GOLDen Times | Issue 3 | March 2025

Greetings, Augie Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Alumni!

Welcome to the latest edition of GOLDen Times! We're Laura Polizzi '15 and Tayvian '16 Johnson, and we're honored to author this month's newsletter!

A little bit about us: we met at Augustana in 2015 and got married in 2022! Recently we bought a house in the Quad Cities. While at Augie I — Laura — ran track, worked in the athletic office, was an elementary education major and a member of Delta Chi Theta sorority. Currently I teach third grade in Moline and coach track and field at Moline High School. Tayvian here! While at Augie I played basketball, worked for OSL and was the president of the Phi Omega Phi fraternity. I studied biology/pre-med, and I currently work at HUB International as a numbers processing and data analyst.

In this edition:

➡️ A Day of Giving Young Alumni Challenge update: we did it, y'all!

➡️ After Augie Podcast episode: tips for buying and selling a home

➡️ Tayvian's book recommendation

➡️ Class notes

➡️ Augie fun fact

➡️ Upcoming events (career development and coloring)

Happy reading!

A Day of Giving! 

A huge thank you to everyone for making this year's A Day of Giving a resounding success! Not only did we meet our goal for the Young Alumni Challenge, but we also exceeded it! Your generosity and support are what makes the Augie community so special, and your contributions will directly impact future students at Augustana! Thank you to everyone who gave.

After Augie Podcast: Tips for buying and selling a home

This month, Ashley Marcinkus '20 interviewed Emily Kaczmarek '14. Emily shared about her career in real estate, discussed the importance of finding a good-fit agent, and provided the dos and don'ts for first-time home buyers. If owning a home is on your bucket list, this episode is for you!

➡️ Listen to the After Augie Podcast on Spotify!
 

Book recommendation of the month

Tayvian here! I highly recommend reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book is all about making small changes that can lead to big results over time. Clear dives into how habits are formed and gives super practical tips for building good ones and ditching the bad ones. Whether you’re looking to boost productivity, get healthier or just make your daily routines more effective, this book offers simple strategies to help you get there.

Have a book or podcast to recommend to fellow young alumni? Submit a recommendation to be featured in GOLDen Times!
 

Young alumni class notes: Augie grad named Tech Leader Educator of the Year

See which young alum was named the Tech Leader Educator of the Year by the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance!

➡️ Class Notes

➡️ Submit your news and updates to be included in Class Notes
 
 

Augie fun fact!

On Monday, Nov. 14, 1955, the Augustana community awoke to a strange apparition: overnight, an enormous handle and spout had materialized on the dome of Old Main. "Teapot Dome" was an instant sensation. 

➡️ Who was the prankster? Read how this elaborate prank was pulled off! 
 

Upcoming (virtual) events for young alumni!

Navigating Leadership: Strategies for Effective Management

Thursday, April 3 | 7-8 p.m. Central

Join us for an engaging virtual panel discussion on leadership and management, featuring Augustana alumni Sam Schlouch '10 and Sara Luebbering '12.

➡️ Register
 

Navigating Career Disruptions with Values-Based Decision Making

Tuesday, April 15 | 7-8 p.m. Central

Join Augustana CORE career coach Claire Brakel Packer and CORE vocational exploration coach Keri Bass for an engaging webinar aimed at helping recent alumni navigate the most common career disruptions.

➡️ Register
 

Young Alumni Virtual Coloring Night

Wednesday, April 30 | 7-8 p.m. Central

Get ready to unleash your creativity and join us for a free, fun and relaxing coloring night! We're excited to feature Augustana-themed coloring pages, with designs inspired by iconic campus landmarks like Old Main and much more. 

➡️ Register
 

Thanks for reading! Until next month, and Go Vikings!
 

Laura '15 and Tayvian '16 Johnson

GOLD Council Marketing and Social Events Committee

Connect with us on social media:

➡️ Instagram: @lbp717 | @tajraps

P.S. - Be sure to follow the GOLD Council on Instagram @augustanagoldalumni!

P.P.S. - Catch up on previous issues of GOLDen Times here.