InFocus - April 2007

APRIL 2007

In This Issue...

Alumni in Focus Touching the World Thalassa Prize

N O I T O V E D

Keep My Commands

in your heart

By Timothy Grundmeier*

We hear God’s inspired Word from Proverbs 3:1-2: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”

It’s all a matter of priorities, isn’t it? What is first and foremost in your heart? Left to ourselves, our priorities would be in a mess and our hearts would be opposed to God. But the Holy Spirit has called us through his means of grace and has pumped into our hearts the life-changing message of God’s forgiveness. We are now enabled to fight false priorities and let Christ reign supreme.

As we go through our day, we meditate on God’s Word, searching it for advice and comfort, and daily growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since we are connected to this grace, we are enabled to “keep [God’s] commands in [our] heart,” to fight temptation, to pray, to go about our daily tasks, glorifying God in all we do. And, if all this were not enough, God promises to bless us in countless more ways. “Keep my commands in your heart,” he says, “for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.”

“Prosperity” reflects just one nuance of the Hebrew word used here by Solomon, shalom. It has many definitions: completeness, fullness, health, welfare, prosperity, and, probably the most common translation, peace. Isn’t this a powerful word? Not only does our God completely and fully provide for our health and welfare, but he also gives us peace—from the forgiveness won for us by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.

This Spirit-given peace leads us to his means of grace.

Those means of grace connect us to Christ, so that we are enabled to “keep his commands.” And then God blesses us with countless gifts, including the gift of peace, which leads us back again to his means of grace, which enable us to keep his commands, which—Do you see the pattern yet? What an amazing plan that God has laid out for our Christian lives! And it all comes from Him. It all comes from his grace. *This excerpt is taken from an evening chapel devotion written and delivered by MLC senior Tim Grundmeier (Christ the Lord, Houston, TX).

MLC upperclassmen in both Educational Studies and Pre-Seminary Studies give evening chapel three times a week.

MLC 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. MLC President Public Relations Director Editor Photographer

Rev. Theodore Olsen Bill Pekrul Laurie Biedenbender Bill Pekrul

All correspondence should be directed to MLC 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 2

Martin Luther College

Visit our website at www.mlc-wels.edu To subscribe to our weekly news update, send an email to mlcupdate-subscribe@mlc-wels.edu

On our cover:

Professors John Boeder and Jonathan Balge visited international schools in Malawi.

Table of Contents Devotion.............................................................2 Here on the Hill..................................................4-7 Future MLC President Mark Zarling.....................8

Page 8: Meet our new president, Professor Mark Zarling.

Call Day: The Graduates Are Ready......................9 Early Field Experience........................................10 Page 10: Freshmen get a taste of teaching during EFE Week.

Daylight...............................................................11 DMLC Alumni News...........................................12 Northwestern College Alumni Society News......13 MLC Alumni.......................................................14 Alumni in Focus: Marilyn Miller........................15

Page 18: The world is shrinking, and our International Teaching Opportunities are expanding.

Alumni in Focus: Jessica Tess.............................16 Alumni in Focus: Paul Biedenbender..................17 International Teaching Opportunities............18-19 Mission Advancement Report.............................20 Page 21: MLC tops conference in academic honors, on both team and individual levels.

Sports in Focus....................................................21 Faculty Notes.................................................22-23 Thalassa Prize.......................................................24

From Our Readers As an alumnus, it is a joy to view the pages of In Focus partly because it takes me back to my college days. . . . As I read about all the wonderful activities taking place on the campus and around the world involving MLC students and faculty, I find myself humbled to have been part of such a nurturing Christian environment. . . . I’m thankful and encouraged to know that despite financial limitations, our college has the goal to reach out even further around the globe to spread the good news and enable students to gain such valuable (if not even crucial) experience. . . . I know that I felt highly trained for the ministry and am confident, each time I see this publication, that many more people have and will become well-equipped for a life of service to God in the ministry. . . . I pray that the Lord will reach others, through sources such as In Focus, to see how crucial it is that we preserve our rich history in the worker training schools.

In Christ, Janna Needham Saginaw, MI

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“I like the independence of the online courses. I can do the work early in the morning or late at night.”

CONVENIENT

family, church, and school duties. Most courses are online, which means you can do your coursework when it’s convenient for you. The program’s 36 required credits (10 courses and a capstone project) may be finished in three to four years.

here on the

Mike Koestler Principal, St. Paul’s, New Ulm MLC Graduate Student

Martin Luther College

Master’s Program Martin Luther College 1995 Luther Court New Ulm, MN 56073

Flourishing

MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION If you’d like to raise the level of your professionalism by pursuing an advanced degree, now is the time!

Martin Luther College is offering a Master of Science in Education degree intended especially for teachers in WELS schools.

Most Courses

Now Online

Four-Year

Early Childhood Education Degree MLC has developed a four-year, single-major early childhood education (ECE) program. On April 13, the proposal appeared on the Minnesota Board of Teaching consent agenda. At present, ECE students study five years and graduate with a double major, ECE and Elementary Education, preparing them to teach at both levels. This five-year, double-major option will remain available.

Your Master’s Degree is Now Within Reach.

Enrollment continues to increase, and some students are nearing completion of their Master of Education. “In the next year or two, the college may grant its first master’s degree,” says Dr. John Isch, Director of Graduate Studies.

We’re offering three courses this summer, one on campus, one online, and one a mixture of both. This mix of “brick and click” courses (on-campus and online) allows teachers to continue in their current ministries while pursuing graduate degrees. For more information, go to www.mlc-wels.edu/go/grad.

Island to Mountain MLC Travel Study Professor Earl Heidtke will lead a Rocky Mountains field study June 9-16. Participants will study geology, ecology, natural history, human history, biomes, and ecological communities.

Jamaica is the study site for a Marine Ecology course next December. A joint project with Wisconsin Lutheran College, the course offers habitat studies of sea grass beds, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, estuaries, and tide pool and rocky shore communities.

Santiago, Chile is the destination for MLC’s next Spanish Immersion Trip. Language and culture are the focal points for the 30 students enrolled in this academically rigorous one-month stay. The class is a diverse group of college students, called workers, and others who serve God’s people in Spanish-speaking communities.

MLC and ALHS: Partners

in Christian Education

In recent years, about 6-7% of the graduates from our 22 area Lutheran high schools enroll at MLC. Typically that makes up just over half of our freshman class. At the ALHS Conference in February, MLC challenged itself and the ALHS’s to aim just a bit higher: “With God’s blessing upon the MLC/ALHS partnership, MLC hopes to enroll consistently a minimum of 10% of the ALHS graduates each year.”

“Each area Lutheran high school has developed a plan, unique to its school, to recruit for the public ministry,” says VP of Enrollment Management Phil Leyrer. “In addition, the high schools have been divided into four groups of 5-6 schools, each under an ALHS mentor who will encourage them. In the future we will assign a specific MLC recruiter to each group of schools.”

Fox Valley LHS

Kettle Moraine LHS

Lakeside LHS

These MLC students from Fox Valley LHS, Kettle Moraine LHS, and Lakeside LHS are just some of the 100s of students from area Lutheran high schools studying to be pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.

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Martin Luther College

MLC Organist Competes

Did You Know?

MLC has more organs and more organ students than any other college, university, or conservatory in the country.

