Wendy Hilton-Morrow, associate dean of Academic Affairs
What years did you attend Augustana?
1990-1994
Why did you choose Augustana for your undergraduate career?
I grew up in the Quad Cities, and Augustana always had an excellent reputation.  My mother also worked for a former CEO of Deere & Company, who was an Augustana graduate.  That only enhanced my family’s opinion of the school.
Why did you decide to enter your field?
I majored in Speech Communication with minors in Journalism, Women’s Studies, and Scandinavian Studies (The names of those programs have changed since then).   In high school, I was interested in being a psychologist, but a high school counselor who knew me well told me that I should think about being a broadcast journalist.  I followed her recommendation, studying Speech Communication and Journalism and then working in the field after graduation.  I’m third generation Swedish, which explains my interest in the field.  My interest in Women’s Studies developed after taking related courses in my first year.  (Note: At the time, Journalism and Women’s Studies offered only a minor, not a major).
Who was your most influential professor and why?
Dr. David Snowball was my major advisor.  He was and continues to be my mentor.  However, there are also other faculty members who are still here, including Ellen Hay, Vicki Sommer, and Marsha Smith, who similarly made a significant impact on me and convinced me to eventually think about teaching college.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
I love spending time in the quiet study room on the first floor of the library.  It’s a beautiful space, and the silence lets me focus on whatever work I’m facing (reading, writing, grading, etc.) without distractions.
What strategies did you use to be successful in college?
The word “strategy” sounds more intentional than anything I ever did.  I got to know a lot of my faculty members and asked a lot of questions in and out of class.
What is one memorable moment experience you had at Augustana as a student (Sorry, I had to change the question to suit my answer)?
During my senior year Vicki Sommer invited me to co-teach the Introduction to Women’s Studies course.  She treated me like an equal throughout the entire experience, and I got my first real taste of college teaching.
What activities did you participate in at Augustana?
I played volleyball for two years (Registrar Liesl Fowler was my JV coach in my second year).  I was a resident assistant (what CAs were called then) for three years.  I also wrote for the Observer, worked as a reporter at WVIK, was involved in Women’s Studies, and was a member of Augustana’s Lambda Pi Eta chapter, the honor society of the National Communication Association.
Why did you decide to teach at Augustana?
While I was still completing graduate school at the University of Iowa, the chair of the (then-named) Speech Communication Department, David Snowball, called me to see if I would cover a couple of courses after a faculty member in my area of specialty – media studies — had left.  I was fortunate enough that a full-time, tenure-track position was open after I completed my PhD course work.  I really can’t imagine a better place to teach.  It’s a collaborative community in which faculty have the opportunity to get to know their students and play a meaningful role in their lives.  
How have students changed since you attended?
One difference I’ve seen is that more and more students come to college with an awareness of and passion for important social issues.  Our 24-7 media environment, including social media, exposes young people to social realities.  Twenty-five years ago, it was easier for students to be “sheltered” from issues that didn’t have a direct effect on them.
Tom Bengtson, professor of mathematics
What years did you attend Augustana?
1971 to 1975
Why did you choose Augustana for your undergraduate career?
The math faculty all had PhDs.
Why did you decide to enter your field?
I love math and I enjoy helping other people learn math.
Who was your most influential professor and why?
Good question—probably Bob Johnson. He was very clear in what expected of his students.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
Although I spend more time in my office than anyplace else, I think the view from the top floor of the library is “awesome”.
What strategies did you use to be successful in college?
I attended class. I figured trying to pay attention in class was a whole lot easier than studying on my own later, trying to make up the time.
What is one memorable moment you had at Augustana as a student?
I played with the orchestra.
What activities did you participate in at Augustana?
I was in the music fraternity Phi Mu Alpha. I was in a social fraternity. I had jobs tutoring math. And I had a good time.
Why did you decide to teach at Augustana?
I was offered the job!
How have students changed since you attended?
The balance has tipped a bit, and a career is a somewhat stronger focus, as opposed to learning for learning’s sake. The joke when I was a student was that the women were majoring in “getting a husband”, but that is hardly the case anymore. (Not that finding someone to spend the rest of your life with is a bad idea—it isn’t. College is a great place for making friends and acquaintances who will be with you for the rest of your life.)
Dennis Norling, professor of business administration
What years did you attend Augustana?
1966 – 1970
Why did you choose Augustana for your undergraduate career?  
The commute from Moline was so much more convenient than going to Harvard.  Besides, Augie taught Swedish and I wanted to know what my dad was saying when he didn’t want me to understand.
Why did you decide to enter your field?
My major was political science because I was a news and political junkie. My career was as an attorney for a bank trust company. A few years after I retired the chance to teach a couple of finance courses at Augie arose in 2005.  I should pay Augie to teach here, it has been than much fun.
Who was your most influential professor and why?
Paul Olsen because of the passion and energy he pours into everything he does.  For Pete’s sake, the man still climbs steps two at a time and I hear he’s turning 90 next year!
What is your favorite spot on campus?  
The slough path in the spring when the bloodroot is blooming.
What strategies did you use to be successful in college?
I never missed a single class and sequestered myself in the stacks of the old Denkmann Library where there were no distractions.
What is one memorable moment you had at Augustana as a student?
I played “stripper music” on the Centennial Hall organ while a female student did a comic striptease in a talent show.
What activities did you participate in at Augustana?
Swedish Club, Sankta Lucia, College Republicans first year and then College Democrats once I saw the light.
Why did you decide to teach at Augustana?
My affection for Augustana borders on the irrational. I realize it’s not flawless but Augie is a beautiful campus filled with remarkable students, faculty and staff.
How have students changed since you attended?
Students were mostly Swedish-American and Lutheran. Diversity was provided by the occasional Norwegian or Catholic. Augustana in 2015 is a much richer, more interesting environment for us all.
Margaret Ellis, professor of music