Augustana University Celebrates More Than a Century of Homecoming During Viking Days 2024

Get ready to unleash the Viking spirit! Augustana University is thrilled to kick off its 101st homecoming during Viking Days 2024, beginning on Monday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 6. Throughout the week, current and past Vikings will unite to celebrate all things blue and gold - a beloved tradition that officially became known as "Viking Days" in 1929.

Augustana students will kick off Viking Days 2024 with Ole Olympics on the Campus Green, followed by their Sailing Into Service event on Tuesday. This event will allow Augustana to give back to the community by partnering with the Registered Student Organization (RSO), Letters of Love, who provide emotional support to children battling cancer and other chronic illnesses through the creation of hand-crafted letters and other support items.

Coronation or the crowning of Viking Days Royalty will take place on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the Elmen Center, following the Viking Feast.

"Viking Days at Augustana is always an unforgettable experience, especially for our alumni," said Director of Alumni Engagement & Event Services Hosea Kost '20, who once proudly held a spot on the Viking Days Royalty court (pictured below - top left).

An Alumni Achievement Awards event and all-alumni gathering, Vikings Reunite, will take place in downtown Sioux Falls on Saturday evening. The Augustana Class of 1974 will also celebrate its 50th reunion on campus this year - a time to share treasured memories of their Augustana experience and reflect on the historic events that occurred during their years on campus, including the nation's inaugural Earth Day, debut of Monday Night Football, opening of Disney World and completion of the World Trade Center. They also watched the Watergate Scandal unfold and saw the voting age lowered from 21 to 18.

"It's a powerful reunion filled with spirit and pride, uniting alumni, students, faculty and friends. The shared excitement and cherished memories make every Viking Days truly special!" Kost said. On Saturday morning, Augustana will once again bring back the time-honored tradition of its Pancake Feed, followed by the Viking Days Parade, tailgating with the Viking Marching Band and its alumni in Augieville and Viking Football vs. University of Minnesota Duluth. Viking Days Worship will take place on Sunday, Oct. 6, to conclude the week-long celebration.

For information on all things Viking Days, visit augie.edu/VikingDays. View the full Viking Days 2024 schedule.