Jacob Behnken (St. Martin, Watertown SD) competed in the Young Artists’ Competition sponsored by the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists on March 17.

Organists from 11 Midwestern states are eligible to compete for the $1500 prize and a chance to advance to the National competition.

The

Gospel in Song Martin Luther College Choir presented “The Gospel in Song” to 10 congregations and five high schools during their 2007 tour of the Midwest. “It was a pleasure to meet so many WELS members and to share the good news of salvation in Christ with them,” said College Choir Director Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer. “We wish to thank all who provided accommodations and meals, and who shoveled the snow that accompanied us for most of the trip!”

New MLC President Mark Zarling attended the concert in Fort Atkinson WI. “It was a joy to hear the choir,” he said.

“God was glorified in the Christ-centered message that was married to some beautiful music.”

Behnken is the fifth (D)MLC student to compete in the competition. Brent Nolte ’94, Daniel Vogel ’96, Rachel (Bauer) Arnold ’04, and Greg Baures ’06 also competed. Rachel Bauer was the 2003 winner in the Regional AGO competition.

Photo: Jeff Hendrix

Next year the College Choir will visit Arizona, Texas, and Mexico.

Wind Symphony Mini-Tour The 48-member MLC Wind Symphony, directed by Professor Miles Wurster, performed at Bethany Lutheran College, three area Lutheran high schools—St. Croix, Manitowoc, and Shoreland—and our own campus during their early February mini-tour. Pieces by Aaron Copland, Eric Whitacre, and Henry Fillmore headlined the program.

Martin Luther College

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here on the Far left: The characters played by Mikaela Raddatz (Bethlehem, Lakeville MN) and Emily Mayer (St. John, Mukwonago WI) comfort Sarah Zietlow (St. Paul, Onalaska WI).

Curtis Appleby, played by Steven Springborn (Christ, Cambridge MN), has a word with the German maid, Helga, played by Nicole Richmond (St. Luke, Jackson MI), in the MLC drama Night Watch.

MLC Forum Presents After the successful production of the thriller Night Watch in February, the MLC Forum is now busy with its Children’s Theater production, Cinderella, opening April 19. In addition to the public performances of the play, over 5000 children will attend special children’s performances.

Auditions have also taken place for King Lear, which will be performed “on the green” at German Park. This Shakespearean tragedy joins a long line of classical dramas that Northwestern College and Dr. Martin Luther College began performing over 100 years ago.

Watch for Our New Logo!

MLC KnightWatch

Since 1995, Martin Luther College has been identified by a beautiful seal developed by former DMLC President Dr. John Lawrenz.

The seal is rich in Christian symbolism and our Lutheran heritage, but we’ve found that WELS Lutherans new to our church and others in society who see our seal do not readily understand some of its elements, such as the Latin wording, Roman numerals, and Greek letters. Also, the fine details at times have proven difficult to replicate clearly during the printing process.

MLC’s recruitment magazine, MLC KnightWatch, won a Merit Award from the Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA).

The college’s designer, Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. submitted the magazine to this competition, which received over 2000 entries from all 50 states. Lime Valley also won five other SIAA awards, and we’re grateful for the superior work they do for us.

MLC KnightWatch is edited by Laurie Biedenbender, with photography by Public Relations Director Bill Pekrul.

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Martin Luther College

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Opinions from faculty, staff, students, and alumni have been gathered during the process, and we are excited to release the logo very soon. Watch for it!

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While retaining this seal for use in formal applications, we have embarked on a year-long project to develop a new logo, a graphic image to accompany the college’s name on letterhead, signage, our website, and other applications.

Wins National Award

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAG E PAID OWATONNA, MN PERMIT #11055060

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NON-PROFITE U.S. POSTAG PAID MN 55060 OWATONNA, #110 PERMIT

Programa Christiano Latino A Latino Easter for Kids program at St. John, Glencoe MN, is being developed by MLC student Rodrigo Concha (pictured), with help from another student, Mollie Schweppe (Tree of Life, Cary NC). This venture is just one facet of a large effort, financed by a grant from WELS Kingdom Workers, to reach unchurched Latinos in south-central Minnesota.

“The program seeks to develop a church body in the style of first-century churches, where worship was done at the members’ homes,” says Concha.

It’s an ambitious effort, with help from area congregations and MLC student volunteers: Nate Walthers (St. Mark, Richwood WI), Sarah Crabtree (Emmanuel, Tempe AZ), Nathan Nass (St. Paul, New Ulm MN), David Sigrist (Lamb of God, Columbus OH), Justin Gran (Messiah, South Windsor CT), Josh Shandor (Cross of Life, Miami FL), and Brent Miller (Prince of Peace, Traverse City MI).

Roger Blomquist Keeper of the

Campus In 1966 a young man fresh out of the Army applied for a custodial position at Dr. Martin Luther College. Now, 40 years later, on the verge of retirement, Roger Blomquist has stories to tell.

Ladies’ Auxiliary Concerned and Connected

The MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary remains one of the most consistent college support organizations. Each year they provide generous gifts in the form of student scholarships and donations for the MLC Library. In addition, they look for specific projects that will impact the personal lives of our MLC students. This year they are funding renovations of the lobbies of Concord/Augustana and Centennial (pictured) dorms.

Each fall the Auxiliary meets on our campus to see first-hand what our programs accomplish and to hear reports directly from our students. And each spring smaller conferences meet again with MLC representatives and students in local congregations.

Our most heartfelt thanks to these active, connected supporters!

He remembers many more trees on the grounds, even an apple orchard.

He remembers local church services in Luther Hollow. He tells about his wife driving the college pickup truck around the campus during the winter while he shoveled sand off the back.

He reminisces about his home on 19 Waldheim Drive when he was the head of building and grounds—sometimes responding to calls from students at wee hours of the morning.

Roger will always remember our campus as a place of friendly faculty, students, and fellow workers whom he will sorely miss. We will miss Roger also, and we thank him for 40 years of faithful service.

For a complete list of projects, visit http://www.mlc-wels.edu/home/orgs/ladiesaux/projects/ Martin Luther College

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Future MLC President

Mark Zarling

MLC In Focus recently interviewed Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor Mark Zarling, who has accepted the call to be Martin Luther College President. Here’s an excerpt: In Focus: What will be some of your immediate goals and tasks upon your arrival at MLC? Zarling: Pray! The words of the childhood hymn ring in my ears, “We are weak but he is strong.” I’ll be praying every day for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance. Also, listen and learn!

I really hope to get to know the faculty and students, and discover what excites them, what concerns them, what hopes they have. And I need to listen to our pastors and teachers in the field and discover their perspective, now tempered with experience. I need to also listen to the members of our congregations and schools. How can MLC continue to best serve Christ’s kingdom in training future workers?

In Focus: What’s your long-term vision for MLC? Zarling: In broad strokes, I would say that, by God’s grace, MLC is a school that maintains its clear focus. This school is about Jesus and it’s about souls—both the souls of the campus family and also the souls to be served someday by these workers in training. That means . . .

• MLC is a place where the Word of God is integrated into every aspect of campus life and into every course.

• MLC is a place where the study of that powerful Word is done in humble devotion and with highest scholarship.

• MLC is a place where students see ministers of the gospel who are excited to model ministry to future ministers.

