InFocus - November 2007

NOVEMBER 2007

In This Issue...

New Chapel at MLC Choir Tour 2008: Mexico 10 Years of ECE

Rejoice Rejoice

Rejoice

in These Sons and Daughters

D

E

V

O

T

I

O

N

By MLC President Mark Zarling

The halls are alive. Outside the auditorium hundreds of Christians inch closer to the book rack to grab a hymnal for chapel, then gently jockey for position as the Spirit funnels them through doorways into an encounter with the living Word.

Pause. Look more closely.

What a thrill to look at the faces of these sons and daughters.

You see the prayers of countless Christian parents reflected in those faces: that the Lord keep them safe, that they find joy in their work and their relationships at MLC, that Jesus might use them in public ministry.

You see plans coming to fruition: arranging for ACT tests, special courses, used cars, and FAFSA forms.

You also see investments the parents have made: the orthodontically enhanced smile, the laptop, and the backpack carrying college texts worth several hundred dollars, not to mention the costs of tuition, room, and board. Parents make a significant investment to allow their child to say, “Here am I, send me, send me.” It’s an investment that benefits the entire church.

Look even more closely. Now see the sons and daughters of the advent king. That college student was once a babe at the font. As the water dripped over the baby’s head, the tears dripped from the parents’ eyes. I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

That college student once recited nighttime prayers and memorized Bible picture books as parents sought to remember the Savior’s words, Let the little children come to me.

Now remember that Jesus the King prays for these, his children. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.

He has remarkable plans for them. Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. . . . “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD. And he has made an investment in them, a priceless investment, his own precious blood. You are bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Look at the faces at MLC. See what God sees: his sons and daughters, future servants whose very lives will bring glory to him, as the Spirit works through their gospel message to bring even more sons and daughters to the King.

MLC In Focus is published by Martin Luther College Public Relations Office and is distributed free of charge to 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. Editor/Writer: Laurie Gauger Photographer: Bill Pekrul Proofreader: Heidi Schoof President: PR Director:

Mark Zarling 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

here on the

New Logo for MLC You’ve probably already seen it: Martin Luther College’s new logo, a beautiful image that effectively communicates our mission. The Old Main spire represents our campus and the work we do here; Luther’s seal represents our distinctive heritage as a confessional Lutheran church body; and the globe represents the world we’ve been commissioned by Christ to reach. All these elements are united by the cross of Christ, for “we preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23).

The familiar MLC seal, designed by Dr. John Lawrenz, has served us well since 1995, and it will continue to be used in formal applications. The new logo will be used in letterhead, signage, website, apparel, and other applications.

What’s New at MLC since 2006?

• New Martin Luther College logo • First graduates from our Master of Science in Education program • New four-year Early Childhood Education program, including infant and toddler care (and renovations at our Early Childhood Learning Center just beginning) • New Alumni Director and MLC Alumni Society • Speakers’ Bureau for off-campus faculty speaking engagements • New publications: MLC Update-High School Edition, The Back Page, MLC ParentsPage • Target 10%: a new MLC/ALHS collaborative recruitment plan • Two new admissions counselors, bringing our staff to one director and four “road warriors” • An increase to $2.0 million in planned financial assistance for students • Library membership in the nine-county south-central Minnesota library system • Additional international schools, including one in Malawi, requesting Daylight International teachers

Cafeteria Expands Service Pioneer Catering, managed at MLC by Brian Messer, has expanded the MLC cafeteria service both to students and to the New Ulm community. The cafeteria is now open until midnight, serving hot meals to students who have to miss dinner due to work or sport schedules, and also providing yet another place on campus to study, snack, and socialize.

Student response to the new hours and the extra food service (at no extra charge) has been unanimously positive.

The cafeteria has also opened the lunch hour to the community.

For less than five dollars, diners have all-you-can-eat access to the same menu as the campus family, including several entrees, soup-and-salad bar, taco bar, pizza bar, omelet and waffle bar, stir-fry bar, beverages, and desserts.

Martin Luther College

3

here on the International Students at MLC

This year, MLC welcomes 11 students from Colombia, Sweden, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Hong Kong.

Mirjam Hedkvist is enjoying her year in America at MLC.

Mirjam Hedkvist, a freshman from Sweden, notes some highlights of her experience here: “Chapel is just wonderful. The first time I couldn’t stop crying when I sat in there, because I never experienced anything like that. I’m from a congregation with maybe 15 members, and I was the only teenager, so it means so much to me to be able to go and worship God with so many people, and they are my age!”

She continues, “My favorite class is probably Christian doctrine. It’s hard but very interesting and very important.

And I think it’s really fun to sing in the choirs here.”

Spanish Immersion 2007:

Chile

European Study Tour

Twenty MLC students spent three weeks in Italy, Austria, and Germany last summer, studying the European Renaissance and Reformation. Pictured are Jess Tess (teacher, Hope School, Milwaukee), Kaylen Orr (King of Kings, Wasilla AK), and Cori Pyscher (St. Paul, Saginaw MI) taking a break in front of the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany, where Luther began translating the Bible into German in 1521. “We’re continuing a study tour tradition that began in the ‘70s,” said tour instructor, Professor Kurt Wittmershaus. “It’s an excellent example of hands-on history.”

