SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) Augustana University made history on Friday, inaugurating Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, its first female president.
The former Democratic Congresswoman referenced the Parable of the Sower in the New Testament, when explaining the University's mission.
"To sow seeds of opportunity and harvest possibility and to create in our students, the good soil."
Herseth Sandlin talked about the future of the school and the additional seeds to be sown and the additional possibilities to be harvested, and the importance of faculty, staff, and alumni.
"We are the nutrients for the good soil: the students of Augustana."
U.S.Senator John Thune spoke at the inauguration of his former colleague. The Republican threw in a little political humor when he said that everybody was excited about Herseth Sandlin's getting the job.
"But the biggest excitement was from the group of candidates for statewide office in South Dakota, so....you have a lot of fans out there, right now," Thune punch lined to much laughter.
Augustana was established in 1860. Affiliated with the Lutheran Church, Augie is the largest private university in South Dakota.