1995 Luther Court New Ulm, MN 56073 Address Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 25 LA CROSSE WI
A Living Laboratory Thoughts on the Chapel Alumni Reunion Memories
In This Issue... NOVEMBER 2009
InFocus Staff WRITER/EDITOR Laurie Gauger ’86 PHOTOGRAPHERS William Pekrul ’80 Catherine St. John COPY EDITOR Heidi Schoof ’86 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. Office of Mission Advancement VICE PRESIDENT Jon Scharlemann PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR William Pekrul ’80 ALUMNI DIRECTOR Steve Balza ’93
What Are We Doing
An excerpt from the MLC opening service By MLC President Mark Zarling
College Administration PRESIDENT Mark Zarling WLS ’80
These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31
VP for ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Philip Leyrer ’80 VP for STUDENT LIFE Jeffrey Schone WLS ’87
What are we doing here at MLC? It is more than training for vocation in ministry. This place is none other than Bethel, the house of God, since he walks in our midst in the power of his living and active Word.
VP for ADMINISTRATION Steven Thiesfeldt ’74 VP for ACADEMICS David Wendler ’70 VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Jon Scharlemann Governing Board Chairman Michael Woldt WLS ’81 Secretary Roy Beyer WLS ’76 Keith Bowe ’79 Steven Danekas Jonathan Hahm ’71 Robert Hinnenthal Scott Huebner ’82 Stephen Loehr Barry Price Steven Rosenbaum ’86 Michael Schultz WLS ’89 William Steinbrenner Jeffrey Wegner WLS ’87 Charles Degner WLS ’79 Paul Prange WLS ’88 Mark Schroeder WLS ’81 On our cover: MLC botany students identify the Northern catalpa tree on campus.
Here?
For professors, what we are doing here is far more than imparting content in a particular discipline. Paul writes about Jesus: he is before all things and in him all things hold together. Every class, every lesson, every practice, and every advisee meeting is a time to put on display the grace of God in Jesus. Quickly, love for souls is evident in our words and actions. Quickly, urgency and a passion to reach the lost is obvious. We are here for the sake of Jesus—Jesus, whose perfect ministry is wrapped in our ministries . . . Jesus, through whom God calls us worthy . . . Jesus, who calls us his chosen ones, his called ones, his coworkers to raise up another generation to take the gospel forward. Our comfort, day in and day out, is the confident joy that the blood of Jesus forgives even our stumblings and mumblings and bumblings and fumblings as leaders in the church. For students, regardless of age, background, or program of study, it is a year of grace in which the Spirit has brought you all together around Jesus, the Incarnate Word revealed in the written Word. Look around. Some students get As, others struggle for Bs and Cs, yet there is no difference before your Savior. Each is All correspondence should be directed to precious and each can be used. Look at each other and respect each other, love each other, pray for each other, and rejoice in the marvelous variety of gifts that God seeks to polish, so that his grace can be proclaimed all the more clearly.
MLC InFocus is published by Martin Luther College Mission Advancement 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.
Before we set our hearts and eyes on gospel ministry, let us set our hearts and eyes on Jesus. May this place and this year be blessed by God so that every one of us knows what we are doing here: studying the Word through which the Spirit works so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name.
The Art of Opportunity Kate Hieb’s collage Faith hangs at Lakewood Lutheran School-Lakewood WA.
Kate Hieb’s burgeoning art career—let’s call it an art ministry—has presented one unexpected opportunity after another. It began with an ordinary assignment for Children’s Literature class. As a reading response to Lois Lowry’s The Giver, Kate created a small painting. The piece so impressed Professor Cheryl Loomis that she asked Kate (Nozomi Lutheran Church-Japan and Our SaviorStrongsville OH) to do a larger work for the children’s literature area of the MLC library. An opportunity to communicate with people through art? Kate said yes. Her large collage, called Hope, was installed at MLC in autumn 2008. “I was given quite a bit of freedom in the entire project,” Kate said, “and it really allowed me to experiment with many things and develop a signature look for many other pieces that followed.”
Kate incorporates an eclectic mix of materials, from wood, paper, and paint to mirrors, fake flowers, and wooden chess pieces. (“Yes, I do own and love my power tools,” she says.) The collages are full of story and symbol, with nuanced messages about God’s love for us and our relationships with other people. While she knows what they mean to her, she doesn’t want to impose her view on others. “Visual art is different from the written word,” she says. “In visual art, the viewers write their own stories, and the stories are different for everyone. Viewers are allowed to react how they want to. Visual art gives the mind freedom to go places.”
“Visual art gives the mind freedom to go places.”
And follow they did. While she was emergency teaching at Lakewood Lutheran-Lakewood WA, a connection with another emergency instructor at California LHS introduced her to a wish list requesting dorm artwork. She and the friend installed Love, another multi-media piece, at CLHS last February. Her Lakewood faculty saw her working on Love and requested a third piece, Faith, for their school. Though Faith, Hope, and Love hang hundreds of miles apart from one another, they are companion pieces, both in style and substance.
Adam Wiechmann MLC ’00 New Berlin WI
Alan Ross DMLC ’60 Columbus WI
Her simple goal for her art is to make viewers stop and think. “I firmly believe that true artwork makes the viewer take a second look, causing them to contemplate.”
That’s just what happened in Washington. Her neighbor, an elderly man who’d lived by the church for years but never ventured in, surprised her by showing up at her art reception and asking her what her collage Faith meant. “In my own way I was able to witness my faith to a man who for many years chose to ignore the opportunity next door. The opportunity to do this artwork has reminded me that in all we do we can let the love of Christ shine through.”
Alfons Woldt DMLC ’50 Rockfield WI
Amy Henrich DMLC ’80 Delano MN
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here on the Community
Tees Up ‘Fore’
MLC
On June 22, 123 golfers teed up at New Ulm Country Club, raising funds for Martin Luther College. Since 1993, when the MLC Golf Classic was started by New Ulm community leaders, over $300,000 has been donated to the college. Contributions in 2008 were designated for the new MLC soccer field project. This year’s classic, chaired by New Ulm citizens John Wisniewski and John Gag, raised $43,428 for student financial assistance.
Wind Symphony Coming to Wisconsin
Team MLC Finishes the Course Red, black, and white t-shirts filled the streets September 19 as 106 members of Team MLC took part in the Hermann’s Victory 5K Run/Walk. Facilitated by the MLC Wellness Committee, this event is just one of many fitness activities MLC has on the docket as we participate in the Heart of New Ulm Project. “This event provided the campus family with an opportunity to encourage and support each other as we all look for ways to maintain a physically active lifestyle,” said MLC Professor Jack Gronholz, chairman of the MLC Wellness Committee. “This was an exciting event not only for the college but for the whole New Ulm area. Celebrations of this nature speak volumes about the character of a community. “Our participation demonstrated that we respect and appreciate New Ulm community functions,” he added. “It also served as a model of community involvement for our students, who may one day have opportunities to get involved in the communities they are called to serve.”