4

Martin Luther College

Jennifer Proeber ‘07 (Spanish teacher, Great Plains LHS), Anna Kieckhaefer ‘07 (teacher, Dominican Republic), Nathan Nass ‘08 (St. Paul, New Ulm MN), and Phil Bischoff (Spanish teacher, Wisconsin LHS) were four of about 30 participants who spent a month in Chile studying Spanish language and culture. The annual immersion experience, open only to advanced students, is a six-credit study program requiring a Spanish-only language pledge. Previous classes have studied in Ecuador and Argentina.

College Choir Sings for Synodwide Project Christian Worship: Supplement CD recorded for all WELS congregations A unique event—both a hymn festival and a recording project—took place at St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Ulm MN, October 7, 2007. Eighteen new hymns from the Christian Worship: Supplement, which will be introduced in July 2008, were recorded by the Martin Luther College Choir and additional area singers (pictured), with congregational stanzas sung by those who assembled for the festival.

The two-CD set, which will contain these 18 hymns and another 15 recorded elsewhere, will be sent in early 2008 to every WELS congregation, to introduce them to the supplement and to serve as a resource for choir directors and congregational musicians.

“The goal is to build anticipation for the publication,” said Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer, MLC professor and Supplement Committee Chairman, “and to provide congregations with

a sense of what the hymnody in the book will be like. We hope that congregations of all sizes and with a wide variety of musical gifts will find something on the CD that they would immediately see as something they could do in their worship.”

The broad range of accompaniments, settings, and instrumentation—handbells, guitar, piano, brass, organ, timpani, etc.—are meant to “plant ideas of how hymns in general might be sung,” Moldenhauer added. “We hope to broaden the perspective of hymn singing.”

The Hymnal Supplement CD Committee is made up of Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer, Supplement Committee Chairman and MLC College Choir Director; Jim Bakken, St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, St. Peter MN; and Bryan Gerlach, Administrator for the WELS Commission on Worship.

MLC Publication Translated into Hmong MLC has granted permission for the translation of Luther’s Small Catechism, with illustrations by Donald Muth (see example on right), into Hmong for use in northern Thailand.

This book, commonly known as “The Picture Catechism,” was prepared by two MLC professors emeriti, Theodore Hartwig and Arnold Koelpin, as well as pastors Lloyd Hahnke and Carl Henkel. The Picture Catechism will be used in the training of Hmong pastors, as well as in Thai village churches, where 200+ souls are being served with the gospel.

Donald Muth, 1983, Minnesota District Catechism, © Martin Luther College Library, New Ulm, MN

Martin Luther College

5

here on the

180 Students Move In Moving in was just a little easier for the 180 new freshmen because Emily Mayer (St. John, Mukwonago WI) and the rest of the MLC Dorm Staff did most of the heavy lifting. In addition to finding rooms, unpacking, and touring campus, parents attended FYI meetings, and freshmen enjoyed a dance mixer at George’s Ballroom.

First impressions? “MLC is very accepting—homey,” said freshman Joe Wiltzius (Mt. Zion, Ripon WI). “They accept you for who you are.” And from some parents: “I felt better dropping my daughter off seeing how everyone circled around and welcomed us in. . . . The town and campus are beautiful.”

(One interesting sign of the times: Most of the freshmen had already met— online. Names, pictures, cell numbers, and DVD lists were exchanged well before any of them stepped on campus.)

Parents

UKnighted

and “Here’s Where to Turn,” an introduction to the campus nurse, spiritual counselors, and other resources for assistance. Initial response to the new publication: thumbs up!

e g a P s t n e r a P R SLETTE E-NEW

Anna’s husband, Dan Bondow MLC ’04; Anna (Bourman) Bondow ’07; Jonathan Bauer ’04; and Jon’s wife, Lindsey (Schroeder) Bauer.

Alum Places High in Marathon Anna (Bourman) Bondow ’07 took third place in the women’s division of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon September 23. The female runners who finished the race numbered 339, and Anna’s time of 3:27:43 placed her just seven minutes behind the first-place winner.

As a senior at MLC, Anna made school history by being the first female cross country runner to be invited to the NCAA D3 National Championships.

MLC grad Jonathan Bauer ’04 also ran the course, earning a 77th place out of 519 men with a time of 3:31:09.

6

Martin Luther College

Seeing a child off to college can be difficult. To ease some of that anxiety, we’ve launched a new bi-weekly e-publication, the MLC ParentsPage, for freshman parents. The first issues included articles like “Help! My Daughter Called Home Crying,” “Then There’s the Roommate Thing,”

MLC Students Meet

in Iraq

MLC students Philip Ewerdt (St. Paul, Ixonia WI) and Luke Tembreull (Christ, North St. Paul) met not in a classroom or dorm, but in a guard tower outside Camp Scania, 80 miles south of Bagdad.

They both served as Specialists in Iraq from April 2006 to July 2007. As they were paired up for guard tower duty one day, the normal small talk led to “Where do you go to school?” at which time they found out they both attended a small college in Minnesota—Martin Luther College.

While in Iraq, neither attended the general Protestant services, but they did attend a weekly Bible class when they found out who the leader was: a student from Bethany Lutheran College (ELS), only 30 miles from MLC.

Milwaukee Radio Features MLC

Almost 400 miles east of New Ulm MN, reporter Erik Bilstad of Newsradio 620 WTMJ in Milwaukee ran a feature September 28 about Packer fans in Minnesota—Packer fans who happen to come from Martin Luther College.

