SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
the Strategic Plan
“Compelled to Speak: A Strategic Plan for Martin Luther College” was developed in 2011 and continues to guide us as we prepare confessional Lutheran pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to fill the ministry needs of WELS. We’d like to share our progress on some key initiatives. 1. Build new Early Childhood Learning Center. Completed and paid in full 2. Investigate special education major. Major in place; professor called 3. Offer Chinese language. Chinese minor in place; professor called 4. Expand continuing education. Offering many new courses; enrollment up 60% 5. Develop plan for campus maintenance, renovation, expansion. Member of WELS Capital Planning Committee, coordinating capital expenses; also partnering with Builders for Christ on chapel basement project 6. Increase technology training; develop social media. Additional tech staff added; faculty training ongoing; tech used in courses; communicating with Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Google tools 7. Develop new master’s degrees. New MS-Educational Administration degree and MA-Theology degree in development
8. Expand recruitment of minority, international, home, and public school students. Establishing international office; calling urban ministry professor; reaching out to public school students 9. Enroll 800 fulltime undergrads by 2017. Enrollment projection for 2014-15: 740 (5% increase) 10. Keep student costs low and student debt manageable. Searching for scholarship donors; implementing efficiency measures; teaching students fiscal responsibility 11. Partner with The Lutheran Home Association to implement intergenerational ministry proposal. In development; senior housing completed this summer by private developer 12. Increase PhDs on faculty to 40% in five years. Three more faculty received PhDs in 2013; more finishing doctoral programs soon Read more on these topics in the MLC InFocus Year in Review, available in July 2014. Not on our mailing list yet? Interested in a bulk subscription for your congregation or school? Contact us at info@mlc-wels.edu.
SOLI DEO
on
GLORIA
Finances
InFocus Staff
Student Financial Aid: The majority (90%) of our students receive financial aid, including some $2 million in institutional aid every year. The named endowments and scholarships established by God’s people are a much-appreciated source of student aid. Student Debt: The percentage of students who graduate with debt (84%) continues to rise, but we are thankful the average amount of that debt ($21,997) has remained fairly flat. In light of the impact this debt will have on future called workers, we ask all WELS members to prayerfully consider how they can help—through their congregational mission offerings and direct gifts to MLC. Synod Subsidy: We are thankful that, through WELS, our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to subsidize the education of future called workers. In 2014-2015, the subsidy is $4,612. MLC tuition, room & board
WELS subsidy per student
Grads with debt
Average debt
09-10
$14,370
$5,128
63%
$21,799
10-11
$15,250
$5,085
78%
$22,176
11-12
$15,710
$4,574
80%
$21,671
12-13
$16,340
$4,260
84%
$21,997
13-14
$17,160
$4,498
TBA
TBA
14-15
$18,020
$4,612
PHOTOGRAPHERS William Pekrul DMLC ’80 PROOFREADER Rebecca Rehberger MLC ’15 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lime Valley Advertising, Inc.
Campus Projects: Two projects are underway this summer. Reserve funds are enabling us to remodel the Luther Student Center entrance to provide better and safer access, and Builders for Christ is helping us finish part of the Chapel of the Christ basement. Bottom Line: MLC is financially stable. We faced a deficit this year, but our reserves allowed us to bridge the gap. As we look forward, we trust that the Lord of the Church, through his people, will provide the financial resources we need to carry out our mission as the WELS College of Ministry.
district convention issue 2014
Office of Mission Advancement VICE PRESIDENT Michael Otterstatter WLS ’94 PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR William Pekrul DMLC ’80 ALUMNI DIRECTOR Steve Balza DMLC ’93 College Administration PRESIDENT Mark Zarling WLS ’80 VP for ADMINISTRATION Steven Thiesfeldt DMLC ’74 VP for ACADEMICS David Wendler DMLC ’70 VP for STUDENT LIFE Jeffrey Schone WLS ’87 VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Michael Otterstatter WLS ’94 Governing Board Chairman Michael Woldt WLS ’81 Vice Chairman Jonathan Kolander WLS ’91 Secretary Steven Rosenbaum DMLC ’86 Keith Bowe DMLC ’79 Jonathan Hahm DMLC ’71 Dale Krause Stephen Loehr Timothy Petermann Barry Price Duane Rodewald WLS ’89 Duane Schmeichel WLS ’91 Michael Seifert WLS ’03 William Steinbrenner Advisory:
e thank our Lord for five MLC Governing Board members who are retiring: Keith Bowe, Jonathan Hahm, Stephen Loehr, Duane Rodewald, and William Steinbrenner, four of whom served the maximum of two terms (12 years). Their wise leadership and prayerful guidance helped pilot the college through much growth and change.
Soli DeoGloria
WRITER/EDITOR Laurie Gauger DMLC ’87
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. Comments are welcomed and should be directed to gaugerlf@mlc-wels.edu or Laurie Gauger, MLC InFocus, 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.
Dear District Convention Delegates: In a sense, MLC is no different from the other 4,500 colleges and universities in our nation. We each strive to communicate our unique mission and strengths to our supporters. On the other hand, MLC is markedly different, for in all our communications, we say, Soli Deo Gloria, “To God alone the glory!” Grace, the amazing grace of God in Christ, is the foundation of our existence as believers, as a church body, and as a college of ministry. It is by grace we are saved through faith. It is by grace we are called to faith. It is by grace we unite in the great commission work of the church. It is by grace that we train full-time gospel SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
servants, and it is grace that provides students and faculty and staff and subsidy. The apostle Paul put it succinctly when he wrote, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17). And he was simply echoing the prophet who declared centuries earlier: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). After you peruse this document, reading about MLC’s unique mission and strengths, I pray you think of Paul and Jeremiah. Let us keep the focus where it belongs. Let us boast only in the Lord! Soli Deo Gloria!
