Alumni Achievement Awards 2018 Introduction Script

Micah Aberson

In the years following graduation from Augustana, alumni look to go forth in the world

and bring Augustana’s core values of Christian Faith, Liberal Arts, Excellence,

Community, and Service into whatever career path they choose to pursue. This years

Horizon Award winner has spent the last 14 years since graduation serving and creating

success above and beyond what most others his age have done. Micah Aberson has

carved a path for other young graduates of Augustana to follow for years to come.

Micah graduated cum laude from Augustana in 2004 with a major in business

administration and an emphasis in marketing, before receiving his MBA from the

University of Sioux Falls. As a student at Augie, he interned at Lawrence and Schiller

where he then become a full-time employee as an Account Executive after graduation.

Micah spent 12 years at Lawrence and Schiller where he was promoted to Director of

Business Development and Vice President of Client Services and Business

Development, and eventually became a partner in 2012.

Micah is currently the chief global brand officer at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls where

he oversees planning, development, and execution of strategic marketing action. In

addition, Micah also has corporate oversight of the Sanford Health Foundation and

chairs the board of the Sanford International PGA tournament. In the community, he

serves on the First Lutheran Church Foundation Board, and is a board member of the
Sioux Falls YMCA and the Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum. He is also a Junior

Achievement Classroom Volunteer and a United Way Campaigner.

Micah was featured in the article “20 under 40 Future Leaders in the Dakotas” in​ Prairie

Business Magazine ​and “10 Outstanding Young South Dakotans” from South Dakota’s

Jaycees. He was also an Upcoming Business Leader finalist in the ​Sioux Falls Business

​ ne of Micah’s peers says he is “both a dreamer and executioner” — which is

Journal. O

a quality that sets him apart from most people.

Aside from his career and community successes, Micah is also known as a loving

father, husband, and friend. A friend and colleague said, “Micah’s faith is a cornerstone

for all he does, personally and professionally.”

It is my honor and privilege to present our 2018 Horizon Award winner, Micah Aberson.

Michael Lee Olson

Knowledge, integrity, compassion, and generosity are all attributes of our next Alumni

Achievement Award recipient. Not only has he been practicing family medicine in Sioux

Falls for the last few decades, he also strives to help others around him in every way

possible.

Dr. Michael Lee Olson graduated from Augustana in 1972 with a major in biology. He

then went on to attend medical school at the University of South Dakota and University

of Minnesota. After completing his residency at the University of Minnesota Family

Practice in 1978, Dr. Olson joined the United States Air Force as a Major in the Medical

Corps where he received the Meritorious Service Award—which is ​presented to

members of the military who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious

achievement or service to the United States.

After serving his country, Michael went on to serve his community. He was President of

Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls and President of the Sioux Empire United

Way and the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. Michael also established and

lead the Sanford Clinic Community Affairs Committee​—​overseeing a number of

contributions to numerous local charities. Additionally, he is a founding member for the

Sam Milanovich Memorial Golf Tournament and a youth soccer coach in Sioux Falls.

Aside from community involvement, Michael and his wife Deb go even farther to help

others. They have hosted International students, continuously supported the Lost Boys

of Sudan, and have invited kids into their home who need help and guidance. Michael

has also done a number of pro bono medical care for people in need. One of Michael’s

peers said, “Throughout his career, Michael has been beloved by his patients, in many

cases delivering and caring for grandmothers, mothers, and granddaughters of the

same family. He has done that with a sense of humor, humility, integrity, a deep

Christian faith, and a spirit of generosity that he attributes, in part, to his own loving

parents and the years spent at Augustana.”

Currently, Michael is a family practice physician with Family Practice Medicine Group

here in Sioux Falls. He also serves on the Augustana Board of Trustees.

Please join me in recognizing Alumni Achievement Award recipient, Dr. Michael Lee

Olson.

Pamela (Opland) Sonnichsen

Educators build the foundation for our future. They strive to inspire, support, and

prepare us for the world. Our next Alumni Achievement Award recipient has dedicated

her entire life to educating others and using music as a way to bring people together, to

learn and worship.

