InFocus - March 2011

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Students between Worlds Alumni News Shepherd Society

In This Issue...

MARCH 2011

InFocus Staff WRITER/EDITOR Laurie Gauger ’86 PHOTOGRAPHERS William Pekrul ’80 Catherine St. John Rebecca Wilkens 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 College Administration PRESIDENT Mark Zarling WLS ’80 VP for ADMINISTRATION Steven Thiesfeldt ’74 VP for ACADEMICS David Wendler ’70 VP for STUDENT LIFE Jeffrey Schone WLS ’87 VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Jon Scharlemann Governing Board Chairman Michael Woldt WLS ’81 Secretary Steven Rosenbaum ’86 Roy Beyer WLS ’76 Keith Bowe ’79 Jonathan Hahm ’71 Jonathan Kolander WLS ’91 Stephen Loehr Michael Otterstatter WLS ’94 Timothy Petermann Barry Price Michael Schultz WLS ’89 William Steinbrenner Jeffrey Wegner WLS ’87 Advisory: Charles Degner WLS ’79 Randy Matter Paul Prange WLS ’88 Mark Schroeder WLS ’81 Mark Zarling WLS ’80

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 exists to serve the ministerial needs of the WELS.

Come or Go—or Both?

By President Mark Zarling Centripetal or centrifugal? Do you remember these scientific terms? The first is defined as “directed toward the center”; the second as “moving or directed outward from the center.”

Those terms can loosely describe the mission strategies that a gracious Lord God outlined for his believers. The Old Testament strategy was centripetal, for God declared there would be one temple to reveal his saving Name. People would be drawn to that Name, streaming from the darkness to the Light. No wonder that God said, Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawning.

The New Testament reveals that Jesus, the Son of God, came into the flesh declaring, I am the Light of the world. He tells his believers: Go and make disciples of all nations and You will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.

According to this centrifugal mission strategy, we eagerly go forth, no longer bound to a particular place of divine revelation. We share the message of light and life in Jesus, who is the Light and the Life, the Way and the Truth.

So what’s the connection with MLC, your WELS College of Ministry?

I submit that we live in exciting times. While we train gospel servants to go, Jesus has others come. MLC exists to prepare Christians to say, Here am I. Send me, send me. This corps of Christian witnesses is joyful and eager to go wherever the Good Shepherd directs. At the same time, God is drawing people from everywhere to come to Christian schools, where the Name that saves is taught and revealed. In the last four years, the international student population in our Lutheran high schools and prep schools has increased 21.7% to 308 international students. Three Lutheran elementary schools have international students, and others are working on it. What an amazing blessing!

Think about that when you read the lead article in this issue of InFocus, “Between Worlds.” You will meet some of our students here at MLC, both international students and expatriate students. They come here to train and then to go. Perhaps they go back to a homeland filled with opportunities.

Perhaps they go to a stateside school filled with an increasing number of international students.

Regardless, it seems to me that we live in a time where God is using both strategies. Be amazed at God’s power. Be appreciative of God’s grace. Be excited about the opportunities!

On our cover: MLC student Edili Pichardo Gomerez at home in the Dominican Republic. See her story on page 17.

The alumni photos at the bottom of each page are from the anniversary classes of MLC, NWC, and DMLC: ’36, ’41, ’46, ’51, ’56, ’61, ’66, ’71, ’76, ’81, ’86, ’91, ’96, ’01, and ’06. We thank Alumni Director Steve Balza for scanning this random selection of alums.

Where Two or Three Come Together . . .

By Andrew Gerlach (Christ the Lord-Brookfield WI)

With heads bowed in meditation and hearts lifted in prayer, students sit quietly in the Chapel of the Christ awaiting the evening Compline service. The only sounds are the last few worshipers filtering in and the baptismal font’s quiet flow. Setting aside stress and worry, students come to praise their Lord, and they depart refreshed by the gospel.

Whether in Compline’s plaintive melodies, a festival service’s resounding brass, or voices joined in praise on a Tuesday morning, the music always refreshes the spirit. Whether in the triptych’s paintings, the altar set in stone, or the risen Jesus on the croce dipinta, the symbolism always takes the breath away. Yes, worship at MLC is truly a blessing, and it’s easy to see why alumni often miss it the most.

And above all, the Word is there—in the creed’s conviction, the liturgy’s timelessness, and the sermon’s reassurance. Only in these truths do the music and symbolism take on their beauty as they edify and glorify. There, united in Christ and focused on “the one thing needful,” the MLC family raises their hearts and voices to their Savior-King.

Students worship twice daily in the Chapel of the Christ.

Worship along with the MLC campus family weekday mornings at 10:45. Go to mlc-wels.edu and click on “MLCTV” on the top toolbar. If you can’t be available at 10:45, you may watch the services at any time that’s convenient for you by clicking on the Archives folder.

A Gathering of Our Worldwide Fellowship MLC is pleased to host a momentous event this summer: the Seventh Triennial Convention of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), made up of 21 confessional Lutheran churches from around the globe.

“Unity of Spirit—Bond of Peace” is the theme for the June 4-6, 2011, convention where church leaders from Ukraine, Zambia, Germany, and Mexico will present essays on the Church. The convention will also consider the applications of three additional Lutheran church bodies: Nigeria (All Saints), Norway (Lutheran Confessional Church), and Korea (East Seoul Canaan Church).

According to Professor Thomas Nass, secretary of the planning committee, “The purpose of the convention is for the churches in our international fellowship to encourage each other in our confessional Lutheran faith, to strengthen our unity in faith, and to help each other give a united witness to the world.”

Artur Villares (left) represents the Lutheran Church of Portugal, which was accepted as a member of the CELC by President Steven Petersen at the 2008 CELC convention in Kiev.

Organized in 1993, the conference has met only once in the United States. Previous conventions have been held in Germany, Puerto Rico, Florida, Sweden, Japan, and the Ukraine.

Visitors are invited to attend. All sessions are free. Meals are served in the cafeteria for a nominal cost. For a schedule of events and a visitor registration form, go to celc.info and click on “Upcoming Convention.”

Joel Hoff MLC 2006 Helenville WI

Nicole Schmidt MLC 1996 Norfolk NE

Judith Winter DMLC 1966 Randolph WI

Donald Kolander NWC 1946 Marathon WI

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here on the

Winter Wonderland

It’s been a winter for the record books in New Ulm, with wind chills in the -20s and more than 70 inches of snow—so far. But no one can deny that on a February morning, the view before sunrise is breathtaking. (Photo of Summit Hall by Bill Pekrul)

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We’re Good for It

Join Us for Lenten Vespers

In a September 1, 2010, US News & World Report article, MLC was recognized as having one of the highest loan repayment rates in the country. Of the 8,412 colleges in the United States whose students have federal loans, MLC is tied for fifth place in loan repayment. Between October 2008 and September 2009, 90% of our students started to repay their loans. Director of Financial Aid Gene Slettedahl said, “What a tribute to our graduates and the faithfulness they are exhibiting in honoring their obligations.”

