Micah George, contributor
Monday, Oct. 12 marked the kickoff of Augsburg Homecoming Week, which included a series of events and activities for Augsburg students to get connected to campus. The first of these was Build An Auggie, a Build-A-Bear style activity where students get to make their own stuffed friend and connect with other students. The event aims to bring the community together through shared space and an opportunity to invite others into their metaphorical nests.
With a total attendance of around 80-120 students, the event was a raging success, drawing in a packed crowd of people waiting their turn to participate in a classic Augsburg Homecoming tradition. Participants got to talk with both old friends and new about the excitement buzzing through Homecoming week. While the event is about simply making a stuffed animal, it’s so much more than that. It is a reason to bring students together and cultivate new bonds. Some attendees say that their experience was fun and spontaneous and that this event was fun to attend. Students were also taking the opportunity to sign up for other Homecoming events throughout the week. Their experience acted as an outlet for the route to a new journey beyond this one.
“While the event is about simply making a stuffed animal, it’s so much more than that. It is a reason to bring students together and cultivate new bonds.”
micah george
While being a hub for connection, Build An Auggie was also a hub for creativity. Each “Auggie” built was adorned with a t-shirt that the students got to decorate to their liking. Some themed their t-shirts off of Homecoming, while others did a simple 2026 design. Attendees stated that making an Auggie was a fun experience, especially for first year students. “I think that sometimes first years can find it overwhelming to get involved because there is so much happening on campus all the time. Build An Auggie feels simple enough that it isn’t scary, and you get a new furry friend out of it!” stated one Augsburg student. “It was so nice to see so many people getting involved, both old faces and new.”
Some students spoke about how the Auggies bring good qualities. Auggie the Eagle is Augsburg’s mascot, having represented this university for many years, and definitely deserved to be honored in this event. When one Auggie is in its nest, it can do a lot on its own, but when you add more, they all become stronger.
This event was such an elated experience for everyone, and the thing that was mostly enjoyed about it was celebrating the birth of all the newly created Auggies. Seeing those new faces was just like welcoming new students to join the nest. Above all, Build An Auggie was one of the most engaging and community-building events in the Homecoming week, and I can not wait to see you all there again next year.