Punctuated by snatches of the Hallelujah Chorus, the reporter and New Ulm resident Al Richter discussed the preponderance of Packer fans at the Kegel Club on football Sundays, most of them studying to be pastors and teachers at Martin Luther College.

When asked if the presence of MLC Packer fans led to tension or “smack talk,” Richter said, “Oh, no. They’re pretty good people— real good people. They just come in here and have a good time.”

MLC Student

Interviews

Favre after Big Game MLC student Phil Ewerdt switched weapons with an Iraqi patrolman for this photo.

MLC student Dan Lewig (Bay Pines, Seminole FL) donned his press pass and found his place at the press conference in the lower level of the Metrodome after the September 30 PackerViking match-up. With dozens of reporters vying for Brett’s attention to their questions, Dan got the nod from Brett and asked, “What does it mean to you to pass a guy like Dan Marino for the record?”

Brett’s answer to Dan’s question was printed in papers all over the country: “It feels great. Dan was a hero as well as a lot of other guys that I played with earlier in my career and even didn’t get a chance to play against. To be mentioned in the same breath as Dan and other guys is quite an honor. To me, that is more important than the actual record.”

MLC student Luke Tembreull near Babylon in the Euphrates River valley, facing Saddam’s palace.

Martin Luther College

7

A

New Chapel at MLC

As part of its 150th anniversary, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod resolved to build a chapel on the Martin Luther College campus. Congregations and individual members gave a thank-offering of $7.1 million for that project.

The initial effort to build a chapel was delayed, but the need remains. The MLC family currently worships in an auditorium, a place used also for drama rehearsals and productions, band and choir rehearsals, student convocations, lyceums, and other campus events on a daily basis. Due to some of these events, chapel is occasionally rescheduled, moved to the gym, or canceled.

We are grateful for a beautiful auditorium that has served us well for many years, but as a worship space, it has some shortfalls.

An MLC chapel would meet many needs and provide many blessings. It would . . . • provide a dedicated place for worship with a clear focus on Word and Sacrament;

8

Martin Luther College

• enable us to celebrate Holy Communion regularly (a rarity now, due to great logistical difficulties); • include a baptismal font to daily remind us of our identity in Christ; • allow for greater flexibility and creativity in worship—for use of choirs and instrumentalists, for liturgical rites, and for sacred concerts; • provide the aesthetic—light, art, and architecture— necessary to create a sense of transcendence; and • enable us to model worship more effectively as we train future worship leaders of our parishes and schools.

In order to meet these needs—and also to fulfill the desires of donors who generously gave gifts toward an MLC chapel—a chapel planning committee was re-established last year. The committee worked faithfully, with the understanding that any building project would use only the gifts already pledged and given.

Five architectural firms presented concept drawings at no expense to the college. On September 28, the Governing Board approved the chapel committee’s recommendations:

• The chapel project will move forward with available funds and a goal of completion in August 2009, the 125th anniversary of this campus.

• The MLC Governing Board will request the immediate release of funds designated for the chapel project.

• Plunkett-Raysich will be engaged as the architectural firm for the chapel project.

• If the WELS Conference of Presidents and the Synodical Council approve, the newly assigned building committee will take the next steps, including procuring blueprints and engaging contractors.

We rightly echo the meeting minutes of the 150th WELS Anniversary Committee, which stated some ten years ago that an MLC chapel would stand as “an outstanding celebration project, since it symbolizes our church’s focus on the Means of Grace and its commitment to preparing workers for carrying the gospel into the world.”

Martin Luther College

9

In Focus nicky richmond ‘07

The First Five Weeks

By Nicky Richmond ‘07

Notes from a first-year English teacher at Evergreen Lutheran High School A hushed tone is often used when speaking about a firstyear teacher. Simply the thought of that lonely post-MLC year full of late-night lesson planning sets the college education major shaking. The first year does bring challenge and change, but experiences, faculty, and friends at MLC provide an incredible support system.

The first time I met one of my students was three hours after my flight from Michigan to Washington and 50 hours after I had last slept. I’m sure meeting me that day made her wonder exactly what we would be covering in class that year. Two months later, when I met the other 60 or so students whose education I was charged with, a solid nine hours of shut-eye were banked. Although I’d spent weeks planning and preparing for that first day of school, none of it measured up to the effort that the faculty at Martin Luther College had put into assuring my preparedness. Early British Literature lectures, mock procedural plans, and discussions with my student teaching supervisor about classroom management were all suddenly and simultaneously relevant.

MLC provides a tremendous professional and spiritual network for its graduates. Friendships forged with supervisors and professors during college—and new friendships with other teachers at Evergreen—are now tested by my constant calling, e-mailing, and general peskiness. If an issue comes up that I’ve never before

encountered in my entire five weeks of full-time teaching, I can find someone who has encountered it and who can offer excellent, experience-tempered advice—which I will refrain from sharing here since my students know I’m writing this and will probably read it. (Speaking of which, the assignment for tomorrow is to read pp. 156198. Get started!)

I’m not trying to gloss over the challenges of the first few months living on my own or being the youngest member of a faculty whose average age is somewhere well over 40. There are times when I miss the dorms so much it hurts. After nine years of living with my best friends, it’s strange not to yell down the stairwell for your neighbors to turn down (or up) their music. However, those same friends are now out there doing their first year too, and we can share fun anecdotes (“I had a student bring his ‘pet’ wolf spider to class in a plastic water bottle every day this week—what’s new in your class?”) and remind each other of techniques, methods, and Bible verses that apply to our circumstances.