“A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth” is the theme of a special Lenten Vespers on Saturday, March 26, at 7 pm in the Chapel of the Christ. The MLC Chorale, Women’s Choir, and Men’s Choir, along with cantors, organist, and instrumentalists, will participate in this lovely, meditative service. One highlight will be the concertato “My Song Is Love Unknown” by MLC Professor Emeritus James Engel (1925-1989).

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Cleone Weigand NWC 1956 Kewaskum Martin LutherWI College

Ardin Laper NWC 1941 Markesan WI

Cindy Krause MLC 2001 New London WI

Brady Coleman MLC 1996 Detroit MI

With a snowfall total of 60 inches at the end of January, the campus was ready for a full slate of Winter Carnival events February 6-12, including human dogsled races, skating, broomball, and snow sculptures, as well as plenty of indoor fun: a talent show, video contest, manhunt, beard contest, penny wars, speedball, and more.

One annual highlight is the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary-Martin Luther College hockey match. This year the men hit the ice at 10 pm Friday at the New Ulm Civic Center. It’s serious competition—and serious fellowship too.

New this year: Midnight videos posted on Facebook—and hosted by pajama-clad juniors Joe Blum (Divine Savior-Shawano WI) and Nate Wordell (Bethany-Kenosha WI)—fed the student body the latest carnival whats, whens, and wheres.

Mr. Concord: Five first-year gents are put to the test every year in the Mr. Concord Competition. It’s part talent contest, part beauty contest, and part you-had-to-bethere-because-MLC-humor-is-too-quirky-to-explain contest.

This year’s Concord dorm contestants were (from left) Andrew Krieger (Grace-Tecumseh MI), David Roekle (First-Racine WI), Josh Paustian (Good Shepherd-West Bend WI), Chris Mundstock (Deer Valley-Phoenix AZ), and Pete Plagenz (St. Paul-Manchester WI).

Carly Belz MLC 2006 Stanton NE

Pass the White Out, Please: One home basketball game every year is dubbed the White-Out Game. This pic of the student section on Friday, February 11, says it all! (There’s a Black-Out Game too. Guess what they wear that night?)

James Henrickson DMLC 1986 Bloomington MN

Brrrrrrroomball: It’s serious business when each class fields a broomball team—and this February’s subzero temps made for an authentic Minnesnowta feel. The junior class team (pictured below) took the cup.

Cynthia Bauder DMLC 1986 GrangerMartin IN Luther College

Don Fastenau NWC 1961 St. James MN 5

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here on the Publication

Wins National Award MLC’s 125 Years—125 Stories earned a 2010 Service Industry Advertising Award in January. The nearly 2000 entries in the national contest were evaluated for execution, creativity, quality, consumer appeal, and overall breakthrough content.

125 Years—125 Stories was written by Laurie Gauger and designed by Lime Valley Advertising, Inc., of Mankato (Brian Maciej, president and art director). The book commemorates 125 years of ministry training here on the hill. Here’s an excerpt for the 1880s:

“Practicing Proper Deportment” The early college catalogs listed dos and don’ts for the students, beginning with such basics as “proper deportment” and “proper dress.” The 1884 catalog listed 27 regulations, including . . .

• No throwing things from the windows • No outside games on Sundays • No visiting eating houses where intoxicating spirits are sold • No cards or games of chance • No tobacco without permission from the president • No attending balls or theatrical exhibitions • No bathing in the river without permission from the faculty

Tell Us Your

International Ministry Story

Martin Luther College is now accepting submissions for the fifth annual Thalassa Prize.

This $1000 award from an anonymous donor is given to the best photo-and-essay submission from an MLC student or graduate who has served in an international ministry.

Sixty-nine entries have been submitted during the last four years, with the Thalassa Prize awarded to these four: • 2007: Kristina Wessel, Dominican Republic • 2008: Rachel Kionka, Malawi • 2009: Rachel Meyer, Southeast Asia • 2010: Gretchen Schmiege, Southeast Asia Might you be the 2011 winner? For submission guidelines, go to www.mlc-wels.edu/go/thalassa.

Deadline: April 30, 2011.

We may presume from this 1880s photo that pillow fights were allowed.

If you were not able to get a copy of the first printing, a second printing has arrived. Call 507.354.8221 x240 or email gaugerlf@mlc-wels.edu to request your copy.

Donations to the college, to cover the book production costs and to support further ministerial training, are welcome!

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Corey Van Kampen MLC 2001 Kingman AZCollege Martin Luther

Daniel Kuehl DMLC 1981 Hartford WI

2010 Thalassa Winner “A Look through the Door” by Gretchen Schmiege

Caroline Rider DMLC 1941 Algoma WI

Joel Gaertner NWC 1986 Dallas TX

Pastor Carlos Leyrer spoke at Evangelism Day 2011.

Dozens Volunteer for

Daylight USA— Again!

Evangelism Day 2011 “Sing! Proclaim! Declare!” (1 Chronicles 16:23, 24) was the theme of our annual Evangelism Day on January 19, 2011. Forty presenters conducted workshops and electives for the students and the faculty. WELS President Mark Schroeder preached at the opening service. The three keynotes were delivered by Dan Kroll (“What You Need for Work in a Foreign Field”), Carl Leyrer and Carlos Leyrer (“Using Lutheran Schools for Outreach among Spanish People”) and Shannon Boehme (“Sharing the Gospel in Southeast Asia”).

Eighty-two MLC students will spend a week of their spring break on a Daylight USA trip, volunteering at one of 19 WELS mission sites across the country.

The students canvass Mark Kahrs (Zion-Clatonia NE) assisted with VBS at neighborhoods, call prospective Living Word-Mission Viejo CA last summer. members, assist at worship— whatever the mission congregations ask them to do.

Since Daylight USA was established in 2001, 150-200 MLC students—25-35% of the student body—have participated in the program every year. The trips are dual-purpose: the congregations gain our students’ able assistance, and the students gain ministry experience.

“We’re thankful that all these students will be experiencing life in a mission field and sharing their faith this break,” says the program coordinator, Campus Pastor John Boeder. “We’re also thankful for WELS Kingdom Workers, which funds some of these trips.”

Watch WELS Connection this summer for a story on the MLC Daylight USA team volunteering at Christ the King-Palm Coast FL!

Common ¢ents

When the 2011 grads receive their diplomas, God-willing, they will leave here prepared for ministry. But will they be prepared to manage their money?

We want to make sure they are. Resource development counselor Jim Hahn explains: “The financial marketplace is becoming increasingly complicated. We want to equip our students with the basics so they can make wise, God-pleasing decisions in their personal lives.”

