FALL 2006
In This Issue... Welcome Back Spanish Immersion A Look at Languages
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“The Right Stuff ” Not long ago I watched one of my favorite movies . . . again. It’s Apollo 13, the true story of the moon-bound space mission that developed severe trouble and the people who rescued it with skill and dedication. This is my kind of movie. Everything turns out okay, and the good guys win. I still get a bit misty-eyed at the end when Tom Hanks announces, “This is Apollo 13 signing off.” Good flick! I was in grade school in the early 1960s when Alan Shepard became the first man in space and John Glenn the first man to orbit the earth. I was a senior in high school when the real Apollo 13 flight happened. These guys were my heroes. There was something special about them and what they were able to do. In what became a somewhat famous quote (and the title of another movie, by the way), one reporter said something to the effect that “These guys think they have the right stuff.” They did. At Martin Luther College you will find some pretty special people in their own right, and a mission that is both exciting and challenging and, most of all, eternally significant. Talk about having “the right stuff”! At MLC we have students blessed with a variety of gifts. What they have in common is the desire to prepare for the ministry. It’s not just about books and classroom time either. Plenty of opportunities for hands-on service help students develop the gifts they have and discover new ones.
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It is unlikely that anyone will make a movie about them and their work, but at MLC you will find a faculty and staff with the right stuff too. These men and women are dedicated to the task of training our next generation of pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. God “gave some to be . . . pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4).We have a loving God who reconciled us to himself in Christ. As if that weren’t enough, he also has entrusted to us his ministry of reconciliation—preaching and teaching and ministering with his gospel. God uses many different kinds of people and gives a variety of gifts to do this ministry. God gives us—God gives you—the right stuff to prepare for, to do, and to support his mission of saving souls for eternity. Pastor John Dolan Christ Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie MN (MLC Admissions Director for Pastoral Ministry, 2000-2006)
On our cover:
New freshmen Julianna Meyer and Mish Al-Eisa make their way around campus.
Table of Contents Devotion................................................................2 The MLC – WLS Connection................................4 Early Ministry Experiences...................................5 Lyceum, Forum, Convocations, Aulics.................6 Welcome Back.......................................................7
Page 5: MLC pastoral students train outside the classroom as well as in it.
Page 16: Foreign language study is a large component of our curriculum.
Daylight Program: Working While It Is Day.........8 Student Ambassadors: Sharing the MLC Story ....9 There Are No Small Gifts....................................10 Alumni, Unite!....................................................11 I Remember the 1930s at DMLC.........................12 Northwestern College Alumni Society News......13 MLC Fall Festival 2006.......................................14 Knights at a Glance: Fall Sports Preview............15 A Look at Languages...........................................16 Spanish Immersion..............................................17
Page 12: Five alumni attended the reunion of the DMLC class of 1936.
Letters Home.......................................................18 Training Teachers Worldwide..............................19 Page 17: Spanish students do this year’s immersion experience in Ecuador.
Staying Connected with You...............................21 International Recognition...................................21 Faculty Notes.................................................22-23 Upcoming Events..................................Back Cover
In Focus is published by Martin Luther College Public Relations Office and is distributed free of charge to the college’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends. Owned and operated by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), Martin Luther College trains both men and women to serve as teachers and staff ministers in WELS and also prepares men for pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. Public Relations Director, Editor Associate Editor MLC President
Bill Pekrul Laurie Biedenbender Rev. Theodore Olsen
All correspondence should be directed to In Focus Martin Luther College 1995 Luther Court • New Ulm, MN 56073 mlcinfo@mlc-wels.edu 507-354-8221 ext. 295 • FAX 507-354-8225
Visit our website at www.mlc-wels.edu To subscribe to our weekly news update, send an email to mlcupdate-subscribe@mlc-wels.edu Martin Luther College
The MLC-WLS Connection
First Year at Seminary In our Studies for Pastoral Ministry program, Martin Luther College prepares men for training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. MLC and WLS work hard at maintaining a close relationship through curricular alignment studies, meetings between seminary faculty and MLC advisors, and periodic surveys of WLS professors. Several men from the WLS class of 2009, as well as two seminary professors, commented on the students’ first year at seminary and their preparation at MLC.
In my first year at sem, I most enjoyed the beginning of practical applications of ministerial education, like preaching first sermons, worship in chapel, getting involved with my EFT [Early Field Training] congregation, and practicing an outreach call. The most helpful things I picked up academically at MLC probably came from studying literature and writing. Obviously the language classes (confessional languages, Greek, and Hebrew) and classes where we studied the Bible served the greatest good, but aside from them, the little tips and nuances I picked up in composition classes and literature classes have really enriched my ability to express myself and make a point clearly. I was really impressed at and appreciative of all that MLC taught me. Jeremy Laitinen
You hit the ground running with Greek and Hebrew at the seminary, and to have put in the time and effort learning these Biblical languages as well as God enables you really becomes evident as time well spent at MLC. In seminary you realize even more vividly just how important Greek/Hebrew is for our Lutheran theology, and not just linguistics. When I left MLC it felt like I had packed up and moved to a new home with brothers, not changed schools with some other unrelated, unimportant men. Brotherhood is a theme we strive for at seminary, because we realize that the ministry is all about the bond of faith in Christ. Jeff Ulrich
The study of the languages at MLC for all pastor track students is unparalleled in Christianity today. It has given us at the seminary the ability to work at a high level in both Greek and Hebrew. As I look back on my training at MLC, the faithfulness and love demonstrated by MLC professors inspired me almost immediately to realize the high calling for which I studied. Ben Schaefer
Students from Martin Luther College come to us bringing a rich background in languages and in the liberal arts from a curriculum that dovetails nicely with our own. These students already have a reading knowledge of both Greek and Hebrew. That means that we can immediately begin to study the Bible with them in the original languages. An advantage like this is one no other major Lutheran seminary enjoys. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary President, Paul O. Wendland
I am impressed with the number of experiences that many students bring with them to the seminary. Their international teaching opportunities and their cross-cultural experiences provide a global outlook that will be invaluable in their future. Overall, the exposure to various ministries brings each student to a more mature view of their role in the church. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor Alan H. Siggelkow 4
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“My first experience with a VBS wasn’t until I was a vicar,” says Professor Keith Wessel, coordinator of the MLC Early Ministry Experience program. “Those days are gone.” Now, almost every MLC student in pastoral studies has volunteered at a VBS or participated in other early ministry experiences before graduation. In fact, every year about 97% of pastoral students volunteer for early ministry opportunities—from teaching Sunday school to accompanying a pastor on a shut-in visit, from reading Bible lessons in worship to organizing youth events, from attending a church council meeting to working with special-needs children. Many of these experiences take place at the students’ home congregations, where their own pastors mentor them. The experiences give them an insider’s view and a chance to ask questions about the nitty-gritty of ministry.