Mark your calendars! The MLC Wind Symphony will perform the music of John Williams, John Philip Sousa, Johan De Mej, Percy Grainger, and more on their 2010 Wisconsin mini-tour. Th Feb 4 1:30 pm Th Feb 4 7:30 pm Fr Feb 5 10:30 am Fr Feb 5 7:30 pm Sa Feb 6 7:30 pm Su Feb 7 Su Feb 7 2:00 pm Mo Feb 8 1:00 pm
Lakeside LHS-Lake Mills WI Wisconsin LHS-Milwaukee St. Lucas-Milwaukee Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Winnebago Luth. Academy-Fond du Lac WI Faith and St. Peter-Fond du Lac WI Fox Valley LHS-Appleton WI Kettle Moraine LHS-Jackson WI
Campus Events We were pleased to host the Ladies’ Auxiliary for their annual meeting on October 14, as well as the Minnesota State WELS-ELS Joint Teachers’ Conference October 15-16. Mark your calendars for these special dates!
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Sergeant Sam Floyd Now at MLC
Someday when Sam Floyd (Trinity–Campbellsport WI) teaches his students about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he’ll say, “I was there.”
MLC student Sam Floyd was a U.S. Marine from 2002 to 2006.
Sam joined the United States Marine Corps after his graduation from Winnebago Lutheran Academy in 2002. He spent nine months in Afghanistan as a sergeant in the infantry, doing convoy security and conducting missions. While he can’t talk about his specific missions, he did share one interesting duty he had: Once a week, he was in charge of escorting three young girls, cousins aged 6, 7, and 11, to school. “Girls weren’t allowed to go to school, so we had to make sure they got there safe. I was their male presence, since women in Afghanistan can’t leave the house without a male presence. I took them to school and then stood outside on guard making sure they weren’t hassled during their two hours of class.”
An elementary education major at MLC since fall 2008, Sam says the military has brought a lot to him. “The military brings discipline and maturity. At 18 I had more responsibility than most people have in their lifetimes. My outlook on life is a little bit different from most people. I’ve seen things that I don’t ever want to see again. But my relationship with God has become closer because of my experiences.”
Student Teachers Become Cornhuskers For the first time since the student teaching program was initiated more than 100 years ago, the state of Nebraska will have an influx of MLC student teachers. Under Professor Ron Ohm’s supervision, two students taught last year in Nebraska. This year Ohm will supervise nine students at seven schools: Nebraska LHS-Waco, Trinity-Waco, St. Paul-Norfolk, St. Mark-Lincoln, Trinity-Hoskins, Gethsemane-Omaha, and Good Shepherd-Omaha. “We’re really excited to be in Nebraska,” said Ohm. “Classroom supervisors are genuinely excited to assist MLC in the training of future teachers, and our student teachers will benefit from their multi-grade classroom experiences.” In 2009-2010, MLC will work with nearly 60 Lutheran elementary schools and over 90 local supervising teachers.
Joint Reformation Service Fall Musical: Pirates of Penzance College Choir: Brahms’ Requiem Wind Symphony Concert Readers’ Theater: Winter Prose Family Open House
Nov 1 Nov 6-7 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 22 Dec 4-5 Dec 5
2:30 pm 7:30 pm 2:00 pm 2:30 pm 3:00 pm 7:30 pm 3:00 pm
Christmas Concert (LSC) December graduation service
Dec 6 3:00 pm Dec 17 10:00 am
Now You’re
Speaking My Language MLC Admissions has a new presence on Facebook (Martin Luther College Admissions) and on Blogger and Twitter (MLC Admissions). Sophomore Paul Hoversten (Grace-Glendale AZ) is the man behind the scenes, keeping in touch with high school students who drop by to chat, read, meet, or follow the tweets. 5
Straddling the Equator, Mastering the Language Five weeks in Ecuador: three at Quito’s Academia de Español, one in the Amazon Rainforest, and one at the beach. No matter where the 26 MLC Spanish immersion
students found themselves in this equatorial country, what they found themselves doing was studying and speaking Spanish. Private lessons, living with host families, and a Spanish-only pledge polished the students’ language skills—skills they may use someday in their ministries. “Taking part in this program equips students to work on mission programs,” says MLC Spanish Professor Paul Bases ’80. “It gives them a level of proficiency needed to do thorough mission work in Latin outreach.” “Living in a completely different culture for a month was an awesome experience,” adds senior preseminary student Nathan Moldenhauer (St. John-Manitowoc WI). “The most beneficial part of the trip was being completely immersed in the language. I became much more comfortable speaking Spanish.” Bases and four students also traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, and Honduras, seeking possible sites for future immersion trips, both for MLC and also for Lutheran high schools. And Bases went on to Andalucía, Spain, having received an all-expenses-paid, 10-day trip to visit schools there.
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Wayne Shevey NWC ’95 Franklin WI
Amy Rahmlow DMLC ’90 Appleton WI
Wayne Meier NWC ’70 West Allis WI
Barbara Barckholtz DMLC ’60 Chesaning MI
Tom Schneider NWC ’80 Scottsdale AZ
Beverly Brassow DMLC ’85 Huntsville AL
Thomas Bruckner DMLC ’90 Los Angeles CA
Brent Bloomquist DMLC ’95 Norfolk NE
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SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS SPOR
Knights at a Glance Football: A Strong Start The MLC football team will enter conference play with a 4-2 record. Through six games, Aaron Voss (MLS) leads the Knights in rushing, while Ryan Kolander (WISCO) has a UMAC-best 10 touchdown catches. At quarterback, Greg Holzhueter (MVL) has accounted for more than 950 yards of offense and 13 touchdowns. Defensively, Matt Rothe (LPS) and Chuqee Fletcher (WISCO) have led the charge with a combined 20.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Luke Beilke (MVL) and Joe Lindloff (MLS) have been sound tacklers to date, while Josh Schultz (LPS) has a team-high two interceptions.
Volleyball: Hitting Their Stride At midpoint of conference play, the Knights hold a solid 10-12 record overall and a 3-3 mark in UMAC play.
Renee Peters leads the Knights with 330 digs.
Emily Boldt (LPS) came on strong late in the non-conference schedule and leads the Knights with 175 kills and 79 blocks. Jaime Eternick (Lakeside) has been solid all around, with 165 kills and 234 assists, while Brianne Jeffers (ALA) leads the team in assists with 367. Renee Peters (FVL) has twice been named UMAC Defensive Player of the Week; she leads the team with 330 digs.
Cross Country: Top Runners Return The Knights’ cross country teams returned last season’s top runners, and Nathan Loersch (LPS) and Libby Haasch (Lakeside) have continued to pace the men and women early this season. Loersch took home first place in the first meet of the season at Crown and was joined in the top 10 by Loren Milbrath (MLS) and Nate Walther (LPS). Haasch finished sixth on the women’s side and was joined by Robin Nommensen (FVL) in the top 10.
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Bruce Wietzke NWC ’75 LeSueur MN
Stephanie Pagel MLC ’05 Moline IL
Men’s Soccer: Playing through the Pain The men’s soccer team has suffered a rash of injuries, forcing a number of younger players to step up and play. Senior Evan Chartrand (LPS) has played all over the field because of the injuries, while goalie Alex Levi Dunsmoor takes control of the ball. Vandenberg (FVL) has had numerous combinations of defenders in front of him. Some of the young players who have gained valuable experience in increased roles include Steve White (Shoreland), Julius Buelow (MLS), Nathan Gurgel (KML), and Ross Chartrand (LPS).