Hahn presented a seminar series to students on the following topics: • Sticks and Stones Will Sooner or Later Break Your Bones: Health Insurance 101 • Eternal Life: A Certainty / Life Insurance: Just a Likely Necessity: Life Insurance 101 • Your Parents Won’t Bail You Out When You’re 30: Budgeting 101 • How Low Can You Go? Credit Scores, Credit Cards, Loans and Life • Mi Casa Es Mi Casa: Buying a House • Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Saving for Retirement “In a culture engulfed by materialism,” he says, “we wanted to provide our students with biblically based stewardship principles—principles they could use themselves as well as teach and role model to the people they will serve.”

James Danell NWC 1986 Red Wing MN

Kristi Griswould DMLC 1991 Eads CO

Andrew Frey MLC 2006 New Carlisle OH Luther College Martin

David Rutschow NWC 1966 Alma WI 7

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Fall All-Conference Athletes HM-Honorable Mention Football Aaron Voss (Memorial-Williamston MI) Chuqee Fletcher (Garden Homes-Milwaukee) Bill Fuerstenau (Morning Star-Jackson WI) Matt Rothe (St. Matthew-Oconomowoc WI) Ben Zuberbier HM (St. Peter-Fond du Lac WI) Taylor Bentz HM (Bethany-Appleton WI) Benjamin Olson HM (St. Paul-New Ulm MN)

For the Record Books

Women’s Soccer

Erica Babinec (St. Paul-Onalaska WI, pictured) hit the 1,000-point mark when the Knights defeated Bethany Lutheran College on February 1. The only other woman to hit 1,000 points at MLC is her sister, Emma Babinec ’06. Erica also set a new school record for made free throws, surpassing the record of 220 set by—you guessed it—her sister Emma.

Bethany Schultz (Sola Fide-Lawrenceville GA) *Schultz also named UMAC Rookie of the Year!

Hannah Mattek HM (Christ-Pewaukee WI ) Kadie Drake HM (St. Stephen-Adrian MI) Allison Snyder HM (St. John-Jefferson WI)

Men’s Soccer Kaleb Buch (First German-Manitowoc WI) Andrew Danner (Crown of Life-West St. Paul MN) Ross Chartrand HM (Bethlehem-Manassas VA)

Greg Holzhueter (St. Mark-Mankato MN, pictured) scored his 1,000th career point January 15, raising the membership of the men’s 1,000 Point Club to eight. Greg also set a new school record for career steals, breaking the record of 147 set by Jeff Dolan ’07.

Volleyball Emily Boldt (Christ-Big Bend WI) Renee Peters HM (St. Peter-Weyauwega WI) Rebecca Engelbrecht HM (Resurrection-Aurora IL) *Engelbrecht also named UMAC Rookie of the Year!

Cross Country Nathan Loersch (St. Mark-Watertown WI)

Justin and Josh Danell (St. John-New Ulm MN) and Greg and Galen Holzhueter (St. Mark-Mankato MN) are two sets of brothers, two sets of MVL grads, two sets of coaches’ kids, and all teammates on the Knights basketball team. “They have a great understanding of the game,” says Coach Jim Unke, “and they work extremely hard at trying to accomplish our goals. It is a unique pleasure to have these brothers on the team.”

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Knight Vision: Watch live streams and recorded streams of Knights football, volleyball, and basketball: mlc-wels.edu/home/athletics/vision Knights on YouTube: Catch interviews with athletes and coaches. Go to youtube.com/user/MLCathletics OR mlc-wels.edu and type “YouTube” in the search box.

No Sibling Rivalry Here

Martin Putz NWC 1951 Fountain City WI Martin Luther College

Stay connected!

MLC Sports Update: A weekly e-newsletter with the latest in Knights competition. It comes to your Lutheran high school every week.

Twitter: twitter.com/mlcknights Instant Alerts: Sports Information Director Mike Gibbons will send you game results by text or email. Contact him at gibbonme@mlc-wels.edu and give him your phone number and/or email address, and he’ll put you on the list.

Kenneth Kasten DMLC 1971 Milwaukee WI

Elaine Heier DMLC 1961 Akaska SD

Marcus Buch DMLC 1961 Yale MI

MLC Takes Top Academic Honors in UMAC In Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) team competition, Martin Luther College claimed the best grade point averages in three fall sports: football (2.9), men’s soccer (3.1), and volleyball (3.5). The UMAC has 13 member schools.

Men’s Golf Isaac Crass (St. Luke-Watertown WI) Samuel Panning (St. John-New Ulm MN)

Fifty-three individual MLC athletes earned GPAs of 3.50 or better, meriting Academic All-Conference honors:

Women’s Golf

Men’s Cross Country Benjamin Birner (Lutheran Church-Lusaka, Zambia) Aaron Kristopeit (Zion-South Milwaukee WI) Nathan Loersch (St. Mark-Watertown WI) Michael Nocella (Zion-Monroe MI) Charles Schowalter (David’s Star-Jackson WI) Nathan Schulte (St. John-Hillpoint WI)

Women’s Cross Country Meredith Milbrath (Salem-Owosso MI) Robin Nommensen (St. Peter-Weyauwega WI) Carina Rahn (St. John-New Ulm MN) Jennifer Reiff (Cross of Glory-Washington MI) Sarah Sherod (Zion-Torrance CA) Laura Spaude (Ascension-Antigo WI) Megan Watson (Ascension-Escondido CA)

Lauren Grove (Resurrection-Rochester MN) Kelsey Steffens (Riverview-Appleton WI)

Men’s Soccer Julius Buelow (Faith-Carthage MO) Ross Chartrand (Bethlehem-Manassas VA) Andrew Danner (Crown of Life-West St. Paul MN) Nathan Gurgel (Calvary-Thiensville WI) William Lomker (Cross of Life-Mississauga ON) Benjamin Schone (St. Paul-New Ulm MN) Taylor Traeder (St. Peter-Schofield WI)

Women’s Soccer Heidi Heckmann (St. Paul-Lake Mills WI) Abigail Horn (St. John-Mazeppa MN) Hannah Janke (Bethel-Sioux Falls SD) Cassandra Krug (Messiah-Green Bay WI) Emily Marggraf (Faith-Sussex WI) Bethany Schultz (Sola Fide-Lawrenceville GA) Allison Snyder (St. John-Jefferson WI) Heidi Wilz (St. Peter-Weyauwega WI)

Football Andrew Becker (Morning Star-Jackson WI) Taylor Bentz (Bethany-Appleton WI) William Fuerstenau (Morning Star-Jackson WI) Scott Henrich (Atonement-Milwaukee WI) Galen Holzhueter (St. Mark-Mankato MN) Greg Holzhueter (St. Mark-Mankato MN) Andrew Hussman (St. Stephen-Fallbrook CA) Jesse Kohls (Zion-Hartland WI) Eric Melso (Christ the Lord-Brookfield WI) Micah Plocher (St. Luke-Vassar MI) Tyler Tesch (Trinity-Neenah WI) Aaron Voss (Memorial-Williamston MI)