Early Ministry Experiences for Pastors-in-Training
MLC student Rodrigo Concha spent last summer working with several southwestern Minnesota churches—canvassing, teaching VBS, and doing follow-up calls—with a focus on area Hispanics. What made Rodrigo’s ministry experience so special is the way he was able to break down barriers. “I not only speak Spanish,” he says. “I am Hispanic. An Anglo— even if he speaks the best Spanish in the world—is still an American. When Hispanic people find out I’m from Chile, most walls fall.” Another barrier is sometimes the church door itself. “My idea,” he says, “is that Spanish people are reluctant to go into a church with a lot of Germans and Anglos. They’d be more comfortable having a devotion in their homes. So we take the church to them, and that keeps them in their safety bubble.” This program, sponsored by WELS Kingdom Workers, is a way that Rodrigo’s been preparing for ministry by doing ministry. “I’d like to use all the gifts God’s given me,” he says, “to do what is needed.” MLC senior Christopher Ewings has had more than the average number of early ministry experiences, also working with Hispanics. He’s spent many months at a time in Brazil, Venezuela, and Anchorage, Alaska. Highlights include reading sermons and baptizing a baby while the missionary in Brazil was on furlough (see page 18 for more). He writes from Brazil, “I have nothing but pure joy as I see our Lord preparing me for his service. I’ve been very blessed to be here. At the same time I realize just how much I need to learn! I eagerly await the days when I will once again be able to sit at the feet of those more learned than I.” Our pastoral students travel a long road—eight years of training—before receiving a call. The early ministry experiences at MLC can keep them focused on that goal, and refresh and inspire them along the way.
MLC student Christopher Ewings spent six months working with the WELS mission in Brazil.
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MLC PRODUCTIONS Lyceum
Convocations
All shows will be presented in the MLC WCC Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
THE DIVERS October 20, 2006 The Divers originated at Bethany Lutheran College. Their music, humor, and entertaining style have made them a perennial favorite of MLC audiences.
Professor Thomas Nass explains, “Convocations lift the sights of all of us, faculty and students in pastoral studies, to the work of being a pastor.” The first convocations were scheduled at Northwestern College 26 years ago. Topics covered in recent years include campus ministry, mission work in Taiwan, leading worship, and life in a parsonage. This year’s topics: • September 22 Rev. John Braun: “Pastors help each other in the ministry”
PROJECT PAUL November 28, 2006
• November 10 Rev. Dave Boettcher: “A week in the life of the young pastor”
A graduate of Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Jonathon Roberts explores the Apostle Paul through innovative music, theater, video art, and light.
• February 9 Rev. Kurt Lueneburg: “The pastor serving as a gift-planning counselor”
PARALLEL EXIT: Physical Comedy Theatre
• March 23 Rev. Jonathan Enter: “The pastor in Florida: challenges and opportunities”
January 17, 2007 Blending dance, theater, mime, acrobatics, slapstick, and circus skills, this New York City-based troupe will perform its popular show “This Way/That Way.”
MINNEAPOLIS GUITAR QUARTET February 2, 2007 The Minneapolis Guitar Quartet’s repertoire ranges from Renaissance and Baroque to Spanish, Latin American, and imaginative contemporary works.
MLC Forum PRESENTS All shows will be presented in the MLC WCC Auditorium unless specified.
Bye Bye Birdie October 27-28 7:30 p.m. November 3-4 7:30 p.m. November 5 2:00 p.m.
The Things They Carried December 8-9 7:30 p.m.
Nightwatch February 16-17 7:30 p.m. February 18 2:00 p.m.
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Martin Luther College
Cinderella School performances: April 19-20 9:00-11:00-1:00 Public performances: April 20-21 7:30 p.m
King Lear (Performed outdoors at German Park, New Ulm)
May 4-5, 6:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. May 6 2:00 p.m.
Aulics
MLC
What’s an aulic? Rooted in the Greek word for “courtyard,” aulics are faculty talks occurring outside the classroom in the evenings. Since the days of Northwestern College, pastoral students have initiated aulics themselves, inviting individual professors to speak on topics of the students’ choosing. At MLC, both pastoral and education students are invited to aulics, and the topics pertain to all types of ministry. Recent aulics include Professor Mark Paustian speaking on the writing and publishing of his two-volume book, Prepared to Answer; Professor Keith Wessel speaking on the Temple in Jerusalem; and Professor Thomas Nass speaking on the Biblical canon. Returning students will determine this year’s offerings.
Welcome Back
What I Did Last Summer . . . MLC Daylight Program: Working While It Is Day Sometimes the hardest part is waiting. That’s true of MLC students too—they can’t wait to graduate and get busy with the gospel. So we don’t make them wait. While they’re still training for ministry here, we give them opportunities to do ministry all over the country—and the world—through our Daylight program. California, Florida, Colorado, Tennessee, New York, Georgia, Canada—these were just some of the destinations of 55 MLC students who participated in Daylight last summer. Denver: MLC Athletic Director Jim Unke and three students—Aaron Schultz, Brian Gephart, and Emily Thomas—assisted at the Rocky Mountain LHS basketball camp, coaching 51 kids, including a third from outside the church. “The MLC students did an outstanding job with the kids at camp,” said Pastor Earle Treptow of Zion, Denver. “It was obvious that they not only enjoy basketball, but particularly enjoy being around young people.”
