Sally Daniels graduated from Augsburg College in 1979. Sally’s daughter Kristin graduated from Augsburg in 2009. Sally’s other daughter Maren is a junior at Augsburg.

Kristin and Maren’s paternal grandmother graduated from Augsburg. So did three of her four children: Paul (Kristin and Maren’s dad) as well as his sister and brother. Paul’s brother also met his wife here.

The story continues:

Sally went to work in the office of admissions just months after her graduation and continued to work in that department for 26 years. She currently is director of parent and family relations in the office of institutional advancement. This week, she celebrates 32 years of service to the College as an employee. And this year in June, Kristin became the newest member of the staff in Augsburg’s office of undergraduate admissions.

Sally speculates that a “love of this place” is what makes the Daniels family’s connection to Augsburg so strong.

Kristin remembers hearing her mother’s stories from the admissions office and visiting campus when she was younger. “I liked to hear about the different types of students coming to Augsburg,” she said. “I was always proud that she worked here.”

Before she joined Augsburg’s staff, Kristin worked in admissions for a cosmetology school, but she worked from home and had very few opportunities to reconnect with students after they were admitted. While she enjoyed her work, she promised herself that she would apply if a position opened at Augsburg.

Now, Kristin says she enjoys getting to know students and their families during the admissions process. “As a graduate of Augsburg, I feel like I have an advantage because I know about what my mom does [in her current position] and I know what questions parents are going to ask her,” Kristin said.

Sally also feels that her many roles—Augsburg graduate, parent of Auggies, and long-time staff member—give her an advantage when working with parents and families today. “I feel like having worn these hats has helped me serve the college well, and when parents talk to me, I can say, ‘I get it.'”

So far, Sally hasn’t given much advice to Kristin about working in admissions, other than what to expect from life on the road when the traveling and recruiting season begins. “Things are different now, five years later,” Kristin said.

We can only speculate about the next chapter of the Daniels family Augsburg story. Will Sally’s future grandchildren be Auggies? Will the Daniels give a gift to build Augsburg’s next residence hall? Will Maren or Kristin be Augsburg’s first female president? We will have to wait a while to know.

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The student program includes a “town hall” meeting with President Pribbenow, learning about academic success, connecting with campus organizations and academic departments at the “showcase,” receiving their fall class schedules, and an introduction to technology resources as well as public safety.

At SOAR, new students connect with orientation leaders, students who will guide them through orientation and serve as peer advisers in their first semester on campus. Students are organized into “neighborhood” groups that meet throughout the two-day orientation and also go on neighborhood excursions to learn about the areas surrounding campus.

SOAR also includes special sessions for parents and guardians. Sally Daniels ’79, director of parent and family relations as well as a mom to two Auggie daughters, enjoys helping other parents with the transition to college life. “In my experience, parents come to SOAR to both support their soon-to-be Auggie and to confirm their own decision. The good news here is that’s exactly what happens.”

Daniels says that at SOAR, parents learn firsthand about Augsburg’s strong faculty and staff and come away feeling good about their decision. “The connection parents see in their students from the start of SOAR to the end is really powerful.”

Activities and orientation for new students continue with Auggie Days, a series of events held in the week before classes begin. Though some new students will move into the residence halls early, many will make the big move to campus on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Welcome new Auggies and families!

New Auggie Facts and Figures (as of July 18, 2011 – subject to change)

547 students deposited including first-year, international, and Day transfers

42 percent of the incoming class are first generation college students

24.5 percent have participated in a college readiness program like TRiO, Admission Possible, or AVID

325 are from Minnesota with the rest hailing from 18 other states and 6 other countries including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Germany, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Vietnam

Outside of Minnesota, the state most represented in the incoming class is Wisconsin with 22 students. The next is Florida with 5 students – you missed our Florida-like weather!

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What’s with all this free stuff? It’s Auggie Night at the Races, a fun-filled evening for Augsburg alumni, faculty, staff, and students at Canterbury Park. Every year since 2005, Curt Sampson, Canterbury’s owner and a former member of the Augsburg Board of Regents, has opened his doors to the Augsburg family for an exciting night of live horse racing. This year’s event will be held Thursday, Aug. 7.

Since its first year, Jack Osberg ’62 of the office of Alumni and Parent Relations has attended Auggie Night at the Races with his family. The event gives Osberg, who coached Augsburg football for 14 seasons, an opportunity to reminisce with former Auggie football players and other athletes and to meet their families.

Sally Daniels ’79 and Amanda Storm, also of Alumni and Parent Relations, encourage staff and faculty to attend. “It’s a great way to connect with alums,” Storm said, “and to hear about their Augsburg experience.” Daniels added that she enjoys going to the races because it’s a sporting event she doesn’t usually get to see. “I love learning how the races work and cheering for the horse I bet on,” she said.

Want to join us for Auggie Night at the Races? Load up the car with your family and friends, don’t forget your mosquito spray, and make your way to Canterbury Park. We’d love to see you there! The gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the first post is at 7 p.m. Canterbury Park is located off of Highway 169 in Shakopee. For directions and information, go to www.canterburypark.com.

Contact Becky Taute tauter@augsburg.edu or Amanda Storm storma@augsburg.edu to RSVP by Wednesday, Aug. 6.

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Janis Lane-Ewart, Community Shares board member and general manager at KFAI radio, spoke about how internships through Community Shares at the radio station have transformed the lives of Minneapolis youth. Community Shares works with 47 nonprofit organizations that seek to make change through access to housing, health care, and education; through promotion of human rights; and by improvement of neighborhood communities.

Tiffany Ogle, actress and former Miss Minnesota, recounted her personal experience of struggle during an impoverished childhood. Her first-person story demonstrates the importance of community support and the impact it made on her family. United Way supports many organizations across the Twin Cities that provide services and help to people in the community.

Contribution forms for United Way and Community Shares have been sent to faculty and staff, and are available from Sally Daniels at daniels@augsburg.edu or x1525. Gifts can be made by one-time donations or through payroll deduction. The deadline to submit the forms is Nov. 15.

In addition to these funds, the giving campaign also includes donations to keep food shelves filled at the Brian Coyle Center in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and the return of Penny Wars, a friendly, philanthropic rivalry among faculty, staff, and students that demonstrates the impact of even small donations. The food barrels for the Coyle Center and the Penny War jars are located in the Christensen Center lobby.

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