Meet the 2026 Alumni Achievement and Horizon Award Winners

Each year, Alumni Achievement Awards are presented to Augustana University alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their fields of endeavor, communities and/or churches. The Horizon Award recognizes young alumni who have graduated within the last 15 years and quickly demonstrated outstanding vocational achievement and provided faithful service to their community and/or church. Recipients of both awards must exemplify one of the shared core values of the university: Christian, liberal arts, excellence, community or service.

Alumni Achievement Award Winners

Tom Davis '83 is an accomplished entrepreneur and executive whose career has been rooted in the medical technology industry. He founded Davis Intermedics - specializing in the wholesale distribution of medical, dental and hospital equipment and supplies. He later served as president and CEO of Primary Surgical, Inc. and president of Zimmer Biomet Davis - part of a global medical technology company specializing in orthopedic solutions.

Davis has also provided significant leadership to Augustana - serving on the university's Board of Trustees from 2009-22, including terms as chair and vice chair. During his tenure, Davis helped guide significant university transitions, including the 2016-17 presidential search and Vision 2030 process, which led to the launch of the Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030 strategic plan. He continues to serve Augustana as a member of the Viking Bold Campaign Steering Committee.

Davis and his wife, Leisa, are longtime philanthropic supporters of Augustana - investing in the Froiland Science Complex, Viking Athletics, Augustana Fund and other university priorities.

Dr. Shannon Emry '93 has built a career in medicine defined by compassionate leadership, lifelong learning and an unwavering commitment to service. After graduating from Augustana with a degree in biology, she earned a medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and served 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force - providing pediatric care to military families in the United States and abroad, including a humanitarian medical mission in Bolivia.

For nearly two decades, Emry has served as a pediatrician with Avera Medical Group and is a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. In 2020, she volunteered as lead medical officer at the Ryan F. Larkin COVID-19 Field Hospital in Manhattan, New York.

In 2023, Emry co-founded Midwest Street Medicine, where she serves as medical director and helps provide low-barrier medical care, addiction treatment support and mental health services to people experiencing homelessness. She also serves as a medical consultant to the Second Judicial Circuit Drug Court and Opioid Response Network.

James "Jim" Schmidt '64 has devoted his career to education, community leadership and public service. He began as a high school teacher and counselor before serving as president of Killian Community College in Sioux Falls. He later served as executive vice president of the American Cancer Society of the Dakotas and director of the Sioux Empire Housing Partnership.

Schmidt's extensive civic leadership has included serving as president of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, a member of the executive board of Children's Home Society and representing South Dakota with the National Association of County Officials. A longtime Lincoln County commissioner, he was appointed to the South Dakota Board of Economic Development in 2025.

His contributions have earned numerous honors, including the Sales & Marketing Executive of the Year Award from Sales & Marketing Executives of Sioux Falls and 2024 Larry Ritz Rotarian of the Year Award.

Jon C. Sogn '83 has built a distinguished legal career grounded in service and leadership. Double majoring in business administration and accounting, Sogn graduated from Augustana with honors and earned a law degree, also with honors, from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Following nearly three decades with Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun, he was appointed a circuit court judge for South Dakota's Second Judicial Circuit in 2015.

Sogn's professional leadership has included serving as president of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, chairing State Bar of South Dakota committees and serving on the South Dakota State Bar Disciplinary Board. His extensive community involvement includes Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Sioux Falls School District, youth sports and Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he began a mentoring relationship with a third-grade student that continued through college.

A past president of the Augustana Alumni Association, Sogn has remained closely connected to his alma mater and helped establish the Renegade Cow Scholarship to create opportunities for future Augustana students.

Horizon Award Winner

Dr. Echo Kopplin '14 is a clinician, educator and advocate dedicated to improving health care and preparing future health care professionals. After graduating with a major in athletic training, she completed a Master of Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Medical Science. Her clinical experience spans emergency medicine, family practice, urgent care, geriatrics and behavioral health, which has included volunteer work at free medical clinics in Nebraska and South Dakota serving uninsured and underserved patients.
Kopplin is also an adjunct faculty member, clinical instructor, lecturer and student success coach - mentoring physician associates, medical and pre-medical students across multiple institutions, including Augustana's Alumni Mentoring Program.

As president of the South Dakota Academy of Physician Associates, Kopplin also serves in state and national leadership roles advancing the profession. Her advocacy has helped advance legislation removing barriers to physician associate practice in South Dakota, and her accomplishments have earned statewide and national recognition. She remains active in her church through children's ministry and small-group leadership.

These outstanding alumni will be honored during Viking Days at Vikings Reunite, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Midco Arena.