The congregation thanked the MLC students by treating them to horseback riding, tickets to a show (Oklahoma! of course), and a tour of the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. West Palm Beach: Sophomores Jonathan Weber, Sarah Koester, and Laura Merklinger, along with University of Minnesota student Melissa Gierach, spent two great weeks in West Palm Beach, Florida, assisting Pastor Jon Enter with vacation Bible school at Hope Lutheran Church. The first week’s canvassing paid off when 72 kids showed up for VBS the second week. “It was amazing to be with all the kids,” said Jonathan Weber. “You could talk to them about Jesus, and you could see that they were getting it and believing it.” The congregation took the students out every night, including a fan-boating excursion in the Everglades.
“We’ve gone down there four years,” said Professor Unke, “and every year our kids love it. We do the basketball camp, and we go down to the Spanish Center in the inner city and do outreach there. This year we also canvassed for Crown of Life, a new congregation in the area.” Oklahoma City: MLC students Nicki Brost, Joel Davidson, Monica Kirstein, Katherine Wahl, and Amanda Yets met in Oklahoma City to assist Pastor Phil Kieselhorst at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. “We asked the TCW team to do triple duty,” he said. “The mornings were spent helping in the VBS classrooms. After lunch part of the team helped with our sports camp while the other half planned the canvassing strategy. The late afternoons were spent going door to door handing out flyers and invitations to our church and school. It’s been very helpful to have these energetic students with us, even for a short time.”
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Laura Merklinger, Sarah Koester, Jonathan Weber, and Melissa Gierach enjoyed a night out after a hard day’s work at Hope Lutheran Church in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Student Ambassadors: Sharing the MLC Story Fifteen students spoke to congregations all over the country, sharing the MLC story. Here, a few relate their experiences. If you would like an MLC Student Ambassador to speak at your church, please contact Public Relations Director Bill Pekrul, pekrulwa@mlcwels.edu, 507.354.8221 ext 367. As the congregational members learned about the blessings of MLC student life, curriculum, and campus activities, they also learned about the challenges facing students, faculty, and administration. In response to the presentation, members offered encouragement, prayers, and continued support for our College of Ministry. Ben Workentine spoke at Amazing Grace, Panama City, Florida
Members of the congregation came up to me afterward and told me “what great courage it takes for students of MLC to present the challenges and blessings of their college in front of a big congregation.” I don’t really see it as taking courage because I’m not just an ambassador for MLC; more importantly, I am an ambassador for Christ. Through our presentations, WELS congregations across the U.S. realize the challenges and blessings of MLC and the importance of their support. Joel Davidson spoke at Gethsemane Lutheran, Oklahoma City
Everybody seemed quite appreciative after our presentation. I saw it in their smiles and felt it in their handshakes. I am thankful for every second that God has allowed us to spend with the congregation of Faith in Sharpsburg, Georgia. Even as the people of Faith were thanking God for our work this summer, we were thanking God for bringing us into their lives. Brad Snyder spoke at Faith, Sharpsburg, Georgia This summer’s presentation was a good reminder to my congregation of the blessings at MLC. I think it was good for my church family to see how excited and passionate I am about MLC and my future as a called worker. I know some high school girls were really listening and planning ahead for their futures at MLC. Jaymie Bergmeier spoke at Divine Grace, Lake Orion, Michigan I think this was a good chance for my congregation to see a student’s perspective of MLC rather than just the option on our offering envelopes labeled “Missions/Ministerial Education.” Everyone had questions about MLC, and I was a familiar face who could answer those questions. Being an MLC Ambassador let me share my love for the ministry with my congregation and thank them for their support; they reciprocated that love and will continue to pray for and support those training at MLC. Kelley Bushong spoke at St. Paul, Livonia, Michigan
Gethsemane Lutheran, Oklahoma City
One excellent benefit for our congregation was to see and hear from the students themselves how important MLC is for our church as a whole. Being somewhat removed from Minnesota, the presentation given after church about MLC was a learning experience for our members and a reminder to them how important it is for us to support the work of the synod in training teachers and pastors. Pastor Phil Kieselhorst, Gethsemane Lutheran, Oklahoma City
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DID YOU KNOW?
There Are No Small Gifts Many letters to the MLC Mission Advancement Office contain the words “Please accept this small gift.” Whether the accompanying donation is $2000 or $20, we never consider it “small.” Every gift exemplifies a great generosity of heart, and we are grateful to every donor—and to our generous God, who opens hearts to give. Here is a sampling of letters we’ve recently received: “[Our church] has a quiet, devout, elderly Christian lady who . . . lives on a small pension and ever since her husband died, she has “done shirts.” She washes and irons men’s dress shirts for 75 cents a shirt. . . . she set aside 25 cents from each shirt as her gift. It amounted to $120—or 480 shirts.” “I am enclosing a check for twenty dollars in memory of my sister who passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 100 and 3 months.” “This cannot pay for all that your students did for us. We just want to give a donation and show a little appreciation for the love given to us.” [from a family in New Orleans who received help from our MLC S.O.A.R. Team] “Enclosed please find a check [from our school and Sunday school children]. . . More important than the money is the fact that every Friday, in our weekly chapel services, the children made it a priority to pray for the faculty and students of MLC. We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers throughout the coming year.” “I’m a graduate, class of ’73, from DMLC. I had a birthday and I’m donating my birthday money to you for your operating budget. ($150) I wish it was more. I’ll keep MLC in my prayers.” “Last fall our students wished to make a Thanksgiving Day offering to MLC to say ‘thank you’ to the Lord for the gift of their teachers. We used special offering boxes and collected $242.72.” “. . . to help people learn about Jesus.” [$5 from a Milwaukee third grader who won a contest and sent his prize money to MLC]
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Of all the gifts we receive at MLC, 94% are $1000 and under.
Praise God
from Whom All Blessings Flow As the 2005-06 school year and fiscal year ended, we praised God once again for blessing Martin Luther College through his generous people. He truly “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).
Fiscal Year
Gifts Received
Gifts per Month
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006
$627,363 $1,333,457 $3,833,787
40 65 239
Regular, ongoing gifts are needed for MLC to remain a vibrant and healthy institution! Gifts come to us in a variety of ways: • sale of stock • electronic fund transfer • automatic withdrawals
• memorials and honorariums • estates • credit card gifts • cash and checks
If you’d like to learn more about these avenues of giving, or if you’d like to discuss how you can help support MLC, the WELS College of Ministry, please contact Resource Development Director Kate Tohal (tohalkj@mlc-wels.edu or 507.354.8221 ext 220).