• MLC is a place where excellence is the expectation—for students, for faculty, for staff.

and attitudes of God’s people. It is a thrill to watch young Christian adults develop God-given abilities, understanding that “whatever we do, we do it all to the glory of God.” It is also gratifying to see how the Spirit uses the Word to allow Christian brothers and sisters to grow in their relationships with Jesus and with each other.

In Focus: Please tell us more about your family.

Zarling: My wife, Colette, is a 1976 grad of DMLC. She taught for four years at Garden Homes in Milwaukee and then spent the next part of our married life being a wife, mom, Sunday School teacher, choir member, and so on. We moved to Mequon in 1996, and in 1998 she was called to teach at Siloah in Milwaukee, where she continues to teach until this summer. She enjoys interior design, cooking, gardening, reading, and traveling.

We have four children. Joshua is an MLC grad of 2005 and a firstyear student at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Cathryn will graduate, Lord willing, from MLC in May of 2007.

Anna is a sophomore at MLC. And Ruth is a freshman at Luther Prep.

About Professor Mark Zarling: Professor Zarling doesn’t just faithfully preach and teach about gospel-centered ministry—as crucial as that is—he is a living witness to what that looks like. Another blessing for MLC is that Professor Zarling pursued graduate work in education and was chairman of our education department. This enables him to have a greater insight on the work that is being done at MLC in training and equipping those studying for the teaching ministry.

(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor Richard Gurgel)

From my first day in Genesis class, I have seen that Professor Zarling carries with him a love for the Scriptures and a desire that his students grow through those Scriptures. Also, as my Education Principles professor, he demonstrates his high respect for the importance of Christian education. In Professor Zarling you will find a teacher’s heart.

(Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Student Ben Sadler)

• MLC is a place where learning immediately transfers over into Christian living and service.

• MLC is also more than just one place, but a college that extends its mission into various other locales in our nation and to the world.

• MLC continues to join hands with home and world missions and use our faculty and students in various mission endeavors.

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Ministry: St. Matthew, Danube MN Bethany, Fort Atkinson WI Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

In Focus: What makes MLC an exciting place to be?

Education: Master of Divinity—Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary M.S. Ed.—Concordia University, Mequon WI

Zarling: Where the Word of God is present, it is always exciting. It is exciting to see that Word impact the lives

Martin Luther College

Synod: Chairman—Board for Ministerial Education First Vice President—Western Wisconsin District Many other synodical boards and councils

Call Day: The Graduates Are Ready

By Laurie Biedenbender

Far left: Aaron Krause was assigned in May 2006 to Bethany, Manitowoc WI. Lori Meyer (Ascension, Plymouth MN) was assigned in December 2006 to ChristSt. Peter, Milwaukee.

At 2:30 this May 19, you’ll find most Educational Studies graduates in the MLC gym. They’ll praise God in a beautiful worship service, and then they’ll grip the edges of their seats as they hear the names of the places where they’ll begin their teaching ministries. It’s Call Day—one of the most exciting days in a young teacher’s life.

Dr. Gene Pfeifer, MLC Director of Clinical Experiences and MLC Advisor to the WELS Assignment Committee, remembers his own Call Day, when he heard these words: “Gene Pfeifer has been assigned to St. Matthew Lutheran School, Niles, Illinois.”

“The only Nile I know is a river in Egypt,” he thought to himself, completely unfamiliar with this suburb of Chicago. “Where is God sending me?”

Similar thoughts may run through some of our candidates’ minds this May—perhaps the Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, woman who is assigned to Kenai, Alaska . . . or the Torrance, California, woman who is assigned to Sleepy Eye.

And yet these students are ready.

In fact, a distinction of Martin Luther College is a body of students who are ready to go wherever the Lord of the church calls them. They do not send out resumes.

They do not check online want ads. They do not solicit interviews. They yield to a decision made for them by others—by God through the prayerful work of a calling body.

“Although we had never thought of serving near the big city of Chicago,” Dr. Pfeifer says of himself and his wife, Carrie, “we look back to that time and say with confidence that God used us at the right time and in the right place for his service.”

And MLC students today have the same confidence: that on Call Day their assignment will be right for them. God will have them serve at the place that best makes use of their talents.

Adapted from KnightWatch Feb/Mar ‘07

How the Assignment Process Works: • As graduation approaches, the MLC Director of Clinical Experiences compiles a profile for each candidate. The profile, based on input from teaching supervisors and college professors, includes an assessment of the candidate’s . . . o personality, o teaching and classroom management skills, o suitability for different grade levels, and o ability to perform different duties, such as coaching or playing organ.

• All the profiles are gathered into the Book of Candidates.

• At a formal meeting, the Assignment Committee (made up of WELS leaders and the 12 district presidents of the WELS) receives the Book of Candidates.

• Praying for God’s guidance and hearing the input of selected MLC faculty, the committee uses the profiles to assign each candidate to a church or school, matching up the church or school’s needs with the candidate’s gifts.

• These assignments are then announced at the MLC Call Service, which follows the graduation service.

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E a r l y

F i e l d

E x p e r i e n c e

A Mainstay of Ministry-Based Instruction

By Bill Pekrul

“Experiential Learning” is not just a slogan at MLC; it’s a mainstay of our curriculum and instruction. Freshman Early Field Experience is a prime example of our commitment to practical, ministry-based instruction.

All students in Educational Studies use the first five days of their spring break to learn about lesson preparation, how a faculty works, what makes an effective lesson, and a host of other topics. The experience culminates with lessons taught to local elementary school students who come to our campus. Though a threatening winter storm sent the freshmen home early this year, faculty members heard many comments similar to the following student evaluation submissions:

“I am more motivated as I continue my preparation at MLC. I was inspired by the differences that I can make in the lives of students.”

“There is more to teaching than I thought, but it’s fun!”

“The week was priceless. Thank you for providing this experience.”

“I’m very excited for my future ministry.”

“The week was very inspiring. It was awesome to hear about ministry all over the world.”

Stephanie Werth (Salem, Colorado Springs)

Kathryn Dickson (Resurrection, Virginia Beach VA)

Jacob Schultz (St. Stephen, Beaver Dam WI)

Sam French (Trinity, Waukesha WI)

Carol Putz (Redeemer, Fond du Lac WI)

Stephanie Buege (Zion, Crete IL), Stephanie Humann (Holy Trinity, Des Moines WA), Amanda Mehlberg (Good Shepherd, Burnsville MN)

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Martin Luther College

Daylight

Work while it is day B.C.

ALBERTA

CANADA

SASK.

QUEBEC

MAN.

WASH.

By Laurie Biedenbender

MONT. OREGON

ME. N. DAK. MINN.

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LIF ARIZ.

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WYOMING NEVADA

About 75 Martin Luther College students volunteered for the MLC Daylight program this spring break. Traveling in teams of three to six, they canvassed, evangelized, prepared Easter for Kids programs, and/or built houses in Arizona, Texas, California, Florida, Washington, Colorado, Michigan, Louisiana, Georgia, and Kentucky.

OHIO

IND.

W. VA.

VA.

MO.

KY.

N.C.

TENN.

S.C.

ARK. MISS.

TEXAS LA.

ALA.

GA.

FL

A.

