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This spring, the university established the Augustana Honorary Alumni Society, inducting 23 individuals into its inaugural class during Viking Days.

The honorary alumni society was established to recognize individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication to Augustana’s mission, along with its core values of Christian, liberal arts, excellence, community and service. Through sustained commitment to the university, honorary alumni have demonstrated the gold standard of engagement.

“Extraordinary dedication means time after time and year after year exemplifying the mission and core values of Augustana in one's daily walk,” said Dr. Pam Homan ‘81, chief strategy officer & executive vice president.

The concept of the society was approved by both the Augustana Alumni Council and Board of Trustees (BOT). All nominations were reviewed by the alumni council, then recommended to and approved by the Augustana President’s Council.

“Repeatedly, the opportunity to advance our strategic plan, Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030, has magnified the efforts of individuals who have masterfully led, faithfully served and selflessly sacrificed to support ҹɫ��Ƶapp in the past and present,” Homan said. “Expressing gratitude, recognizing the gifts of others and inviting others to be equal members of the Augustana community exemplify who we are as a community. Thus, no time is as good as now to launch the honorary alumni society.”

The inaugural inductees are Augustana Trustee Society members, current BOT members, former presidents and first ladies who have, in combination, faithfully served Augustana for a total of 149 years. Through the course of their careers, the inductees represent entrepreneurs, financial advisors, real estate developers, market executives, ranchers, CEOs, bankers, educators, pastors and higher education administrators.

The inaugural group of inductees met the following requirements:

• Exemplifies one or more of Augustana’s core values; and 
• acts as an ongoing facilitator of connections for Augustana through one’s personal network — helping to open doors for internships, innovative partnerships, grants and fundraising; and/or
• demonstrates significant financial support for Augustana on an ongoing basis.

Members of the honorary alumni society enjoy special recognition, along with the rights and privileges pertaining to Augustana alumni.

Inaugural Class

🏅 Loren Boyens

Loren Boyens, of Sioux Falls, is a retired financial advisor — having served The Bridges Group of Thrivent Financial for 47 years. He was an Augustana Board of Trustees member from 2001-06.

🏅 Darrell Butterwick

Darrell Butterwick, of Woodbury, Minnesota, had a 40-year career with Northern States Power (NSP) and was later appointed South Dakota’s commissioner of economic development. He served on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1974-84.

🏅 Rev. Donald Gaarder, Sioux Falls

Rev. Donald E. Gaarder, of Sioux Falls, served as a pastor for 30 years and has been a volunteer at Sanford Health for more than three decades. He was an Augustana Board of Trustees member from 1970-81.

🏅 Richard “Dick” Gunderson

Richard “Dick” Gunderson, of Appleton, Wisconsin, served as president & CEO of Aid Association for Lutherans. He was a member of the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1976-88.

🏅 Nancy Halverson

Nancy Halverson, of Sioux Falls, is the executive director of Levitt at the Falls. She served as Augustana’s first lady from 2000-06, alongside her husband, former President Bruce Halverson ‘66.

🏅 David Hardy

David Hardy, of Fox River Grove, Illinois, was a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP in Chicago, Illinois, and the first general counsel for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) churchwide organization. He was an Augustana Board of Trustees member from 1969-81.

🏅 Peter “Pete” Hegg

Peter “Pete” Hegg, of Sioux Falls, was the president & CEO of Hegg Companies, Inc. for more than 40 years. He served on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1981-93.

🏅 Donald “Don” Jacobs

Donald “Don” Jacobs, of Worthing, South Dakota, is the general manager and vice president for Results Radio Townsquare Media. He served on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 2008-13.

🏅 Craig Lloyd

Craig Lloyd, of Sioux Falls, is the founder & board chair of Lloyd Companies, as well as a licensed real estate broker in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. He has served as a member of the Augustana Board of Trustees since 2021.

🏅 Ronald “Ron” Moquist

Ronald “Ron” Moquist, of Sioux Falls, is the former president & CEO of Raven Industries, Inc. He has served as a member of the Augustana Board of Trustees since 2013.

🏅 Dr. Milton “Milt” Mutch

Dr. Milton “Milt” Mutch, of Sioux Falls, is a former physician who founded Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ltd. He served on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1969-81.

🏅 Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Nelsen

Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Nelsen, of St. Peter, Minnesota, is a senior consultant at The Registry and retired ELCA pastor. He served as Augustana’s 17th president from 1980-86.

🏅 Rob Oliver

Rob Oliver, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is a former district president of Wells Fargo and associate professor of business at Augustana. He served as Augustana’s 23rd president from 2006-17, and on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1996-2004.

🏅 Angela “Angie” Oliver

Angela “Angie” Oliver, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, served as Augustana’s first lady from 2006-17, alongside her husband, former President Rob Oliver.

🏅 Dr. William Olson

Dr. William Olson, of Pipestone, Minnesota, is a retired dentist — having served 56 years. He served on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1971-77.

🏅 John Quello

John Quello, of Sioux Falls, has served as a pastor at two churches in Minnesota followed by more than 40 years of experience as a financial advisor — currently serving at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Quello served on the Augustana Board of Trustees from 1992-2001.

🏅 Charles “Chuck” Rogness

Charles “Chuck” Rogness, of Peoria, Arizona, served as a banker for nearly 50 years, including as president of Sunbank in Sioux Falls, and Valley Merchants Bank in Hemet, California. He was an Augustana Board of Trustees member from 1991-93.

🏅 David “Dave” Solberg

David “Dave” Solberg, of Billings, Montana, is a rancher and previously held executive roles with Northern Capital Management and Financial Product Corporation. He served as an Augustana Board of Trustees member from 1990-2002.

🏅 John Thomas

John Thomas, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is the former president & CEO of Arizant, Inc., as well as the former head coach of Viking Men’s Basketball and an Office of Development associate. He served as an Augustana Board of Trustees member from 2005-16.

🏅 Deborah “Debby” Vander Woude

Deborah “Debby” Vander Woude, of Sioux Falls, has been a champion of the Sanford Project to cure Type I Diabetes and established the Sanford Lorraine Cross Award in honor of her late husband, Dr. John C. Vander Woude ‘74. She served as a member of the Augustana Board of Trustees from 2013-20.

🏅 Dr. Ralph Wagoner

Dr. Ralph Wagoner, of Apalachicola, Florida, is the former president of Lutheran Educational Conference of North American (LECNA). He served as Augustana’s 21st president from 1993-2000.

🏅 Susie Wagoner

Susie Wagoner, of Apalachicola, Florida, is a former counselor at Augustana, and served as Augustana’s first lady from 1993-2000, alongside her husband, former President Dr. Ralph Wagoner.

🏅 Kathy Walsh

Kathy Walsh, of Sioux Falls, is a well-known community leader, civic volunteer and former teacher. She has been serving on the Augustana Board of Trustees since 2012.