Free Estate Planning / Charitable Gifting Educational Seminars Saturday, September 30 Minneapolis Saturday, November 11 Appleton, Wisconsin Saturday, January 13 Phoenix For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Kate Tohal at Martin Luther College by calling (507) 354-8221 ext. 220 or by emailing tohalkj@mlc-wels.edu.
Alumni,Unite!
M A RT I N L U T H E R C O L L E G E A L U M N I O R G A N I Z AT I O N Proposal to Dr. Martin Luther College Alumni and Friends Association and Northwestern College Alumni Society
“As we enter the second decade of Martin Luther College, we continue to value the alumni organizations of NWC and DMLC. Martin Luther College is grateful for the way these organizations and their individual members have lent their support to MLC through their prayers, their presence at events, their encouragement of our students, and their monetary gifts. There is a real value in the memories that each association celebrates–memories of campus, faculty, student body, and school traditions. MLC thanks God for these alumni organizations and asks his blessings on their continued service. In addition, MLC invites any interested members of each organization to join the MLC alumni organization as we all work together for the good of God and his kingdom.” MLC President Ted Olsen
T o C o nsider :
P r o p o sal :
1. Both DMLC and NWC have active alumni organizations.
o The DMLC Alumni and Friends Association and the NWC Alumni Society should continue functioning as is best for the interests and support of their constituents.
2. Each alumni organization has established unique traditions and valued forms of service. 3. Each alumni organization has benefited the students of MLC in unique ways. 4. MLC values the support provided by each organization. 5. Individual members of each organization have strong ties to their own alma mater. 6. Alumni of each organization have strong interests in maintaining an identity and traditions directly linked to their individual alma maters. These interests lead to a level of support for their alma maters that may not correlate with their level of support for the MLC alumni organization. 7. Commitments to support MLC must be made by each individual.
o MLC welcomes the support of both alumni groups, and invites any interested member to join the MLC alumni organization, thus establishing dual memberships in both organizations. o The MLC alumni organization will offer services to the DMLC and NWC alumni organizations to foster more effective communications and to strengthen avenues of cooperation among the organizations. Such services will include ~ Inclusion in the MLC In Focus magazine ~ Alumni organization Website presence (as this becomes available) ~ Invitations to events ~ Use of MLC campus facilities, etc.
8. MLC cannot dictate the future direction of either DMLC or NWC alumni associations. 9. Three alumni associations—DMLC, NWC and MLC—can co-exist with each organization participating in a unique, valuable form of service.
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I remember
the 1930s at DMLC Excerpts from the historical narrative “Before the Doctor Lost His Title” by Ruth Hinnenthal (DMLC class of 1936) “Meals were served family style and in separate dining rooms for the boys and girls. (We never spoke of ‘men’ and ‘women.’) The students came in and stood behind their chairs until the joint table prayer had been said, led by the house parents of the girls’ dormitory, Hillcrest Hall, and by the ‘dorm buck’ of the boys’ dormitory.” “Old Main was quite different from what it is today. In fact, it was simply called ‘the service building.’ In the basement was a laundry room and drying room. The first floor was occupied by the kitchen and dining rooms. The second floor housed the family of the kitchen manager on the south side of the building. The north side contained the campus infirmary, providing two rooms for the college nurse plus several rooms for students who were ill. The third floor provided rooms for the kitchen girls, two piano studios, and a large room where class parties were held.”
The 2006 reunion of the Class of 1936: Ora Stuebe, Waldemar Nolte, Ruth Hinnenthal, Albert Brockelman, and Florence Kurth
Music has always been important at (Dr.) Martin Luther College.
“The academic day began with morning devotion in the auditorium of the Administration building and was attended by the entire student body and faculty. Senior college students served as organists, and the devotion was led by the college president. Seats were numbered, and students had assigned seats with the high school freshmen in the front and the highest college class in the rear.” “Chorus was mandatory. Singing and sight-reading classes were held on Saturday morning, with rehearsals during the last period of the afternoon. One day, the Sievert sisters came to rehearsal ‘as they were’ after a morning of yard work. Professor Backer apparently felt they were not properly dressed for class and sent them home to change. They were back very shortly, dressed in slacks, sport coats, white shirts, and bow ties. As they knew would happen, the chorus burst out in laughter when they entered. ‘Ba,’ good sport that he was, laughed with us, welcomed them back, and proceeded with rehearsal.”
DMLC students attended daily devotion in the auditorium.
Singing in choir was mandatory.
“Study hours were held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. At that time boys were at their desks in their rooms, unless they had a practice period in the Music Hall. All girls were at study in their various places of residence: Hillcrest Hall, Redeker Hall, or Waldheim. At 9:00 p.m. the evening devotions were held. The girls held theirs in the residences while the boys streamed out the back door of the dormitory for devotion in the auditorium.” Evening study halls were held in the residences.
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NWC Alumni Society News Contributed by NWC Alumni Society President, Professor Alan Siggelkow
Special
Photo: Clifford Koeller
A
Moment
Sometimes a photographer takes a picture that captures a moment of joy and remembrance in a very unique way. In this picture, taken at the NWC Alumni Society meeting on May 25, 2006, at the seminary chapel, Pastor Emeritus Howard Russow and Dr. Arnold Lehmann are recognized as members of the 70th anniversary class of Northwestern College. The uniqueness of this picture is that seated behind Dr. Lehmann is his son, Pastor Richard Lehmann, NWC class of 1976, and seated behind Pastor Russow is his son, Pastor David Russow, NWC class of 1968. Also in
Special A
attendance, but not shown on the picture, were two other sons of Pastor Howard Russow, Pastor William Russow, NWC class of 1963, and Pastor Richard Russow, NWC class of 1983. Dr. Arnold Lehmann served as music professor and band and choir director for both Northwestern Preparatory School and Northwestern College from 1962 through 1974. From 1974 through 1979, he served Northwestern College as music professor and choir director. It was a special blessing to honor these two veterans of WELS parish ministry and WELS teaching ministry.