MEXICO

Almost 7000 MLC students have volunteered for Daylight since 2000. This experiential learning opportunity deepens our students’ ministry preparation as it allows them to “do” ministry while still training for ministry.

Greg Hein (Mt. Lebanon, Milwaukee), Emily Rasmussen (St. Paul, Franklin WI), April Alonte (St. John, Milwaukee), and Jacob Hoff (St. Paul, Livonia MI) canvassed for Living Savior, Valrico FL, and Pastor Chris Kruschel. Although canvassing elicits a whole range of responses from people, Emily said, “It is comforting that the Word of the Lord will not return to him empty, but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.”

Jess Gierach (St. Luke, Oakfield WI), Claire Hagen (St. Matthew, Appleton WI), Lauren Moll (Martin Luther, Oshkosh WI), and Nicole Lehman (First, La Crosse WI) traveled to Killeen TX. Claire writes: “This is a picture of us in front of the church in Killeen, TX. We have been doing surveys of the community and hanging invitations to the Easter services. It’s been wonderful working with the congregation down here.”

What Can MLC Daylight Students Do? This excerpt from an October 2006 letter shows how MLC students can assist your congregation.

This past summer Kelly Mellgren (Trinity, Lake City MN) and Rachel Kionka (St. Paul, Ixonia WI) served at Ascension.

The leadership of our congregation was so impressed by them that they directed me to write to you. What impressed us the most was the attitude they consistently displayed while at Ascension. Their enthusiasm for the Lord’s work rubbed off on the people they worked with. They also displayed a “seriousness” for the Lord’s work that is seldom seen in young people. Their love for congregation members was also wonderful to see. They helped a family whose little girl had gone through a traumatic event earlier in the summer. This little girl opened up to Kelly and Rachel; they became an important part of her continuing recovery. . . .

Rachel and Kelly also were hard workers. They took total control of our Vacation Bible School, even developing some of the materials that were used. They helped prepare Sunday school material to be used after they left. They even designed brochures for our preschool and congregation. The skill they showed in all these activities reflected very well on their training at MLC. Their work built our confidence in MLC’s ability to train excellent teachers.

We are looking forward to seeing where the Lord leads Kelly and Rachel to serve in the future. They will be a tremendous blessing to the students they teach . . . and to the congregations they serve.

Dan Albrecht (St. Paul, Winneconne WI), Luke Beilke (Mount Olive, Mankato MN), Brent Miller (Prince of Peace, Traverse City MI) and Ryan Kolander (Christ the Lord, Brookfield WI) traveled to Hope, the new mission in Henry County, Georgia, served by Pastor Paul Seager ’96. “Each night we thanked God for the amazing work he had allowed us to do,” said Albrecht.

In Christ, Pastor Brian Kom Lyle Luehmann, Council Secretary Ascension, Rochester MN

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DMLC Alumni and Friends submitted by John R. Schultz, President It is time to make plans to attend the annual meeting of DMLC Alumni and Friends. For the last several years, discussions have been held regarding the future of DMLC Alumni and Friends. At the alumni banquet in May 2006, a resolution was passed asking the Executive Board to seek input from alumni and others, and to present a recommendation to the alumni gathered at the May 2007 banquet. The recommendation is that DMLC Alumni and Friends be dissolved after the May 2007 banquet. DMLC alumni are encouraged to join the new MLC Alumni Society to support our school of ministry.

Since the beginning in the mid-1950’s, DMLC Alumni and Friends have funded projects totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit the programs of DMLC and today, MLC. To directly benefit students, our alumni group has promoted seven scholarships. We thank God for the generosity shown to worker training through our DMLC Alumni and Friends.

Alumni Banquet and Annual Meeting May 18, 2007

Menu

Social Hour 4:00 pm Dinner 5:00 pm includes salad, roast turkey, asparagus, roasted new potatoes, rolls, and pie.

Business Meeting 6:00 pm $12.00 per person Commencement Concert 7:30 pm (Alumni of ’57 and earlier are our guests.)

If you are interested in attending the DMLC Alumni and Friends banquet and have not received a mailing, contact Jeneane Thiesfeldt at thiesfjm@mlc-wels.edu or 354-8224 ext. 330.

We are surveying MLC, DMLC, and NWC alumni regarding the new MLC alumni association.

Please watch for the survey in your mail and/or email!

Photo MLC baseball and softball players are out on the fields here in New Ulm, just as they have been for many decades. Do you know who is pictured here? What year was this team photo taken? How many people can you name?

Contact Steve Balza, the new MLC Alumni Director, with your answers.

Email him at balzasj@mlc-wels.edu or call him at 507.354.8221 ext 387.

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Martin Luther College

Northwestern College Alumni Society News

Submitted by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Professor Alan Siggelkow, President

Archives Project

Archival Item #74:

The NWC Alumni Society officers are recommending to the society membership at its annual meeting that it undertake a special project, in addition to funding 10 annual scholarship grants of $1,000 each to MLC Pre-Seminary students.

Coach Jerry Kruse’s Intramural Championship T-Shirt

This project involves the preservation of NWC and NPS archival material and artifacts. Through a grant from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, NWC and NPS historical materials previously stored at MLC were moved to the WELS Archives at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Five WLS students worked part-time organizing and creating archival descriptions for the materials.

The WELS Archives has been without an archivist for years. Many materials, as shown in the picture, need to be organized, given archival descriptions, and shelved. Most materials can be located at present, but the location process is difficult.

The 65 boxes of catalogued materials in the NWC and NPS Archival Collection have added to the disorganization in the WELS Archives. The NWC Alumni Society can help to preserve the history of the schools through its NWC Alumni Society WELS Archival Organization Project.

It has been estimated by a trained archivist that it would take one person about nine months to describe and shelve all materials.

The salary and benefits of that individual would come to about $40,000 for that nine-month period.

The NWC Alumni Society Board is recommending that the society begin a special project, the NWC Alumni Society WELS Archives Organization Project, to preserve NWC and NPS history in the WELS Archives at the cost of $20,000. The work would be done during the 2008-2009 school year. A vote on this major project will be taken at the annual meeting on May 25, 2007.

This Northwestern College intramural T-shirt is #74 of nearly 200 items that have received an archival description and been photographed for the WELS Archives. It was donated by Stephen Kruse, son of longtime NWC Coach Jerry Kruse. Stephen writes: “My father won this shirt with an intramural basketball team of faculty and dorm staff members. He used to brag that he did play in some of the games. When he and my mother were packing to move to MLC, this shirt was in a box and he said that it was his most prized possession from NWC. If he had not passed away, he would never have parted with it.”

This is a Tontine Item, a part of the archive collection that will be displayed when only 12 alumni of NWC remain alive. They will open the Tontine and share a bottle of cognac stored in it.

The NWC Alumni Society continues to accept items donated to the Tontine. Contact Alan H. Siggelkow, President, NWC Alumni Society, siggelka@wls.wels.net.

NWC Alumni Society Annual Meeting Friday, May 25, 2007

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

10:00 am Noon in Dining Hall 2:00 pm Chapel 4:00 pm

Seminary Graduation: Meal: Meeting: Banquet:

Four Points by Sheraton, Brown Deer and Kildeer Roads Information will be mailed to all NWC and NPS Alumni

The NWC Alumni Society Presidents Endowment Fund currently stands at

$218,500.

