Welcome to your school - Michigan Lutheran Seminary! Since 1910, we’ve been fostering spiritual, academic, and personal growth for high school students from across the nation and the world. This growth happens through the truths of God’s Word, a rigorous slate of classes, and a campus culture that promotes involvement and service to others. It’s our hope that this growth serves students well in whatever career they choose, especially those who decide to continue training for the public ministry of the gospel. In this view-book, find out not only what we do to grow as Seminary Cardinals, but why and how we do all these things. You’ll explore various parts of your school - academics, athletics, interest groups, campus life, and the family culture that helps students succeed in all aspects. We love sharing MLS with others, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions. Happy viewing!
Michigan Lutheran Seminary has called Saginaw, Michigan, home since 1887. As a city on the riverfront, Saginaw embodies many traditional American qualities such as hard work and a strong sense of community. Located in the heart of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Saginaw provides something for every age, travel, taste and budget, including many free and family-oriented attractions year-round.
YOUR ACADEMICS
“MLS continues to offer courses that align with traditional high school curricula and meet necessary state requirements. However, in preparation for college, the potential for service in the ministry, and out of using all our gifts and daily working to serve our Savior, we continue to enrich our curriculum with extra emphasis in the areas of music, foreign language, and Bible instruction, creating well-rounded servants to the Lord, regardless of where they find themselves serving him in the future.”
- Nolan Valus, Academic Dean -
SAMPLE OF A TYPICAL FRESHMAN SCHEDULE
TIME CLASS
Period 1
7:50 - 8:30 am Ancient History
Period 2
8:35 - 9:15 am Piano Chapel - 9:20 - 9:40 am
Period 3
9:50 - 10:30 am Latin 1
Period 4
10:35 - 11:15 am Religion 9
Period 5 11:20 - Noon Lunch
Period 6 12:05 pm - 12:45 pm Algebra 1
Period 7 12:50 - 1:30 pm General Science
Period 8 1:35 - 2:15 pm English 9
Period 9 2:20 - 3:00 pm Chorus 1
Advising/Activity Period - 3:05 - 3:35 pm
“Throughout my time at MLS my mentors guided me in preparation for my future by being such excellent role models of the dedication, discipline, and diligence that any profession requires in order to serve God faithfully. They encouraged me to grow in my knowledge and refine my skills so that I would be well-equipped to use my gifts and talents to God’s glory.”
- Ellie (Baldwin) Slangor, MLS Alumnus -
YOUR INTERESTS
MLS’ MHSAA SPONSORED ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
• Football
• Volleyball
• Cross Country
• Hockey Co-Op
• Wrestling
• Girls’ Basketball
• Boys’ Basketball
• Softball
• Baseball
• Track
MLS also offers a wide variety of intramural programs.
“All of the athletics and other extracurriculars encourage teamwork. They help you to learn how to be a good teammate and how to work with other people. This will apply in the faith when you go to be a part of a church as an adult, and as you let your light shine in the world in everyday life. The extracurriculars are a bunch of fun and help you grow your relationship with your classmates and friends also.”
“Extracurriculars at MLS are a huge blessing. Whether I am on the court, singing in choir, or acting on the stage I am given opportunities to serve the Lord and grow closer to my classmates. Everyone should take advantage of the opportunites at MLS and get envolved.”
- Samantha Priem -
- Will Schoch -
MLS offers many opportunities to use your God-given talents off the court as well! The first-class Fine Arts Department offers many opportunities to use your musical and theatrical abilities. Students can also participate in a variety of different clubs and interest groups.
Fine Arts: Plays and musicals, Children’s Theater, five choirs (including a touring Concert Choir), Concert Band, Pep Band, instruction in piano, organ and other instruments
Clubs & Groups: Art Club, Sight & Sound, Yearbook, Photography Club, Red & White (student newspaper), Student Council, Dorm Council, Poms, VIP (student ambassadors)
92% OF MLS PARTICIPATESTUDENTS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
YOUR FAMILY
Over half the students at MLS live on campus. Living with your friends leads to lasting memories, lifelong friendships, and experiences that will never be forgotten. Your classmates become “Your Family”!
