Minasie Theophilos is headed to Scandinavia to see his brother and his father, a long-awaited reunion made possible by the Augsburg College community.

Specifically, the men’s hockey team, which had planned to raise enough money to send Theophilos to his native Ethiopia after his mother fell ill. Theophilos’ mother passed before he could make the journey overseas.

Theophilos is a custodian for Augsburg, and his more than 25 years of service has endeared him to Auggies spanning six graduating classes.

In 1983, Theophilos came to Minneapolis to study at Augsburg, and has not seen his extended family or siblings since his departure.

“This friendship is deep and touches my heart,” Theophilos said in an interview with the Star-Tribune of his connection to Augsburg.

A GoFundMe fundraising page dedicated to Theophilos (also started by the Auggies) states:

“As alumni make their way back to campus, Minasie always remembers them, greeting them with a huge smile or a big hug!”

The cheerful disposition that Theophilos carries with him has spilled over to the Augsburg coaching staff, according to assistant coach Chris Johnson.

“Minasie is a member of our family (and) all members of the family are important and valuable,” Johnson said in a recent email. “He brings a positive and bright outlook on each day that's contagious to each and everyone of us. His daily encouragement and outlook on life makes coming to the office a joy.”

On the ice, the Auggies will face St. Norbert, ranked No. 3 in the latest United States College Hockey Online poll, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III tournament on Saturday at 8 p.m. (ET) in De Pere, Wis.