Gift
Special gifts come in various forms. On July 15, 2006, the NWC Alumni Society received a gift from the family of Adolph and Olive Lindemann. The $10,000 gift to the NWC Alumni Society Presidents Endowment fund was given in their memory by their seven children and 27 grandchildren. Adolph was taken to heaven on Christmas morning, 2005, at the age of 94. His obituary reads that 24 of his descendants were either in the pastor or the teaching ministry of the WELS and that all his descendants are members of the WELS. Adolph and Olive helped to physically feed people through their farm, but they also helped to feed people with the Word of Life through their children and grandchildren. We thank God for his special gifts through his servants.
In the letter that accompanied the gift, Pastor Edward Lindemann wrote: “Please place this check into the Presidents Fund of the Northwestern College Alumni Association in memory of our parents with the prayer that many men may be helped financially to attain the goal of becoming fulltime public ministers of the gospel.� From 1997, when the NWC Alumni Society first began issuing grants in aid to students training for the pastoral ministry at Martin Luther College, through this year, 2006, 75 grants have been made to students and $72,800 has been distributed to Martin Luther College students from the NWC Alumni Society Presidents Fund. We thank God for his blessings to us.
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S
MLC Fall Festival 2006
October 6-7
Friday, October 6 1:00 Women’s Soccer vs. Northwestern 3:00 Men’s Soccer vs. Northwestern 7:00 Women’s Volleyball vs. Presentation
Homecoming – Saturday, October 7 Hospitality Tent Stop in to register for free T-shirts for parents, family, and alumni! Get parent information and game schedules. Enjoy refreshments and talk to MLC representatives. 11:00 Women’s Cross Country (MLC Invitational - Flandrau State Park, New Ulm)
Alumni Association Kick-off
11:45 Men’s Cross Country (MLC Invitational - Flandrau State Park, New Ulm)
Free alumni T-shirts
12:00 Women’s Soccer vs. Crown (Parents’ Day)
Enjoy alumni displays
1:00 Football vs. Morris (Parents’ Day)
Join parents and friends of MLC at evening Gemütlichkeit
1:00 Women’s Volleyball vs. Northwestern (Parents’ Day) 2:00 Men’s Soccer vs. Crown (Parents’ Day) 7:00 Parent and Alumni Gemütlichkeit
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MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE
Martin Luther College
Connect with classmates Tour the campus
SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS
Knights at a glance High Hopes for Knights Volleyball
Football: MVP Times Three
Coach Drew Buck would like to trump last year’s second-place conference tournament finish with a championship this year. Five returning starters, including All-Conference players Emily Buck and Rachel Meyer, have the tools to do the job. If the team can find a new starting libero to replace graduate Becky Hahn, and if they can stay healthy and injury-free, the sky’s the limit.
Coach Doug Lange and his Knights are riding the wave of a great 2005 season, including a 6-1 conference record and a sweep of the three conference MVP categories: AJ Kruse (Defensive MVP), Daniel Lange (Offensive MVP), and Aaron Krause (Lineman of the Year). Shutting out the three best teams from the UMAC Southern Division helped rank the Knights at number 12 in the nation (NCAA Division III) for scoring defense. This year? “The Knights should once again field a strong team with many returning starters in key positions,” says Lange. “MLC’s special teams figured strongly in the Knights’ success in 2005 and could prove to be the key in close games again this year.”
Men’s Soccer: Experience Is Key Coach Paul Koelpin is looking to his 10 seniors to be a major factor as the Knights make a run at the conference title. “These seniors started college as champs—when MLC won the UMAC crown in 2003— and they have a solid chance to finish as champs,” he says. Caleb Kurbis, a three-time AllConference player, will lead the offensive charge, supported by his brother Philip, who made All-Conference as a freshman. Joe Greefkes and Peter Walther will supply added scoring punch. The defensive unit should return nearly intact, anchored by Tim Grundmeier, Joel Fischer, and Dan Maki, with Ben Pagel between the pipes in goal.
Women’s Soccer: Nine Starters Return Coach Jonathan Balge reports that the MLC women’s soccer team returns nine starters from a squad that made it to the UMAC championship game in 2005. Since the two non-returners are MLC’s all-time scoring leader and goalkeeper, however, a couple significant holes need filling. To maintain or improve on last year’s finish, the Knights will look to returning seniors, including All-Conference players Jennifer Joecks and Jenni Mueller, and Adrienne Osmus, who received honorable mention in the UMAC.
Men’s Cross Country Team: Hoping to Keep the Streak Going
The Knights’ quiet dominance in cross country is becoming legendary, as three-time UMAC Coach of the Year Mark Paustian sets his sights on a ninth straight conference title. Seniors Marshal Milbrath and Paul Kanzenbach return this year, as well as the team captain, Tom Moldenhauer, who garnered the individual conference title last year and hopes for a repeat. The team, which welcomes an exciting crop of freshmen, also hopes to finish in the top 10 at Regionals and to qualify at least one runner for Nationals.
Women’s Cross Country Returning Seniors Set the Pace
With a good core of returning runners, including seniors Gretchen Koch, Anna Bourman, and Kelly Mellgren, Coach Barb Leopold hopes to improve on last year’s fifth-place conference finish. The team has their eyes on a first- or second-place finish at the UMAC meet, a top-15 finish in the Regionals, and the naming of at least one runner to the All-Regional team.
Wish you could follow MLC sports more easily? Now you can! New Ulm radio station KNUJ will audio stream all football games and select basketball games this year. To get connected, go to www.knuj. net. You may also listen to the game broadcasts on SAM 107.3 FM. Martin Luther College
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A Look at
Languages Test Your Knowledge About foreign language study for pastoral ministry students at Martin Luther College Professor Thomas Nass compares learning Hebrew to eating an elephant: “There is only one way to do it, and that is piece by piece.”
