2021 Augustana Convocation Spotlight: Aurora Tupechka, Thomas Zimmerman, Caroline Kilmartin and Jiayi Dai

Aurora Tupechka 

Augustana Science Club Treasurer & President | Founder of Augustana Indigenous Club | Volunteer for Indigenous Student Services | Research Assistant on Homestead Records Project | Senior & Indigenous Peer Mentor | Teaching Assistant

Who was your favourite mentor or professor at Augustana?

There is no way I could choose a single professor or mentor. I tried to write this answer out a few times and each time I've pulled out a half dozen names before realizing I could never finish it without mentioning nearly everyone in the chemistry and biology department and some from the arts and history departments as well. Not to mention how many staff members have been rooting for me and helping me throughout the years. The best thing about Augustana is being able to get to know our professors. I know they all cared deeply about us and pushed us to succeed. I hope if they read this they know just how much I appreciate and admire them. 

What was your favourite class at Augustana?

Histology in the three-week semester with Dr. Haave. It was so much fun because we had microscopes with slides in the class and we would be able to look at the different cells and tissues as he was lecturing to follow along. It came so naturally to me that I fell in love with the subject after that class.

What’s your best memory from Augustana?

Another impossible question! I really loved living in dorms in first year and having all of my best friends practically down the hall at all times. I have so many great memories of going to the cafeteria with them, hanging out in the basement, going to recreational sports and attending all the fun ASA events. One thing that sticks out for me is the "humans vs zombies" event that the Science Club hosted. All of my friends participated so we were all being super strategic with planning our routes to class or the cafeteria to prevent getting turned into a zombie. One of my friends staked out in her room for most of the event because she really wanted to win! I remember I got turned into a zombie in my biology class because my professor was in on the game and she left the classroom on purpose so it was a free for all. I was blindsided by my classmate, who I made a pact with before class, but that's the name of the game!

If you could give a new student a piece of advice about studying at Augustana, what would it be?

Get to know your professors—they really care about their students and will do anything they can to help you (especially when it comes to reference letters...the better they know you the better the letter they can write you). It can be really inspiring to learn about them too. When you look up to these people who all have PhD's under their belt and who are teaching these crazy hard classes, it can be intimidating. But you come to learn that they're human too and it will help motivate you to know that you're capable of greatness as well. 

What have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Cherish the simple things. I’m sure a lot of people have learned this same lesson but I honestly miss the everyday things like meeting new people, catching up with my friends in the forum or chatting with professors after class. I also miss birthday parties, family get-togethers and game nights with friends. I think it’s important to be grateful for every chance we get to spend time with the people we are closest to.

What’s next for you?

I think it would be great to take some time off of school and work for a little bit, but I definitely think there is more school in store for me! Whether it’s veterinary school or a master's program, I definitely love learning and know this isn’t the end.

Thomas Zimmerman

Vikings Men's Volleyball | Psychology Club Member | Research Assistant in Outdoor Education & Psychology | Kid's Help Line Crisis Responder Volunteer | FYS Tutor 

Who was your favourite mentor or professor at Augustana?

Dr. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson was my favourite mentor and professor at Augustana. I first met Dr. Purc-Stephenson in my second year and ended up taking almost every course she taught, as well working as an FYS tutor for her in my third year and continuing on to be a research assistant for her on two different projects. She was also my supervisor for my thesis. I have spent a lot of valuable time working with her, have learned a lot over the last two years and wouldn't be where I am today without her help and teachings.

What was your favourite class at Augustana?

This is a tough question! I really loved all the psychology courses I took but if I had to name a favourite, It would be AUPSY 303: Sleep, Emotion and Stress with Dr. Parker in my third year.

What’s your best memory from Augustana?

My best memory from Augustana would probably be from my volleyball team. All of those memories are great but my favorite would be when we beat Red Deer College in the provincial quarter-finals, knocking them out.

If you could give a new student a piece of advice about studying at Augustana, what would it be?