SOLI DEO
Mark Zarling President, Martin Luther College
Early Childhood Education
GLORIA
New Facility: We thanked the Lord of the Church as we dedicated our 15,500-sq. ft. Early Childhood Learning Center in October. We now provide onsite student teaching experiences for all ECE majors, enroll children 0-5, and offer more continuing education for current teachers. Donors who generously gave to Let the Children Come allowed us to complete the project debt free. We’re Using It! The facility has room for 90-95 children age 0-5, plus a college classroom, offices, and activity areas. In spring 2014, 57 children were enrolled. Next year, 70-80 are expected. “This building is such a blessing,” says Professor Jennifer Mehlberg, ECE director. “We’re excited about the way the gospel is being shared through early childhood ministries.”
SOLI DEO
on
GLORIA
Enrollment
• Undergraduate second semester enrollment was 694. (See chart.)
• Continuing ed and graduate students are still signing up for summer courses. If the numbers are similar to last year, we will have 800+ unduplicated students. • Total enrollment for 2013-2014: About 1500 • Projection: We anticipate 740 undergrads in fall 2014, with a goal of 800 by 2017. In addition to our usual robust recruitment efforts, including a record-high 652 Focus on Ministry visitors this year, we are also reaching out to more public school students, international students, and undecided students.
Undergraduate Enrollment Double Majors: (Usually Elementary Ed PLUS Early Childhood Ed, Secondary Ed, or Staff Ministry
207
Elementary Education Preseminary Studies Early Childhood Education Secondary Education Educational Studies Staff Ministry Unclassified January 2014 Total
183 151 77 51 13 8 4 694
oli DeoGloria
JANUARY 2014
Prep 29%
SOLI DEO
GLORIA
GLORIA
Their Journey to MLC Christopher Dean (Redeemer-Edna TX): I went to public school all my life and didn’t know there were WELS schools and colleges until a year or so ago. My pastor introduced me to MLC, and he has been one of the biggest influences on my life. Joycelyn Christmas (St. John’s-Antigua): I chose MLC because it provided the spiritual growth which will enhance my preparation to teach in a WELS school and because the opportunity to attend was made possible by the Caribbean Christian Training Institute and my pastor, Andrew Johnston. Aaron Markgraf (Beautiful SaviorCincinnati OH) For a long time, I wasn’t sure MLC was the place for me. But the summer before my senior year, my grandfather, Jerry Birkholz, passed away. At his funeral I was reminded of the awesome impact called workers can have, and I wanted to be a part of that.
MLC UNDERGRADS BY HIGH SCHOOL Public 15%
SOLI DEO
Other 3%
Miriam Hanson (Friedens-Bonduel WI) I chose MLC because I fell in love with urban education. I was introduced to it on our Taste of Ministry trip my senior year at Luther Prep. I got to visit Garden Homes Lutheran School, and that was the turning point for me.
ALHS 53%
To see all the MLC students from your district, go to mlc-wels.edu/go/district students.
Preseminary Studies
on
Recruitment: Our current enrollment of 151 preseminarians is the lowest at NWC/MLC since 1959, and a considerable number of pastors will reach retirement age in the next decade. We ask everyone to pray for pastors and to urge gifted young men to consider the pastoral ministry. “The moment I decided I was going to MLC was when I shadowed a pastor for a day,” said Craig Wilke (Bethany-Fort Atkinson WI, pictured). “In the morning Pastor Schupmann showed me how he went about writing his sermon, and then we made a hospital visit and I got to read a little part of Psalms to the man in the hospital. I enjoyed every part of what we did.”
on
Graduate Studies & Continuing Ed
Master of Science in Education: In its eight years, 63 students have graduated with their MS-Ed. Another 113 students are enrolled. “The impact of master’s classes on my ministry has been immeasurable,” says Chris Hintz, principal, Emmaus-Phoenix (pictured). “It has opened my eyes to new and different ways to teach and learn.”
New Graduate Degrees: In response to a 2012 WELS resolution, an MS-Educational Administration degree is being created, with separate tracks for principals and early childhood directors. An MA-Theology is also in development. Continuing Ed Enrollment Up: Enrollment in 2012-2013 was 60% higher than the previous year, and fall 2013 SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
Education
Approval Granted: The Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT) completed an onsite accreditation visit to MLC this spring and granted full continuing institutional approval through 2019. “The BOT team was impressed with how our students, faculty, and staff live the mission of the college and with the strong educational foundation the ministry candidates receive in their teacher preparation program,” said Dr. Cindy Whaley, MLC licensure officer.
showed a 40% bump over fall 2012. The growth stems from the variety and convenience of courses, as well as the financial assistance of congregations. Issues in Lutheran Education: Our bi-monthly blog (blogs.mlc-wels.edu) tackles provocative issues in education, such as working with special-needs students, elimination of homework, student retention, and leadership concerns. The blog has gained more than 600 followers. The largest one-day viewing was 1,618.