Lana Punke DMLC 1981 Brookfield WI

Mark Voss (Memorial-Williamston MI) Benjamin Zuberbier (St. Peter-Fond du Lac WI)

Volleyball Emily Boldt (Christ-Big Bend WI) Jaime Eternick (St. John-Waterloo WI) Katelyn Hauf (Bethany-Manitowoc WI) Rachel Hein (Good Shepherd-West Bend WI) Erin Kelly (Our Savior-Zion IL) Elizabeth Loersch (St. Mark-Watertown WI) Renee Peters (St. Peter-Weyauwega WI)

Kurt Petermann DMLC 1946 Milwaukee WI

Deborah Beckmann DMLC 1981 Annandale VA

Armin Roekle NWC 1936 Allegan MI

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In Focus

Faculty Essay

Meet Minori Yamaki (MLC 2002) The ministry of MLC alumna Minori Yamaki (2002) is an international ministry conducted in its entirety here in the States. While she’s not the only WELS called worker who serves internationals stateside, she is the only one serving children of Japanese descent. And what a remarkable ministry it is!

Ms. Yamaki was assigned to St. Matthew-Niles IL when she graduated in 2002, first as a kindergarten/preschool teacher and, since 2006, as the director and teacher at St. Matthew’s Japanese Preschool. “This includes promoting my school to Japanese families in the greater Chicago area,” she explains. “It is a great honor to reach out to these families with the gospel. I also coordinate community events with the local Japanese families.

Finally, I teach the 5- and 6-year-old students in the Japanese program.”

Minori’s day is very busy. “It starts with a faculty Bible study,” she says, “and continues with welcoming the students and their families to school. Once the students arrive, everything is done in Japanese: the Bible study, the guided play, the ongoing learning, and everything else too!

After school, I meet with the families again before making notes in the parent’s language about the student’s progress during the day. Finally, I update our website so that Japanese relatives living far away can see the students’ daily growth too.”

Minori loves the connections she makes with her students and their families. “I get very emotional when my graduated students show up at school with their old grade cards in their hands,” she says. “They still feel they have a place to come back home to.” These relationships are especially valuable because she deeply misses her own family back in Japan.

She also notes another distinct joy: “Since most of the families I’m serving aren’t Christian, they look up to me for my faith. I’ve been invited into homes and asked to lead the table prayer—moments like

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James Bourman NWC 1976 St.Luther Paul MNCollege Martin

Jennifer Wempner MLC 1996 Neenah WI

For several years, Minori has shared her ministry experience with MLC students at Evangelism Day, informing and inspiring them to consider the many different ways God can use them in his kingdom.

these are humbling opportunities to share Him with the whole family!” She shares the gospel with some urgency because many of the families are only in this country for a limited time due to business.

Her interest and expertise in education for Japanese children has expanded into other areas as well. “I write articles about school and children for a midwestern Japanese newspaper and a monthly magazine. I also teach traditional Okinawan dance to a local group of Japanese children between the ages of 3 and 8.”

Her busy schedule did not deter Minori from pursuing her master’s degree, with a leadership emphasis, at MLC. She’s been enrolled since 2004.

“I wanted to be a professional,” she says. “To me, to be professional is a verb—it is to keep moving forward, to continue seeking to be the best one can be. Being involved in the master’s program has definitely helped me as a professional as I work with families, lead the Japanese program, and work with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Service. I also have a much greater appreciation for how to make a healthy school culture at St. Matthew’s.”

Deborah Dorn DMLC 1961 Minneapolis MN

John Huebner NWC 1966 Elkhorn WI

Focus On 2011 Alumni Tour: Washington, Join Professor Emeritus Marv Meihack, along with your fellow MLC alumni and friends, July 2-9 for an eight-day, seven-night trip to our nation’s capital.

Highlights include the DC Mall’s many monuments, the National Cathedral, Ford’s Theatre, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery, Gettysburg & Bull Run Civil War battlefields, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Ft. McHenry, Harper’s Ferry, Shenandoah National Park, Great Falls of the Potomac, Nationals vs. Cubs baseball game, and 4th of July fireworks over the Capitol.

Daily devotions, expert guide previews, and fellowship with like-minded believers add to the enjoyment.

D.C.

$775 quad occupancy $850 triple occupancy $925 double occupancy $1300 single occupancy Roundtrip flight from Minneapolis, seven nights at the Doubletree Hotel (free breakfast), deluxe motor-coach, guides, gratuities, and all admission fees included.

Land-only packages (same except no flight) are $300 less. For more information, visit the MLC website or contact the alumni office at alumni@mlc-wels.edu or 877-652-1995.

Twins vs. Brewers at Target Field Mark your calendars for Friday, July 1, and kick off your 4th of July weekend with fellow alumni in Minneapolis as the Twins take on the Brewers at Target Field. Festivities will include a pregame gathering, game ticket, and possible transportation to and from MLC. Visit the MLC website or contact the alumni office for more details.

Philip Richard Brianne Jeffers brings some MLC friends home to Arizona.

Voswinkel NWC 1976 Randolph NJ

Mary Prange DMLC 1971 Watseka IL Martin Luther College

Kieselhorst NWC 1991 Cedarburg WI

Frances Meyer DMLC 1936 Watertown11SD

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Focus On

Faculty Essay

By AlumNi Director Steve Balza ’93

New Alumni Association Logo

Golden Reunions

Founded in 2008, the MLC Alumni Association encourages graduates to preserve the bond found in service and to foster the purpose of MLC. Its new logo features the tower of Old Main and the Bible. Since 1995, the tower figuratively represents the WELS College of Ministry, where preparation for ministry takes place. The Word of God is the central source of the dramatic power that inspires individuals to come to MLC, integrates all study and campus life, and unites past and present students in their service to Jesus. Watch for the new logo in MLCAA communications and publications.

High School and College Class of ’61

A Small Way to Make a

The DMLHS Class of ’61 is also celebrating its 50th with an on-campus reunion June 1-2. Contact Dave Jacobs (651-565-4157 or kayteedee99@yahoo.com).

Do you use credit cards? Please consider applying for the MLC Alumni Association’s new Visa Platinum Rewards Card. UMB Bank will award $50 to MLCAA the first time you use your card and then will continue to give a small contribution to MLCAA with every purchase you make. What an easy way to support MLC student scholarships, special projects, and alumni functions! AND . . . there’s no annual fee.

If your class would like to reunite on campus, please contact the alumni office for assistance!

Big Difference

Apply online at www.cardpartner.com/app/mlcaa, or contact the alumni office at alumni@mlc-wels.edu or 877-652-1995 for more information or a printed application.

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Joel Schroeder NWC 1971 Watertown Martin LutherWI College

Elaine Plath DMLC 1966 Litchfield MN

DMLC ’61

DMLHS ’61

If you began college at DMLC in 1957 or graduated from DMLC in 1961, you are invited to a reunion at MLC June 29-July 1. Contact Paul Fritze (paulandchar@hotmail.com or 507-354-6020) or Clarice Fastenau (fastenau@earthlink.net or 507-375-3913).

