Augustana University announces a major donation to its Prairie Sage Scholarship Endowment. This gift, along with several other recent gifts that it inspired, has tripled the size of the endowment to $115,000. The gift was given in honor of Delpha Mattison, an Augustana alumna (class of 1970).

“Delpha loved her time at Augustana and often remarked they were some of the best years of her life,” said her husband, Robert Mattison. “She dedicated her life to making a positive impact in her community and the world around her. It is our family’s hope that this donation will enable future generations of students to do the same.” Delpha was married to Robert for 65 years and passed away in 2015.

The Prairie Sage Scholarship Endowment was established in 2016 by Augustana professor Dr. David O’Hara and his wife, Rev. Christina O’Hara, along with several other faculty members who wish to remain anonymous.

The endowment is intended to help these students preserve and foster native cultures and art. The donors hope that eventually the scholarship will provide full tuition to Native American and First Nations students who have chosen to study storytelling academic disciplines like journalism, law, history, language, literature, philosophy, art, anthropology, and religion.

The endowment currently supports one full-time Native American student at Augustana who is pursuing a degree in anthropology.

“The preservation of Native American art and culture is critical,” said Dr. O’Hara, Augustana professor of philosophy and chair of the department of religion, philosophy, and classics. "No one is in a better position to do that work of preservation than Native Americans themselves. We hope to help students who want to do that work to get an education they can make use of at Augustana, and to graduate without debt.”

Augustana is in an ideal situation to foster cultural preservation. This endowment aligns not only with the university’s core values but also with the newly announced Vision 2030 strategic initiative, specifically around diversity.

To learn more about giving to this or other endowments, visit augie.edu/endowment.

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About Augustana University

Founded in 1860, Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a selective, comprehensive university affiliated with the Lutheran Church. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs for undergraduates, along with graduate degree and continuing education programs, Augustana is committed to enriching lives and fostering development by combining a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study.

Nationally recognized for academic excellence, graduate outcomes and affordability by U.S. News & World ReportForbes and the Princeton Review, Augustana serves more than 2,100 students from 29 states and 36 countries. Most are part of our residential community and call our 100-acre campus home. Our graduate and continuing education programs serve students online and during times that are convenient for adult learners.