When I enrolled in the STEP English program at MLC I had not the slightest idea where I would end up in five years. God has a funny way of knowing things that we do not. Unquestionably, he used my experiences during college to form me into the person I am today and to make me better prepared for my first year of teaching.

MLC graduate Nicky Richmond ‘07 teaches English at Evergreen Lutheran High School in Des Moines WA.

10

Martin Luther College

In Focus ben zak ‘07

The First Five Weeks

By Ben Zak ‘07

Notes from a first-year Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary student It would be difficult to describe what the first five weeks of life at the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary has been like. Perhaps “It is everything I hoped for!” would be adequate. Who can argue when the Holy Spirit is your teacher every day as you sit with his inspired Scriptures open before you? “These are the Scriptures that testify about me!” cried Jesus. So I get to read about Jesus, who loved me and gave himself for me. The young men with whom I study love Jesus too. Together we desire this noble task of shepherding God’s people. They are my brothers.

Our professors reflect a genuine character of humility and faith in God’s unshakable promises. They set the bar high and encourage us to run harder than they did—to learn more and preach better. We are more than students to them. Their smiles and sincere interest in our lives prove it. The overall attitude at Seminary is one of optimism. It is a good place to be.

At MLC they taught us to put our hope in God’s Word. I will not soon forget some of the messages I heard in morning chapel. My memory often returns to Wednesday-evening Bible studies led by a professor who gave up time at home to crack open a Bible with students who were far away from home. They opened their offices, their homes, and above all . . . their hearts.

We thank them from the bottom of ours!

May the LORD continue to pour out his Spirit on the students and faculty of MLC that they may continue to grow in love and wisdom.

“Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:3,4).

About a year ago, a professor asked how I felt about the upcoming final year of study at MLC, to which I ignorantly replied, “I am looking forward to it, but I really can’t wait to be at Sem.” Had MLC not laid such a firm foundation for me, I am convinced that I would be unimpressed with, not to mention completely unprepared for, not only the Seminary . . . but life in general. At first glance, that might sound cliché for a college graduate to say. Please allow me to explain what I mean.

Most assuredly, the academic standard at MLC is where it needs to be. The education we received was challenging and well-rounded. But one thing I learned there is that if we make the public ministry all about academics, we are missing the big picture.

I am just now beginning to realize how brilliant the entire faculty at that college is. But maybe that is the way they want it to be. Maybe while we were there they wanted us to see faith, hope, and love. Maybe they wanted us to consider them fellow brothers and sisters walking behind our Savior, who on this side of heaven carried a cross even as they have taken up their own. “This, my young friends, is how we follow Jesus in a world that hates him.”

Martin Luther College

11

Freshmen run the flag when the Knights score.

7 0 20

Singing at the Talent Show.

Alumni and parents reunite.

Enjoying the game from the top tier.

Hom e c

IN LUTHER COLLEGE

Winners of the Amazing Race.

12

What’s Homecoming without Powderpuff?

Martin Luther College

•

Our dodge ball is serious business.

MARTIN

The kids were happy too.

MLC guys build a pyramid at the game.

A former Knight and a future Knight.

Take our picture!

om i n g

LUTHER COLLEGE

The busy alumni tent.

•

Tension mounts at the Iron Chef contest.

MARTIN LU

The Kangaroo Song has become a tradition.

Martin Luther College

13

Mystery Photo

By MLC Alumni Director Steve Balza

Thanks to tips from various callers and writers, the mystery photo featured in the April issue of MLC In Focus has been identified as the 1934 DMLC varsity baseball team. Interestingly, the “Lancers” mascot had not yet been adopted, and the team was simply called the “Teachers.”

Several players in the photo were actually high school students who played on the college team. We believe that all members of the team have been positively identified, and they are noted below:

MYSTERY PHOTO FROM APRIL 2007

(Front) Henry Hasse, Raymond Riess, Norbert Berndt, Elmer Behrens, Waldemar Roekle, Rudolph Schultz, Homer Schweppe, Martin Birkholz; (Back) Julius Dallman, Henry Raabe, William Wiedenmeyer, Wallace Kurth, Coach Victor Voecks, Mgr. William Arras, Arthur Wontock, Paul Fuerstenau, Harold Hemple, Herman Raabe

Now for the next Mystery Photo. If you know the people or the event taking place, please contact Steve Balza at the alumni office (507.354.8221 x387 or balzasj@mlc-wels.edu).

MYSTERY PHOTO NOVEMBER 2007 Please don’t hang up on me!

Save the Date!

July 25-27, 2008

Alumni Reunion Weekend All MLC, DMLC, and NWC classes ending in 3 or 8 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988 . . .

14

Martin Luther College

As a student helper in alumni relations, Corrinne Hill (Faith, Sharpsburg GA) is busy contacting alumni to update our database. Yes, you may catch a bit of a southern accent when she calls to make sure we’ve got your correct address.

She’s also digitizing our archived pictures to preserve them and make them more accessible. Have fun photos from your college days you’re willing to share? If so, please contact the alumni relations office.

Steve Balza, Alumni Relations 1995 Luther Ct. New Ulm MN 56073 (507) 217-1731 alumni@mlc-wels.edu

1-2-

Celebrate 10

3

Years of

Early Childhood Education!

In 1998, an early childhood education center opened in New Ulm with three students. Ten years later that same center—Martin Luther College Early Childhood Education Center— educates and cares for 30 children.