Women’s Soccer: Showing Progress Following a very difficult opening, losing to three consecutive non-conference opponents, the women’s soccer team has shown progress. Kadie Drake (Madison HS-Michigan), Emily Marggraf (LPS), and Sasha Bolwerk (KML) are tied for the team lead in goals, while first-year Abigail Horn (LPS) has taken over as the team’s number-one goalkeeper.
Golf: Eyes on the Finish After winning the UMAC title in 2008, the MLC men’s team has improved by more than 20 strokes this season, in hopes of repeating in 2009. Leaders are Joe Biebert (LPS) and Isaac Crass (LPS). For the women, Kelsey Steffens (FVL) and Mykayla Jensen (FVL) have led the Knights with improving scores throughout the season.
Stanley Weinrich NWC ’75 Pierce NE
Cara Biebert MLC ’05 Inver Grove Heights MN
RTS•SPORTS•SPORTS•SPORTS By Sports Information Director Mike Gibbons
New MLC Soccer Pitch Energizes Program At long last, the MLC soccer teams have a field to make them proud. After years of walking past the promising field on the way to an older, more open field with no scoreboard, press box, or bleachers, the new pitch, “Knight Field,” is finally ready. The women opened the field on September 1 with a match against St. Catherine, but the official opening came on September 18 and 19 when conference foes Presentation and UM-Morris came to the pitch. The Knights dropped three of the four games played that weekend, with only the men mustering a 1-1 tie against Presentation, but that did little to dampen the enthusiasm for a field that has been a long time coming. “We now have a state-of-the-art facility that is as good as any in our league,” Athletic Director Jim Unke said. “I think this shows that we take athletics seriously at
MLC, and we’re proud to have this kind of field for our soccer programs.” Men’s soccer co-captain Evan Chartrand agreed. “It’s really incredible. The new field means a lot to our soccer program here. It shows that MLC takes pride in our soccer teams and that soccer is a definite point of interest at MLC.” “Not only is the field itself nice,” said men’s co-captain Jon Huebner, “but the whole complex, including the stands, press box, speakers, and scoreboard, is a dramatic improvement. I feel very fortunate to play on the best soccer surface in the UMAC.” While the field provides a state-of-the-art facility for MLC student-athletes, Unke believes it also means something else. “This field shows a commitment from the board and other members of the MLC community that education reaches far beyond the classroom.”
At the soccer pitch dedication, Athletic Director Jim Unke and Coach Paul Koelpin presented signed soccer jerseys to the families of Zachary Moyle and Ryan Zweifel, MLC students called to heaven last year. Special commemorative t-shirts were also sold, with proceeds going to the Ryan Zweifel and Zachary Moyle Scholarship funds.
The men’s golf team hopes to win the title again in 2009.
Robert Guenther MLC ’00 Bellevue WA
Follow MLC athletics at our website: www2.mlc-wels.edu/athletics. You can also follow us on our twitter page: www.twitter.com/mlcknights.
Carl Otto NWC ’65 Denmark WI
Charlotte Heidenrich DMLC ’75 Carpinteria CA
Robert Duehlmeier NWC ’80 Crete IL
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A Mark of Professionalism:
Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Sarah Lassila Smith has been teaching since she graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in 1990, first at Pilgrim-Minneapolis (grades 2-4 and then kindergarten), and since 2004 at Heritage-Apple Valley MN (pictured). Like all DMLC and pre-2002 MLC grads, Sarah was synod-certified but not state-licensed. When she learned about MLC’s post-baccalaureate licensure program, she decided to apply. She knew that the coursework would not only enhance her teaching skills, but a state license would augment her credibility as a teacher—and, by extension, her school’s credibility—as well. Students’ post-bacc programs vary depending on when they graduated from (D)MLC, but most take one to two years. Sarah’s took a year and a half: • three classes (two at MLC during the summer of 2008 and one on-line during the 2008-2009 school year); • six weeks of student teaching in her own WELS classroom; • three weeks of student teaching in a public school during the summer of 2009; • creation of a portfolio, mostly completed during her summer classes at MLC; • taking the PRAXIS tests on four separate days in the summer and fall of 2009; and • application for her Minnesota state license. Dr. Cindy Whaley, MLC’s licensure officer, says that Sarah is a good model for other teachers: “She’s an outstanding example of a veteran teacher
accomplishing her goal of Minnesota licensure at MLC while still maintaining her everyday life.” Sarah says the work was well worth it. “The camaraderie with my fellow classmates, as well as the professionalism, friendship, care, and individual attention received from the professors, made my MLC classes well worth the experience,” she says. “I learned so much from them and also about myself as a professional teacher.” One of the most beneficial facets of the program was the professional portfolio. The documents and brochures she created for the portfolio were immediately applicable in her teaching ministry. “Useful and relevant are the key words. You do the work and you actually use it,” she says. We might add other key words: professionalism and credibility. Licensure promotes and validates professionalism in teachers and in their schools, which in turn lends credibility to the schools in their communities. In a society that values seals of approval, “licensed” and “accredited” are what many parents look for. “I would encourage anyone to go back to MLC to complete their post-bacc program,” says Sarah. “The personal attention received from the licensure office is invaluable—questions and concerns are welcomed and addressed thoroughly. Post-bacc students are well taken care of! Finally, I need to emphasize how wonderful my experience was in New Ulm with these professors and with the new friends I made! I’m so happy and will never regret going back to New Ulm to complete my post-bacc licensure.”
Why Do Teachers Seek Licensure? By completing the post-baccalaureate elementary education licensure program at MLC, veteran WELS teachers who graduated from (D)MLC have the opportunity to become licensed in the state of Minnesota with a K-6 elementary and a 5-8 specialty license, depending upon their area of concentration/emphasis. Enrollment is growing, with teachers citing various reasons for completing the program: • They want to be a classroom supervisor of MLC student teachers. • Their schools are accredited, so they need to be licensed. • They see the importance of continuing education, and licensure provides that avenue. • They are encouraged by our new graduates who have their licenses. • They are hoping to teach in a public school because no WELS schools or calls to WELS schools are available. For more information and application procedures, go to mlc-wels.edu and type “post-baccalaureate” in the search box.
A Living Laboratory Dr. Roger Klockziem ’66 gives us a brief scientific and aesthetic look at the 40+ species of trees on our campus. Photos by Public Relations Director Bill Pekrul Prior to 1884, this area was covered almost entirely by one species of tree. We learn this, surprisingly, from a Roman Catholic priest; in his book Indian’s Revenge, Father Alexander Berghold notes that the ridges of the Minnesota River Valley were covered with burr oaks, more than a vestige of which populates the area today. Unwittingly, Father Berghold provided a baseline for the vegetative profile of the MLC campus. The garden-like appearance of the campus today stands in stark contrast to the historical vegetative baseline. More than 40 species of trees now accent the remnant burr oaks. The selection of trees to replace the oaks and beautify the campus was done with foresight and planning by DMLC’s first biology professor, Professor Ralph Swantz (1956-1982), and by Professor Theodore Hartwig (1955-2002). To their credit, the campus is a living laboratory where students can do biology and botany studies with the trees. This fall, botany students are completing an official baseline by locating and identifying every tree on campus. This baseline will assist the Campus Beautification Committee’s work of sustaining and enhancing the pleasant, inviting aura the trees create.
Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) and staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) shelter the Excelsior steps.
Through the years, biology professors, MLC’s landscaper Tim Rambow, the Campus Beautification Committee, and even MLC students have perpetuated Professor Swantz’s legacy, cataloging, sustaining, and enhancing a living laboratory on campus—a legacy both scientific and beautiful. The Minnesota winter frosts the silver maple (Acer saccharinum) near Summit Hall.
Ginkgo
A Living Laboratory
The ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) leaf is distinctive for its fan shape.
Trees The silver maple (Acer saccarinum) near Summit boasts a stunning early summer green.
A variegated red maple (Acer rubrum) shades the corner of Old Main. (pictured left) Under usual fall conditions, the ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) will drop all its leaves in one day. Our two ginkgos, which pillar Old Main’s front steps, drop their leaves in unison. (pictured right)
Colorado Blue Spruce Colorado blue spruce trees (Picea pungens) ground the east and west sides of the library.
The Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) drops its pods on the Wittenberg Collegiate Center sidewalk, directly across from the Luther statue. Early settlers grounded and roasted the seeds inside the pods (pictured left) as a coffee substitute.
The rich, red fruit of the staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) on the Excelsior steps can last through winter and into spring.
Campus birds and animals feast on the colorful pin cherries (prunus pensylvanica).
Paper Birch
This paper birch (Betula papyrifera) cools the area between Augustana and Concord residence halls (formerly known as Highland and Hillview).
The nanny berry (Viburnum lentago) turns blue-black when mature.
The variegated red maple (Acer rubrum) near Old Main changes from a spring green to a late summer yellow to an autumn red.
The crab apple (Malus spp.) along the south side of Old Main is a source of food for robins in the spring when the ground is still frozen.
We Marvel at the Awesome Grace of God By MLC President Mark Zarling WLS ’80 MLC continues to be blessed beyond measure by a gracious Lord. Primary and eternally necessary among all blessings received is the blessing of the Word of life in our midst. Our Lord, purely in grace, allows his Word and sacrament on this campus to a degree unimagined by most. What Christian college in the world could begin its school year with an opening service in which close to 900 people communed—united by Jesus in a common faith and fellowship? What a blessing! May each chapel service and each classroom be a place where Christ’s words are fulfilled: If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. Most visible this year is the reality of the Chapel of the Christ. Being erected in a time of economic difficulty unparalleled since the Depression, the building moves us to marvel at the awesome grace of God. True it is that with God all things are possible. I consider the Chapel of the Christ a visible metaphor of the power of God to achieve what might seem undoable. If God can build such a visible temple, how much more amazing is his work in building his invisible church through the gospel. Please join us as we dedicate
Chapel of the Christ April 10-11, 2010 (See back page for details.)
Whose Chapel Is It? By WELS President Mark Schroeder WLS ’81 Martin Luther College properly describes itself as “The WELS College of Ministry.” Ministerial education is one of the reasons we have gathered together as a synod. As a key part of our ministerial education system, MLC faithfully provides undergraduate training for our future pastors, teachers, staff ministers, and missionaries. Over time MLC graduates will touch the lives of nearly every member of WELS. In a very real sense, Martin Luther College belongs to every member of WELS. They support the college with their offerings; they encourage their children and grandchildren to prepare for ministry at this school; and they remember MLC and its students in their prayers. And since MLC belongs to all of us, so does this chapel. WELS members generously provided the funding for its construction. More important, here the same gospel that unites us as a spiritual family will be proclaimed. Here the young people who will someday serve us with the Word will be strengthened and equipped in their own faith by that Word. Here, as students sing God’s praises, the hearts and voices of all WELS people will echo that praise to a gracious God. We rejoice and thank God for MLC’s new house of worship—for our new chapel.
G limpses Thoughts on
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Jean Pape DMLC ’80 St. Joseph MI
John Wesenberg DMLC ’75 Oshkosh WI
Jeanne Braun DMLC ’70 Mankato MN
John Janosek NWC ’60 Davenport IA
Gathering around the Means of Grace By Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer ’71 Music Professor, Chapel Building Committee Chair In a few months, the Martin Luther College campus family will meet in the auditorium for worship one last time. For decades this multi-purpose auditorium has served as our place for worship—as well as the place for musicals, plays, band concerts, community events, meetings, and more. Daily the furnishings for worship—altar, ambo, hymn boards, candlesticks, chancel chairs—are moved to accommodate other events. As a multi-purpose room, it has served the campus well, and we thank God for the gifts from his people that provided this space. Sometime in February, we will move our worship to Chapel of the Christ. It will be an exciting day. In this new dedicated worship space, the furnishings will not have to move to accommodate other events. Our attention will be guided by furnishings that say to us, “We are gathered here around the means of grace.” Through large windows in the gathering space, we will glimpse a cross with the broken figure of the Savior—a daily reminder of our sin and God’s grace in Christ. As we enter, we will pass a large baptismal font, a reminder of God’s grace to us in the waters of the sacrament. The altar and ambo at the focal point of the space will remind us of God’s work among us through his Word and in the Sacrament of the Altar. A set of three paintings, placed into a framework called a triptych, will remind us that at this institution, our Heavenly Teacher serves as the model. The triptych paintings feature Christ as teacher—in the temple with the teachers of the law, with the Emmaus disciples, and with Mary and Martha. A sound system will help us hear the Word of God clearly. The building’s acoustical design will favor and support
limpses
Chapel of the Christ
Jennifer Zahn MLC ’00 Indianapolis IN
of
John Hoenecke NWC ’45 Sturgis MI
congregational and choral song. The organ, choir, and instrumentalists will function in a space that is conducive to their work of gospel proclamation. All of this we anticipate with eagerness and joy. We are anxious for the “moving day” to arrive. As we wait, we say thank you to all those people of God who provided this new dedicated worship space for the MLC campus family. Soli Deo Gloria!
Call for Submissions: Art In conjunction with the dedication of Chapel of the Christ on April 10-11, 2010, we are hosting a juried exhibit of 2D and 3D art centering on the theme “Solus Christus—In Christ Alone.” The grand prize submission will be purchased by MLC for $1000. The runner-up will receive $500, and the people’s choice winner will receive $100. The exhibit will run from April 10 (chapel dedication) through May 15 (MLC graduation). Photos of submissions must be sent to MLC by March 1, 2010. Selections will be announced March 15, 2010. For more information, guidelines, and submission forms, go to www.mlc-wels.edu/go/art.
