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Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Senior David Staples shares his story of wrongful convictions and his battle with the loss of his brother to suicide during the NAMI Hear Me Out event on May 6, 2024.

A new chapter begins for David Staples as APEP’s first graduate

Gavin Nicoson May 11, 2024

What’s a single day out of four years? Less than a tenth of a percent of its whole, it is overshadowed by the other 99.93%. Yet, for so many students, graduation day can feel large beyond belief. Years...

Aubrey Barnes, a local spoken word artist, reads his poems in the Brew.

Emotional night ends celebration of learning 2023

Jack Brandt May 17, 2023

Local artists and community members spoke at an event in the brew on Wednesday, May 10, for the end of Augustana's Celebration of Learning. The event highlighted spoken word poetry and themes of personal...

David Staples answers questions during a presentation about his experiences with APEP at Augustana College in Old Main room 132 on Monday, April 24, 2023.

From wrongfully convicted to exonerated Augie student

Victoria Campbell and Rae Barry May 6, 2023

Education can be a transformative and empowering tool used to help individuals regain control of their lives, an important opportunity for those who have been incarcerated. David Staples came across this...

David Staples reads notes during an APEP class at East Moline Correctional Center.

For one inmate, the Augustana Prison Education Program paves a way for freedom

Caitlin Campbell October 12, 2022

David Staples, 54, was released from the East Moline Correctional Center on Aug. 12 after serving 29 years for a crime that he did not commit. He was released early with help from good behavior credits,...

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David Staples