Next year, it may care for more than 50.

In ten years, MLC’s early childhood education program has seen exponential growth—in students, student teachers, and program options. MLC now offers a fouryear ECE program, which includes infant and toddler care. The center will expand by four rooms: another preschool room, a toddler room, an infant room, and a family room for parent information classes. And the two fulltime professors, Cheryl Loomis and Susan Haar, who teach on campus half a day and supervise student teachers onsite the other half, now have the help of a center administrator, Cathy Biedenbender, and a parttime teacher, Katie Sievert.

Early childhood education itself is growing by leaps and bounds. WELS now operates more early childhood ministries than Lutheran elementary schools. “More and more people want fulltime care for their children outside the home,” says Professor Loomis. “This is a great opportunity to minister to families, to do outreach in the community, and to educate the whole child.”

Congregations understand, too, that early childhood education is not glorified babysitting. Nor is it

elementary school teaching. Our ECE graduates have mastered a distinct body of knowledge, including early child growth and development, developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction, and ECE program administration.

“We often credit graduates who are assigned as principals for all the hard work they must do right out of school.

In the same way, we have to credit MLC graduates who direct early childhood centers,” says Professor Cheryl Loomis. “When these graduates are assigned to a congregation and asked to begin an ECE ministry, they often start from scratch to find appropriate physical space, recruit students, develop mission statements, lay out curricula, meet countless government regulations, and do publicity—both to their congregation and their community.

“And they do that with confidence,” Loomis continues. “We thank God for blessing our training here and for blessing the countless ECE ministries all over the country.”

Fast Facts about WELS early childhood education: • 343 ECE centers in 31 states and two foreign countries • 448 ECE teachers • 6,530 children in ECE centers

MLC student teachers take children out to watch—and play—a little soccer.

1-2-3

AB C

Martin Luther College

15

Da y l i g h t In t e r na t i o nal

ML

Grounds for Wandering

tina Wessel ’06 reflects on ate Kris her overs radu eas teachi g C ng

Re p u experience in Santiago, Dominican

. blic

Kristina Wessel ’06 (left) and Cindy Lemke ’06 taught in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic landscape boasts a variety of inviting scenes to explore, including mountains blanketed in green, city life mingled with rivers and palm trees, and sandy white beaches.Living in the DR for a year shifted my perspective from viewing life only as a tourist pursuing a challenge toward beginning to see what God does among his people when his story is shared.

Kristina taught high school math and science at St. David’s in Santiago.

Cappuccino Tuesdays gave the WELS teachers a welcome Bible study opportunity.

My main purpose was to gain international teaching experience, so I anticipated a moderately challenging hike where I would develop professional skills I had learned from MLC. Then I met Steffany, a sophomore who slept through Physics and used each of her overactive waking moments to test me. The daily uphill battle to discipline and motivate was tough for a new teacher, but after a year struggling together, the view of her climb was covered in small achievements and hope.

Surrounded by fertile mountains, Santiago is a large city with a distinctly Caribbean backdrop. Cappuccino Tuesdays paused the urban hustle of our lives, as exhausted teachers and a faithful mentor relished God’s Word together. And after every long week of teaching, Sam the missionary’s son and I would jump on the backyard trampoline between the coconut and lime trees. Each time we reached for the tall palm branches I saw Sam growing up in this foreign place and his parents’ contagious love to share Jesus with the thousands living here. Newly exposed to the mission field, I began to see myself growing in this faraway place, too.

Kristina and Sam got to be great friends.

Without a doubt, the compelling draw of living on a tropical island is the beaches.

There’s nothing like kicking back on the weekends where the sun shines year round and the water is so blue you have to squint. When the week offers opportunities like telling a fifth grader why she doesn’t have to be afraid of God and the weekend begs you to join an emerging congregation for worship, you’ll certainly rub your eyes. You’ll begin to recognize believers are as numerous as the white sand on that beach—just like God promised—and your heart will seek God’s people scattered around the world.

In her free time, Kristina enjoyed the sands of Sosua Beach.

Kristina Wessel won the first annual Thalassa Prize, a $1000 gift, for her photoand-essay submission entitled “Considering Clay.” The 2008 Thalassa contest is now underway. If you are an MLC student or graduate who has done ministry outside the U.S. anytime since 2004, you are eligible to enter. Go to mlc-wels.edu/go/thalassa for details.

About 50 MLC students and graduates are teaching overseas in a dozen countries through MLC’s Daylight International program.

16

Choir Tour 2008: Mexico Next March the MLC College Choir, directed by Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer, will tour Arizona, Texas, and—for the first time in history—Mexico. In fact, Moldenhauer says, it is “the first time any WELS choir has paid a visit to the missions in Mexico.”

After crossing the border, the choir will sing at El Redentor (Redeemer) church in Torreón, a 12-hour bus ride from the border. Members of Jesús Pan de Vida (Jesus Bread of Life), La Santa Trinidad (Holy Trinity), and Divina Gracia (Divine Grace) are also invited to the concert. The following day, they will sing at La Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) in Monterrey, with members from El Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd) also invited.

The concert program, designed with the Mexican congregations in mind, includes a favorite of the Mexican Christians, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” in English, and some Spanish hymns, including “Vengo a ti, Jesús amado.” The choir will also break with tradition by coming back after the concert to sing two Mexican folksongs. “The pastors said we could capture the hearts of the people if we would sing some of their favorite folksongs,” says Dr. Moldenhauer. “The two they had in mind are ‘Cielito Lindo’ and ‘Las Mananitas.’”

