Family ties

For most students, college is an opportunity to build a new community, explore emerging interests, and begin imagining who they want to become.

For some Augsburg University students, that journey includes someone who has known them much longer: a sibling.

For three sets of Augsburg siblings, sharing a college experience has meant finding common ground in academics, activities, and identity, while still having space to chart their own paths. They are all different, but each has found something meaningful in having someone familiar to study with, lean on, and celebrate alongside.

Finding a place to thrive

For Abi Hilden ’25 and Elliot Hilden ’27, Augsburg became a place where their shared interests in theater, writing, and student media could flourish, and where they could both feel fully themselves.

Abi discovered Augsburg first, drawn to its Twin Cities location and diverse community. When Elliot began considering colleges, Abi knew Augsburg could be a fit for him.

“Abi knows me better than anyone on the planet and knew Augsburg would have the environment that would help me feel connected and able to thrive,” Elliot said. “I felt, even before stepping on campus, I had a good sense of what I could do and achieve at Augsburg.”

That prediction proved accurate almost immediately. Abi was Elliot’s orientation leader, giving him a trusted guide during his introduction to Augsburg.

Their Augsburg experiences would remain closely intertwined. Both participated in theater, The Echo, and orientation leadership. The siblings even took several classes together. But they were also intentional about maintaining separate identities, especially after they had spent earlier school years navigating the dynamic of Elliot being known as “Abi’s little brother.”

“We were both very clear that we were going to be here for each other and do a lot of the same stuff. But I also emphasized to Elliot, ‘You need to find your own people; the things I’ve done can’t be your only stuff,’” Abi said.

Since Abi’s graduation, Elliot has had more opportunities to make those spaces his own, including leading The Echo and preparing to direct a student-produced play. It’s written, fittingly, by Abi.

“To have a four-year institution where you get to be fully present and be yourself, was and has been really impactful for me,” Elliot said.

Opening doors for each other

For Savannah Mitchell ’26 MAE and Cherish Lee ’29, their overlapping Augsburg experience began with an opportunity Savannah wanted to make sure her sister didn’t miss.

Savannah came to Augsburg as the first graduate assistant for Augsburg Family Scholars, a program supporting students with foster care backgrounds. She was pursuing a master’s degree in education after earning a bachelor’s degree in marine science from the University of Hawai’i.

When Cherish was considering her next steps after high school, Savannah told her about Minnesota’s Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants and the resources available at Augsburg. Soon, Cherish was applying, touring campus, and moving in.

“I didn’t know what Augsburg was until Savannah started to work there,” Cherish said. “Knowing my sister would be there to lean on helped me go into a new college.”

During those first weeks, that “leaning on” was often literal: Cherish would stop by Savannah’s office between classes, text her during orientation, and turn to her with questions. Savannah helped her navigate everything from her application to move-in.

But it didn’t take long for Cherish to build a community of her own. She became involved with the Augsburg Family Scholars Council, eventually taking on a leadership role. Savannah watched as her younger sister met people, pursued new ideas, and embraced campus life in her own way.

“She met so many people on campus I never had time to meet or interact with,” Savannah said. “She would introduce them to me, or come to me saying, ‘We’re trying to start this club on campus.’ I was so impressed she was doing that. She is way more out there socially than I am.”

The sisters describe themselves as “polar opposites,” but their academic paths reveal a common theme of care. Savannah studied marine science, while Cherish is majoring in biochemistry with minors in psychology and criminology, and is considering forensic science or medical school.

“I chose science because I think it’s the best way to help people. Savannah went into it to help animals,” Cherish said. “I think we’re both smart and wanted to find our own ways to use those smarts to help.”

For Savannah, it took time to recognize how remarkable their shared experience was.

“I wasn’t thinking at the time what a blessing it is that we both get to go here at the same time, both in these great programs that are helping us,” she said. “Now, I know it is [a blessing].”

Sharing the court—and a calling

When Evelyn Perkins ’27 arrived at Augsburg in 2023, she was searching for a college experience shaped by community. She quickly found it and became deeply involved as a community advisor, basketball player, campus employee, and member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Before long, she started thinking Augsburg could offer her older brother, David Perkins ’28, something meaningful, too.

David had previously attended the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, but left before completing his degree. When he began considering a return to college, Evelyn encouraged him to look at Augsburg.

“The biggest reason I came was because of her,” David said. “Her testament to her experience at Augsburg, being able to have someone I could lean on and trust, that brought me.”

By then, a coaching opportunity had helped David discover a passion for teaching, which brought his path even closer to Evelyn’s. Education runs deep in the Perkins family. Both of their parents are educators, and Evelyn said she has known since childhood that she wanted to teach.

“I never would have thought we’d be at the same college, in the same department, playing the same sport,” Evelyn said. “I surprisingly have not struggled sharing those parts of my life with him. I’ve enjoyed hearing about him having a professor I had and talking about our different experiences. It’s been really rewarding.”

Some of their favorite shared experiences are Augsburg milestones: basketball media day, the Auggie Awards, and road trips. Others are much more ordinary—lifting weights, conditioning, or sitting together during finals week—but are treasured just the same.

“It doesn’t sound like a big moment, but it’s those small things that become routine when you realize, ‘This is really cool I get to do this with my brother,’” Evelyn said.

A shared experience, an individual path

Across all three families, attending Augsburg together has offered something beyond convenience or familiarity. It has given siblings a front-row seat to one another’s growth.

They have introduced each other to communities, opened doors to opportunities, and provided reassurance during uncertain moments. At the same time, each sibling has found ways to build a unique Augsburg experience.

College is often remembered for the people who become like family. For these Auggies, part of what makes the experience special is getting to bring family along for the journey.

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Top image: Both current students at Augsburg, the Perkins siblings find time to connect on campus.