Joshua Bennett
Augustana University, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a private Lutheran university. The university was founded in 1860 and is affiliated with the Lutheran Church. Although only 46% of students claim a preference for the school's Lutheran religious affiliation, the school is nevertheless composed primarily of students following a Christian denomination, with Catholicism being the second largest at 21%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Augustana University |
| Location | Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
| Type of Institution | Private university |
| Founding Year | 1860 |
| Religious Affiliation | Lutheran |
| Student Body | Approximately 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 54 countries |
| Academics | Over 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs |
| Campus Culture | Over 100 clubs and organizations, 50+ intramural activities, 19 Vikings athletic teams |
| Recognition | Ranked 97th in the Midwest and 423rd overall in Forbes's 2017 list of "America's Top Colleges"; Designated as a "Best Buy" school by U.S. News & World Report in 2015 |
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What You'll Learn
- Augustana University is a private Lutheran university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- The university was founded in 1860 and is affiliated with the Lutheran Church
- Augustana's curriculum combines a foundation in liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study
- The university offers more than 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs
- Although Augustana has a Lutheran religious affiliation, only 46% of students claim this preference
Augustana University is a private Lutheran university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Augustana University offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs. The curriculum combines a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skills and advanced study. Outside of the classroom, students can participate in more than 100 clubs and organizations, over 50 intramural activities, and 19 Vikings athletic teams.
The university has a strong sense of community and is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It is also committed to providing hands-on experiences for its students, with 98% of the Class of 2020 participating in internships, clinicals, studying abroad, and volunteering. Augustana provides approximately $250,000 annually to fund these experiential learning opportunities.
Augustana University is also home to the Center for Western Studies, founded in 1970, which serves as a library, repository for special collections of art and artifacts, and an academic publisher. The university's choir and concert band are internationally renowned and have toured in countries like China, Italy, and Tanzania.
With nearly 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds, Augustana University is an inclusive and vibrant community that offers a well-rounded educational experience.
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The university was founded in 1860 and is affiliated with the Lutheran Church
Augustana University, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was founded in 1860 and is affiliated with the Lutheran Church. It is a private Lutheran university, inspired by the Lutheran scholarly tradition and the liberal arts. The university's curriculum combines a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study. Augustana University offers over 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs.
The university traces its origin to 1835 when Scandinavian immigrants established the Hillsboro Academy in Hillsboro, Illinois. In 1846, the academy became the Literary and Theological Institute of the Lutheran Church of the Far West. The university was founded in 1860 after church leaders formed the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. Professor Lars Paul Esbjörn and a group of followers moved to Chicago and established the Augustana College and Seminary. The university identifies this as the year of its founding.
As the United States expanded westward during and after the American Civil War, pioneers moved the school to Paxton, Illinois, in 1863. A split occurred in 1869, with Norwegian leadership relocating to Marshall, Wisconsin, while the Swedes moved to Rock Island, Illinois, establishing Augustana College (Illinois). The school moved to Beloit, Iowa, in 1881, and then to Canton, South Dakota, in 1888. In 1889, the Lutheran Normal School opened in Sioux Falls, housed in what is now known as Old Main, to educate teachers.
In 1918, city and business leaders lobbied for Augustana to relocate to Sioux Falls, merging the Lutheran Normal School and Augustana College in Canton. The university changed its name from Augustana College to Augustana University in September 2015. Augustana University is South Dakota's largest private university. The university has a diverse student body, with students from 41 states and 54 countries.
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Augustana's curriculum combines a foundation in liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study
Augustana University is a private Lutheran university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The university was founded in 1860 and is South Dakota's largest private university. The curriculum at Augustana combines a foundation in liberal arts with professional skills and advanced study.
The university offers more than 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts tradition, providing students with a variety of foundational, selective, and signature experiences. During their first two years, students are introduced to foundational experiences or a set of core competencies, including First-Year Seminar (FYS), Christian Traditions, Critical Thinking & Oral Communication, and Well-Being. They also engage in selective experiences or knowledge areas that reinforce core competencies, such as "effective written communication," "ethical reasoning," and "informed engagement with diverse value systems."
The liberal arts foundation equips graduates with the skills to shape a world in which all may flourish. Students develop crucial skills that are essential in a changing world and nurture their personal, social, and civic responsibility. They forge essential connections among various areas of study, become innovative problem solvers, and deepen their ability to navigate a diverse world of peoples, ideas, and cultures.
Outside of academics, Augustana students can get involved in over 100 clubs and organizations, play in more than 50 intramural activities, and support the 19 Vikings athletic teams. The university also provides numerous internship opportunities, both domestically and internationally. The Augustana Choir and Concert Band, for example, have toured China, Italy, and Tanzania. Additionally, the university has established the Center for Western Studies, serving as a library, repository for special collections of art and artifacts, and an academic publisher.