If I could give one piece of advice it would be to take as many different courses as possible. When I first came to Augustana I actually knew nothing about psychology but took one course and fell in love with it. Grasp at every opportunity that comes your way.

What have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?

How much value we get from in-person interactions such as being in a classroom. It's something I have never put a lot of thought into, but now that it's missing, I realize it can really impact the enjoyment of a course. Our professors worked hard to make at-home learning the best it could be, but you cannot replace or recreate the environment of an actual classroom online.

What’s next for you?

After graduation, I will be heading to Lethbridge to pursue a master's of education in counselling psychology for the next two years.

Caroline Kilmartin

Vikings Women's Soccer Co-Captain and Captain | Vikings Women's Volleyball | English & History Double Major | Working for Augustana Alumni-Run Newo Global Energy

Who was your favourite mentor or professor at Augustana?

This feels like cruel and unusual punishment having to choose a “favourite,” but Dr. Stephanie Oliver and Dr. Roxanne Harde were the two professors who had the most influence on my education and as a result, my worldview.

What was your favourite class at Augustana?

I think that this would have to be a tie between Roxanne’s Ecofeminism class and Stephanie’s ENG 382 Post-Colonial Literature. Both rocked my world a bit and I carry a lot of things I learned in those classes with me.

What’s your best memory from Augustana?

I met my best friend and fiancée at Augustana, so I feel it’s only fair to say meeting the two of them are my two best memories.

If you could give a new student a piece of advice about studying at Augustana, what would it be?

University seems to be one of the only avenues currently available that gives you time and space to figure yourself and this world out. It’s pretty widely accepted that university opens doors and gives a lot of amazing external opportunities and all that good stuff. But I think one undersold aspect of uni is how it allows (and sometimes forces) you to be reflective and exploratory. So, I think I would tell new students to embrace that time and space. For Augustana more specifically, the small class sizes absolutely live up to the hype, so take advantage of the proximity to profs. Ask questions, send emails even if you feel annoying and make the most of the wisdom of the people around you.

What have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?

I genuinely don’t know if I can answer this! It feels like something I’ll be better able to articulate in 10 years! But if nothing else, I’ve learned that I am not necessarily as flexible or as easygoing as I thought and that my self-discipline and adaptive skills need work. 

What’s next for you?

I worked with Newo last summer am still working with them—if they’ll continue to have me, I think I will stay with them for a while! I’m going to take some time off school and just simmer, gain some more work and life experience and mull over whether or not grad school is for me. And, if all goes well, a lot of traveling in the latter half of 2022!

Jiayi Dai

International Student from Suzhou, China | Computing Science Aficionado | Frisbee Golf & Ping Pong Champ | Headed to Graduate School (Artificial Intelligence on North Campus)

Who was your favourite mentor or professor at Augustana?

I don't really have a simple answer to this question. All of my professors or instructors were very helpful, and Hackborn, Jeremy, Mi-Young, Mohammed and Rosanna, with whom I had so many talks, are those I appreciate most as they were not only helpful with my studies but also with my thoughts about life. I always believed that the most difficult problems in my mind could only be solved by myself, but the professors/instructors helped me gain confidence in myself in a way they might not even realize.

What was your favourite class at Augustana?

My favorite course was Group Theory, taught by Jeremy. What can be more interesting than doing pure mathematics? Nothing!

What’s your best memory from Augustana?

In 2019, there was a talk about addiction. I attended the talk as I thought I could meet the girl I fancied, and I did see her. It seems silly but it's the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the question.

If you could give a new student a piece of advice about studying at Augustana, what would it be?

It's important to pass courses and get a degree, but what's more important is to know how to think logically and gain confidence by solving problems on your own. In a word, don't cheat.

What have you learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?

No matter what unfolds, stay healthy and embrace the changes.

What’s next for you?

I'll keep studying artificial intelligence at the North Campus of the University of Alberta as a master's candidate this upcoming fall.