Sept. 11, 2023

Students returning to Augustana University this fall found a lot of improvements on campus.

While the Midco Arena under construction at 33rd Street and Grange Avenue is the most noticeable project, the university spent the summer wrapping up work on everything from one of its dormitories to the Morrison Commons and a new campus green.

Morrison Commons likely will draw the most public attention, with the opening of the city’s second Chick-fil-A location, which also is open to the public.

“I think everybody is really excited about that, and then the new Ole’s Outlet is kind of in the same area,” said Shannan Nelson, chief financial officer and executive vice president.

The store offers Augustana-branded apparel and other items.

Work on Morrison Commons will continue next summer as designs are finalized after working with student groups and other stakeholders, Nelson said.

“That will include an updated Starbucks, another food station of some sort, and the rest of it will function as a more traditional student union with some student meeting space and gathering space,” he said.

“We’re bringing back the original staircase, so we’ll connect a staircase that sits right in the middle, and the new dining hall will be open next fall as well. So this will be a two-level, more modern dining facility with the retail options like Chick-fil-A and Starbucks.”

Outside, students already are gravitating to the enhanced campus green, which includes new lighting and a platform stage area with some outdoor seating.

“I think it’s going to be a really neat part of campus,” Nelson said. “We’re super excited about that. Right after Labor Day, once intramurals start, that field will be used well into the evening with new lights for flag football, Ultimate Frisbee. It turned out great.”

Some students also moved into newly renovated rooms this school year. Augustana renovated Solberg Hall, a 1960s-era building at 2409 S. Grange Ave.

At Solberg, home to about 220 students, “we renovated all the rooms, bathrooms, added air conditioning, added an elevator, new student gathering spaces — pretty much a complete remodel,” Nelson said. “It’s pretty popular and … I think will make a big difference for students.”

The recent work fulfills much of Augustana’s master plan for the south end of campus, Nelson said.

“There’s still some tweaks south of 33rd with athletic facilities that would be part of the master plan, and on the north side, we’re showing a new residence hall plus redevelopment of apartment buildings along the north end where 28th Street is, or University Place, so we have a ways to go on the northern part of campus for the remaining parts of the master plan.”

While enrollment numbers haven’t been released yet, they are tracking ahead of last year, he added.

The Midco Arena is scheduled to open in January. For a look inside, click below.

Midco Arena takes shape as ticket sales surge