Augustana University is committed to providing an education that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity, and integrates faith with learning and service in a diverse world. The university welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, with 42% of its students from South Dakota, 34% from Minnesota, and the remaining from various other states and countries.
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The university offers more than 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs
Augustana University, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a private Lutheran university that offers a wide range of academic programs for students seeking a well-rounded and comprehensive education. With more than 100 majors, minors, and pre-professional and graduate programs, Augustana provides its students with diverse opportunities to explore various fields of study and pursue their academic passions.
The university's curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts tradition, encouraging students to take classes in multiple disciplines. This approach ensures that students gain a broad knowledge base and develop critical thinking and analytical skills that will benefit them throughout their academic and professional careers. Among the undergraduate programs offered, popular choices include nursing, biology, and business administration.
In addition to its academic offerings, Augustana also prioritizes experiential learning. The university provides internships, clinical experiences, study abroad opportunities, and volunteering programs, ensuring that its students gain hands-on experience and a global perspective. This focus on experiential learning has led to impressive outcomes, with 97% of the Class of 2020 graduates employed in their major or chosen field.
Augustana also boasts a vibrant campus community, with over 100 student clubs and organizations, including Division II and III athletics teams, known as the Vikings. Students can participate in more than 50 intramural activities, cheer on their athletic teams, and engage in campus ministry opportunities. The university's location in Sioux Falls, the most populous city in South Dakota, further enhances the student experience, offering a rich cultural environment with numerous parks, greenways, and an active art scene.
Augustana University's commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning, and a diverse campus community makes it a top choice for students seeking a well-rounded and enriching educational journey. The university's range of academic programs, combined with its focus on student development, prepares graduates to become change-makers and problem-solvers in their chosen fields and contribute positively to society.
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Although Augustana has a Lutheran religious affiliation, only 46% of students claim this preference
Augustana University, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a college with a historical affiliation to the Lutheran Church. The college was founded in 1860 by a group of Norwegian immigrants who were affiliated with the Lutheran Church, and it has maintained this association ever since. However, despite this long-standing religious affiliation, only about half of the student body identifies as Lutheran.
The university welcomes students of all faiths and none, and this is reflected in the student body. While 46% of students identify as Lutheran, which is a significant proportion, it also means that over half of the students have different religious preferences or none at all. This diversity is a key feature of the college, and it fosters an environment of religious tolerance and understanding. The university encourages an open dialogue about faith and spirituality and provides opportunities for students to explore and develop their own beliefs.
The Lutheran tradition is an important part of the college's history and values. The university's mission statement reflects this, emphasizing the importance of "a liberal arts education rooted in the faith and values of the Lutheran tradition." This tradition emphasizes academic freedom, critical thinking, and social responsibility, values that are integral to the college's ethos. The university also has a close relationship with the Lutheran Church, and its campus ministry is an active part of student life, offering spiritual support and opportunities for worship and service.
However, the relatively low percentage of Lutheran students suggests that the college has successfully attracted a diverse range of students with different religious backgrounds. This may be due to its commitment to religious tolerance and its encouragement of spiritual exploration. The university likely appeals to students who are seeking a faith-based education but may not necessarily identify with the Lutheran tradition specifically. Additionally, the college's strong academic reputation and focus on liberal arts may attract students who prioritize these aspects over religious affiliation.
The religious diversity at Augustana University contributes to a rich and dynamic campus life. With students from a variety of faith backgrounds, the college can offer a wide range of religious and spiritual activities, as well as fostering an environment of open dialogue and understanding. This diversity also prepares students for the increasingly global and interconnected world they will graduate into, where they will encounter and work alongside people from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds.
In conclusion, while Augustana University has a strong Lutheran affiliation, the student body is diverse in terms of religious preference. This diversity is a key characteristic of the college, shaping its commitment to religious tolerance, spiritual exploration, and the free exchange of ideas. The relatively low percentage of Lutheran students suggests that the college has successfully created an inclusive environment that attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds, both religious and non-religious.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Augustana University is a private Lutheran university.
Augustana University is affiliated with the Lutheran Church. The university draws its name from the origin of the Lutheran Church in the Augsburg Confession, written in 1530 during the Protestant Reformation.
Although only 46% of students claim a preference for the school's Lutheran religious affiliation, the school is nevertheless composed primarily of students following a Christian denomination, with Catholicism being the second largest at 21%.
Augustana University was founded in 1860 after church leaders formed the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod. Professor Lars Paul Esbjörn and his followers moved to Chicago to establish the Augustana College and Seminary. The university was known as Augustana College until September 2015.
Augustana University is home to nearly 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 54 countries. The student body is diverse, with a mix of international and domestic students, primarily from South Dakota (42%) and Minnesota (34%).
