SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Augustana is excited to announce that the university’s School of Business now has a name — the Rydell School of Business, supported by Bill and Ellen Rydell. The Augustana community celebrated with a dedication ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 3, with a gathering in the Madsen Social Science Center, home of the newly-named school.
The Rydell School of Business — home to eight undergraduate and three graduate programs — is a way for the couple to carry on the torch lit by Ellen’s mother, the late Edith Mortenson Delman ‘41. Mortenson Delman, known as “Edie,” was a proud Augustana alumna, and following graduation, managed Augustana’s business office from 1941-45. She later served on the Augustana Board of Regents (now Trustees) for six years.
“Augustana nurtured her and took care of her, and she always wanted to give back,” Ellen said of her mother. “Then, my dad got on board, and they said, ‘We’re going to support this college.’”
The Rydells, who reside in Alexandria, Virginia, have both had successful careers following their own higher education opportunities. Together, Ellen and Bill run the Rydell-Mortenson Foundation. For them, philanthropy — especially toward Augustana — is a familial value. Ellen’s brother and sister-in-law, Eric ‘77 and Danae (Smith) Delman ‘77, are Augustana alumni and long-time supporters of the institution, most recently supporting the Delman Family Student Section in Midco Arena. This mindset, Ellen said, began with her parents.
Mortenson Delman and her husband, Ed, donated more than $1 million to Augustana in the late 1990s toward the renovation of the “Old Gym.” In 1998, the building was rededicated as the Edith Mortenson Center, featuring Augustana’s theatre.
Now, the Rydells are carrying on Mortenson Delman’s legacy with a dedication of their own — choosing to name the School of Business because Mortenson Delman was a proud economics major.
“The Rydell School of Business stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of family, friendship and a deep commitment to honoring Edith and her profound love for Augustana University,” said President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. “Through their passion and generosity, the Rydell family will empower generations of students and business leaders to pursue excellence, embrace lifelong learning and make meaningful contributions to the world. We are extraordinarily grateful for their lasting impact.”
Dr. Roxanne Stevens, dean of the Rydell School of Business, is excited about all that the family’s gift will make possible.
“The Rydell’s gift will allow the School of Business to launch numerous student clubs, such as the Student Investment Club,” Stevens said. “The gift will also provide opportunities for hands-on applied projects for our students that support the community, like the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (VITA). VITA provides our accounting students with hands-on experience while serving low-income individuals and families throughout the community by providing free income tax preparation.”
Stevens said the Rydell’s gift will also allow the School of Business to offer certificates, credentials and micro-credentials to students, as well as local professionals. For the Rydells, these learning experiences, from student organizations to certificates, are invaluable.
“Higher education opens up a tremendous amount of potential and opportunities for people, and we’ve seen the level of graduates Augustana has produced,” Bill added.
The Augustana School of Business was launched in 2021 as part of the university’s strategic plan — Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 — to establish new academic structures and centers that sustain excellence, facilitate growth and cultivate innovative and impactful teaching, learning and research to provide an education of enduring worth.