True or False: 1. MLC pastoral students study the Bible’s original languages, Greek and Hebrew. True. In fact, our pastoral students begin Greek the first day they walk in the door. They’ll intensify their study in both languages at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, but the training starts here and now. Seminary President Paul O. Wendland offers his perspective: “Students from Martin Luther College come to us bringing a rich background in languages . . . These students already have a reading knowledge of both Greek and Hebrew. That means we can immediately begin to study the Bible with them in the original languages. An advantage like this is one no other major Lutheran seminary enjoys.” Not all denominations put such demands on their future pastors. Why study those difficult languages, their reasoning goes, when such excellent translations are available? “Translations come with bias,” explains Latin and Greek Professor Keith Wessel, “and sometimes they don’t accurately capture the nuance or flow of thought of the original language.” 2. MLC pastoral students must study a non-biblical language like Spanish. True. We do require a non-biblical language too, offering Latin, German, and Spanish. Why
those three? Lutheran theologians did much of their writing in Latin and German, and Spanish is the primary language of a growing number of Americans. Occasionally students will study another language—French or Mandarin, for instance—at a different college and then transfer those credits in. 3. MLC pastoral students are admitted into the program only if they’ve completed four years of a high school foreign language. False. The admissions requirements have changed over the years, and now we require only two years of a high school foreign language. Actually, “require” is too strong a word; we “prefer” that incoming students have at least two years. The more high school language study they’ve had, the fewer college-level courses they’ll have to take. But if a student hasn’t had a lick of Latin or any other language, we’ll still accept him and do our best to help him finish the program in four years, if possible. 4. MLC pastoral students must have exceptionally high ACT scores in order to master the languages. False. The languages are tough, but as Hebrew Professor Thomas Nass says, “It’s like eating an elephant. There is only one way to do it, and that is piece by piece. If a student is willing to work day by day, he will find that soon he has swallowed the entire thing.” We also have a Peer Tutoring Program that connects upperclassmen with lowerclassmen who may have temporary difficulties. 5. The rewards of language study at MLC are well worth the work. We all know the answer to that.
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Martin Luther College
Spanish Immersion:
Josh Hanson at Machu Picchu
Don Tilbury at El Provenir
Language class in the Rainforest
Hannah Buschkopf at the Shangrila Lodge
Paul Bases and his entourage at the Cotopaxi Volcano
Ec u a d o r
For this summer’s Spanish Immersion Program, Professor Paul Bases and his class traveled to Ecuador. Along with their intensive language study at the Spanish Language Institute in Quito, the class learned about Latin American culture through field trips and other activities that expanded their cultural awareness. Several students went on to explore Peru as well.
Professor Bases zip-lining over the rainforest canopy
Jackie Colletta and Sarah Sauer with some friends in Quito
Brandon Henrichs, Professor Paul Bases, Josh Hanson, and Don Tilbury at the Otovalo Overlook
Letters Home Students Serving Abroad
More than 30 MLC graduates and students are currently serving overseas, either through our International Teaching Opportunities (ITO) program or in an Early Ministry Experience. Below are excerpts from some letters home.
I also had the humbling yet edifying experience of presenting a child to the Lord through the waters of baptism. Few are the things I have done in my short life that have moved me so much. Brazil Chris holds a child he baptized while the has really been trial by pastor in Brazil was on furlough. fire. I daily relearn the importance of clinging solely to God’s Word—preaching his law and gospel, his gospel and law—even when it seems to be the hardest thing for me to say and the last thing that people want to hear. Yet, through the many hard moments that I have traversed, I have nothing but pure joy as I see our Lord preparing me for His service. Chris Ewings (See more of Chris’s story on page 5.) We were telling our friends in Southeast Asia, that we were going to take a week off of studies while we were gone. They were pretty disappointed, but one of the girls said, “Well, why shouldn’t we study ourselves?” The group decided to gather at the same time, The Wakemans served in Southeast Asia for same place the following week, and two years. a few of them volunteered to lead the Bible study. I don’t need to tell you how exciting that was for us. The Holy Spirit’s work is so evident in their hearts. Aaron and Cora Wakemann
Katie is beginning her second year in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Here she holds her little friend, Saya.
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It is very fun teaching in Thailand because I have such wonderful news to share with all of my students during our morning Bible stories. They all get very excited and interested. It is a wonderful thing to watch. Katie Lange
Martin Luther College
Many things in the States that are considered necessities are considered luxuries in the Dominican Republic. Every day Nicole Reed is beginning her second year here the electricity teaching children in Dominican Republic. is temporarily cut. Sometimes it lasts for a few hours, sometimes for the entire day. For me as a teacher, that means no copy machine, no computer, no fan, no hot water, no light. Even though there are times when my teaching resources are lessened to a book, a piece of chalk, and a blackboard, I love it more every day. Nicole Reed Today was an exciting day in Brazil. I have been connecting well with Karine, a 25-yearold student with German roots. She has always seemed like a good Cara works with her student Karine prospect, and I have been while teaching in Brazil. praying that the Holy Spirit works in her heart. Today after conversation class, she was flipping through a Bible story picture book in English, and she timidly asked if she could take it home to read. Of course, I said yes! Now my prayers are that the Holy Spirit will give her the courage to come to a church service or a Bible study, and that I have continued opportunities to share more of God’s Word with her! Cara Zarnstorff
Training Teachers
Worldwide “Providing educational leadership with a global outlook” is part of MLC’s mission. One way our faculty reaches across the globe is by serving as adjunct faculty members in international ministry training schools. Last July, Dr. David Wendler, Vice President for Academic Affairs One of the St. John’s faculty and Professor of Education, members has a weekend job taught a two-week course in as well: selling mangos in the Antigua, West Indies. Under market. the auspices of the Caribbean Christian Training Institute (CCTI), he taught Psychology of Human Growth and Development to nine elementary school teachers of St. John’s Lutheran School, Antigua.
MLC Professor Dr. David Wendler poses with some St. John’s faculty members and their families after church. St. John’s Lutheran Primary School has about 200 students and is served by Headmaster E. John Fredrich (MLC 1996 graduate). Pastors Andrew Johnston (MLC 2002) and Josh Sternhagen (MLC 1996) minister at the church.
In the summer of 2005, Professor Mark Paustian went to Antigua to teach Interpersonal Communication, a course for students in all four programs offered by CCTI: deacon/ess, primary teacher, elder, and pastor. Such opportunities serve not only the students in these schools, but they broaden and enrich our faculty as well. “There is great value in living in another culture and understanding that other cultures look at life differently than we do,” said Wendler, who has also taught in St. Lucia and Southeast Asia. “This is a way for our MLC faculty to partner with missions, working together both in training and in outreach. Our faculty members who teach in other cultures can then bring their experiences back to their classrooms to share with their students.”