Alumni Commencement Dinner Alumni and families: You are invited to attend the annual commencement gathering Friday, May 13, at 4 pm in the Luther Student Center’s cafeteria conference center. Learn what’s new at MLC, reconnect with friends, and enjoy a delicious meal (including entrée, beverage, and dessert) for just $5.

Dinner will end in plenty of time to get seated in the Chapel of the Christ for the 7:30 sacred commencement concert.

Capacity is limited and RSVP is required.

Contact the alumni office (877.MLC.1995) to reserve your spot today.

John Eggert NWC 1971 Milwaukee

Mariel Grimm MLC 2006 Santiago DR

Martin Luther College

Wind Symphony Tour Sun, May 15 Zion, Sanborn MN St. John, Stanton NE

10:00 am (service) 7:30 pm

Mon, May 16 Lord of Life, Thornton CO Tue, May 17 Rocky Mountain LHS, Northglenn CO

7:30 pm 10:30 am

Wed, May 18 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison CO 10:15 am (tentative) Thu, May 19 Arizona Lutheran Academy, Phoenix

7:30 pm

Fri, May 20 Arizona Lutheran Academy, Phoenix Emmanuel, Tempe AZ

9:40 am (chapel) 1:00 pm

Sat, May 21 Reformation, San Diego CA

7:30 pm

Sun, May 22 Reformation, San Diego CA King of Kings, Garden Grove CA

8, 10:30 am (services) 7:30 pm

Mon, May 23 California LHS, Wildomar CA

10:15 am

Tue, May 24 Apostles, San Jose CA

10:00 am

For Our Friends in Denver “Eatso

Much, Peso Little�

The MLC Wind Symphony invites Denver area alumni and friends to mix and mingle with them for dinner at the famed Casa Bonita on Tuesday, May 17, at 7 pm. A special rate of $10 ($5 for kids 12 and under) includes the meal of your choice, drink, tax, and tip, along with an opportunity to meet and encourage the next generation of pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. To reserve your space, contact the alumni office at alumni@mlc-wels.edu or 877-652-1995.

Would you like to coordinate an alumni gathering in your area? Please contact the alumni office for assistance in promoting your event.

Sarah Schuessler MLC 2006 Livonia MI

Stephen Geiger NWC 1991 Belmont CA

Kurt Ebert NWC 1981 Glendale WI Martin Luther College

Michaela Lemke MLC 2001 Ocala FL 13

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Mayu Takada Tokyo, Japan “All nations.” That is our Lord’s command—to make disciples of all nations.

Sometimes, in his grace, he brings the nations right to our door.

Between Worlds

Six of MLC’s international and expatriate students tell their stories on the following pages. In some ways, these students are between worlds. But in other ways, they remind us that there is only one world, a world of nations that belongs to Christ.

God Has a Plan Mayu Takada has always felt that God had a plan for her. It started when she was 6 years old, a child in a traditional Japanese Buddhist family and very sick with a strain of Spanish flu. “I almost died,” Mayu says. “My mother freaked out, of course. We had been living in Spain, and she didn’t think Buddha could reach across all those countries and do anything to help us. But when we went back to Japan, one of the customers at her beauty shop was a Christian, and she invited my mom to her church.” It was the WELS church in Tokyo served by Pastor Kermit Habben.

Mayu and her mom became Christian, and although her dad has remained a Buddhist, he took Mayu to Sunday school every week. Two years later, Mayu spent a year at Christ the Lord in Houston in Mrs. Ruth Glaeske’s third-grade classroom. She loved her teacher and started thinking about herself as a teacher. “Mrs. Glaeske was my strongest influence,” she says.“And then I had Miss Miyawaki for fourth grade back in Japan, and she was also a big influence.”

Mayu Takada (Tokyo, Japan) poses in a traditional kimono with her parents.

Senior Mayu Takada (fourth from left) sports her MLC “Roo Crew” t-shirt.

When Pastor Habben recommended that Mayu go to high school in the States, Mayu’s mom said, “If I send her over, I want it to be a Christian school.” A Christian high school—Luther Prep—was just what Pastor Habben was thinking.

LPS provided a wonderful high school experience, and, since Mayu liked the idea of teaching, the transition to MLC was also an easy one.

She does miss Japan: “Japan is my home home,” she says. “My parents are there, and I miss the bookstores, which are full of anime graphic novels. I love those.”

But America also feels like home to her. “Americans are so open, so friendly,” she says. “It’s easy to get along with everyone, even people who are different.

They give hugs in America!

“When I’m in Japan, I miss America,” she adds, “and when I’m in America, I miss Japan.”

Now Mayu, a senior and an elementary education major, is looking forward to graduation and Call Day, which her mom will attend. She’s not the least bit nervous. “God has planned so many things for me.

I know he’ll put me at the right spot, and I’ll proclaim his Word to the kids. If there are some nonChristians in my classroom and I can bring them to church, like my mom and I were brought to church, that will be great too.”

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Joey Molyneaux St. John’s, Antigua Joey Molyneaux teaches a class as a first-year during MLC’s Early Field Experience.

Living Up to His Calling When junior education major Joey Molyneaux graduates and attends the Call Service in May 2012, he will already know where he’s going—back home to St. John’s, Antigua, to be the superintendent of the school he grew up in.

It began six years ago, when Joey was asked to substitute teach for three days in grades 5-6. The three days turned into eight days, and he found he liked it.

“I was already teaching youth Bible classes and serving as youth leader, so I viewed this as an opportunity to teach another set of lambs. It clicked, I realized I was really enjoying my short spell in the classroom, and I considered whether I should do this for the rest of my life.”

The church council agreed. At the end of the year, he was called to teach grade 4. Like many of the teachers at St. John’s, Joey did not have a college degree, and that would’ve been fine. “But the church council had bigger plans for me,” he says. “They wanted me to be the school administrator.”

So after two years of teaching, they sent him to MLC to finish his degree and learn all he could about education and administration. “The funny thing is, when I go back I’ll be working with and overseeing some of the people who taught me. But they’re all for it. In that way, I’m blessed too.

“I’ve learned so much here,” he continues, “and I look forward to using it at our school—to raise the level of education, revamp the curriculum, do textbook studies, maybe even expand the school. The enrollment is about 240 kids, as high as it’s ever been. The kids are great. They like learning. They like going to chapel on Fridays. The teachers are hard workers, and parental involvement is excellent.

Teachers and parents work hard to put on big events: Independence Day, Christmas, and Easter programs, spring plays, and musicals.” The school has both member and nonmember kids, he says, so outreach is extremely important.

“I’m thankful for the awesome opportunity God has granted me to come here,” he concludes. “The people I’ve met, the relationships I’ve built, and the experiences I’ve gained have truly been a blessing.