Pamela Sonnichsen graduated from Augustana in 1968 where she majored in music

education. After graduation, Pam taught in Minnesota and California before she

returned to South Dakota to earn her master's degree in secondary education from the

University of South Dakota. Pam spent 34 of her nearly 40-year teaching career at

Whittier Middle School in Sioux Falls, as a music teacher.

Throughout her career, Pam notably contributed to the music program at First Lutheran

Church in Sioux Falls, serving on the Board of Worship as a secretary and helping

develop the Brass Choir​—​where she had to work relentlessly to obtain choral and

instrumental musicians. Pam has also been very active as an Augustana alum​—​serving

two terms on the Alumni Council where she was the Chair of Viking Days and Alumni

Events. Currently, she is serving on the Reunion Committee and planning the 50th

reunion for the class of 1968.

Aside from being a music educator, Pam is incredibly talented herself. She was one of

the original members of the Sioux Empire Brass Society where she also served as
President. Furthermore, Pam played in the Rochester, MN; Austin, MN; and South

Dakota Symphony Orchestra for many years.

However, out of all her efforts and accomplishments, Pam’s greatest success has

always been her love and compassion for others. One of her peers said, “As a veteran

faculty member, Pam could have asked for a transfer to one of the newer and more

affluent schools. However, her choice was to stay with the students who needed her

expertise and love of music most. She made a difference in the lives of the students at

Whittier and their families.” Another said, “She has shaped lives and doesn’t even

realize the gifts she has bestowed on so many.”

Pam is currently fulfilling her love for music as the Instrumental Coordinator at First

Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

Please join me in celebrating Alumni Achievement Award recipient Pamela Sonnichsen.

Kayln (Hanson) Johnson

Albert Einstein once said, “Only a life lived for others, is a life worthwhile.” Our next

Alumni Achievement Award recipient did just that. Kayln Johnson lived her life as a

giver. She gave her time, her effort, and her love to others and to God.

Kayln graduated from Augustana in 1968 with a major in english, speech and drama,

and a minor in education. She received her master’s degree in english from Auburn

University in Alabama, as well as her masters in counseling from South Dakota State

University and advanced training in gerontology from the University of Northern Texas.
While in Alabama, Kayln taught english in the Auburn University extension program and

kindergarten in the Lutheran Church for three years. She then went on to teach at

Briarwood Christian High School in Birmingham for three years and was the advisor for

the junior class. She also wrote commercials for TV and radio.

In 1983, Kayln moved back to Sioux Falls and became the communications specialist

for Citibank’s president and CEO before starting her 25-year service at Good Samaritan

Society in Sioux Falls; Las Cruces, NM; Albuquerque, NM; and Kissimmee, FL. While in

Kissimmee, she was the administrator of the nursing facility in the Good Samaritan

Village where she partnered with Florida International College and offered Korean

students studying health care the opportunity for practicum experience. During her time

at Good Samaritan Society, Kayln specialized in developing Alzheimer’s units, Medicare

services and assisted living.

In each new location she called home, Kayln was always involved in the community life.

While in Albuquerque, Kayln hosted Christmas parties for the residents at the Senior

Care Center and became a member of the Rotary Club where she served on numerous

committees​—​including fundraising projects​—​some of which raised in excess of $50,000

year after year. One of Kayln’s peers said, “Kayln was always very involved in the

church life where she lived. She helped the youth group, sang in the church choir,

served on various church boards, and was always involved in a bible study. Kayln never

let anything get in the way of nurturing her Christian faith.”

Kayln was nominated for this award shortly before her passing in March. She fought a

courageous battle against cancer and never let her own struggles interfere with helping

others. A friend of Kayln’s wrote, “She is an Augustana prairie woman who has taken on

the challenges of life, who is a warrior through her health battles, and who teaches us

how to live. She continues to serve our God, live her faith, and inspire us to love and

care for each other. She represents what a Liberal Arts Christian education can

accomplish.”

Please join me in honoring Alumni Achievement Award recipient Kayln Johnson.

Ralph Boe

Leadership is about bringing out the best in the people around you. It’s about serving

others, making sacrifices, and displaying courage in all aspects of your life. Our next

Alumni Achievement Award recipient embodies all of these elements and has used

them to build a successful career​—​and most importantly​—​give back to his community.

