On Dec. 5, the Augustana Historical Society (AHS) will celebrate the release of its new literature publication. The book release will take place in Augustana’s Carlsson Evald-Hall from 7-8 pm and feature a panel of contributing authors.
The Chronicle, Volume 1, discusses the late 1960s and early 1970s at Augustana and contains reflections from alumni and historical documents. Ann Boaden, professor emerita at Augustana and editor of the Chronicle, is one of the magazine’s authors and will sit on the event panel.
Boaden said she hopes readers will better understand the college's history and how the war impacted Augustana students. In 1970, Augustana and neighboring St. Ambrose students joined together for a strike against the US’s involvement in Cambodia and the shooting of four Kent State students.
“Some of the issues that Augustana struggled with, and some of the ways in which Augustana attempted to address situations that were plaguing the entire country at the time, and certainly academia at the time,” Boaden said.
The Chronicle cover features a photo taken by the college’s student newspaper, detailing the student protest. Boaden said these topics very closely relate to the ongoing war in Gaza with surrounding student activism still present at Augustana.
“There is some connection between what we experienced in the 60s and what they’re experiencing now," Boaden said. "So, you don’t feel so much alone in this moment of history and this is a terrible moment of history.”
The volume also contains a photo of Augustana’s historical “painted room,” which highlights student artwork and graffiti on its walls at the height of the Vietnam War.
For more information, visit the college’s website.
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