
Calista DeCoster October 11, 2025

With a school that prioritizes “balance, so you can do it all and do it well,” Augustana College often is buzzing with activities, classes...

The cast of “Edges”, directed by senior Kaden Micklos, perform “Be My Friend“ in the Honkamp Myhre Blackbox on Oct. 28, 2025.
Who am I to become?: ‘Edges’ addresses essential questions in sold-out run
Bethany Yanchick November 7, 2025

Augustana’s student-directed fall musical, the contemporary song cycle “Edges,” opened on Oct. 30 in the Blackbox Theatre to a sold-out...

SOUL and MMA host spooktacular mixer
Aubrey Groff November 7, 2025

Sisterhood of Unique Ladies (SOUL) and Multicultural Men's Association (MMA) kicked off Halloween weekend with a spooky mixer on Thursday, Oct....

The latest Zines produced by RatTrap Magazine’s founding editor Morgan Webb, are available at The Atlas Collective in Downtown Moline, Ill.
RatTrap Magazine: A DIY literary revolution
Bethany Yanchick October 24, 2025

TRASH ART. SCAVENGER HUNT. DIY.  This is how Morgan Webb, the founder and editor-in-chief of RatTrap Magazine, describes her annual literary...

“The Smashing Machine” is The Rock’s most introspective film
Trevor Matteson October 24, 2025

Production company A24’s latest film, “The Smashing Machine”, hit theaters on Oct. 3, featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a refreshingly...

Women’s basketball ready to rebound in new season
Timothy Wallis November 6, 2025

The Augustana women’s basketball team enters the 2025-26 season feeling rejuvenated. After finishing their 2022-23 season with a narrow defeat...

Senior Ethan Wheeler celebrates with his teammates after scoring the second goal against Elmhurst at Thorson-Lucken Field on Oct. 29, 2025. The Augustana men's soccer team closed out its regular season with a dominant 4-0 Senior Night victory over the Bluejays.
Vikings end season with 4–0 win, build toward 2026
Elisabeth Ruggiero November 6, 2025

The Augustana men’s soccer team ended its season on a high note, earning a decisive 4-0 senior night victory against the Elmhurst University...

The Augustana women's cross country team huddles before competing in the CCIW Cross Country Championships at Saukie Golf Course on Nov. 1, 2025. The women finished fourth out of eight teams, while the men placed seventh out of nine schools.
Momentum in motion: Augustana cross country competes in CCIW championship
Medin Sehic November 6, 2025

On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Augustana men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the CCIW Championships hosted at Saukie Golf Course...

 Junior Jack Miller (right) maintains his defensive stance as he faces first-year wrestler Lamero Ceaser during the Viking Dual on Oct. 18, 2025. The intrasquad competition, held in Augustana's wrestling facility, provides valuable match experience for both veteran and rookie wrestlers as they prepare for the upcoming season. Miller, entering his third year with the program, demonstrates the technical positioning and focus that has made him a consistent contributor to the team's lineup. The Viking Dual serves as an important early-season testing ground where coaches can evaluate match readiness and help newer athletes like Ceaser adjust to the intensity of collegiate competition.
Wrestling program grapples with the start of a new season
Timothy Wallis October 23, 2025

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the men’s and women’s wrestling teams competed in the Viking Dual, a beginning-of-the-season intrasquad meet where...

Diversity Celebration 2024
May 11, 2024

On May 3, the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity hosted the final event during diversity week, the Diversity Celebration. The celebration...

Holi 2024
April 26, 2024
OBScast – Student Activism
May 11, 2024

On his final episode of the Observer Podcast, Multimedia Editor Jaren Smith, along with Co-host Dippi Sharma, meet with the former YDSA President,...

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