Another highlight of the tour will be a visit to the Divina Gracia mission in Zaragosa Sur, an impoverished desert area of Torreón, where people live in homes made of pallets and cardboard until they can afford to replace the pallets one by one with concrete blocks. The mission itself is simply a shelter to protect people from the sun.

“What attracted the Mexican church to this area,” says Moldenhauer, “is the fact that no other denomination, not even Roman Catholic, had a presence in this area.

Singing there will be a small way for us to participate in the mission effort.”

Sat, Mar 8 Grace, Glendale AZ

6:00 pm

Sun, Mar 9 Peace, Cottonwood AZ

10:30 am

Sun, Mar 9 Christ, Prescott Valley AZ

4:00 pm

Mon, Mar 10 Emmanuel, Tempe AZ

6:30 pm

Tues, Mar 11 Arizona Lutheran Academy, Phoenix AZ

11:00 am

Tues, Mar 11 Redeemer, Tucson AZ

7:00 pm

Wed, Mar 12 Christ Our Redeemer, El Paso TX

7:00 pm

Fri, Mar 14 El Redentor, Torreón, Mexico

7:00 pm

Sat, Mar 15 Divina Gracia, Zaragosa Sur, Mexico

Morning mini-concert

Sat, Mar 15 La Santa Cruz, Monterrey, Mexico

7:00 pm

Palm Sunday, Our Savior, Mar 16 San Antonio TX

7:00 pm

Mon, Mar 17 Holy Word, Austin TX

7:00 pm

Tues, Mar 18 Victory of the Lamb, Katy TX

7:00 pm

Wed, Mar 19 Abiding Word, Houston TX

7:00 pm

Sun, Mar 30 St. Paul, New Ulm MN

3:00 pm

Wind Symphony Presents The MLC Wind Symphony, conducted by Professor Miles Wurster, presented its first concert of the year Homecoming weekend, September 30. The program:

Easter Monday on the White House Lawn

October

John Philip Sousa Eric Whitacre

Emblem of Freedom March Karl L. King

Hymn for the Cream and Crimson Richard L. Saucedo

Chorale and Alleluia Howard Hanson

Tim Rosenow (First German, Manitowoc WI), percussion co-principal, watches for his cue.

Martin Luther College

17

Daylight USA:

Team Alaska While it was still snowy in New Ulm, four MLC students were thinking about the summer they would spend in Alaska: Emily Mayer (St. John, Mukwonago WI), Jeremiah Drews (St. Stephen, Adrian MI), Elisabeth Zuehlke (St. Mark, Richwood WI), and Sam Kleinke (Trinity, Bay City MI).

Through MLC’s Daylight USA service/ministry program, “Team Alaska” would run Camp Luther in Wasilla AK for ten weeks.

With the day campers at Camp Luther (pictured), Elisabeth Zuehlke explained, “We came up with skits to present the Bible stories we had picked out, figured out games to play, found songs related to our Bible lessons, and once we even created our own lyrics to ‘The Ants Go Marching’!”

“The best part of my work,” added Emily Mayer, “was reading the Bible both on my own to prepare for sharing God’s Word with others, and also with fellow Christians as we together studied God’s will for us as ministers of the gospel.”

In addition to Camp Luther, “We also were head counselors for a weeklong fulltime camp,” Zuehlke said. “We helped introduce the pastor’s Bible lesson, thought of and ran a whole day’s worth of theater activities (pictured), supervised kids down at the lake, and got to have evening devotions and just fun, relaxing time with them.”

They had time to do a little sight-seeing, swimming (pictured), and relaxing—but not much. “In between, there was some canvassing,” Zuehlke explained, “. . . helping an elderly woman move, and decorating and helping set up for a wedding. We were also able to do quite a lot of maintenance around camp; benches were painted, screen doors revamped, general cleaning, and preparing for all of the different activities.”

“We met Miguel at the Hispanic Outreach weekend (pictured),” Drews said. “We noticed that he had excellent skills for working with children so we asked him to be a junior counselor at the main Bible camp. There was no job that he was not willing to do, and he also began to get more involved with the Bible lesson and devotional times. . . . To see his faith strengthen and grow gave me . . . encouragement I did not even realize that I needed.”

The team saw Exit Glacier (pictured), and as they exited the state after 10 weeks, they were tired—and rejuvenated too. “I truly never realized the great joy of sharing the great news of the gospel,” Zuehlke said. Drews, who has done Daylight projects in Florida and Georgia, as well as Alaska, added, “Every time I come back to the college of ministry, I get excited to see all of us here who are motivated by the gospel to serve as pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.”

18

Martin Luther College

SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS SPORTS Knights at a Glance Freshman quarterback sets record Freshman quarterback Greg Holzhueter (St. Mark, Mankato MN) broke two Knights records in their 47-17 win over Blackburn September 15. Holzhueter connected for five touchdown passes, breaking Jared Oldenburg’s (Pastor, Light of Life, Maple Valley WA) 1997 single-game record of four touchdowns.

Holzhueter also ran for a touchdown, accounting for six of the Knights’ seven touchdowns on the day, also a new Knights single-game record.

MLC Netters Visit

Spring Academic All-Conference Team These MLC athletes posted a 3.50 GPA or better, earning them a place on the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference team.