Dr. David Wendler holds little Nathan Abraham while his mom, Edith Veronica Abraham, takes the final exam for the course Dr. Wendler taught.
Martin Luther College
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It’s more
than just a job.
Martin luther College The WELS College of Ministry
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MLC
STAYING CONNECTED WITH YOU
Here are some ways we’re informing you of all our blessings, challenges, opportunities, and changes. Contact us at mlcinfo@mlc-wels.edu if you’d like to learn more, offer a suggestion, or make a request.
International Recognition
• CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS: MLC representatives speak at conferences, district conventions, school events, preaching engagements, and church activities. • EMAIL UPDATES: These weekly updates deliver the most current MLC news right to your email box. • IN FOCUS: This free news magazine has a distribution of 20,000+. Look for it regularly at your congregation, or request a personal copy yourself.
SUMMER 2006
In This Issue... MLC Children’s Theater I Remember the 1980s at Northwestern College
• KNIGHTWATCH: Our campus is one of the few that produces a magazine aimed directly at high school students as they consider their college and career choices.
Touch the World
• PREPARATION FOR SERVICE DVD: Our students, parents, and faculty tell you the MLC story on this eight-minute video.
knightwatch M A RTIN LU T H E R COL L E G E
MLC
fall 2006
• LADIES’ AUXILIARY: Come join this long-time supporter of special college projects at their annual meeting Wednesday, October 11, 2006.
welcome, freshmen! variety is the spice of ministry
friends for life
• CAMPUS VISITS AND TOURS: We’d love to show you our beautiful campus and discuss the joys of ministry preparation. We can arrange a campus tour for 1 or 100. • PRINT-READY ADS: Look for our new black-and-white ads in Forward in Christ, In Focus, KnightWatch, and also in your churches and schools. They are available both in poster form and in print-ready quarter-page ads for newspapers and newsletters. • MISSION PROJECTS: We provide mission boxes, bulletin board materials, and everything you need to promote MLC as a mission project.
There’s a reason it’s called higher education.
Martin Luther College has received international attention due to the Heinrich Fleischer Collection we house in our library. Fleischer, who died in February 2006, was a world-renowned organist and professor of music at the University of Minnesota. He was a direct descendant of Martin Luther and attended the same school where Luther and J.S. Bach had been pupils. Emeritus Professors Ames Anderson and Bruce Backer, as well as Charles Luedtke, studied with Fleischer and helped produce Perspectives on Organ Playing and Musical Interpretation: A Festschrift for Heinrich Fleischer at 90. In addition to this 2000 publication, the collection at MLC houses Fleischer’s books, scores, recital programs, reviews, and other materials relating to his life and career. An obituary for Fleischer, written by Anderson, Backer, and Luedtke, can be found in the July-August 2006 issue of Choir & Organ, the June 2006 issue of The Diapason, and the June 2006 issue of The American Organist.
k MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE The WELS College of Ministry
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Did you know?
MLC has more pipe organs and more organ students than any other college, university, or conservatory in the United States. Martin Luther College
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Faculty
NOTES
Dean of Pastoral Studies Dan Balge, President Theodore Olsen, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Dave Wendler were invited to the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary conference “Our Challenge and Our Privilege: Entrusting the Truth to Reliable Men” in July. The seminary is reviewing its curriculum and invited a cross-section of the synod to offer input.
Professor Paul Bases took 24 students, 17 from MLC, to Ecuador for a Spanish immersion experience May 21–June 21. Bases and seven others went on to Peru for another 10 days to hike the Inca Trail. Next year’s immersion site will be Chile.
Professor David Bauer is the new MLC Director of Continuing Education. He replaces Professor John Paulsen, who retired last summer. Pastor John Boeder delivered the Keynote Address for the Western Wisconsin District Convention in Watertown last June. The theme of the convention was “Every Member a Missionary: With Their Lips and with Their Gifts.”
Professor Lawrence Czer presented “Integrating Grammar in Writing Instruction” at the Northern Wisconsin Teachers’ Conference in February.
Professor Jack Gronholz presented “Early Childhood Physical Education” as a workshop in Onalaska, Wisconsin, in June.
Dr. James Grunwald presented various technology-related topics at Fox Valley Lutheran High School and at the WELS EduTech Conference, both in June. In July he represented the WELS at the “IT & Distance Learning Task Force” meeting of the National Council of Private School Accreditation in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Mark Lenz preached in Stillwater, Minnesota, for the August commissioning of 28 teachers who will be working in Southeast Asia.
Professor Cheryl Loomis presented a keynote address at the Western Wisconsin / Minnesota District Early Childhood Conference: “Best Practices in Early Literacy.” She also presented “What’s New in Children’s Literature” in a sectional at that conference.
Professors Carla Melendy, Jack Minch, Ron Ohm, Gene Pfeifer, Paul Tess, and Cindy Whaley led orientation sessions for teachers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota who will supervise student teachers in their classrooms during the 2006-2007 school year.
Professor Thomas P. Nass led the First Annual MLC Summer Hebrew Institute July 17-21. The 12 participants read Exodus 1-10 and the book of Esther, and worked with an upper-level Hebrew research tool. Adjunct Instructor Lanita Nolte, a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society Long-Range Planning Committee, presented “Recharge, Renew, Relax” at the LWMS National Convention in Tacoma, Washington.
Professor Ronald and Adjunct Instructor Carlotta Ohm taught vacation Bible school at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Professor Ronald Shilling has written three psalm settings that will be included in the new WELS Christian Worship: Supplement. The supplement will be released in 2008. Dr. Alan Spurgin has been appointed Assistant
the Northern California WELS Teachers’ Conference in Penryn, California, last February.
Director of Clinical Experiences. He will work with the director, Dr. Gene Pfeifer. The Clinical Experiences office oversees training programs for education students: Early Field Experience, Junior Clinical, Senior Practicum, and Student Teaching; and it also compiles the Book of Candidates, which the WELS Assignment Committee uses to assign graduating teachers to their first field of service.
