{"id":14785,"date":"2026-10-09T08:51:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T13:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/?p=14785"},"modified":"2026-10-09T08:53:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T13:53:17","slug":"family-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/2026\/10\/09\/family-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"Family ties"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

For some Augsburg University students, that journey includes someone who has known them much longer: a sibling.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Finding a place to thrive<\/h2>\n

For Abi Hilden \u201925<\/strong> and Elliot Hilden \u201927<\/strong>, Augsburg became a place where their shared interests in theater, writing, and student media could flourish, and where they could both feel fully themselves.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbi 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,\u201d Elliot said. \u201cI felt, even before stepping on campus, I had a good sense of what I could do and achieve at Augsburg.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"
A current student and an alumna, Elliot Hilden ’27<\/strong> and Abi Hilden ’25<\/strong> share interests in writing, theater, and art. (Courtesy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That prediction proved accurate almost immediately. Abi was Elliot\u2019s orientation leader, giving him a trusted guide during his introduction to Augsburg.<\/p>\n

Their Augsburg experiences would remain closely intertwined. Both participated in theater, The Echo<\/a>, 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 \u201cAbi\u2019s little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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, \u2018You need to find your own people; the things I\u2019ve done can\u2019t be your only stuff,\u2019\u201d Abi said.<\/p>\n

Since Abi\u2019s 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\u2019s written, fittingly, by Abi.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo have a four-year institution where you get to be fully present and be yourself, was and has been really impactful for me,\u201d Elliot said.<\/p>\n

Opening doors for each other<\/h2>\n

For Savannah Mitchell \u201926 MAE<\/strong> and Cherish Lee \u201929<\/strong>, their overlapping Augsburg experience began with an opportunity Savannah wanted to make sure her sister didn\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n

Savannah came to Augsburg as the first graduate assistant for Augsburg Family Scholars<\/a>, a program supporting students with foster care backgrounds. She was pursuing a master\u2019s degree in education after earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in marine science from the University of Hawai\u2019i.<\/p>\n

When Cherish was considering her next steps after high school, Savannah told her about Minnesota\u2019s Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants<\/a> and the resources available at Augsburg. Soon, Cherish was applying, touring campus, and moving in.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cherish Lee ’29<\/b> proudly stands by her sister, Savannah Mitchell ’26 MAE<\/b>, following Augsburg’s commencement in May. (Courtesy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know what Augsburg was until Savannah started to work there,\u201d Cherish said. \u201cKnowing my sister would be there to lean on helped me go into a new college.\u201d<\/p>\n

During those first weeks, that \u201cleaning on\u201d was often literal: Cherish would stop by Savannah\u2019s office between classes, text her during orientation, and turn to her with questions. Savannah helped her navigate everything from her application to move-in.<\/p>\n

But it didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe met so many people on campus I never had time to meet or interact with,\u201d Savannah said. \u201cShe would introduce them to me, or come to me saying, \u2018We\u2019re trying to start this club on campus.\u2019 I was so impressed she was doing that. She is way more out there socially than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sisters describe themselves as \u201cpolar opposites,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI chose science because I think it\u2019s the best way to help people. Savannah went into it to help animals,\u201d Cherish said. \u201cI think we\u2019re both smart and wanted to find our own ways to use those smarts to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Savannah, it took time to recognize how remarkable their shared experience was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t 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,\u201d she said. \u201cNow, I know it is [a blessing].\u201d<\/p>\n

Sharing the court\u2014and a calling<\/h2>\n

When Evelyn Perkins \u201927<\/strong> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before long, she started thinking Augsburg could offer her older brother, David Perkins \u201928<\/strong>, something meaningful, too.<\/p>\n

David had previously attended the University of Wisconsin\u2014Eau Claire, but left before completing his degree. When he began considering a return to college, Evelyn encouraged him to look at Augsburg.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest reason I came was because of her,\u201d David said. \u201cHer testament to her experience at Augsburg, being able to have someone I could lean on and trust, that brought me.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"
Bonded through basketball, Evelyn Perkins ’27<\/strong> and David Perkins ’28<\/strong> represent Augsburg on the court and in the classroom. (Courtesy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By then, a coaching opportunity had helped David discover a passion for teaching, which brought his path even closer to Evelyn\u2019s. 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never would have thought we\u2019d be at the same college, in the same department, playing the same sport,\u201d Evelyn said. \u201cI surprisingly have not struggled sharing those parts of my life with him. I\u2019ve enjoyed hearing about him having a professor I had and talking about our different experiences. It\u2019s been really rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of their favorite shared experiences are Augsburg milestones: basketball media day, the Auggie Awards, and road trips. Others are much more ordinary\u2014lifting weights, conditioning, or sitting together during finals week\u2014but are treasured just the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t sound like a big moment, but it\u2019s those small things that become routine when you realize, \u2018This is really cool I get to do this with my brother,\u2019\u201d Evelyn said.<\/p>\n

A shared experience, an individual path<\/h2>\n

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\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

Top image: Both current students at Augsburg, the Perkins siblings find time to connect on campus.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":588,"featured_media":14811,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"wps_subtitle":"Three pairs of Augsburg sibling students reflect on the special journey of navigating college with family.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/588"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14785"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14809,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14785\/revisions\/14809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/now\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}