Augustana University Students Named 2026-27 Christopherson Scholars

Six Augustana University students have been awarded Fred C. and J. Marie Christopherson Scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year.

AU faculty and staff nominate upper-level students (juniors and seniors) for the awards and the Augustana Faculty Scholarship & Awards Committee makes selections on the basis of scholarship, campus and community service, as well as how well the nominees fit the donors' description as someone "equipped for life."

The recipients of the Fred C. and J. Marie Christopherson Scholarship are recognized as students who are committed to the university, respected by their peers, have a strong work ethic and a solid character.

The 2026-27 Christopherson Scholarship recipients are:

• Simone De La Cruz Gonzalez '28, of Hermosillo, Mexico - Government & International Affairs and Mathematics Major
• Mackenzie Lyle '28, of Beresford, South Dakota - Nursing Major
• John Mortrude '28, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota - Government & International Affairs and History Major
• Benedict Owusu '28, of Kumasi, Ghana - Neuroscience and Nursing Major
• Madison Ryken '28, of Yankton, South Dakota - Communication Disorders Major
• Makenna Swalla '28, of Lowry, Minnesota - Exercise Science Major

Fred C. Christopherson, who died in 1989, was the editor of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader for 31 years. J. Marie Christopherson, who died in 1989, wrote the "Driftwood" column published in the Argus Leader for 20 years.