G race
Jody Watkins DMLC ’95 Watertown SD
Jerome Spaude NWC ’50 Newport MN
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A Vignette:
“When in Our Music God Is Glorified”
Morning Chapel at DMLC 60 Years Ago
By Dr. Wayne Wagner ’72 Music Professor, Coordinator of Organ Instruction
By Professor Emeritus Bruce Backer WLS ’56 I went to morning chapel as a prep and college student during the years 1943-50. Chapel was held in an auditorium at the same location of the present chapel-auditorium (pictured). The brief services were conducted Monday through Saturday, since there were classes Saturday morning, but not Wednesday afternoon. The first bell rang at 7:50 a.m. to move the student body of about 300 into the chapel. They entered in silence and went to their assigned seats: “boys” in one section and “girls” in another. The second bell rang at 7:55 a.m. But just before it rang, the faculty, about 15 in number, walked in silently and took their assigned seats in the last row of the left side of the auditorium. There were no altar appointments on the left side of the stage, merely a lectern and a chair for the chaplain. The president of the college, Carl L. Schweppe, was worship leader. Men and women of the upper class, with few exceptions, served as organists. The service was simple. There was no pre-service music. When the second bell rang, the chaplain announced the hymn. A student organist played a short prelude and led the assembly in singing the hymn. The chaplain then read a brief meditation from a book of meditations. (This book was used for many years.) The Lord’s Prayer followed the reading, on Saturdays the Apostles’ Creed. Announcements were read. The assembly left quietly; there was no post-service music.
Including a high-quality pipe organ has always been part of the plan for Chapel of the Christ. The pipe organ is an instrument uniquely suitable for Lutheran worship, especially because of its ability to support congregational singing—our primary consideration when designing this organ. A second role for the pipe organ at MLC is teaching. Currently, about 125 students take organ lessons each year. A curriculum that emphasizes playing hymns, liturgy, and other worship music—and offers opportunities to use these skills in chapel services—prepares organists for service in WELS congregations. Third, the organ will provide the resources to acquaint students with a wide variety of compositions for worship as well as concerts and recitals. Built by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville OH, the organ will have 60 ranks of pipes, played from a movable console with three manuals and pedal. Additional ranks are planned for the future. An organ of this size is needed to support singing in the large chapel space and to permit organists to study and play a wide variety of music. We eagerly look forward to using this new organ in worship, teaching, and concerts. To see photos of the MLC organ under construction, go to www.schantzorgan.com and click on “In the Shop.”
These services had the stamp of dignity and reverence. We knew that we were in the Lord’s house. Let all mortal flesh keep silence! I wish to thank Professor Emeritus Morton Schroeder, Dr. Arthur Schulz, Professor Emeritus Howard Wessel, and others for their help in preparing this article.
G limpses
Thoughts on Chapel of the Christ
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Gene Gottschalk NWC ’70 Racine WI
Karl Peterson NWC ’65 St. James MN
of
Karen Kuerth MLC ’05 Watertown WI
G race
George Traucht DMLC ’70 Arlington OH
“Yours, O LORD, Is the Greatness”
From Our Students
By Jon Scharlemann Vice President for Mission Advancement In 1 Chronicles we see King David’s magnificent prayer of thanksgiving, offered after the Israelites freely and joyfully gave of their resources to build a temple to honor God. David’s prayer can surely be our prayer today, thousands of years later. As the faculty, staff, and students daily witness the changing appearance of the chapel, we know that it is God who so richly deserves our praise for his goodness. Our prayer is that all would feel our excitement as we near the completion and dedication of the Chapel of the Christ. May we be even more astonished as we see the Holy Spirit at work, building the invisible Christian church worldwide through the gospel heralds being trained at Martin Luther College. David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
When I see this chapel, I realize that it’s really what our school is about: proclaiming Christ and his Word to all nations. Having a building completely devoted to our Lord really emphasizes that mission. Isaac Crass (St. Luke-Watertown WI) How awesome that we will have such a beautiful building to worship our Savior in, because he deserves the very best! I think Hebrews 12:28 is a great reminder of this: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Meredith Koltz (St. Matthew-Oconomowoc WI) This beautiful new chapel will give witness to the town and everyone who sees it that Christ is the center of our lives and the reason we are studying here. Rachel Wendland (St. Stephen-Beaver Dam WI) Not every place on this earth has the means to build a chapel or church; we are blessed. Still, we remember that it is not a building that contains God; rather, God is in our hearts, and when we go out and spread his Word to others around the world, he is with us there as well. Carol Niemi (First-La Crosse WI)
“Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
race
Gerhard Schmelzer DMLC ’40 Sebewaing MI
Jonathan Schroeder NWC ’95 Bay City MI
James Hahn DMLC ’80 McKinney TX
Janna Bakhaus DMLC ’70 Brighton MI
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In Focus
Adapted from MLC KnightWatch, October 2009
Ruth Servais Krause ‘06
Doubly Qualified God’s plan—and her MLC degree—took Ruth (Servais) Krause ’06 to a place she never expected: teaching in a public school in Manitowoc WI. “On Call Day [2006], my husband, Aaron, got a call, but I did not,” Ruth says. “It was very disappointing. It was difficult to see God’s intentions for my life. I felt very lost.” The Krauses moved to Manitowoc WI where Aaron was assigned upper-grade teacher and athletic director at Bethany Lutheran. But it wasn’t long before God showed Ruth how she could serve—teaching fourth grade at Madison Elementary. The interview process was strenuous, but, like all MLC grads, Ruth had a Minnesota state teacher’s license and many weeks of teaching experience in public schools. One short test earned her a Wisconsin license, making her more than qualified—and she got the job. “As I started to work in the public school district, it was very clear that this was the opportunity God was giving me to serve,” she says. “I may not be able to teach a religion class every day in my classroom, but I can be a strong witness to his Word among kids.” Ruth’s schedule allows her time to serve at her church too. She’s coached volleyball, track, and basketball at Bethany Lutheran, as well as helping with Sunday school and vacation Bible school. And she and Aaron are also busy with their two kids, Makiah and Aaden. “Looking back, I never would have guessed this
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David Snyder DMLC ’85 Milwaukee WI
Delmar Brick NWC ’40 Manitowoc WI
is what I would be doing,” she says. “God has blessed me more than I could have imagined. I have a job that I am proud of and enjoy. I have a wonderful family and a great place to live. When God led us to a place called Manitowoc, I had my doubts. But now I know that God placed us here for a reason, and my faith has been strengthened all the more because of his plan.”
“I’ll Take That Degree to Go, Please” The MLC education degree can take graduates wherever they want to go. • WELS Schools: MLC grads are synod-certified, qualifying them to teach in WELS schools. • Public Schools: MLC grads are Minnesota state-licensed, qualifying them to teach in public schools. “The Minnesota license is the ‘Cadillac’ of teachers’ licenses,” explains MLC’s Dr. Cindy Whaley. “It’s extremely credible in any state in the nation, making it very easy to earn other state licenses.”
Kirk Lahmann MLC ’05 Owosso MI
Kathy Fruechtl DMLC ’75 Menominee MI
In Focus
Faculty Essay
Alumni Keyed Up for Music
WELS Summer Strings Adrian Smith ’03, currently minister of music at St. Mark-Watertown WI, conducted the WELS Summer Strings in its 2009 inaugural season. More than 30 strings players, ages 9-84, mostly from the Watertown area, presented their first concert August 2 at Christ the Lord-Brookfield WI, playing an eclectic repertoire, from sacred to classical to jazz. The ensemble was the brainchild of Linda Walling Moeller ’76, who plays cello and serves as manager of the group.