induction mentorships of new teachers. Research indicates that induction programs build teacher confidence, enhance teacher retention, and strengthen student achievement. More than 60% of first-year teachers worked with trained mentors last year, and we anticipate a higher percentage in 2014-2015. Pictured: Abby Mehlberg (Trinity-Marshfield WI) and Julie Krieger (Immanuel-Medford WI)
GLORIA
on
Students
Russ Scoggins (Holy Word-Austin TX) is a preseminarian who graduated with an emphasis in Spanish. He took immersion trips to both Ecuador and Argentina, cultivating his Spanish for ministry. We could say Russ also graduated with an emphasis in service. He did Hurricane Sandy cleanup for WELS Christian Aid and Relief, assisted people with disabilities through Jesus Cares, served as junior class president, and then as Student Senate president. “I enjoy talking with people and being real with them,” he says. “I enjoy helping people when they need help.” Russ says the gospel has taken root deep in his heart at MLC, and God has helped him mature. “However, I still have a ways to go—but that’s how the Christian life of sanctification will always be on this side of heaven.” He and his fiancée, Amber Flunker, will be married this summer, and he’ll enroll at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in fall.
GLORIA
on
WLS students also come to New Ulm to encourage the preseminary students at ministry presentations, athletic contests, concerts, and fellowship events. Pictured: Winners of the NWC Alumni Society Presidents Fund Grants
Serving comes second nature to Aimee. She double-majored in early childhood and elementary education with a Spanish minor. She served as Student Senate secretary, director of Children’s Theater, a volunteer for Day of Play, and a College Choir member. She taught English in Peru for a summer and math at Minnesota Valley LHS for a semester. “MLC has definitely changed my outlook on what it means to be a teacher,” she says. “I now understand that being a teacher isn’t just about teaching—it’s about serving people and spreading the gospel. It’s not about me—it’s about how God can use me to help others.” Aimee is getting married and moving to Mequon this summer, where her new husband, Josh Jensen, is a middler at the seminary. “God-willing,” she says, “I will receive a call or find a fulltime job near Mequon. Only God knows what he has in store for me!”
New Initiatives
New Chinese Minor: After a successful two-year pilot, we’ve made Chinese a full minor and called Professor Zhang (pictured), a native Chinese speaker, to lead our program.
New Teacher Induction (NTI): MLC and WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools are facilitating two-year
Aimee Ulm (St. Paul-Ixonia WI) says MLC has given her “the confidence and skills necessary to serve God’s people.”
Meet two MLC graduates who embody the concept of faithful servant leadership.
SOLI DEO
New Special Education Major: Sixteen students took the first course in the new major this year. More courses are being added, and the program will be fully implemented in 2015-2016. Interested students are encouraged to double-major in special education and either elementary, secondary, or early childhood education.
Seminary Connections: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary issues two annual invitations to MLC preseminarians. Juniors are invited to Mission and Ministry seminar in February and seniors to an early welcome in March called Eisodos. Junior Chester Reinemann (Christ-North St. Paul MN, pictured) said, “For me, the most wonderful thing at the seminary is the incredibly clear focus on preaching the gospel. It was also very encouraging to see how all our studies at MLC are preparing us to dig deeper into God’s Word and serve God’s people.”
SOLI DEO
The current course offerings will expand to six semesters of classroom study plus immersion courses. Education majors may continue to choose Chinese as their minor, and preseminary students may now choose it as their non-biblical language option. More than a billion people in the world—one in every seven—speak Chinese, and few know Jesus as their Savior. Urban Ministry: The WELS Conference of Presidents has called for more teachers qualified to teach in urban schools. In response, MLC is calling an urban ministry professor and developing an urban education minor.
The minor, which will emphasize experiential learning, will be open to all education majors. Some courses will also be open to preseminary students, providing them the opportunity to learn more about ministry in the central city. Courses will begin in fall 2015. Pictured: Katrina Buchholz (Emmanuel-Tempe AZ) did her student teaching at St. Marcus-Milwaukee.
SOLI DEO
on
GLORIA
Enrollment
• Undergraduate second semester enrollment was 694. (See chart.)
• Continuing ed and graduate students are still signing up for summer courses. If the numbers are similar to last year, we will have 800+ unduplicated students. • Total enrollment for 2013-2014: About 1500 • Projection: We anticipate 740 undergrads in fall 2014, with a goal of 800 by 2017. In addition to our usual robust recruitment efforts, including a record-high 652 Focus on Ministry visitors this year, we are also reaching out to more public school students, international students, and undecided students.
Undergraduate Enrollment Double Majors: (Usually Elementary Ed PLUS Early Childhood Ed, Secondary Ed, or Staff Ministry
207
Elementary Education Preseminary Studies Early Childhood Education Secondary Education Educational Studies Staff Ministry Unclassified January 2014 Total
183 151 77 51 13 8 4 694
oli DeoGloria
JANUARY 2014
Prep 29%
SOLI DEO
GLORIA
GLORIA
Their Journey to MLC Christopher Dean (Redeemer-Edna TX): I went to public school all my life and didn’t know there were WELS schools and colleges until a year or so ago. My pastor introduced me to MLC, and he has been one of the biggest influences on my life. Joycelyn Christmas (St. John’s-Antigua): I chose MLC because it provided the spiritual growth which will enhance my preparation to teach in a WELS school and because the opportunity to attend was made possible by the Caribbean Christian Training Institute and my pastor, Andrew Johnston. Aaron Markgraf (Beautiful SaviorCincinnati OH) For a long time, I wasn’t sure MLC was the place for me. But the summer before my senior year, my grandfather, Jerry Birkholz, passed away. At his funeral I was reminded of the awesome impact called workers can have, and I wanted to be a part of that.
