Along with the Augie Pride Award, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø recognizes its employees who are celebrating milestone service anniversaries and retirements annually.
Milestone anniversaries are recognized in increments of five years. In 2026, Augustana is recognizing 82 employees who have milestone anniversaries, with a total of 1,045 years of service.
✨ 2026 Service Awards | Wednesday, April 29 | 2:30 p.m. | Ordal Dining Hall | Award Presentation Begins at 3 p.m. ✨
Retirees Joining the Golden Vikings in 2026
Doug Townsend “ Facility Services
Sharon Gray “ IT
Kari Mahowald “ Center for Western Studies
Marcia Seivert Entwistle “ Computer Science
Patty Eiesland “ Business Office
Deanna Versteeg “ Human Resources
Harry Thompson “ Center for Western Studies
Cheryl Swanson “ IT
Ronelle Thompson “ Mikkelsen Library
The Augie Pride Award Winner is nominated by other ºÚÁÏÉçÇø employees and given annually to an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Tresse Evenson '04, the 2025 Augie Pride Award Winner, was recognized with the award on Wednesday, April 30, at the university annual Service Awards & Retirement Recognition Ceremony in the Ordal Dining Hall.
To mark the end of each academic year and a job well done, the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Office of Human Resources hosts a year-end picnic for employees, retirees and their families.
Join us as we celebrate the close of the academic year ” a time to reflect, reconnect and enjoy the company of colleagues and family.
✨ 2026 Picnic TBD ✨
Presented by the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Office of Human Resources in partnership with the Office of the President, the university's favorite holiday tradition is known as Yuletide, where faculty, staff, retirees and their family gather for worship, cookie decorating and dinner together.
Yuletide typically includes worship in the Chapel of Reconciliation and a buffet-style dinner in the Ordal Dining Hall in the Morrison Commons.
Ole and the Sioux Falls Santa often make an appearance to help celebrate the magic of the Christmas season.