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MLC “The Lord richly blessed me during my years at DMLC. Serving as the Director of Alumni Relations gives me an opportunity to support a place (MLC), a group of people (MLC, NWC, DMLC Alumni), and a purpose I greatly admire and appreciate.”

New Director, New Directions “MLC is one of very few colleges that do not have an established alumni society,” says our new Director of Alumni Relations, Steve Balza. “We now have over 2,100 MLC alumni, plus thousands of DMLC and NWC grads. We’re truly in a unique position to start something very special.”

Specifically, Steve would like to put accomplish these

short-term goals:

• Formally establish the MLC Alumni & Friends Association • Assist with reunions • Coordinate on- and off-campus events • Develop online resources (such as a password-protected directory and message board) • Establish an on-campus alumni presence Since the field is wide open, he has as well:

other ideas

• Family retreats • “Adopt a Student” program • Group travel • Localized alumni & friends events • Alumni choir tours

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Steve’s vision for the alumni association is one in which alumni are mobilized into a well-informed, unified group dedicated to fellowship and mutual encouragement, while recognizing their responsibility to serve, support, and pray for MLC. He believes that MLC alumni are a very talented, highly influential “sleeping giant” who believe strongly in MLC’s mission and are committed to ensuring its ongoing success.

How can you help get the new MLC alumni association off the ground? Balza suggests: 1. Volunteer to serve as a class contact or event coordinator.

2. Pray for our new alumni director.

3. Send suggestions.

4. Call, email, or write in with your updated contact information.

balzasj@mlc-wels.edu 507.354.8221 ext 387

In Focus Marilyn Miller ‘06

By Laurie Biedenbender

From Management to Ministry The ministry is all about people. So says Pastor Stephen Valleskey of Abiding Word Lutheran Church, Houston.

And Marilyn Miller, the new staff minister at Abiding Word, believes it. Since her graduation from MLC’s staff ministry program last May and her subsequent call back to Abiding Word, her church home for 35 years, working with people is what Marilyn enjoys most.

There’s Bible study with one member’s homebound wife. “There’s no better way to spend several hours of an afternoon than to have one-on-one study of God’s

Switzerland, Canada, and the U.S. Her work included leading workshops in strategy, personally coaching senior-level executives, and captaining 100-person corporate teams.

“As challenging and rewarding as my career was,” she says, “I knew that I wanted to spend more quality time doing God’s work.” The solution: The Martin Luther College Staff Ministry Program. She packed a few things in her car and headed north.

“My training at MLC was, to use an overused word, awesome,” she says. “I had always known MLC was a very special school but never realized just what a blessing it truly is.”

“I was moved by the faith, talents, and commitment of the many students I met and sat in class with,” she says.

“I thank God that the future of his church is in such capable hands.”

The Many Forms of Staff Ministry

Word,” Marilyn says. And there’s counseling the elderly couple who, due to the husband’s move to an assistedliving facility, have been living apart. “Separation is very difficult for both of these beautiful people,” Marilyn says, “and we use God’s Word to help get through the days.”

Marilyn’s extensive list of activities includes ladies’ Bible studies, visiting the sick, listening to the burdened and helping the needy, talking with prospective members, acting as resource to the women’s ministry leaders, and assisting with a new outreach program.

As if that weren’t enough, she’s also the church business manager and technology officer. Currently, she’s designing and implementing a new church website, automating the prospect file, writing staff policy manuals and board handbooks, and developing a human resource process for records, performance reviews, and wage and benefit issues.

It’s extremely demanding work, but Marilyn’s previous career was demanding as well. For 25 years, she was an international management consultant, working primarily with Fortune 200 energy and chemical companies in Brazil, Netherlands, England, France, Belgium, Russia,

The WELS 2007 Yearbook lists over 100 staff ministers called to congregations, schools, and other church-related organizations all over the country.

Their titles include . . .

• Minister of Music • Family Minister • Minister of Christian Education • Minister of Outreach • Deaconess • Minister of Discipleship • Minister of Administration • Minister of Worship • Adult Ministry Coordinator • Youth Minister • Gift Planning Counselor • Camp Program Director “Our staff ministry students range from traditional freshmen to those in their middle years, from people seeking a first degree to those who are college graduates and professionals in other fields,” says MLC Director of Staff Ministry Lawrence Olson. “They are people who want to serve in a broad range of activities within parish life, generally outside the classroom and pulpit.”

For information about this program of study, contact Professor Olson at olsonlo@mlc-wels.edu.

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In Focus Jessica (Leonard) Tess ‘05

A Testimony in Jessica Tess’s own words

Mission Work in Milwaukee The first time that I remember someone asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up was when I was six. My dad’s best friend was preparing to go to Asia and practice medicine while spreading the gospel. I knew then that mission work was what I wanted to do too. Those hopes faded with the years and were replaced with the childhood desires to be a chef, a nurse, a pilot and a horse trainer. However, in my senior year of high school, my desires turned back to teaching and spreading the gospel, and I enrolled at Martin Luther College.

Throughout college, the old feelings of mission work awoke inside me once again. I became interested in the positions in Thailand and Japan—thinking that everyone in America had already heard about Jesus. That is, until I learned about the amazing things that were happening in the central city of Milwaukee.

During my junior year, I went on a trip with about 10 other students and two professors to learn more about this mission field. I fell in love with the workers, the students, and the purpose. After graduation, God called me to teach seventh grade at HOPE Middle School— just blocks away from the area I visited junior year.

Even parents can see a difference. One of my students was not adjusting to the school as quickly as his classmates were. I was almost ready to throw in the towel with him, but his mom looked me straight in the eyes, gently grabbed my arm, and said, “You can’t give up on him yet; you haven’t seen the changes that I’ve seen. He has never done the dishes before, but now he does. Whatever you are doing at that school makes a difference.”

I remember my first day of teaching (not that it was that long ago) and the first devotion I gave.

Literally, everyone in the class told me that they could never be a Christian because they had sinned too much and they did not attend church. As I looked at these 30 faces looking back at me, I was glad that I had the whole year to get to know them and learn about their hurts, fears, and dreams.

These students are changing, not because of my words or message, but because of Christ’s words and message.

It is not a message that if you believe, your life will be better and everything will go right; it is a message of true forgiveness from a true Savior. Their lives are transforming because Christ died and they are forgiven!

Although I once thought that everyone in America knew the basic story of Jesus, I found that one of my own students was among the many people who go unnoticed and never hear the gospel. He came in to school knowing nothing, and I mean nothing, about Jesus. Now, he loves Word of God class. He still has trouble with the resurrection, but he is not at all shy in asking questions.

For more information about Jessica’s ministry at HOPE Middle School, please visit www.thehopeschools.org.

Other students are demonstrating what appear to be fruits of faith. One student always brings me a lunch tray. This may seem like a small thing to you, but it is 16

huge to me. The beginning of the year was tough on both him and me, and our relationship got off to a rocky start. But the gospel has worked in him.

Martin Luther College

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve God by serving my students and their families at HOPE Middle School.