MLS dorm supervisors (called “tutors”) work with the Deans to supervise the dormitory and enrich life on campus. The tutors, all recent graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary or Martin Luther College, live in apartments on each dormitory floor and serve as an extension of the parents in helping young adults mature.
“Something that makes the Seminary Family so special is that we all share the same foundation. Whether we are playing sports, singing in a choir, or learning in classrooms, we can be secure in the fact that it’s centered around Jesus. This has been a blessing to me in so many ways. I get to see people encouraging one another in the band room and showing kindness to other teams on the basketball court. Knowing that Jesus is the reason for these things makes me view my interactions with others in a whole new light.”
- Bernadette Schroeder -
“I love the Seminary Family because everyone at MLS, students and faculty alike, support each other, no matter if it’s with academics, with music, with sports, or with our spiritual lives.”
- Julia Becker -
“During my years at MLS I grew as a person, but more importantly, I grew in my faith. The Christian environment in the classroom, the dormitory, and the football field laid the foundation for me to be a Christian leader at church, our school, and in my home. I can’t wait for my boys to attend MLS.”
- Mike Scharrer, MLS Alumnus -
YOUR HOME
The area that serves as the student “living room” is called the Commons. It’s a place to meet up with friends, kick back in the evenings, or catch a quick study break between classes.
With a wide variety of entrees and sides, the MLS Dining Hall offers all-you-can-eat meals seven days a week. We work with students who have dietary concerns by offering item such as lactosefree milk, nut-free desserts, gluten-free breads and pasta.
Many MLS students live in the dormitories during the school week. Because of that, we try and offer students all the comforts of home.
MLS has 116, customizable dorm rooms to house students. Each room is equipped with a mini-refrigerator. Students can pick between 2, 3, and 4-person rooms.
MLS DORM HIGHLIGHTS
• On-site, self-serve laundry
• Game room
• Fitness room
• Study rooms
• Movie theater room
• Weight room / exercise room
• Bicycles and sports equipment
• Piano and organ practice rooms
• Outdoor basketball court
YOUR SUPPORT
As an alumnus of MLS, I have firsthand experience of the support and encouragement that MLS students receive from the faculty, staff, and MLS family. Each day, the students are surrounded by the Word of God in their classes, in worship opportunities, and even in athletics and the fine arts. Now, as the Dean of Students I get to be one of those encouragers, applying God’s law and Gospel to the situations that teenagers deal with in their lives. What a blessing to know that as MLS has continued to carry out its all-important purpose, our students continue to receive the same support. God’s Word is, and continues to be, our great heritage!
- Rev. Troy Schreiner, Dean of Students -
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
• Peer tutoring
• Group counseling
• One-on-one adviser meetings
MENTAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
MLS partners with the WELS counseling group, Christian Family Solutions, to provide online professional counseling services to our students for a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, worry, and many others. Along with personal, pastoral counseling from the Dean of Students and other faculty, this resource seeks to serve the mental and emotional needs of our student body.
“Talking with a counselor gives me an opportunity to connect with my thoughts. I don’t have to worry about talking about my problems because it is a place where I can relieve stress and let my emotions out.”
Anonymous MLS student
“In a world filled with troubles, we know true peace comes from God. Christian Family Solutions is blessed to serve students at Michigan Lutheran Seminary by providing Christian counseling services through the Member Assistance Program. We are thankful for the opportunity to come alongside those who are hurting or facing challenges, providing Christ-centered support and hope.”
Jamie Plourde
Limited License Masters Social Worker
YOUR SERVICE
Michigan Lutheran Seminary works to prepare young people for future service in the church, but we believe students should start that service already in high school. Students at MLS have numerous opportunities to get involved and serve others. These opportunities also help students decide if public ministry is for them.