Dr. Ralph Boe graduated Augustana in 1965 with a major in math and chemistry. He

then went on to earn his teaching assistantship from Penn State University and later his

Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Maryland. Over his career, Ralph has

been CEO of nearly half a dozen companies​—​all of which have been successful under

his leadership. Ralph has been selected as Chairman of the British Carpet

Manufacturers Association and of the European Carpet Manufacturers Association. He

has also been Chairman of the Carpet and Rug Institute and the Founder and first

Chairman of the Floorcovering Credit Card Program, “Flex.”

Aside from building financial success, Ralph’s leadership has helped his companies

benefit in other ways, as well. In 2009​—​while President and CEO of Beaulieu of

America​—​he created the “Million Mile Challenge” where he asked all of his employees

to walk daily for fitness and health. Ralph himself walked over 600 miles that year and

the company eventually surpassed the million mile mark before the year ended. The

American Heart Association honored his company for this achievement titling them a

“Fitness Friendly Company”​—​the only company in the floor covering industry to be

given this title.

In addition to his leadership in the workplace, Ralph has dedicated his time to helping

lead many civic organizations​—​including Chairman of the Tocqueville Society of United

Way in Whitfield County, Chairman of Westcott Fellows of Whitfield Healthcare, and

Chairman of Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership. Along with his wife Nancy,

Ralph is Co-Founder of the Stacey Ann Boe Foundation​—​honoring his daughter

Stacey​—​as well as Horses for Heroes​—​an organization that helps rehabilitate injured

military returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. One of Ralph’s colleagues said, “He

understands hard work and long hours and has always been eager to jump in and be

part of the team. He’s the kind of guy people love to work for.”

Ralph’s currently President of ArrowStar in Atlanta, GA and the Executive in Residence

for the Dalton School of Business at Dalton State College,​ ​where he continues to

donate his time to help students. He is also in the process of starting a company

focused on green initiatives to recycle carpeting and protect the environment.

Please join me in recognizing Alumni Achievement Award recipient Dr. Ralph Boe.
Robert McGaughey

On average, about 12% of couples in the United States have trouble becoming

pregnant. Our next Alumni Achievement Award recipient has devoted his life to helping

this 12%. Dr. Robert McGaughey is responsible for helping bring more than 10,000 new

souls into this world​—a very deserving statistic if you ask me.

Dr. McGaughey graduated from Augustana in 1963 with a major in biology. He then

received his master’s degree from the University of Colorado and later his Ph.D. from

Boston University. For most of his career, Dr. McGaughey has worked as a Professor at

Arizona State University. At ASU, Bob specialized in developmental biology and

reproductive biology where he studied the regulation of mammalian oocyte maturation

and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. In 2004, he was given Professor Emeritus

status—a very prestigious honor—signifying that even though he’s retired, he still

carries his title.

During his time at ASU, he partnered with Dr. Jay Nemiro and together they created the

Arizona Center for Fertility Studies. Dr. McGaughey’s research has supported the

foundation to mature, manipulate, and successfully fertilize human oocytes in culture—a

technology that has lead to in vitro fertilization and credited the ACFS with helping

create thousands of babies. The ACFS was recognized as the best of Scottsdale and

selected in ​Phoenix Magazine ​as a Top Doctor. The clinic created successful in vitro
fertilization pregnancies, established a donor egg program, and had successful results

mixing egg and sperm and immediately placing them in the female fallopian tube to

create pregnancies. And even though the ACFS was the second clinic to produce these

successful methods—it had completed 53 cases with a 23% pregnancy rate—which

was better than any clinic on the planet at the time.

Aside from the clinic, Dr. McGaughey has contributed to enhancing and educating

reproductive specialists all around the world. He’s published numerous scientific articles

on human oocyte maturation and cytoskeleton development and function, as well as

clinical articles in peer review reproductive medicine journals—an effort he makes out of

his love for science and appetite for knowledge.

Currently, Bob is the ACFS Laboratory Director and regularly contributes to the clinics

success. A friend and colleague of Bob’s said, “It is because of his experience,

expertise, strong work ethic, and tireless commitment to excellence, that Robert

McGaughey has single-handedly contributed to a next generation of children that can

make a difference in changing our planet.”

Please join me in honoring Alumni Achievement Award recipient Dr. Robert

McGaughey.