Professor Paul Koelpin spoke on the topic of
Dr. David Wendler has been appointed to a four-
Professors Beverlee Haar (em), Susan Haar, and Carla Melendy presented topics at the EduTech Conference in June.
Professor Lance Hartzell and Annette Hartzell presented “Art across the Curriculum” to
stewardship at the Minnesota District Youth Rally in Grand Rapids. He also presented “How the Bible Came 22
to Us” as part of a community lecture series sponsored by St. John’s, New Ulm.
Martin Luther College
year term on the Accreditation Review Council of The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools, and was among 18 people invited by the Higher Learning Commission to help design the four-year assessment program. He also taught an education course in Antigua for the Caribbean Christian Training Institute.
Professor Kurt Wittmershaus taught a week-long German camp on MLC’s campus for 23 area children. The German Camp is offered through the New Ulm Sister Cities Commission. Various MLC professors taught 2006 summer courses. James Grunwald (Technology-Enhanced Instruction), Susan Haar (Music and Worship in ECE, Operating and Managing an ECE Program), Thomas Hunter (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), John Isch (em) (Principles of Christian Education), Lyle Lange (Christian Doctrine I and II), Mark Lenz, (Lutheran Confessional Writings), Cheryl Loomis (Emergent Literacy), Lawrence Lotito (Teaching Religion), Roland Menk (em) (Integrating the Language Arts, Teaching in Elementary and Middle Level Classrooms), Kermit Moldenhauer (Lutheran Worship), John Nolte (Music Technology), Ron Ohm (Leadership Skills for Educators), Lawrence Olson (Parish Education), Gene Pfeifer (Supervision of Student Teachers, Improving the Quality of Instruction, and Authentic Assessment), Jeff Schone (Biblical History and Lit II), Al Spurgin (Educating the Exceptional Child), and Cindy Whaley (Creating a Comprehensive Reading Curriculum, Teaching in Elementary and Middle Level Classrooms). Both current and graduate students enrolled in these courses, which were offered on campus, off campus, and/or online.
In memoriam Professor em Paul Erwin Eickmann, age 78, died June 15, 2006. Professor Eickmann taught Hebrew at Northwestern College, Watertown, Wisconsin, from 1966 to 1995.
Dr. George E. La Grow, age 65, died April 8, 2006. He served as a professor of education at Dr. Martin Luther College from 1978 to 1991.
The Lutheran College Conference Martin Luther College President Rev. Theodore Olsen and Wisconsin Lutheran College President Dr. Timothy J. Kriewall get better acquainted at the Lutheran College Conference, held in August at MLC.
Martin Luther College was pleased to host the Lutheran College Conference August 13-15. The faculties of Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, attended the conference along with the MLC faculty. President Theodore Olsen preached at the opening service, and three MLC professors presented: David Sellnow: “The Hybrid Classroom: Combining Traditional and Online Approaches to Learning”; Earl Heidtke: “Using Electronic Keypads to Enhance Student Learning”; and Steve Thiesfeldt: “Using Demonstrations and an Observations Notebook to Teach Science Process Skills.”
Welcome, New Faculty! Professor Paul Tess Paul Tess comes to us from St. Mark Lutheran School in Green Bay. A 1977 graduate of DMLC, he has also taught at Jerusalem—Milwaukee; St. John— Neillsville, Wisconsin; and St. John— Newtonburg, Wisconsin. He earned a Master of Arts in Education from Silver Lake College in 1993.
Professor Miles Wurster Miles Wurster is no stranger to MLC, having served as our Wind Symphony director last year. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1996 with a B.A. in Music and a license in instrumental music.
Professor Tess will be supervising elementary school student teachers and teaching two methods courses, Teaching Mathematics and Teaching Science. He says, “I’m looking forward to working with future fulltime kingdom workers. To be able to have a direct impact on the teaching ministries of these young servants is exciting.”
In addition to Wind Symphony, Professor Wurster will be directing other instrumental ensembles and teaching Introduction to Music and Vocal Musicianship. “The MLC students have been an inspiration for me,” he says, “with the passion they show in serving the Lord through music. Music is a great and glorious gift from God, and I have the blessing to be a part of that every day of my life.”
Paul and his wife, Beth, have five children.
Miles and his wife, Kathy, have one daughter. Martin Luther College
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Events2006-2007
Events 2006-2007
Martin Luther College Fall Festival Weekend and Homecoming.......................... October 6-7 MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary Annual Meeting............................. October 11 First Semester Midterm Break........................................... October 13-16 Lyceum: The Divers........................................................... October 20, 7:30 p.m. Musical: Bye Bye Birdie...................................................... October 27-28, 7:30 p.m.
November 3-4, 7:30 p.m.
November 5, 2 p.m.
Focus on Ministry Visits................................................... November 2-4 Wind Symphony Concert................................................. November 19, 3 p.m. Lyceum: Project Paul......................................................... November 28, 7:30 p.m.
Readers’ Theater: The Things They Carried...................... December 8-9, 7:30 p.m. Family Open House......................................................... December 17, 11:30 a.m. Christmas Concert............................................................ December 17, 3 p.m. December Graduation Service.......................................... December 20, 9:30 a.m. Christmas Recess.............................................................. December 20-January 8 Lyceum: Parallel Exit—Physical Comedy Theater................ January 17, 7:30 p.m. Winter Parent Weekend ................................................... January 26-27 Family Open House......................................................... January 27, 10 a.m. Wind Symphony Tour...................................................... February 1-4 Lyceum: Minneapolis Guitar Quartet.................................. February 2, 7:30 p.m. Wind Symphony Home Concert...................................... February 7, 7:30 p.m. Hymn Festival (St. Paul’s, New Ulm)................................ February 11, 3 p.m. Winter Play: Nightwatch ................................................... February 16-17, 7:30 p.m. February 18, 2 p.m. Large Grade School BB Tournament................................. February 16-18 Small Grade School BB Tournament................................. February 23-25 Freshman Early Field Experience..................................... February 24-28 College Choir Tour........................................................... February 23-March 4 Spring Break..................................................................... February 28-March 11