MLC UNDERGRADS BY HIGH SCHOOL Public 15%
SOLI DEO
Other 3%
Miriam Hanson (Friedens-Bonduel WI) I chose MLC because I fell in love with urban education. I was introduced to it on our Taste of Ministry trip my senior year at Luther Prep. I got to visit Garden Homes Lutheran School, and that was the turning point for me.
ALHS 53%
To see all the MLC students from your district, go to mlc-wels.edu/go/district students.
Preseminary Studies
on
Recruitment: Our current enrollment of 151 preseminarians is the lowest at NWC/MLC since 1959, and a considerable number of pastors will reach retirement age in the next decade. We ask everyone to pray for pastors and to urge gifted young men to consider the pastoral ministry. “The moment I decided I was going to MLC was when I shadowed a pastor for a day,” said Craig Wilke (Bethany-Fort Atkinson WI, pictured). “In the morning Pastor Schupmann showed me how he went about writing his sermon, and then we made a hospital visit and I got to read a little part of Psalms to the man in the hospital. I enjoyed every part of what we did.”
on
Graduate Studies & Continuing Ed
Master of Science in Education: In its eight years, 63 students have graduated with their MS-Ed. Another 113 students are enrolled. “The impact of master’s classes on my ministry has been immeasurable,” says Chris Hintz, principal, Emmaus-Phoenix (pictured). “It has opened my eyes to new and different ways to teach and learn.”
New Graduate Degrees: In response to a 2012 WELS resolution, an MS-Educational Administration degree is being created, with separate tracks for principals and early childhood directors. An MA-Theology is also in development. Continuing Ed Enrollment Up: Enrollment in 2012-2013 was 60% higher than the previous year, and fall 2013 SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
Education
Approval Granted: The Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT) completed an onsite accreditation visit to MLC this spring and granted full continuing institutional approval through 2019. “The BOT team was impressed with how our students, faculty, and staff live the mission of the college and with the strong educational foundation the ministry candidates receive in their teacher preparation program,” said Dr. Cindy Whaley, MLC licensure officer.
showed a 40% bump over fall 2012. The growth stems from the variety and convenience of courses, as well as the financial assistance of congregations. Issues in Lutheran Education: Our bi-monthly blog (blogs.mlc-wels.edu) tackles provocative issues in education, such as working with special-needs students, elimination of homework, student retention, and leadership concerns. The blog has gained more than 600 followers. The largest one-day viewing was 1,618.
induction mentorships of new teachers. Research indicates that induction programs build teacher confidence, enhance teacher retention, and strengthen student achievement. More than 60% of first-year teachers worked with trained mentors last year, and we anticipate a higher percentage in 2014-2015. Pictured: Abby Mehlberg (Trinity-Marshfield WI) and Julie Krieger (Immanuel-Medford WI)
GLORIA
on
Students
Russ Scoggins (Holy Word-Austin TX) is a preseminarian who graduated with an emphasis in Spanish. He took immersion trips to both Ecuador and Argentina, cultivating his Spanish for ministry. We could say Russ also graduated with an emphasis in service. He did Hurricane Sandy cleanup for WELS Christian Aid and Relief, assisted people with disabilities through Jesus Cares, served as junior class president, and then as Student Senate president. “I enjoy talking with people and being real with them,” he says. “I enjoy helping people when they need help.” Russ says the gospel has taken root deep in his heart at MLC, and God has helped him mature. “However, I still have a ways to go—but that’s how the Christian life of sanctification will always be on this side of heaven.” He and his fiancée, Amber Flunker, will be married this summer, and he’ll enroll at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in fall.
GLORIA
on
WLS students also come to New Ulm to encourage the preseminary students at ministry presentations, athletic contests, concerts, and fellowship events. Pictured: Winners of the NWC Alumni Society Presidents Fund Grants
Serving comes second nature to Aimee. She double-majored in early childhood and elementary education with a Spanish minor. She served as Student Senate secretary, director of Children’s Theater, a volunteer for Day of Play, and a College Choir member. She taught English in Peru for a summer and math at Minnesota Valley LHS for a semester. “MLC has definitely changed my outlook on what it means to be a teacher,” she says. “I now understand that being a teacher isn’t just about teaching—it’s about serving people and spreading the gospel. It’s not about me—it’s about how God can use me to help others.” Aimee is getting married and moving to Mequon this summer, where her new husband, Josh Jensen, is a middler at the seminary. “God-willing,” she says, “I will receive a call or find a fulltime job near Mequon. Only God knows what he has in store for me!”
New Initiatives
New Chinese Minor: After a successful two-year pilot, we’ve made Chinese a full minor and called Professor Zhang (pictured), a native Chinese speaker, to lead our program.
New Teacher Induction (NTI): MLC and WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools are facilitating two-year
Aimee Ulm (St. Paul-Ixonia WI) says MLC has given her “the confidence and skills necessary to serve God’s people.”
Meet two MLC graduates who embody the concept of faithful servant leadership.
SOLI DEO
New Special Education Major: Sixteen students took the first course in the new major this year. More courses are being added, and the program will be fully implemented in 2015-2016. Interested students are encouraged to double-major in special education and either elementary, secondary, or early childhood education.