Alumni Linda Walling Moeller and Adrian Smith lead WELS Summer Strings in the Watertown WI area.
“While I was at DMLC,” Linda said, “I learned to play several instruments on my own, and I wrote/arranged band and organ music that was actually performed in public. Those experiences have undoubtedly given me the confidence and desire to keep trying new things.” MLC has been a blessing to these graduates, and they hope they can return the favor. “We also hope our group will be a blessing to MLC,” said Adrian, “in that we can encourage our younger members to consider attending college there as they see us in action and get to know the current MLC students in the group.”
More than 30 players, many of them (D)MLC-educated, play in WELS Summer Strings.
Pulling Out All the Stops Eight Watertown area organists, six of them alumni of (D)MLC, offered half-hour lunchtime recitals on the 1,576-pipe, mechanical-action Wissinger organ at Trinity-Watertown WI. Offering everything from Bach to Behnke were organists Kris Altergott Eggers ’87, Bethel Kell Zabell ’61, James Moeller ‘76, Nancy Wiedenhoeft Schmoller ’73, Wyatt Smith (Luther Prep 2009), Adrian Smith ’03, Linda Walling Moeller ’76, and David Porth (Luther Prep 2010). Six (D)MLC alumni and two Luther Prep students presented lunchtime recitals on the Wissinger organ at Trinity-Watertown WI .
Karl Walther NWC ’85 Sturgeon Bay WI
What are you up to? DMLC, MLC, and NWC alumni, please share with us the interesting things you’re doing—both in the ministry and in your personal lives! We want to know! Share stories and ideas with Alumni Director Steve Balza at balzasj@mlc-wels. edu or 507.354.8221.
Eldon Lemke DMLC ’65 Fairfax MN
Eunice Bode DMLC ’45 New Ulm MN
Fern Frank DMLC ’55 Morgan MN
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Alumni Reunion Weekend Over 100 alumni and family members—graduates and attendees of MLC, DMLC, NWC, MLA, and DMLHS— gathered here on the hill for the Alumni Reunion Weekend July 24-26. The weekend included lots of fellowship, worship, delicious cafeteria meals, entertainment, and tours, as well as child care and exposure to MLC for the children.
Next year’s gathering is slated for July 23-25, 2010.
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David Hahm NWC ’60 Oconomowoc WI
Save the date and watch for more details to come!
Mark Parsons MLC ’05 Montrose CO
M Scott Martz NWC ’90 Great Falls MT
David Silfies NWC ’90 East Brunswick NJ
DMLC Alumni and Friends “Stay Connected”
that is being built. Despite change, history was preserved.
A message from DMLC Alumna Charlene Cloute Neujahr ’59 What a joy it was to return to campus for our class’s 50th year reunion. The chapel services with their message, singing, and organ music were inspirational and brought back many memories. There were many excellent tours planned, but there was also time to get together and reminisce with old friends. After living on campus for eight years, it became home, and friends were like a second family to us. It was interesting to see the many changes that have been made through the years and especially the new chapel
As a thank-offering, our class is giving a gift to the financial aid fund, which will help future pastors and teachers afford their education. They are unable to earn enough to pay all their school/living expenses as we were able to do. I would encourage you to take part in one of these future reunion weekends, whether you are young or old. The families seemed to enjoy it, and the older people found many things to do according to their abilities. We should stay connected with our alma mater and our many Christian classmates and friends.
“I Hope to Return”
students. Many of the activities throughout the weekend were free or for a nominal fee.
A message from DMLC Alumna Linda Wellstein Baumann ’94 One of the highlights of each school year is the annual Teachers’ Convention. It’s a Linda Baumann in 1991 wonderful time to see friends from farther away, learn new ideas, and worship together with an auditorium full of brothers and sisters in the ministry. Now imagine that experience on the MLC campus with your spouse and children, and you have a good idea of what the Alumni Reunion Weekend is like. My husband, David, and I met at DMLC many years ago and had not had an opportunity to return since graduation, so we decided to attend the reunion. It was an affordable family vacation. We were impressed with the updates to the dorms, and our whole family could stay in one room for the weekend for much less than the price of one night in a hotel. The cafeteria meals far surpassed those we remember eating when we were
Lois Vomhof DMLC ’60 Lester Prairie MN
Linda Teske DMLC ’35 Tomah WI
One of the highlights was the bonfire the first night. Even Linda with her husband, David, and son, Ben, though we hadn’t in 2009 seen many of our former classmates in 15 years, we were able to pick up those friendships where we left off. We were delighted to see how quickly all our children got together and played together (and lit marshmallows on fire together) even though many of them had never met. Being able to show our son our old dorm rooms, where we worked on campus and where we sat in the auditorium for chapel helped him connect all those stories he’s heard with a real place. Some of the small things on campus have changed, but the most important elements have not. God’s Word is the focus and motivation in all that is done at MLC. I hope to return to the alumni reunion again.
Laura Otto MLC ’00 Saginaw MI
Laura Follendorf DMLC ’95 La Crosse WI
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Alumni, Will You Help Us Deck the Campus? An Invitation from Alumni Director Steve Balza Wednesday, November 25, 2009 10:00am - 2:00pm Mark your calendars and help us welcome the students back from their Thanksgiving break with a campus wrapped and ready to celebrate our Savior’s birth!
The 80-member travel party poses in front of the Creation Museum.
Buses and Buggies and Bears,
Oh My! By Steve Balza, Alumni Director
We’ll meet in the Luther Student Center by the gymnasium entrance and put together our work crews. Indoor and outdoor tasks will be available, and people of all ages and abilities are needed.
MLC Professors Lyle Lange and Steve Thiesfeldt led 80 students, alumni, and members of OWLS (Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors) on a deluxe motor-coach tour to the Creation Museum in Petersburg KY this summer. Highlights included daily devotions and educational presentations, stops at Chicago’s lakefront and Magnificent Mile and the Amish community of Shipshewana IN, an Ohio River dinner cruise, and a Cincinnati Reds game.
Lunch will be provided during our break, and we’ll cap off the day with a brief lighting ceremony, hot cocoa, and carols. Please RSVP to Steve by phone at 507.217.1731, via email at alumni@mlc-wels.edu, or on the Martin Luther College Facebook page so we know how many to plan for.
We hope this was the first of many such affordable, enjoyable, and educational travel opportunities we can offer alumni. Watch for these 2010 trips: • June 21-25: A repeat trip to the Creation Museum, departing from Green Bay and picking up passengers along the way through eastern Wisconsin; and • June 28-July 2: A five-day Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, and Badlands excursion led by Professor Earl Heidtke, leaving from New Ulm.
Alumni
Mystery
For more information, check out the MLC website or contact the alumni office at 507.217.1731 or alumni@mlc-wels.edu. Can you identify the men in this class photo from 1905? We know Charles Holzinger, Hugo Frey, and Albert Stindt, as their names were written on the photograph. We’d like to match the other graduates’ names to their faces: John Bartz, Frederic Grimm, Max Hackbarth, Albert Lehmann, and Charles Martens.