“MLS provides so many opportunities to learn how to serve our Lord. During Taste of Ministry I got the opportunity to learn what the job of a teacher is like that gets to share God’s word. It was an enjoyable experience to see how God uses each of us to spread the good news.”
- Gabby Fisk -
“Over the years, the young Christians of MLS Project Titus have proven to be a blessing in my mission field and among my members. Additionally, they have been a blessing to me. Each one of them is uniquely gifted. It has been a delight to see their raw potential for ministry. It has been exciting to see them enjoy serving our church. It has been moving to see them, perhaps for the first time, envision themselves as future workers in our church.”
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Taste of Ministry: Seniors spend several days “on the job” with a parish pastor or classroom teacher.
Project Titus: Perhaps the most influential ministry experience MLS offers, Project Titus allows students the chance to travel during the summer to help churches run soccer camps, vacation Bible schools, and other outreach events.
Leading Worship: Students have the opportunity to lead worship in a variety of ways. Choirs, music groups, and individual musicians beautify services. Students accompany hymns during chapel. Senior boys have the opportunity to write and deliver a devotion for evening worship.
Student Council: The MLS student government helps students discover and develop their leadership and organizational skills.
- Rev. Harmon LewisMessiah, Johns Creek, GA MLS Alumnus
Cardinal For A Day: Students get the opportunity to teach classes to elementary students who are on campus to learn more about MLS.
YOU’RE INVITED
Come and see for yourself everything that MLS has to offer. There are several different opportunities for students and families to explore your school. Don’t let distance deter you from visiting - MLS has a travel assistance program to defray costs for families and groups from a church or school.
The Admissions Department is here to help your visit be informative and fun. To schedule a personal visit to school or to have an admissions counselor come visit you, send an email to admissions@mlsem.org or call 989-793-1010 ext. 421. We hope to see you soon!
Open House: MLS offers multiple open houses during the school year - typically in the fall and winter. 6th-8th grade students and their families explore MLS for themselves, meet faculty members, and learn about the school’s academics and extracurriculars.
Cardinal for a Day: Twice a year, K-8 students can attend mini-classes taught by MLS students, check out the dorms, play sports, and attend chapel - just like they would as full-time Cardinals! Local WELS schools often bring their students, but families are also welcome.
Shadowing: Individuals can get the full experience of life at MLS by shadowing. They’ll get to attend classes, watch practices, eat the dining hall, and even stay in the dorms - all with their own personal MLS student ambassador.
Summer Camps: 5th-8th grade students are invited to all the different camps MLS hosts in June each year. These overnight camps are a great way to make new friends and improve in your athletic or musical skills. Basketball, football, volleyball, and fine arts are offered throughout the month and are directed by faculty members and coaches.
Jr. Cardinals: The Jr. Cardinal program is open to all grade school students. You get free entry into MLS games and events and are entered to win awesome prizes at the end of the year. The program also offers a flag football league, volleyball club and cross country invitational in the fall and two poms clinics in fall and winter. All these programs are led by MLS coaches and athletes.
IT’S ABOUT HIM .
While this campus and its curriculum were designed with you in mind, we hope that when you come here you will realize that you are part of something much bigger. As a preparatory school for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, we hope that when you walk these halls you recognize the thousands of people who have made this education possible. As you learn from ministry-certified teachers of the highest character, we hope that you will be inspired by their love for the calling they have. As you compete in the wide variety of interscholastic sports we offer, we hope you realize that the lessons learned through fierce competition are applicable in a wide array of ministry settings. As you take part in out clubs and student groups, we hope you appreciate the joy of service and working together with fellow Christians to accomplish more than anyone could do on their own.
So, while this is all designed for you, it is also about being a part of something much bigger than you. It is all about him! It is about the life-saving message of Jesus Christ. It is about the ministry of our Savior and preparing the next generation of messengers to communicate that life-saving message.
You probably do not know right now if ministry is for you. But that is why this school is for you. MLS is designed to prepare you to make the decision to continue on in ministry training or to serve the Lord in a different way. In either decision, MLS is the right choice for you because we are for him