Seminary Connections: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary issues two annual invitations to MLC preseminarians. Juniors are invited to Mission and Ministry seminar in February and seniors to an early welcome in March called Eisodos. Junior Chester Reinemann (Christ-North St. Paul MN, pictured) said, “For me, the most wonderful thing at the seminary is the incredibly clear focus on preaching the gospel. It was also very encouraging to see how all our studies at MLC are preparing us to dig deeper into God’s Word and serve God’s people.”
SOLI DEO
The current course offerings will expand to six semesters of classroom study plus immersion courses. Education majors may continue to choose Chinese as their minor, and preseminary students may now choose it as their non-biblical language option. More than a billion people in the world—one in every seven—speak Chinese, and few know Jesus as their Savior. Urban Ministry: The WELS Conference of Presidents has called for more teachers qualified to teach in urban schools. In response, MLC is calling an urban ministry professor and developing an urban education minor.
The minor, which will emphasize experiential learning, will be open to all education majors. Some courses will also be open to preseminary students, providing them the opportunity to learn more about ministry in the central city. Courses will begin in fall 2015. Pictured: Katrina Buchholz (Emmanuel-Tempe AZ) did her student teaching at St. Marcus-Milwaukee.
SOLI DEO
on
GLORIA
Enrollment
• Undergraduate second semester enrollment was 694. (See chart.)
• Continuing ed and graduate students are still signing up for summer courses. If the numbers are similar to last year, we will have 800+ unduplicated students. • Total enrollment for 2013-2014: About 1500 • Projection: We anticipate 740 undergrads in fall 2014, with a goal of 800 by 2017. In addition to our usual robust recruitment efforts, including a record-high 652 Focus on Ministry visitors this year, we are also reaching out to more public school students, international students, and undecided students.
Undergraduate Enrollment Double Majors: (Usually Elementary Ed PLUS Early Childhood Ed, Secondary Ed, or Staff Ministry
207
Elementary Education Preseminary Studies Early Childhood Education Secondary Education Educational Studies Staff Ministry Unclassified January 2014 Total
183 151 77 51 13 8 4 694
oli DeoGloria
JANUARY 2014
Prep 29%
SOLI DEO
GLORIA
GLORIA
Their Journey to MLC Christopher Dean (Redeemer-Edna TX): I went to public school all my life and didn’t know there were WELS schools and colleges until a year or so ago. My pastor introduced me to MLC, and he has been one of the biggest influences on my life. Joycelyn Christmas (St. John’s-Antigua): I chose MLC because it provided the spiritual growth which will enhance my preparation to teach in a WELS school and because the opportunity to attend was made possible by the Caribbean Christian Training Institute and my pastor, Andrew Johnston. Aaron Markgraf (Beautiful SaviorCincinnati OH) For a long time, I wasn’t sure MLC was the place for me. But the summer before my senior year, my grandfather, Jerry Birkholz, passed away. At his funeral I was reminded of the awesome impact called workers can have, and I wanted to be a part of that.
MLC UNDERGRADS BY HIGH SCHOOL Public 15%
SOLI DEO
Other 3%
Miriam Hanson (Friedens-Bonduel WI) I chose MLC because I fell in love with urban education. I was introduced to it on our Taste of Ministry trip my senior year at Luther Prep. I got to visit Garden Homes Lutheran School, and that was the turning point for me.
ALHS 53%
To see all the MLC students from your district, go to mlc-wels.edu/go/district students.
Preseminary Studies
on
Recruitment: Our current enrollment of 151 preseminarians is the lowest at NWC/MLC since 1959, and a considerable number of pastors will reach retirement age in the next decade. We ask everyone to pray for pastors and to urge gifted young men to consider the pastoral ministry. “The moment I decided I was going to MLC was when I shadowed a pastor for a day,” said Craig Wilke (Bethany-Fort Atkinson WI, pictured). “In the morning Pastor Schupmann showed me how he went about writing his sermon, and then we made a hospital visit and I got to read a little part of Psalms to the man in the hospital. I enjoyed every part of what we did.”
on
Graduate Studies & Continuing Ed
Master of Science in Education: In its eight years, 63 students have graduated with their MS-Ed. Another 113 students are enrolled. “The impact of master’s classes on my ministry has been immeasurable,” says Chris Hintz, principal, Emmaus-Phoenix (pictured). “It has opened my eyes to new and different ways to teach and learn.”
New Graduate Degrees: In response to a 2012 WELS resolution, an MS-Educational Administration degree is being created, with separate tracks for principals and early childhood directors. An MA-Theology is also in development. Continuing Ed Enrollment Up: Enrollment in 2012-2013 was 60% higher than the previous year, and fall 2013 SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
Education
Approval Granted: The Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT) completed an onsite accreditation visit to MLC this spring and granted full continuing institutional approval through 2019. “The BOT team was impressed with how our students, faculty, and staff live the mission of the college and with the strong educational foundation the ministry candidates receive in their teacher preparation program,” said Dr. Cindy Whaley, MLC licensure officer.
showed a 40% bump over fall 2012. The growth stems from the variety and convenience of courses, as well as the financial assistance of congregations. Issues in Lutheran Education: Our bi-monthly blog (blogs.mlc-wels.edu) tackles provocative issues in education, such as working with special-needs students, elimination of homework, student retention, and leadership concerns. The blog has gained more than 600 followers. The largest one-day viewing was 1,618.