Baseball Ryan Holper (Grace, Kenai AK) Ryan Schlicht (St. Peter, Sturgeon Bay WI) Dustin Uhlenbrauck (Christ, North St. Paul MN)

Softball

Lakeside Lakeside Lutheran High School’s volleyball team welcomed the Martin Luther College volleyball team and especially Lakeside alumnus Jaime Eternick (St. John, Waterloo WI), now a hitter on MLC’s squad, in mid-September. The MLC team, coached

by Professor Lori Unke, practiced at the Lakeside gym on a road trip that included contests at Viterbo (La Crosse WI) and Ripon

Jamie Boldt (Jerusalem, Morton Grove IL) Rebecca Hering (Tutor, Luther Prep) Susan Pappathopoulos (Teacher, Good Shepherd, Burnsville MN) Amanda Schaffer (Teacher, Family of God Preschool, Mohave AZ) Kathrine Vogt (Teacher, Immanuel, Waupaca WI)

Tennis Daniel Laitinen (St. John, New Ulm MN) Bradley Nehls (Bethany, Hustisford WI) Erik Parsons (Teacher, Southeast Asia) Mark Thiesfeldt (St. John, New Ulm MN) Alissa Alonte (St. John, Milwaukee) Jennifer Joecks (Teacher, Southeast Asia) Emily Lemke (St. Peter, Weyauwega WI)

College (Ripon WI). The team also practiced and/or ate meals at Luther High (Onalaska WI) and Luther Prep (Watertown WI).

Kelly Mellgren (Teacher, St. Martin, Watertown SD) Laura Wagie (Fairview, Milwaukee)

Track & Field Jeffrey Grundmeier (Christ the Lord, Houston) Timothy Matthies (St. Luke, Watertown WI) Amanda Dunn (Teacher, Nozomi, Tsuchiura City Ibaraki Ken, Japan) Andy Danner (Crown of Life, West St. Paul MN) beats his man as MLC defeats Crown College September 14.

Danielle Weber (Jerusalem, Morton Grove IL) leaves her Northwestern College defender completely turned around.

Martin Luther College

19

F rom the O ffice of M ission A dvancement

What does Martin Luther College need?

2007-2008 Operating Budget: $15.7 Million

2007-2008 Student Assistance: $2.0 Million

Sources for our Operating Budget

MLC Needs $4.8 Million for 2007-2008

2.8 Million* Needed in Gifts

9.0 Million 2.9 Million

WELS Operating Subsidy (from your offerings)

1.0 Million

Tuition, Room, and Board (from students)

* $2.8 million for operations $2.0 million for financial assistance

Misc. Receipts (from tickets, bookstore, printing, etc.)

Why give to Martin Luther College?

• Because a certain pastor baptized you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit many years ago.

• Because your first-grade teacher taught you to read the Bible.

• Because you can still remember the hymns you learned at Sunday school.

• Because a certain Lutheran elementary teacher told you that you were a special child of God with special gifts.

• Because at confirmation class, your pastor made the truth and love of Jesus Christ come alive.

• Because you think one of your children or grandchildren might have the gifts to be a pastor, teacher, or staff minister.

• Because many have yet to hear the gospel.

nt to say “Thank

Why give? Because you wa

• Because a wise pastor counseled your family through a rough time by reminding you of God’s forgiveness, love, and protection.

you, Lord Jesus” for all the

• Because your staff minister gave such a wonderful devotion at the bedside of your dying parent or grandparent.

WELS pastors, teachers, an

• Because that nice young pastor gave such a moving sermon at your son or daughter’s wedding.

• Because you’re thankful for the young people who are training for the public ministry right now.

20

• Because you want your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren to have excellent pastors and teachers.

Martin Luther College

blessings you ed through

and your family have receiv

d staff ministers

through the years.

From Generation to Generation: Considering a Senior Housing Complex on the MLC Campus God’s people have long understood the treasure of intergenerational relationships. “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,” we are reminded in Psalm 78, “. . . so the next generation would know them . . . and they in turn would tell their children.”

Vice President of Mission Advancement Jon Scharlemann has asked MLC leaders to imagine how an innovative idea might strengthen these relationships as well as provide a necessary community service: building a senior housing complex on the MLC campus. The idea, which is in the earliest stages, would be to partner with The Lutheran Home Association (TLHA) of Belle Plaine MN for this project.

“The concept of encouraging seniors to experience and exchange multiple levels of value—spiritual, cultural, historical, and financial—with our MLC student body, faculty, and staff is very exciting,” says Scharlemann.

The Governing Board has heard the proposal and has asked that the master site plan for MLC be updated to determine whether the future needs of the college would allow further consideration of the project.

“Many other colleges and universities have embarked on this concept,” says Scharlemann. “It is time for MLC to explore this possibility.”

Send your comments or questions to VP Jon Scharlemann at scharljj@mlc-wels.edu.

MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary The auxiliary met on campus October 10, learned firsthand about MLC activities, and chose projects for 2007-2008: 1. ECLC Computers 2. Tent for orientation days and campus events 3. Ellison Die Cuts 4. Replace large screen TV for LSC 5. Fitness Center equipment treadmill 6. Student Social Interaction Pilot Program

$1200 $1500 $ 500 $1500 $4350 $1200

The Ladies’ Auxiliary has lent support to this campus for many years. We are grateful for their dedication to ministerial education at MLC.