If you share a passion for urban, Christian ministry, I encourage you to use the gifts God has given you to join all of us at HOPE in reaching out to the mission field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MLC Urban Ministry Focus Jessica’s junior-year field trip is a component of the MLC Urban Ministry Focus. This year’s field trip is April 22-24. Thanks to a grant, about a dozen students will visit HOPE school, as well as other Milwaukee schools, and observe the joys and challenges of urban ministry. More MLC graduates receive calls to urban ministries every year.

In Focus Paul Biedenbender ‘01

By Laurie Biedenbender

Building Relationships Paul Biedenbender’s ministry is based on relationships—with his Savior and with his community.

It all began with a Travel-Canvass-Witnessing trip to Miami his sophomore year at MLC. The trip opened his eyes to the value of speaking Spanish, and the next fall at MLC, he enrolled in Spanish courses, which led to a Spanish immersion trip to Ecuador, a vicarship in Puerto Rico, and now outreach to the Spanish-speaking population in Denver.

Pastor Biedenbender is pastor at Christ Lutheran Center, our WELS urban outreach center in Denver. Begun with the efforts of Eileen Zanto in 1998, the ministry grew to the point where a pastor needed to be called. On Call Day 2005, Biedenbender was assigned to a joint ministry: Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Thornton CO, and Christ Lutheran Center, Denver.

“My ministry at Christ Lutheran Center consists of the basics of any mission-minded congregation, with maybe a few unique opportunities,” he says. “We are always keeping our eyes and ears open to our neighbors as we reach out with the gospel. Understanding our multicultural neighborhood and the needs of the community

we serve has led to our offering several programs.” These programs include . . .

• Bible studies for all age groups in both English and Spanish, both at the Center and in homes, • Worship in Spanish Saturday evenings and in English Sunday mornings, • After-School Bible Hours, • English as a Second Language classes, and • A mentoring program, matching up 20-somethings with at-risk neighborhood kids.

“We’ve got a lot going on, but it’s hardly burdensome,” he says. “The joy of my ministry is continuing to build relationships with our neighbors and community and then being blessed to see those same souls grow in their relationship with their Savior.”

Pastor Paul Biedenbender on MLC: “Looking back, I really appreciate what I took away from Martin Luther College. The classroom education is top-notch. My classmates and I were able to walk into our first class at the Seminary and hit the ground running. The professors are sincere, caring people who were equipping us for the many different ministries we are all now serving. The close bonds that were created in New Ulm among fellow pastor-track students have now blossomed into a great support system as we continue to learn together and encourage one other around the country and around the world.

“I see the language training at MLC and Seminary as a vital part of the theology training.

Without such education, I have no idea how I would be able to stand up in front of Jesus’ lambs and confidently walk through God’s Word with them. On top of that, people have a lot of sincere and important, yet tough, questions. Having such a thorough training (beginning even at MLS) has given me a valuable foundation in God’s Word to be able to handle them.

I pray that many others can walk away from MLC with the same lessons and preparation for ministry that I got.”

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How MLC Is

Touching the World through ITO

By Laurie Biedenbender

ITO Basics What is ITO? ITO is MLC’s International Teaching Opportunities, a means of facilitating connections between international schools and MLC Knights, both current students and graduates. Many MLC Knights opt for international service before entering the fulltime ministry.

How Many MLC Knights are involved? At this very moment, almost 50 Knights are teaching around the world—in Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, and more.

What do these ITO teachers do? The work varies. They may teach in an international school classroom, from preschool to high school; sometimes they are allowed to teach God’s Word right in their classrooms. Or they may teach English as a second language to children or adults. Or they may help instruct native pastor candidates. In addition to their formal teaching, which nets valuable professional

experience, they may also assist missionaries, teach Bible classes, and evangelize in their neighborhoods or schools.

How do our Knights find out about these positions?

International TEACHERS! Share your ministry experiences with us through the Thalassa Prize.

See the back page for details.

Many of these international schools come directly to us.

Although they may receive hundreds of applications from all over the world, they contact us, specifically requesting MLC students and graduates. In recent months, in fact, we’ve received such requests from Thailand, Mexico, Japan, and Malawi.

Is it safe? Before we even post an opening at an international school, MLC faculty members visit the site to make sure that our grads will be physically safe, spiritually fed, and able to succeed as teachers.

ITO Colombia and Dominican Republic Professors Phil Leyrer and Paul Bases visited Colegio de Los Ángeles, a girls’ school in Bogota, Colombia, and Saint David’s School in Dominican Republic in March.

Colegio de Los Ángeles was home to an MLC grad last year, and the administrators have invited MLC to send more teachers to them.

Saint David’s already employs five MLC grads. “These schools are growing in part because they offer a bilingual education program,” says Professor Leyrer.

“MLC students who speak Spanish are a great fit in this way, and we are excited about the opportunities our students have to witness while they teach and the broader worldview they develop.”

A preschool class at Colegio de Los Ángeles.

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Kristina Wessel ’06 is one of our five teachers at Saint David’s. “Living in the mission field has been such a gift,” she says. “The work of sharing the good news that Jesus has given free forgiveness is everywhere, and it’s incredibly encouraging. . . . Whether it’s in the mission field on an island or a corn field in the Midwest, we’re part of the bigger picture—with the foundation of God’s Word alone, we stand with Christ’s promises.”

To see additional photos of Dominican Republic, visit Kristina’s blog at www.kwessel.blogspot.com.

The students of Colegio de Los Ángeles welcomed Bases and Leyrer with Colombian folk dances.

Kristina ’06 (left) is joined by MLC grads Cindy Lemke ’06 (right) as well as Nicole Reed ‘05, Keith Hackbarth ‘06, and Maria Reese ’99.

Czech Republic

Japan Mexico

Dominican Republic Colombia Thailand Brazil

Malawi

Chile

Professors Jonathan Balge and John Boeder met with Grace, Vietha, and Sarah at St. Andrew’s School in Malawi.

ITO Malawi

ITO Taste of China

Professors Jonathan Balge and John Boeder traveled to Zomba, Malawi, in March to visit schools, including Sir Harry Johnston International School.

“The school has requested some of our graduates as teachers,” said Boeder, “so we went to see it and establish a relationship with their administration.”

Boeder says that we’d like to send two teachers there, who would then also assist our missionaries in Malawi.

Six MLC students, along with Professor Tom and Lisa Hunter, traveled to China over spring break.

They experienced Hong Kong and mainland Chinese culture, went sightseeing, and visited an experimental school to interact with Chinese students learning English.

Andrew Babinec (Emanuel, Lansing MI) Preston Heuer (St. Luke, Watertown WI) Rachel Nass (First, Racine WI) Margaret Polzin (St. Paul, Cudahy WI) Sarah Priestap (St. John, New Ulm MN) Bethany Rossman (St. Paul, Onalaska WI)

Sarah Priestap and five other MLC students visited China over spring break. “The trip taught us a lot about their culture and customs,” she said. “I’d like to teach overseas someday, and there are lots of opportunities in Hong Kong and China.

ITO Japan Sara Schuessler ’06 teaches at Nozomi Lutheran School in Japan. She notes that sharing her faith has also strengthened her faith. “There is no greater faith builder than sharing Jesus with people who know nothing about him,” she says. “In a foreign mission field, people like that are everywhere. It is an amazing opportunity.”

Sara Schuessler with her preschool class in Japan.