induction mentorships of new teachers. Research indicates that induction programs build teacher confidence, enhance teacher retention, and strengthen student achievement. More than 60% of first-year teachers worked with trained mentors last year, and we anticipate a higher percentage in 2014-2015. Pictured: Abby Mehlberg (Trinity-Marshfield WI) and Julie Krieger (Immanuel-Medford WI)
GLORIA
on
Students
Russ Scoggins (Holy Word-Austin TX) is a preseminarian who graduated with an emphasis in Spanish. He took immersion trips to both Ecuador and Argentina, cultivating his Spanish for ministry. We could say Russ also graduated with an emphasis in service. He did Hurricane Sandy cleanup for WELS Christian Aid and Relief, assisted people with disabilities through Jesus Cares, served as junior class president, and then as Student Senate president. “I enjoy talking with people and being real with them,” he says. “I enjoy helping people when they need help.” Russ says the gospel has taken root deep in his heart at MLC, and God has helped him mature. “However, I still have a ways to go—but that’s how the Christian life of sanctification will always be on this side of heaven.” He and his fiancée, Amber Flunker, will be married this summer, and he’ll enroll at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in fall.
GLORIA
on
WLS students also come to New Ulm to encourage the preseminary students at ministry presentations, athletic contests, concerts, and fellowship events. Pictured: Winners of the NWC Alumni Society Presidents Fund Grants
Serving comes second nature to Aimee. She double-majored in early childhood and elementary education with a Spanish minor. She served as Student Senate secretary, director of Children’s Theater, a volunteer for Day of Play, and a College Choir member. She taught English in Peru for a summer and math at Minnesota Valley LHS for a semester. “MLC has definitely changed my outlook on what it means to be a teacher,” she says. “I now understand that being a teacher isn’t just about teaching—it’s about serving people and spreading the gospel. It’s not about me—it’s about how God can use me to help others.” Aimee is getting married and moving to Mequon this summer, where her new husband, Josh Jensen, is a middler at the seminary. “God-willing,” she says, “I will receive a call or find a fulltime job near Mequon. Only God knows what he has in store for me!”
New Initiatives
New Chinese Minor: After a successful two-year pilot, we’ve made Chinese a full minor and called Professor Zhang (pictured), a native Chinese speaker, to lead our program.
New Teacher Induction (NTI): MLC and WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools are facilitating two-year
Aimee Ulm (St. Paul-Ixonia WI) says MLC has given her “the confidence and skills necessary to serve God’s people.”
Meet two MLC graduates who embody the concept of faithful servant leadership.
SOLI DEO
New Special Education Major: Sixteen students took the first course in the new major this year. More courses are being added, and the program will be fully implemented in 2015-2016. Interested students are encouraged to double-major in special education and either elementary, secondary, or early childhood education.
Seminary Connections: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary issues two annual invitations to MLC preseminarians. Juniors are invited to Mission and Ministry seminar in February and seniors to an early welcome in March called Eisodos. Junior Chester Reinemann (Christ-North St. Paul MN, pictured) said, “For me, the most wonderful thing at the seminary is the incredibly clear focus on preaching the gospel. It was also very encouraging to see how all our studies at MLC are preparing us to dig deeper into God’s Word and serve God’s people.”
SOLI DEO
The current course offerings will expand to six semesters of classroom study plus immersion courses. Education majors may continue to choose Chinese as their minor, and preseminary students may now choose it as their non-biblical language option. More than a billion people in the world—one in every seven—speak Chinese, and few know Jesus as their Savior. Urban Ministry: The WELS Conference of Presidents has called for more teachers qualified to teach in urban schools. In response, MLC is calling an urban ministry professor and developing an urban education minor.
The minor, which will emphasize experiential learning, will be open to all education majors. Some courses will also be open to preseminary students, providing them the opportunity to learn more about ministry in the central city. Courses will begin in fall 2015. Pictured: Katrina Buchholz (Emmanuel-Tempe AZ) did her student teaching at St. Marcus-Milwaukee.
SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
the Strategic Plan
“Compelled to Speak: A Strategic Plan for Martin Luther College” was developed in 2011 and continues to guide us as we prepare confessional Lutheran pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to fill the ministry needs of WELS. We’d like to share our progress on some key initiatives. 1. Build new Early Childhood Learning Center. Completed and paid in full 2. Investigate special education major. Major in place; professor called 3. Offer Chinese language. Chinese minor in place; professor called 4. Expand continuing education. Offering many new courses; enrollment up 60% 5. Develop plan for campus maintenance, renovation, expansion. Member of WELS Capital Planning Committee, coordinating capital expenses; also partnering with Builders for Christ on chapel basement project 6. Increase technology training; develop social media. Additional tech staff added; faculty training ongoing; tech used in courses; communicating with Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Google tools 7. Develop new master’s degrees. New MS-Educational Administration degree and MA-Theology degree in development
8. Expand recruitment of minority, international, home, and public school students. Establishing international office; calling urban ministry professor; reaching out to public school students 9. Enroll 800 fulltime undergrads by 2017. Enrollment projection for 2014-15: 740 (5% increase) 10. Keep student costs low and student debt manageable. Searching for scholarship donors; implementing efficiency measures; teaching students fiscal responsibility 11. Partner with The Lutheran Home Association to implement intergenerational ministry proposal. In development; senior housing completed this summer by private developer 12. Increase PhDs on faculty to 40% in five years. Three more faculty received PhDs in 2013; more finishing doctoral programs soon Read more on these topics in the MLC InFocus Year in Review, available in July 2014. Not on our mailing list yet? Interested in a bulk subscription for your congregation or school? Contact us at info@mlc-wels.edu.