I look forward to serving in God’s kingdom and faithfully sharing his Word with his people back home in Antigua.”

Joey Molyneaux (St. John’s-Antigua) rests on the sign of St. John’s Lutheran School in Antigua, where he will serve as administrator after graduating from MLC. Members of his youth group and students from Luther Prep surround him.

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Ben Birner Lusaka, Zambia “After giving chapel my senior year at Prep, I was convinced that maybe I could do this.”

Off and Running When Ben Birner was a 10-year-old student at the American International School in Lusaka, Zambia, he ran cross country with his classmates from Iran, Israel, France, and the Netherlands. Almost 10 years later, he’s a first-year student running track and cross country at Martin Luther College. The question is, Where will he be running 10 years from now?

Ben’s dad, Phil Birner, has been a missionary in Zambia all Ben’s life. The family lived in the bush Ben’s first four years, sometimes eating Zambia’s staple, nshima (maize meal), with pumpkin leaves, beans, or chicken.

Ben remembers that his dad wore a beard many years because the inadequate electricity and water supply in the bush made shaving too difficult.

Moving to Lusaka, at three million strong, allowed for more American food, enrollment at the K-12 international school, and a constantly changing string of school friends whose parents worked a few years for aid organizations or an embassy before moving back home. Furloughs in America were welcome— especially the trip to Toys “R” Us, where Ben would spend the money he’d been saving since the last furlough.

It wasn’t until his senior year at Luther Prep that Ben decided to come to MLC to study for the ministry.

MLC first-year Ben Birner (back seat) embarks on a safari with his family in Zambia. Next August both his brother, Zach, and his sister, Sophia (pictured), will be at LPS.

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Martin Luther College

Now a preseminary student majoring in confessional languages, Ben says, “MLC’s been pretty awesome— friends, the profs, the cafeteria.”

He still misses the weather in Zambia.

“It’s not as hot and buggy in Zambia as it is in Wisconsin or Minnesota, and I miss the rainy season.

I love the smell of the rain and the mangoes ripening.”

Ben Birner (Lusaka, Zambia) runs cross country while doing preseminary studies at MLC.

And where will Ben be 10 years from now? “If I got a call to Zambia, I’d say yes,” he says, “but I can just as easily see myself in a regular congregation somewhere.

Wherever you go, whether it’s in America or Zambia, there will be people who haven’t heard the gospel or don’t really understand it. I’ll be evangelizing wherever I am, so wherever God puts me, I’ll be fine with that.”

Edili Andreina Pichardo Gomerez Santiago, Dominican Republic

Ready for Anything When first-year MLC student Edili Pichardo Gomerez decided to leave the Dominican Republic and go to Luther Prep for high school, her friends were amazed.

“Why are you leaving everything?” they asked. “That’s not the world we’re used to.”

But Edili (EH-duh-lee) was ready. “I really wanted to do it,” she says.

Originally Roman Catholic, she learned the Bible from WELS missionaries, who offered her English classes and then confirmation classes, and from the VBS teachers who came down every summer from St. Croix LHS, WISCO, and Luther Prep.

Being a student at Prep was not easy at first. “I was really young, and I had no one. I left my family and my friends and my mom, who is my left, my right, my everything. But the teachers understood my situation and helped me.”

Edili Pichardo (left) enjoys the snow with her MLC friends.

just like the students who came down to DR every summer.

And down the line? She’s open to anything: “Maybe I’d go back to teach in DR. I love my country. Or I could stay here and work with a Hispanic community. Or teach little kids. Or teach high school Spanish. . . . God can take you anywhere. I don’t care where he sends me. I know I’ll be ready for it, no matter what.”

Edili Pichardo (Santiago, Dominican Republic, center) celebrates her Quinceañera (her 15th birthday party), a very special event in Hispanic cultures.

Edili thought she’d study international business in college until a Taste of Ministry experience senior year at Prep changed her mind. “I taught grades K5, 1, and 2, and at the end of the second day, I was crying. I had so much fun, and I didn’t want to leave. That day I decided I really wanted to teach.” She adds, “It was my birthday too. It was probably the best day of my life.”

Though she misses the DR’s sunshine, plantains (a banana-like fruit), and dancing (the bachata, merengue, and salsa), she loves MLC. “I feel so blessed.

I couldn’t ask for better friends. We have so much fun. I never thought I was going to be this happy in my life.”

Majoring in elementary education with a Spanish minor, Edili is going to San Diego for two weeks this summer to do VBS,

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Young Eun Choi Seoul, South Korea

“That Kind of Teacher” Young Eun Choi, like most Korean kids, was constantly stressed about school. “There’s lots of pressure,” she says. “You study for four big tests every year. If you mess up even one test, you’ll fail for that year. I was studying so hard that sometimes I just had four hours of sleep a day. I came home at 1 in the morning. And the teachers—I did not always respect them. They just passed on knowledge. They didn’t care about you.”

It was in the autumn of 2005 that she met a different kind of teacher—a teacher who cared.

It began when Young Eun’s friend “Frankie” told her about the Lutheran church in South Korea and the Lutheran schools in America. “Frankie said he was going to go to America to study Bible at a Lutheran school and then share that faith with other people.

I wanted that too, so I called the Lutheran church [East Seoul Canaan Church] and began going to Sunday Bible classes.”

Young Eun’s family had already been Christian, although not Lutheran. “I told my parents I wanted to become a Lutheran and then go to America. They agreed it would be a great opportunity to learn about the Bible and then come home and share with them the things I learn.”

Young Eun’s parents decided to send both their daughters overseas, Young Eun to Great Plains LHS and her sister, Young Shin, to Luther Prep. “They sent us to different schools so we could be independent,” she says.

“It must have been hard for them. We’re their only two children.”

At Great Plains LHS and then at LPS, where she joined her sister the next year, Young Eun met

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Young Eun Choi gets a taste of teaching at MLC’s on-campus Early Field Experience in 2010. This year she did her Early Field Experience in Korea. “Maybe I will see what I can do to help those children,” she says.

teachers who not only passed on knowledge but developed relationships with their students. “I saw teachers who really cared. They came to the dorm to offer extra help. I went shopping with the tutors. I saw teachers as human beings. I saw that teachers could actually change my life.”

Suddenly she realized that she had a goal—to “go back to Korea and be that kind of teacher, a teacher who cares. If I had had a teacher like that when I was little, my life would be so different,” she says. “The more I am here, the more I see all these ways to help the children of Korea.” *Other students from Asia include Eun-Woo Kim (Seoul, South Korea) and Hikaru Tomizawa (Tokyo, Japan).

Young Eun Choi’s family: Dad, Young Eun, Grandma, Young Shin, and Mom

David Marquardt Gravataí, Brazil

Señor Entremundos Señor Entremundos is what MLC’s Spanish Professor Paul Bases calls him. David Marquardt, a first-year MLC student who grew up in Brazil, is truly “a man between worlds.”

