Leah Pickett, contributor

Step into the corridors of Foss Center and you’re bound to encounter Professor David Lapakko engaged in animated conversations with students. This semester, he bids farewell to Augsburg as he retires after a decade of teaching here.

With an illustrious academic journey that traces back to his attendance at Macalester College where he earned his degree in Rhetoric and Public Address, Professor Lapakko epitomizes the fusion of scholarship and real-world experience. In Mendota Heights, Professor Lapakko’s affinity for speech and debate blossomed during his sophomore year of high school, ignited by the thrill of competition — and winning gold trophies. Over a career spanning more than 100 tournaments, he earned the title of “America’s Greatest Thinker,” a title humorously bestowed upon him in 2015 following his triumph in the prestigious “Great American Think-Off.”

High school was also the time when he began to venture into journalism, working for the school newspaper “The Heights Herald” where he would publish weekly with friends. He was also the co-founder of an independent magazine called “The Post.” He continued to pursue journalism until his mid-twenties when he hit a roadblock because “Journalism has so many tight deadlines it was becoming tiring,” he said in an interview with the Echo. This prompted him to pivot his career towards education. After teaching in several high schools, he decided to pursue teaching at universities.

He has taught at St. Olaf, Hamline, St. Kates and Augsburg. While he still teaches at some universities part-time, Augsburg is where he planted his roots. Here he found not just a professional haven but a nurturing community. One of his most important contributions to Augsburg was the creation of the forensics team which he directed alongside Ray Anderson who ran the communication department by himself for four years. Reflecting on working with Anderson in an interview with the Echo, Lapakko said “that was so wonderfully inspiring to know that there is an administrator that will make something happen.” 

Professor Lapakko has a wide range of expertise demonstrated by his experience in journalism, writing textbooks, speech and debate and teaching in secondary and post-secondary education. 

However, academics are not the only thing that makes Professor Lapakko who he is. Beyond academia, Professor Lapakko’s multifaceted persona shines through his pursuits in marathons, literary endeavors and cherished moments spent with his family. The enduring connections forged over cups of coffee with former students are what truly encapsulate his impact at Augsburg.

As Professor Lapakko bids farewell to Augsburg after over a decade of dedicated service, his legacy reverberates not only in the history of communication studies but in the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of learning from him.

Thank you, Professor Lapakko.