Photo
The Alumni Archive Committee is also looking for graduation photos from the following years: 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1907, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915. If you are able to identify the graduates in these photos, that would be even better! If you can help us with any of these items, please contact Alumni Director Steve Balza at 507.354.8221 or balzasj@mlc-wels.edu.
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Cliss Loescher DMLC ’85 Bloomington MN
Reuel Schultz NWC ’55 Milwaukee WI
Conrad Frey NWC ’35 Hoskins NE
Dale Reckzin NWC ’85 Nepean ON, Canada
SOLA
MLC is grateful to Jesus for everyone who has made deferred gifts to MLC through estate planning vehicles such as wills, trusts, annuities, and life insurance policies. These gifts are so valued here at MLC because they not only support our mission, but they promote gospel outreach as our graduates carry the good news to every corner of the world. These gifts are also highly valued because they represent a thoughtful, Spirit prompted approach to sharing God’s blessings with future generations. To maximize the impact of these thoughtful plans, and planners, MLC has launched SOLA, the Support & Outreach Legacy Association. By identifying and gathering donors who have made deferred gifts to MLC, this association seeks . . . • to spread the gospel message through the ministry of MLC and through SOLA outreach projects. • to celebrate the blessings that God has lavished on MLC through his people. • to confirm donors’ intent, assuring supporters that their gifts will be used as they wish.
• to provide a means of mutual encouragement for deferred giving through a published SOLA roster. (If you prefer, we’ll keep you anonymous.) • to communicate the joy of deferred giving as expressed by SOLA contributors. • to foster a deeper sense of ownership among friends of MLC. • to educate those with a heart for MLC’s ministry how their planned gifts can serve future generations of called workers. If you’ve included MLC in your trust or will or if you’ve named MLC as a beneficiary of your life insurance or IRA/401K, then please let us know so that your plans may encourage others and may be of service to MLC’s financial planning. “It is important to my wife, Ruth, and me that we make provision for MLC in our financial planning,” said Professor Emeritus Arnold Koelpin. “Membership in SOLA lets the college know our support for the school´s mission, and, at the same time, to join others who also remember MLC in this way.” To join SOLA, either by making a deferred gift or letting us know that you already have, please contact your WELS Christian giving counselor (800.827.5482) or Jon Scharlemann at MLC (877.MLC.1995 or scharljj@mlc-wels.edu).
CAMPUS
CO$T-$AVING MEASURES
We’ve been surprised at the recent attention given to our tray-less policy in the MLC cafeteria. Local newspaper and TV stories have explained the projected savings we may realize in water, detergent, sewer, food waste, and labor. (See http://www.keyc.com/node/27681 for one television story.) This recent policy is just one of many cost-saving measures at MLC. Tray-less cafeteria Thermostat setting changes Smaller summer work crews 35-hour work week Fewer instructional materials Elimination of faculty grants
Norma Veach DMLC ’65 Sioux City IA
$ 30,000 $ 40,000 $ 32,000 $125,000 $ 70,000 $ 25,000
Naomi Breiling DMLC ’65 West Bend WI
Lavonne Bentz and many others gave of their time on summer volunteer days, allowing us to hire smaller summer work crews.
“These are teachable moments for our students,” says VP for Administration Steve Thiesfeldt. “Yes, they’ll be making sacrifices, but they’ll have to make decisions like these in their ministries and personal lives too. We can use this time as an opportunity to be more creative, to do things in different ways.”
David Endorf MLC ’00 Juneau AK
Michelle Ewart DMLC ’90 Broken Arrow OK
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Dean of Preseminary Studies Daniel Balge WLS ’85 presented a paper on church fellowship— “Weak Brother or Persistent Errorist? The Distinction and Some Applications”—to the Minnesota District Pastors’ Conference in April and led “A Greek Refresher” for the Cottonbelt Conference of the South Atlantic District in May. He was also reelected president of the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Alumni.
Professor Jonathan Balge WLS ’87 preached and presented a brief history lecture for the Reformation rally in King of Prussia PA. Professor Paul Bases, after leading his regular Spanish language immersion program in Ecuador, spent eight days in Guatemala and Honduras investigating language schools and future program sites for MLC and Lutheran high school students. At the invitation of the Spanish Tourism Bureau, he also spent ten days in southern Spain, visiting schools in five cities.
Campus Pastor John Boeder WLS ’90 and Professor Thomas Hunter ’75 visited Seoul; Tokyo; Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Taichung, Taiwan, last spring to explore international teaching opportunities for MLC grads.
Professor Joel Fredrich WLS ’82 gave a series of presentations on Christology at the Nebraska District Spring Pastoral Conference at Rock of Ages-Kansas City MO in April. In October he preached at the 50th anniversary of Bay Pines-Seminole FL, where he served as a vicar.
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Martin Luther College
Dr. James Grunwald ’76 represented WELS School Accreditation at the National Council for Private School Accreditation Technology Task Force meeting in Silver Springs MD in June. He serves as a consultant for the WELS Area Lutheran High School Committee on Distance Learning. He also presented two sectionals, “Internet-based Sources of Course Content for Upper-grade Classrooms” and “Technology for Teachers: Focus on SmartBoard” at the 2009 Minnesota Joint Teachers’ Conference of the ELS/WELS at MLC in October. Professor Lance Hartzell ’71 and his wife, Annette ’70, team-taught the Art Workshop sponsored by the Wanda Gag House in New Ulm last July. Professor Emeritus Lloyd Huebner WLS ’51, former DMLC president, spoke at Lakeside Lutheran High School’s 50th anniversary celebration last April. As Lakeside’s first principal and teacher, he started the school in 1958 with an enrollment of 41. He also recently completed his 13-year service as the national pastoral advisor and chairman of the Spiritual Growth Committee of the OWLS (Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors).
Former DMLC president Lloyd Huebner spoke at Lakeside’s 50th anniversary.
Dr. Bob Klindworth ’70 has been reappointed to another four-year term on the Minnesota Nonpublic Education Council. Commissioner Alice Seagren notes: “The reappointment recognizes the thoughtful and positive leadership Bob has brought in his years of service to nonpublic schools and to the state advisory council and its accreditation committee.” Dr. Roger Klockziem ’63 presented “Does Science Stand against Scripture?” at the National Campus Ministry Rally in Eau Claire WI last May. He delivered the keynote address, “Trends and Issues in Science Education,” as well as a sectional, “Active Learning in Science,” at the Milwaukee Metro Teachers’ Conference in September.
Professor Emeritus Arnold J. Koelpin WLS ’58 taught “Martin Luther: Reformation of the Christian Church” in Cheyenne WY in May and “Luther’s Views on the Church,” a Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary satellite course, at MLC in July. He was appointed to the synodical committee for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017. His book Hermann from Legend to Symbol (Third Revised Edition) was published in conjunction with the 2000th anniversary of the Battle of Teutoberg Forest (A.D. 09), when German tribes led by Arminius (“Hermann the German”) repelled the Romans to maintain their independence. He has spoken widely on Hermann, and a New Ulm Journal article relating how he translated “Als die Romer frech geworden” (The Hermann Song) into English was picked up by Associated Press and published in numerous periodicals including World News.