David fondly remembers Brazil: playing tennis on his club team, being homeschooled by his mom, Linda, and worshiping with the fellow believers at Igreja Luterana Monte Belo, where his father, Guy Marquardt, was pastor. And of course, the food!

“I definitely miss churrasco—this meal where they pack meat in rock salt and grill it on spits over an open fire.

At a churrascaria, they serve all-you-can-eat churrasco.

It’s awesome.”

At 14, David went to Luther Preparatory School. “The good environment and the friendly people made it an easy adjustment,” he says. It was at LPS that he encountered a phenomenon he hadn’t seen since he was 2: snow!

Americanisms that have struck him the last few years are the propensity to drive instead of walk or bike, the “ridiculous amounts of cereal” in the grocery store aisle, and the luxury of central heating and cooling, which Brazilians do not have though it reaches a humid 100 degrees in the summer and drops to a damp 40 degrees in winter.

At MLC, David is studying in the preseminary track: theology and Greek, literature and history—and Spanish, which is made easier by his fluency in Portuguese. “When I was a kid, I definitely thought I’d be just like my dad—a pastor.

My first years at Prep, I got tired of people telling me I should be a pastor. I wasn’t really appreciative of all the encouragement. But then one day I realized that this is something I want to do.”

David Marquardt (second from left) and friends sing at the MLC Homecoming Talent Show in 2010.

He muses: “I could definitely see myself working with Hispanics in some way in my ministry. I have the experience of living in a foreign country, and I know their way of life.”

Professor Bases agrees: “He’s an American kid on the outside, but he has a Latino heart.”

“With my cultural background,” David concludes, “I’m excited to see what God has planned for me.” *Other students from the Americas include Sherese Henry (St. John’s, Antigua), Cecilia Diaz Delgadillo (Bogota, Colombia), Emery Polanco Betances (Santiago, Dominican Republic), Jessica Aulich (Mississisauga, ON, Canada), and William Lomker (Brampton, ON, Canada).

A young David Marquardt (right) and his family stand outside the church in Gravataí, Brazil, where his father was a missionary for 14 years.

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How Are You?

By Paul Hoversten

MLC junior Paul Hoversten (Grace-Glendale AZ) spent a year teaching English and Spanish at Redeemer—Edna TX. Now back at MLC, he muses on how that year of ministry changed him.

In Spanish, two verbs translate as to be, each with a distinct connotation. Though it can be a difficult distinction, it was truly one of my favorite lessons to teach.

The verb estar indicates a fleeting condition: estoy contento—I am content; estoy triste—I am sad. The verb ser, on the other hand, indicates more of an intrinsic characteristic: soy maestro—I am a teacher; soy rubio—I am blonde.

One method of distinguishing between the two verbs is to ask: Does this word describe how I am or what I am?

Even inside the courtesy question How are you? lies a deeper question: How are you? What are you like?

Better yet, What are you?

To practice the verb distinction, I posed the question to my students: How are you? As they nervously tried to appraise themselves in two or three words, I realized the unfairness of asking a question I couldn’t answer for myself. Sure enough, it came around to me: Maestro, ¿cómo eres? How are you? I scanned the list of adjectives and came up with something satisfactory, but nothing memorable. I resolved to develop a more genuine answer.

The rest of the year, then, was spent determining the intrinsic qualities of my person. You’ll forgive me if

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Catherine Rausch DMLC 1986 Forest GroveCollege OR Martin Luther

Gary Baumler NWC 1961 Kingsford MI

I sound like I was in the middle of an adolescent identity crisis, but the question is a worthy one: What am I? I began a period of self-observance, looking past momentary estar emotions and focusing on defining ser characteristics.

Photos by Frank Tilley,

By Paul Hoversten Victoria Advocate, Victoria, Texas.

Paul Hoversten (right) taught English and Spanish at Redeemer-Edna TX. His student Erica (center) brought her friend Elva (left) to a church picnic at Redeemer, where much of the outreach occurs by word of mouth.

I am a U.S. citizen.

I am a teacher.

It wasn’t enough.

Not until I looked outside myself did I find a proper answer: I am a missionary.

I am a servant.

I am a leader.

I am a son and a brother and a friend.

But first, I am a dear child of God. Paul told the Romans, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16).

The question is, How are you?

Karen Wilsman DMLC 1976 Two Rivers WI

Frederick Blauert DMLC 1956 Morrison WI

The Shepherd Society Founded in 2008, the Shepherd Society is comprised of called workers who have been recognized for making a difference in people’s lives through their ministries.

Rev. Ste

ven D. B

Anyone may nominate a pastor, teacher, or staff minister for the Shepherd Society by filling out a form (see below) and sending it to Martin Luther College along with a gift of gratitude. In so doing, the donors support the training of future called workers at MLC. At the same time, they express their gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, and to the specific called worker who has shepherded them in a special way.

with grat itude fo shepherd r ing Godhis work of ’s people To train fu ture ca Martin

ode

lled Luther Co llege in workers, a gift his hono ha r by Ro s been given to bert and Lucille La etsch

“As ou r shephe rd he alon increase g with the Sp has, of God d our love an irit, ’s Word d and will knowledge .” (Bob

and Lucie

)

The called workers nominated for the Shepherd Society receive a commemorative plaque with a personal Certificate of Appreciation. The following called workers have been nominated as of February 2011: Pastor Earle Treptow Teacher Verlyn Fuhrmann Teacher Richard Gibson Pastor Doug Scherschel Pastor David Zietlow Dr. Carla Melendy (2 nominations) Teacher Gene Gronholz Pastor Steven D. Bode Teacher Erin E. Williams

Pastor Norman Burger, Jr. Pastor Robert Guenther Professor Emeritus Darvin Raddatz Pastor Arthur Frenz Teacher Michael Hein Pastor Richard Hennig Teacher Jimmy Groth Professor Martin Sponholz Teacher Phil Leyrer

Prof. Armin & Virginia Panning Pastor Harold Hagedorn Pastor Joel & Carly Seifert Pastor Don and Clarice Fastenau Teacher Wendy Ristow Professor Richard and Lois Balge Teacher Dave and Sande Sauer Teacher Don and Harriet Hartwig Staff Minister Chad White

Congregation and/or school where called worker serves/served: ________________________________________

Kathleen

Woidke Jonathan Brianne Jeffers brings some MLC friends home to Arizona.

Hackbarth MLC 1996 Lake City MN

DMLC 1976 Madison Heights MI

Stephan Rodmyre DMLC 1976 New Ulm MN Luther College Martin

Laura Schroeder DMLC 1991 Pocatello ID 21

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Academic Dean of Preseminary Studies Daniel Balge received the New Ulm Sister Cities Commission’s 2010 Recognition Award. From 2001 to 2006, Balge served on the commission, which fosters the city’s relationship with Ulm and Neu-Ulm, Germany. He still plays a key role in the annual selection of New Ulm’s representative in a worker exchange program. Balge also translates German correspondence for the New Ulm mayor’s office.