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MISSION ADVANCEMENT

MLC Financial Overview A Discussion with Jon Scharlemann

By Bill Pekrul

Jon Scharlemann, Office of Mission Advancement Director, has quickly found that Martin Luther College has a special place in the hearts of many WELS members. “I am very optimistic by the wonderful encouragement I’ve received from MLC supporters. In my visits with donors and my discussions with WELS leaders, it is clearly evident that MLC is recognized as the center of ministerial education, and those I talk to are committed to supporting the important work we do here in New Ulm and across the globe.”

That important work has kept Jon busy since his first day at MLC in January. Part of that work has been educating current and potential contributors in the variety of gifting options open to them, such as endowments.

“We are in the midst of a fundamental change in funding for MLC,” Jon explains. “Other colleges have large endowment funds that support that institution through low periods of enrollment or financial support. For all practical purposes, our synodical subsidy served that function for MLC. Now with financial constraints all across our synod, it is important that we aggressively promote such funds for our college’s long-term financial health. There has been significant interest in our MLC endowment fund, and it is one of our great privileges to open new opportunities like these for donors to partner with us in this blessed ministry.”

For more information on MLC endowments and other opportunities to partner with your WELS College of Ministry, call our Mission Advancement Office at 507-354-8221 ext. 295.

Faculty Initiative Grants MLC expresses its gratitude for a gift of $25,000 from an anonymous donor, which was matched institutionally ($1 to $1) and designated for Faculty Initiative Grants.

Faculty members wrote grants for special non-budgetary items that will enhance ministerial training here at MLC. Five grants were awarded: Taste of China – Six MLC students traveled to China and Hong Kong in March for an exploration of country and culture.

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Thanking God

for Your Support

With all our communications we seek to be transparent—providing clear and accurate information about our operations, plans, joys, and concerns. We pray that all our reports, including financial reports, are received in the manner they are compiled—with an absolute need to present straightforward facts combined with an absolute confidence that our gracious Lord will direct us and those that hear our message.

Approximated Financial Support Details 2006-7 operating budget:.............. $15,000,000 Estimated income*:.............................. $12,000,000 Support needed for operating:................ $3,000,000 Current 2006-7 gifts available for operating expenses: .......................... $1,000,000 Needed to meet operating budget:..................$2,000,000

Planned student assistance:................ $700,000 Current 2006-7 gifts available for student assistance:............................... $200,000 Needed to provide planned student assistance:............................................$500,000 *Major sources of estimated income: $1,700,000 Synod subsidy $9,120,000 Tuition, room and board $850,000 Campus-generated income (sales, gate receipts, tickets)

Luther Interpretive Trail – An informational walking tour on seven acres of land near campus is in development.

Student Teaching in Outlying Areas –This grant will allow some MLC students to student teach at schools outside the Midwest, part of an effort to offer teaching experiences in different kinds of settings.

GPS Receivers – The use of a dozen hand-held devices has been incorporated into the geography and physical education curricula.

Fitness Center Equipment – Necessary equipment replacements were made in our busy Fitness Center, which is open to all WELS members.

SPORTS SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS MLC Leads Conference in Scholar-Athletes MLC placed 39 athletes on the fall Academic All-Conference list, making us the conference leader for the second year in a row. These 39 cross country (C), golf (G), soccer (S), football (F), and volleyball (V) athletes earned a GPA of 3.5 or better: C Paul Kanzenbach Bethlehem, Watertown SD C Timothy Matthies Jr. St. Luke, Watertown WI C Jeremy Seeger Bethany, Manitowoc WI C Anna Bourman Christ the Lord, Houston C Anna Horneber Prince of Peace, Fairport NY C Gretchen Kock St. Paul, Saginaw MI C Kelly Mellgren Trinity, Lake City MN C Bethany Warnecke St. John, Watertown WI F Brett Bengel Bethel, Menasha WI F Adam Frey Peace of Our Savior, New Carlisle OH F Daniel Gawrisch Star of Bethlehem, New Berlin WI F Andrew Haag Faith, Fond du Lac WI F Seth Jaeger St. John, Jefferson WI F Daniel Laitinen St. John, New Ulm MN F Matthew Scharf Good Shepherd, West Allis WI F Joel Voss Memorial, Williamston MI G Daniel Niemi First, La Crosse WI S Kevin Boushek St. Mark, Citrus Heights CA S Joel Fischer Peace, Wilmot WI S Joseph Greefkes Morning Star, Jackson WI S Jeffrey Grundmeier Christ the Lord, Houston S Timothy Grundmeier Christ the Lord, Houston S Christopher Treder St. Paul, Stevensville MI S Alissa Alonte St. John, Milwaukee S Leah Dose St. John, New Ulm MN S Amanda Dunn Immanuel, Fort Worth TX S Elizabeth Greenlee Cross of Glory, Baton Rouge LA S Kate Hieb Nozomi, Tsuchiura, Japan S Julie Jabs St. Matthew, Janesville WI S Sarah Janke Bethel, Sioux Falls SD S Jennifer Joecks St. John, Lannon WI S Rachel Learman St. John, Peshtigo WI S Beth Marggraf Faith, Sussex WI S Laura Merklinger Zion, Denver V Emily Buck St. John, New Ulm MN V Jessica Burmeister Grace, Glendale AZ V Shawna Mehlberg Good Shepherd, West Bend WI V Rachel Meyer St. John, Milwaukee V Amanda Polzin Zion, Rhinelander WI

MLC Top Academic Team in Seven Fall Sports The Upper Midwest Classic Conference announced that the Martin Luther College Knights earned the highest team GPA for seven fall sports: • men’s cross country • women’s cross country • football • men’s soccer • women’s soccer • volleyball • men’s golf The only fall academic award MLC did not claim was for women’s golf, a sport MLC does not offer.

Four MLC teams claimed the same honor last year: football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s soccer. The football team has claimed four straight football team academic awards.

We thank God for the academic gifts he’s given our students, gifts they’ve faithfully applied in classes including Greek, Doctrine, Philosophy, Shakespeare, Anatomy and Physiology, Statistics . . . as well as rigorous professional studies and experiential learning opportunities.

Knights Basketball

This year’s men were led by First-Team All-Conference players Nathan Nass (St. Paul, New Ulm MN), Jeff Dolan (St. Paul, New Ulm MN, pictured), All-Conference Did You Honorable Mention player Jake Schwartz (St. John, Waterloo WI), and All-Defensive Know?

All-Conference player Caleb Kurbis The biggest co-curricular (Faith, Tacoma WA). activity on campus is This year’s women standouts included intramurals, with 400+ All-Conference Honorable Mention students (about 60% of the Sarah Seelow (Holy Redeemer, Port student body) competing in Huron MI, pictured).

14 sports every year.

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Faculty

NOTES

represented MLC at the SE Michigan Pastor-Teacher Conference in February. He also preached for the Zion, Monroe MI, Mission Festival. and traveled to Malawi to explore a possible international teaching site for MLC graduates. Next year an MLC graduate will be teaching at Sir Harry Johnston International School in Zomba, Malawi. presented the seminar “Servant Leadership” and the workshop “Recruiting Future Teachers and Pastors in Your Classroom” at the Michigan District Teachers’ Conference in October. presented “The Pros and Cons of Moodle as a Course Management System,” using MLC’s Moodle site for his demonstration, at the NCPSA (National Council of Private School Accreditation) meeting in Phoenix.