Professor Paul Koelpin WLS ’90 was appointed to the synodical committee for the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017. Professor Lyle Lange WLS ’69 was appointed to the WELS Prison Ministry Committee and serves as the chairman of the Publications Committee. He’s writing a chapter on preparing for life outside prison for each of the 17 WELS Prison Ministry Bible studies. Dr. Mark Lenz WLS ’69 presented a Life of Luther seminar in Toronto in October.
Dr. Carla Melendy ’73 presented “Christian Women as Leaders” at Immanuel-Hutchinson MN and two sectionals—“Science Pre-K: What Do I Do?” and “Science 1-4: What Do I Do?” at the Metro Milwaukee Teachers’ Conference in September.
Dr. Kermit Moldenhauer ’71 has composed a new tune and setting for Luther’s Easter hymn “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands.” It was published by Northwestern Publishing House this year. The new tune also appears in Christian Worship: Supplement. Professor Thomas Nass WLS ’82 has been contracted by Concordia Publishing House to write a professional commentary on the book of Joel for their Concordia Commentary Series. Instructor Lanita Nolte ’68 presented the workshop “LWMS with Altitude” at the June LWMS convention in Denver.
People came to New Ulm from around the world to celebrate the 2000th anniversary of “Hermann the German’s” victory over the Romans. More properly known as Hermann the Cheruscan or as Arminius (his Latin name), the statue stands proudly across the street from the MLC campus. It is the third largest copper statue in the U.S., behind the Statue of Liberty and “Portlandia” in Portland OR. Some MLC students took up arms for the battle reenactment, and some of the historical seminars were held on our campus. German music, food, and tours were capped off by stunning fireworks during the September 19-20 event.
Martin Luther College
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Professor Ron Ohm ’78 and Instructor Carlotta Ohm ’79 taught VBS at Faith-Medford OR in June, the trip made possible by St. Paul-New Ulm MN and WELS Kingdom Workers.
Professor Jonathan Roux ’95 presented the sectional “A Balanced Approach to the Language Arts Curriculum” at the Western Wisconsin Teachers’ Conference in La Crosse WI in February.
Dr. Lawrence Olson WLS ’83 was appointed to
Vice President for Student Affairs Jeff Schone
represent MLC on the WELS Board for Ministerial Education’s Specialized Ministry Training Program Coordinating Group. This is an umbrella group that coordinates and supervises the training of cross-cultural candidates for public ministry.
Professor Mark Paustian WLS ’88 led the following seminars in recent months: Milwaukee Area Evangelism Symposium at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, men’s retreats on the Psalms in Texas and in Brainerd MN, a communications seminar at the Pacific Northwest District Teachers’ Conference at Evergreen LHS, and the first annual Hebrew Review at MLC. He also presented the following: World Mission’s keynote address at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Mission and Ministry Seminar, an essay on church fellowship for the Western Wisconsin District Pastors’ Conference, the course “Communication with Application to Adult Education” at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s summer quarter, and an address on narrative witnessing to a women’s conference in Lansing MI.
Professor James Pope WLS ’81 accepted appointment to the synod’s newly established Chaplaincy Certification Committee.
Professor Emeritus Darvin Raddatz WLS ’59 served two consecutive pastoral vacancies, in Fairfax and Morgan MN, from May to the present.
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Martin Luther College
WLS ’87 received his Master of Science degree in College Student Affairs from Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Dr. David Schroeder ’86 completed his PhD in United States History at Marquette University in January 2009. Professor Jeff Wiechman ’90 is serving a partial sabbatical during the 2009-2010 school year as the interim principal at St. Paul-New Ulm while also continuing his doctoral studies and his duties as an MLC student teaching supervisor.
Dean of Educational Studies Kurt Wittmershaus ’88 completed a second season with Canticum Novum (a WELS chamber choir) in early July. He also served as a German teacher in the New Ulm Sister Cities German Language Day Camp and a music teacher for the Wanda Gag Arts Camps.
Professor Miles Wurster completed his Master of Music Education at VanderCook College of Music-Chicago. He wrote his thesis on “Exsultate Jubilate: Sacred Wind Band Music for Use in the Liturgical Tradition of the Lutheran Church.”
We are pleased to make available the MLC Speakers Bureau, a reference for those seeking presenters for occasions such as pastors’ and teachers’ conferences, faculty in-services, Bible classes, or parent-teacher organization meetings. From theology and Christian living to educational research and best practices, from the liberal arts to the college itself, topics and speakers are at the ready. For a copy of the MLC Speakers Bureau, contact Public Relations Director Bill Pekrul ’80 at pekrulwa@mlc-wels.edu.
MLC Featured in National Publication MLC’s physical education program, which incorporates Polar fitness technology, was recently featured in a special advertising insert in the September/October 2009 issue of Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators. The article “Dual Advantages” states: “At Martin Luther College, future educators are using PE technology to make themselves healthier . . . and to prepare for successful careers.” The full-page article explains our mission and quotes Professor John Gronholz ’68, chairman of the physical education department, extensively. “Our goal,” Gronholz says at one point, “is to train our teacher candidates and PE majors to be knowledgeable about technology and to be comfortable with its use in order to prepare them to introduce it wherever they go.”
Preach You the Word Between classes, you may find some professors preparing not only lessons, but also sermons. MLC “pastor-professors” often move back and forth from podium to pulpit, augmenting their MLC coaching, advising, and teaching with congregational preaching. Many preach sermons and teach Bible classes regularly in area congregations, some as often as once a month. One professor called this “just being a helpful church member.” Others drive or fly to more distant locales, preaching for anniversaries, Reformation rallies, mission festivals, and conferences. “It’s a chance to practice our preaching skills and to relate to people,” said one professor. “It’s just another way to serve.”
Photos published in Strategies were taken by MLC Public Relations Director Bill Pekrul ’80.
Martin Luther College
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Please celebrate with us as we dedicate
M artin L uther C o llege
April 10-11, 2010 Saturday, April 10, 2010
Dedication Service Reservations
11:15-11:45. . . . Children’s choir mini concert 1:00-3:00. . . . . . Organ Open Console 1:00-3:00. . . . . . Seminars: Walking Tour: History of Worship on This Campus Christian Art and Architecture: A History WELS Ministerial Education 4:30-6:00. . . . . . Solus Christus Juried Art Exhibit Opening Campus Tours
To reserve a seat for one of the dedication services, please call 877.MLC.1995 or email us at gartneml@mlc-wels.edu.
7:00. . . . . . . . Chapel Dedication Service 8:30. . . . . . . . . . Presentations in chapel: Art and furnishings in Chapel of the Christ Building of the organ in Chapel of the Christ
Sunday, April 11, 2010 2:30. . . . . . . . Chapel Dedication Service 4:00. . . . . . . . . . Presentations in chapel: Art and furnishings in Chapel of the Christ Building of the organ in Chapel of the Christ
We have added a Saturday evening dedication service for those coming from a distance. Worshipers closer to New Ulm are encouraged to attend the Sunday service, if possible. The services are identical. Chapel of the Christ seats about 1000. Your reservation ensures that you will have a seat for the service you choose. Thank you!
Also on campus: Solus Christus Art Exhibit Juried show of WELS and ELS artists See call for submissions at mlc-wels.edu/go/art.
History of Worship Archival Display