Campus Pastor John Boeder has earned his Master of Science in College Student Affairs from the University of Minnesota-Mankato. In October he preached for the Minnesota District Southern Conference joint Reformation service at Good Shepherd-Cedar Rapids IA. Professor David Bauer gave the educational keynote address, “Continuing Education: Practicing Faithfulness, Pursuing Excellence” at the Western Wisconsin Teachers’ Conference in La Crosse WI in February. In March, he presented a workshop at the Minnesota District Church Leaders Workshop in Belle Plaine MN: “Traditional Worship, Blended Worship, Contemporary Worship—Strange Bedfellows?”

Dr. James Grunwald represented the WELS School Accreditation Association at the National Council for Private School Accreditation Technology Task Force meeting in Orlando FL in February 2011. He also presented “Internet-Based Sources of Rich Classroom Content” at the Western Wisconsin Teachers’ Conference in February.

Dr. Robert Klindworth wrote two chapters for the book The Definitive History of Non-public Education in America: “The History of the WELS School System in America” and “The History of Denominational Oversight of the WELS School System.” The book is a 2011 Praeger Publishers publication. Klindworth was also appointed to the Standards and Rules Committee of the Minnesota

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Tyler Peil MLC 2001 Midland MI College Martin Luther

Ruth Seeger DMLC 1971 West Salem WI

Board of Teaching. Governor Mark Dayton and Secretary of Education Dr. Brenda Cassellius approved his appointment in January.

Professor Emeritus Arnold J. Koelpin presented “Lutheran and Loving It” at the Western Wisconsin Teachers’ Conference in La Crosse WI in February.

Professor Douglas Lange has earned his Master of Sports Science in Sports Coaching from the US Sports Academy, Daphne AL.

Professor Lyle Lange has agreed to serve on the Theological Review Committee of WELS Women’s Ministry.

Dr. Mark Lenz serves on the Governing Board of the Friends of China organization and makes presentations on their work, most recently on January 23 at St. Matthew-Winona MN. Director of Graduate Studies John Meyer presented “The Blessings of a School Year Theme” at the New Ulm Area Principals’ Conference in January.

Professor Thomas Nass chaired the biennial meeting of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Forum, held at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in October. He has also accepted appointment onto the Human Rights Commission of the city of New Ulm. In February and March, he presented “Some Thoughts on the English Standard Version” to the St. Croix and New Ulm/ Redwood Falls pastoral conferences.

Professor Mark Paustian led a one-day pastor/ teacher/lay leader conference on communication for the Pacific Northwest District in October. In November he presented the keynote address, “Luther’s Doctrine of Vocation,” at the California Teachers’ Conference at California LHS.

Philip Wilde NWC 1981 Escanaba MI

Paula Mueller MLC 2001 Jefferson WI

Professor James Pope was the guest speaker for the San Diego Circuit Reformation service in October. He also presented a 1½-day workshop on counseling to San Diego area WELS pastors. In February, he presented “Reconciliation” at the Western Wisconsin Lutheran Teachers’ Conference.

Vice President for Academics Dr. David Wendler served as a consultant to the University Council of Jamaica in January, advising them in regard to the accreditation of the master’s and doctoral programs offered by the United Kingdom’s University of Sheffield in Jamaica.

President Mark Zarling taught two satellite courses for Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary: Vignettes of Victory: Hebrew Exegesis on 1 & 2 Kings in July 2010 and Gospel Gems in Genesis in January 2011 in Arizona.

He also presented three workshops: “Is the Lord’s Arm Too Short?” at Evergreen LHS in August, “Be Doers of the Word” at the Alaska Pastor/Teacher Conference in September, and “Marvel at the Miracle of a Christian Marriage” at Deltona FL in November 2010.

Professor Earl Heidtke (kneeling) teaches an outdoor lesson on weather to a class in Janesville WI.

Throwing Caution to the Winds When MLC student teacher Emily Heidtke (St. John-New Ulm MN) taught a unit on weather to the grade 7-8 classroom of Craig Sonntag at St. Matthew-Janesville WI, she wanted to bring in an expert. Would it be possible to procure a guest speaker, maybe even a college professor who taught weather? She threw caution to the winds and gave MLC Professor Earl Heidtke a call. Being her father, he readily said yes. “We took advantage of the great fall weather to study winds, locate the high and low pressure systems, and begin weather forecasting,” said Professor Heidtke.

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.

Margaret Lucas Brianne Jeffers brings some MLC friends home to Arizona.

Boehm MLC 1996 Bay City MI

Gamm DMLC 1951 Marshall MN

Justin Gregorius DMLC 1991 Iron Ridge WI Luther College Martin

Henry Meyer DMLC 1966 Ft. Morgan23 CO

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M artin L uther C ollege

Master Of Science in Education Even MORE Than You’d Expect You know what to expect from an MLC program: Christ-centered, ministry-based instruction from experienced professors. But the MS Ed program provides even MORE.

MORE content

MORE collaboration

This is not MLC’s undergrad program with a few extras. The master’s program offers deeper instruction and diverse strategies—including those from 12 adjunct faculty who bring their distinct perspectives from outside MLC’s campus.

You will partner with experts in their fields as well as talented peers in an online cohort that is truly a community.

“The program is high on theory and high on practicality at the same time.”

“The profs are outstanding. It’s wonderful that they all have taught in the levels we’re at. They’ve been there.

They’ve seen it. They’ve done it.”

MORE convenience Get your degree in two, three, or four years without ever leaving your ministry. Take courses during the school year or only during summers, if you’d like.

The program is online, so you can do the work when it’s convenient for you, your family, and your congregation. And the scheduling is flexible, so if you’re suddenly asked to coach basketball or teach another grade, you can take a semester off without any problem. And BTW, 97% of participants say the cost of MLC’s program is right—or even a bargain.

“The online feature of the program is helpful because it gives me flexibility: I can do the work early in the morning or late at night.”

“You get a sense of interaction with other people—through Moodle, discussion boards. You learn with people, not just from people.”

“In the online discussion forum, all of us—teachers who have experienced education in a variety of settings—bring our experiences back to the table and discuss them. That kind of collaborative reflection really broadens our perspectives.”

MORE classroom connections Everything we teach is meant directly for you as a WELS teacher—someone who is a teacher of children, a leader in a congregation, and a minister of the gospel. And the ideas you learn in your master’s class today are applicable in your classroom tomorrow.

“I can immediately use everything I learn.”

“It’s wonderful being able to report to my congregation that we are teaching with the best practices, we’re educating the whole child, and we’re meeting not only the state and national standards but the congregation’s standards as well.”

www.mlc-wels.edu/go/grad

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Martin Luther College