MLC freshman Grace Bey thanked the Ladies’ Auxiliary for the scholarship they awarded her.

Martin Luther College

21

Professor Dan Balge has been elected president of WLS Alumni, the new organization of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary graduates and other WELS pastors.

Thomas Nass attended the ELS convention in Mankato MN last June as the WELS observer.

Dr. James Grunwald serves on the Minnesota Valley LHS Technology Task Force.

Adjunct Instructor Brent Nolte performed Bach’s Leipzig Chorales at an organ recital September 7.

Professor Thomas Hunter completed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualifying Seminar, making him one of only 1200 IDI Qualified Administrators worldwide. He is now certified to administer the IDI, an empirical measure of intercultural sensitivity, interpret its results, and help people become more interculturally competent, in preparation for overseas work or more positive cross-cultural relations stateside.

Professor Mark Paustian visited Albania and Bulgaria to participate in planning sessions with the Bulgarian Lutheran Church as well as internal planning sessions regarding Albania, Bulgaria, and Russia. Paustian acts as a member of the Board for World Missions JapanEurope-Asia Committee and as WELS liaison to Russia.

Professor em. Arnold Koelpin presented “The Secret of Christianity” in the St. John, New Ulm, lecture series.

Professor Lyle Lange, chairman of the Theological Commission of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), met with other CELC leaders in Leipzig, Germany, to complete the doctrinal statement The Eternal Word, Article IV: The Person and Work of Christ. Lange also met with the heads of nine CELC seminaries to discuss global theological education at the postgraduate level. (The CELC is a fellowship of 20 churches including WELS, ELS, and confessional Lutheran churches in Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, North America, and Australia.)

Dr.

Mark

Lenz presented Applying Luther’s

Theology of the Cross in the Classroom at the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference in October. He will also make a presentation on the life of Luther in both Stillwater MN and at a Reformation rally in Harrisonville MO.

Dr. Carla Melendy presented math sectionals at two September teachers’ conferences: Standards and Math Instruction K-3 and 4-5 at the Western Wisconsin Curriculum Conference in Oconomowoc WI, and Math Essentials for Grades 1-3 at the Milwaukee Metro Teachers’ Conference.

22

Martin Luther College

Professor

Professor

David

Pelzl presented Using the

Smartboard in Middle School Mathematics as the keynote speaker at the Southwest Minnesota Middle School Math Conference, hosted by MLC in October.

Professor James Pope, Secretary of the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations, attended the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod convention in Houston last July as the WELS observer.

Professor David Sellnow earned his Master of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Dr. Alan Spurgin presented Behavior Disorders in Children to the Parent-Teacher Organization at Immanuel, Hutchinson MN.

Dr. Roger Klockziem presented Intelligent Design at the Wisconsin State Lutheran Teachers’ Conference in October.

Professor

Steven

Thiesfeldt presented The

Foolishness of God: a Biblical Perspective on Science at the St. John, New Ulm, community lecture series and at the Rhinelander Conference of the Northern Wisconsin District at Trinity, Minoqua. A third presentation is scheduled for January 2008 at the Southwestern Conference of the Michigan District at St. Paul, South Haven.

Newly Assigned to MLC in May Tutor Adam Bode Adam Bode, a 2007 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, supervises Concord dormitory, teaches Bible History and Literature, and helps coach football. Adam enjoys playing trumpet, singing, and lifting weights.

Serving at Synod Convention • MLC President Mark Zarling welcomed the 2007 WELS Convention to our campus.

Admissions Counselor Dustin Sievert A 2007 Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary graduate, Dustin Sievert is MLC’s newest admissions counselor. Dustin is married to Katie Kleist ’04, an early childhood teacher, and he enjoys sports and travel.

MLC President Mark Zarling.

• Professor Mark Paustian led devotions for the convention.

• Professors Jonathan Balge, Dave

Bauer, Lance Hartzell, Earl Heidtke, Jeff Schone, and Ron Shilling served as delegates.

Adam Bode and Dustin Sievert receive a blessing from Pastor Marcus Bode, Adam’s father, as they are ordained at MLC’s Opening service.

2007-08 Adjunct Instructors: Bethel Boeder Professor em. Arnold Koelpin Judith Martens Professor em. Dr. Rolland Menk Brent Nolte Marianne Vogel

• Professor Larry Czer served as official proofreader.

• Dr. John Nolte served as sound and light technician.

• Adjunct Instructor Lanita Nolte organized and narrated the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society flag presentation.

Adjunct instructor Bethel Boeder holds a flag during the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society flag presentation at the 2007 WELS Convention. Standing in back are Edie Ash, Kathy Lotito, Judy Rupnow, and Natalie Borgwardt.

Martin Luther College

23

Who’s teaching math in Dominican Republic?

Who’s directing youth choir in Chicago?

Who’s teaching Spanish at Great Plains LHS? Who’s an early childhood director in Georgia?

Who’s teaching English in Southeast Asia?

Who’s a counselor at Calvary Academy?

Who’s an organist in Arizona?

Who’s an athletic director in Minnesota?

Who’s directing band at Winnebago Lutheran Academy?

Who’s teaching second grade in Malawi?

Who’s coaching sports in Oregon?

Who’s leading a youth group in Colorado?

Who’s a tutor at Luther Prep?

Who’s enrolling at Seminary?

Who’s starting an exciting new life of service to the church?

The 2007 Graduates of Martin luther College

24