Dr. Grunwald also accepted an invitation to serve on the Commission on International Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) Distance Education Site Review team. The team evaluates schools seeking accreditation for their distance education programs. has published Lord’s Supper: The Lamb’s High Feast, a new book in Northwestern Publishing House’s People’s Bible Teachings series. He also presented the class “The Gospel-Driven Life” in Tucson and a five-part seminary enrichment course, “Bondage of the Will,” at the 2007 Spring Pastoral Study Conference at Beautiful Savior, College Station TX. He also serves on the MLC Mission Advancement Advisory Committee. book God Created Our World has been published by the WELS Multi-Language Publications Committee and will be translated into various languages for our work in Pakistan, Nepal, and Spanish missions. The WELS Prison Ministry will also use the book with people in U.S. jails and prisons. presented “Increase Your Courage and Confidence” at the 2007 Men’s Gathering at St. Paul, Muskego WI.

addressed a dual-circuit conference at Holy Trinity, Des Moines (Seattle) WA, explaining how CAP (Congregational Assistant Program based at Martin Luther College) can encourage and equip church members for broader ministry in their congregations.

Olson is the director of CAP. visited the congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church-Soglasie (Russian for “Concord”) in Novosibirsk, Akademgorodok, Iskitim, and Tomsk, Russia. Professor Paustian is the World Mission Board liaison to Russia. book Lutherans Look at Episcopalians will be published by Northwestern Publishing House later this year. Another book, Messiah (working title), has a 2009 publication date. has been awarded a Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest humanitarian award of Lions Clubs International. In honor of Raddatz, a gift of $1000 has been given to the Lions Clubs International Foundation to fight blindness. Raddatz is currently District Governor of Southwest Minnesota’s 5M3 Lions.

Faculty Travel During Spring Break 2007, six MLC professors flew to the far corners of the globe, working for WELS World Missions and/or MLC International Teaching Opportunities.

• Professor Jonathan Balge: Malawi • Professor Paul Bases: Colombia and Dominican Republic

Professors Balge and Boeder visit Malawi.

• Professor John Boeder: Malawi • Professor Thomas Hunter: China • Professor Phil Leyrer: Colombia and Dominican Republic • Professor Mark Paustian: Siberia, Russia

presented the keynote address, “Spelling Needs to Be Put on a Pedestal,” and three sectionals on research-based spelling programs at the Language Arts Curriculum Conference of the Western Wisconsin Teachers’ Conference in Oconomowoc WI. was elected chairman of the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations.

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Colombian students welcome Professors Bases and Leyrer.

has composed three new Psalm settings and a Canticle based on a text from Revelation, all of which will be included in Christian Worship Supplement, scheduled for release in 2008.

education professor. A 1984 DMLC grad, she has taught at St. Paul, Lake Mills WI; Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, New Ulm; and most recently Trinity, Nicollet MN. Her additional coaching experience is extensive, at both the elementary and high school level, in WELS schools as well as public schools.

has donated the papers and photos from his 1966 Professor Emeritus Darvin expedition to the South Pole Raddatz and his wife, Marie to the Byrd Polar Research Archive at Ohio State University.

Professor Sponholz has written a compelling memoir of his explorations and research in the online book Among the Magi: Research Tracks in the Desert Snow. The book can be found at http://205.174.118.254/nspt/magi/ magi.htm.

“I can’t wait to share my enthusiasm for the teaching ministry with the MLC students,” Lori says. “One item of experience I’ve learned over the years is that learning how to build relationships with students is just as important as learning how to deliver a lesson. I hope that our future teachers can carry that with them into their classrooms.”

presented “Special Education in the Lutheran Elementary School Classroom” in Citrus Heights CA. He has also published the article “Attending a Professional Conference” for a recent issue of The Lutheran Educator. presented a two-session workshop for organists at the Minnesota District 2007 Church Ministry Workshop in Belle Plaine MN. recently chaired a Higher Learning Commission accreditation visit to Naropa University, Boulder CO. The Higher Learning Commission accredits degreegranting educational institutions. taught Essential German for Adult Learners, a sevenweek program sponsored by New Ulm Sister Cities Commission.

New on Campus MLC is pleased to announce that Rev. Ross Stelljes has accepted the call to be a new Admissions Counselor.

Pastor Stelljes served as a tutor at Northwestern College and as a pastor at Zion, Hokah MN; Immanuel, LaCrescent MN; and Living Savior, Littleton CO.

Lori is married to Jim Unke, MLC Athletic Director. They have three children, Dan (24), an MLC grad now teaching in Carlsbad, CA; Angie (22), an MLC student; and Jake (18), an MVL student planning to attend MLC next year.

We welcome Mark Gnewuch (Guh-NAY-vock) (St. Paul, Fort Atkinson WI) to the MLC Admissions staff. Since his December 2006 graduation, Mark has visited high schools all over the country, sharing his passion for the public ministry.

Mark himself did not always know that he wanted to be a teacher or pastor. Since graduating from Luther Prep, his resume included MLC student, warehouse employee, U.S. Air Force meteorologist, window washer, UW-Whitewater student, MLC student (again), and now MLC Admissions Counselor.

“Mark will relate to those students who are not sure whether ministry is for them,” says Director of Admissions Ron Brutlag. “And his love for ministry will show once the students meet him.”

Mark is married to Beth nee Fritze.

“I’m looking forward to serving the future pastors and teachers of our church body,” says Ross, “especially sharing with potential pastoral students what an adventure the pastoral ministry is: both a great challenge and a joy-filled privilege. I also look forward to watching the students grow and develop once they get on campus and are shaped by our excellent worker training system.”

Ross, who grew up in New Ulm, is married to Laura nee Fastenau. They have four children, Daniel (12), Sarah (9), Levi (7), and Johanna (5).

We welcome Lori Unke as our newly called physical Martin Luther College

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[THAH-lah-sah : THE SEA]

This $1000 award is given to recognize a Martin Luther College Knight who expresses clearly and beautifully, in image and word, a personal reflection on their ministry overseas.

Purposes of the MLC Thalassa Prize • To express gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve him in international venues.

• To provide an opportunity for MLC Knights in international ministry to share their reflections, including human interest stories, blessings received, and lessons learned.

• To motivate and inspire current MLC Knights to consider serving overseas.

• To bring glory to God through excellence in the arts of photography and creative writing.

• To reaffirm through image and word the dignity of the entire human race and the desire of God to save all people.

Entrance Requirements • Open to all MLC Knights, undergraduate and graduate, who are doing ministry outside the United States (or who have done ministry outside the U.S. since 2004) • Each entry must include o A completed entry form (found at www.mlc-wels.edu/go/thalassa) o A color digital photograph taken in a foreign mission field o A personal reflection on ministry in that foreign mission field • Entrants may submit as many entries as they wish. Deadline: April 30, 2007 • Photo and essay specifications, judging criteria, and tips for entrants may be found at www.mlc-wels.edu/go/thalassa.

Prize • The Thalassa Prize recipient will be announced in May 2007.

• The $1000 prize will be divided equally between the winning MLC Knight ($500) and an international mission of the Knight’s choice ($500).

MLC expresses gratitude to the anonymous donor who has chosen to support our global mission and ministry through this prize.