SOLI DEO
on
GLORIA
Finances
InFocus Staff
Student Financial Aid: The majority (90%) of our students receive financial aid, including some $2 million in institutional aid every year. The named endowments and scholarships established by God’s people are a much-appreciated source of student aid. Student Debt: The percentage of students who graduate with debt (84%) continues to rise, but we are thankful the average amount of that debt ($21,997) has remained fairly flat. In light of the impact this debt will have on future called workers, we ask all WELS members to prayerfully consider how they can help—through their congregational mission offerings and direct gifts to MLC. Synod Subsidy: We are thankful that, through WELS, our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to subsidize the education of future called workers. In 2014-2015, the subsidy is $4,612. MLC tuition, room & board
WELS subsidy per student
Grads with debt
Average debt
09-10
$14,370
$5,128
63%
$21,799
10-11
$15,250
$5,085
78%
$22,176
11-12
$15,710
$4,574
80%
$21,671
12-13
$16,340
$4,260
84%
$21,997
13-14
$17,160
$4,498
TBA
TBA
14-15
$18,020
$4,612
PHOTOGRAPHERS William Pekrul DMLC ’80 PROOFREADER Rebecca Rehberger MLC ’15 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lime Valley Advertising, Inc.
Campus Projects: Two projects are underway this summer. Reserve funds are enabling us to remodel the Luther Student Center entrance to provide better and safer access, and Builders for Christ is helping us finish part of the Chapel of the Christ basement. Bottom Line: MLC is financially stable. We faced a deficit this year, but our reserves allowed us to bridge the gap. As we look forward, we trust that the Lord of the Church, through his people, will provide the financial resources we need to carry out our mission as the WELS College of Ministry.
district convention issue 2014
Office of Mission Advancement VICE PRESIDENT Michael Otterstatter WLS ’94 PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR William Pekrul DMLC ’80 ALUMNI DIRECTOR Steve Balza DMLC ’93 College Administration PRESIDENT Mark Zarling WLS ’80 VP for ADMINISTRATION Steven Thiesfeldt DMLC ’74 VP for ACADEMICS David Wendler DMLC ’70 VP for STUDENT LIFE Jeffrey Schone WLS ’87 VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Michael Otterstatter WLS ’94 Governing Board Chairman Michael Woldt WLS ’81 Vice Chairman Jonathan Kolander WLS ’91 Secretary Steven Rosenbaum DMLC ’86 Keith Bowe DMLC ’79 Jonathan Hahm DMLC ’71 Dale Krause Stephen Loehr Timothy Petermann Barry Price Duane Rodewald WLS ’89 Duane Schmeichel WLS ’91 Michael Seifert WLS ’03 William Steinbrenner Advisory:
e thank our Lord for five MLC Governing Board members who are retiring: Keith Bowe, Jonathan Hahm, Stephen Loehr, Duane Rodewald, and William Steinbrenner, four of whom served the maximum of two terms (12 years). Their wise leadership and prayerful guidance helped pilot the college through much growth and change.
Soli DeoGloria
WRITER/EDITOR Laurie Gauger DMLC ’87
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. Comments are welcomed and should be directed to gaugerlf@mlc-wels.edu or Laurie Gauger, MLC InFocus, 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.
Dear District Convention Delegates: In a sense, MLC is no different from the other 4,500 colleges and universities in our nation. We each strive to communicate our unique mission and strengths to our supporters. On the other hand, MLC is markedly different, for in all our communications, we say, Soli Deo Gloria, “To God alone the glory!” Grace, the amazing grace of God in Christ, is the foundation of our existence as believers, as a church body, and as a college of ministry. It is by grace we are saved through faith. It is by grace we are called to faith. It is by grace we unite in the great commission work of the church. It is by grace that we train full-time gospel SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
servants, and it is grace that provides students and faculty and staff and subsidy. The apostle Paul put it succinctly when he wrote, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17). And he was simply echoing the prophet who declared centuries earlier: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). After you peruse this document, reading about MLC’s unique mission and strengths, I pray you think of Paul and Jeremiah. Let us keep the focus where it belongs. Let us boast only in the Lord! Soli Deo Gloria!
SOLI DEO
Mark Zarling President, Martin Luther College
Early Childhood Education
GLORIA
New Facility: We thanked the Lord of the Church as we dedicated our 15,500-sq. ft. Early Childhood Learning Center in October. We now provide onsite student teaching experiences for all ECE majors, enroll children 0-5, and offer more continuing education for current teachers. Donors who generously gave to Let the Children Come allowed us to complete the project debt free. We’re Using It! The facility has room for 90-95 children age 0-5, plus a college classroom, offices, and activity areas. In spring 2014, 57 children were enrolled. Next year, 70-80 are expected. “This building is such a blessing,” says Professor Jennifer Mehlberg, ECE director. “We’re excited about the way the gospel is being shared through early childhood ministries.”
SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
the Strategic Plan
“Compelled to Speak: A Strategic Plan for Martin Luther College” was developed in 2011 and continues to guide us as we prepare confessional Lutheran pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to fill the ministry needs of WELS. We’d like to share our progress on some key initiatives. 1. Build new Early Childhood Learning Center. Completed and paid in full 2. Investigate special education major. Major in place; professor called 3. Offer Chinese language. Chinese minor in place; professor called 4. Expand continuing education. Offering many new courses; enrollment up 60% 5. Develop plan for campus maintenance, renovation, expansion. Member of WELS Capital Planning Committee, coordinating capital expenses; also partnering with Builders for Christ on chapel basement project 6. Increase technology training; develop social media. Additional tech staff added; faculty training ongoing; tech used in courses; communicating with Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Google tools 7. Develop new master’s degrees. New MS-Educational Administration degree and MA-Theology degree in development
8. Expand recruitment of minority, international, home, and public school students. Establishing international office; calling urban ministry professor; reaching out to public school students 9. Enroll 800 fulltime undergrads by 2017. Enrollment projection for 2014-15: 740 (5% increase) 10. Keep student costs low and student debt manageable. Searching for scholarship donors; implementing efficiency measures; teaching students fiscal responsibility 11. Partner with The Lutheran Home Association to implement intergenerational ministry proposal. In development; senior housing completed this summer by private developer 12. Increase PhDs on faculty to 40% in five years. Three more faculty received PhDs in 2013; more finishing doctoral programs soon Read more on these topics in the MLC InFocus Year in Review, available in July 2014. Not on our mailing list yet? Interested in a bulk subscription for your congregation or school? Contact us at info@mlc-wels.edu.
SOLI DEO
on
GLORIA
Finances
InFocus Staff
Student Financial Aid: The majority (90%) of our students receive financial aid, including some $2 million in institutional aid every year. The named endowments and scholarships established by God’s people are a much-appreciated source of student aid. Student Debt: The percentage of students who graduate with debt (84%) continues to rise, but we are thankful the average amount of that debt ($21,997) has remained fairly flat. In light of the impact this debt will have on future called workers, we ask all WELS members to prayerfully consider how they can help—through their congregational mission offerings and direct gifts to MLC. Synod Subsidy: We are thankful that, through WELS, our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to subsidize the education of future called workers. In 2014-2015, the subsidy is $4,612. MLC tuition, room & board
WELS subsidy per student
Grads with debt
Average debt
09-10
$14,370
$5,128
63%
$21,799
10-11
$15,250
$5,085
78%
$22,176
11-12
$15,710
$4,574
80%
$21,671
12-13
$16,340
$4,260
84%
$21,997
13-14
$17,160
$4,498
TBA
TBA
14-15
$18,020
$4,612
PHOTOGRAPHERS William Pekrul DMLC ’80 PROOFREADER Rebecca Rehberger MLC ’15 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lime Valley Advertising, Inc.
Campus Projects: Two projects are underway this summer. Reserve funds are enabling us to remodel the Luther Student Center entrance to provide better and safer access, and Builders for Christ is helping us finish part of the Chapel of the Christ basement. Bottom Line: MLC is financially stable. We faced a deficit this year, but our reserves allowed us to bridge the gap. As we look forward, we trust that the Lord of the Church, through his people, will provide the financial resources we need to carry out our mission as the WELS College of Ministry.
district convention issue 2014
Office of Mission Advancement VICE PRESIDENT Michael Otterstatter WLS ’94 PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR William Pekrul DMLC ’80 ALUMNI DIRECTOR Steve Balza DMLC ’93 College Administration PRESIDENT Mark Zarling WLS ’80 VP for ADMINISTRATION Steven Thiesfeldt DMLC ’74 VP for ACADEMICS David Wendler DMLC ’70 VP for STUDENT LIFE Jeffrey Schone WLS ’87 VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Michael Otterstatter WLS ’94 Governing Board Chairman Michael Woldt WLS ’81 Vice Chairman Jonathan Kolander WLS ’91 Secretary Steven Rosenbaum DMLC ’86 Keith Bowe DMLC ’79 Jonathan Hahm DMLC ’71 Dale Krause Stephen Loehr Timothy Petermann Barry Price Duane Rodewald WLS ’89 Duane Schmeichel WLS ’91 Michael Seifert WLS ’03 William Steinbrenner Advisory:
e thank our Lord for five MLC Governing Board members who are retiring: Keith Bowe, Jonathan Hahm, Stephen Loehr, Duane Rodewald, and William Steinbrenner, four of whom served the maximum of two terms (12 years). Their wise leadership and prayerful guidance helped pilot the college through much growth and change.
Soli DeoGloria
WRITER/EDITOR Laurie Gauger DMLC ’87
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. Comments are welcomed and should be directed to gaugerlf@mlc-wels.edu or Laurie Gauger, MLC InFocus, 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.
Dear District Convention Delegates: In a sense, MLC is no different from the other 4,500 colleges and universities in our nation. We each strive to communicate our unique mission and strengths to our supporters. On the other hand, MLC is markedly different, for in all our communications, we say, Soli Deo Gloria, “To God alone the glory!” Grace, the amazing grace of God in Christ, is the foundation of our existence as believers, as a church body, and as a college of ministry. It is by grace we are saved through faith. It is by grace we are called to faith. It is by grace we unite in the great commission work of the church. It is by grace that we train full-time gospel SOLI DEO
GLORIA
on
servants, and it is grace that provides students and faculty and staff and subsidy. The apostle Paul put it succinctly when he wrote, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17). And he was simply echoing the prophet who declared centuries earlier: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). After you peruse this document, reading about MLC’s unique mission and strengths, I pray you think of Paul and Jeremiah. Let us keep the focus where it belongs. Let us boast only in the Lord! Soli Deo Gloria!
SOLI DEO
Mark Zarling President, Martin Luther College
Early Childhood Education
GLORIA
New Facility: We thanked the Lord of the Church as we dedicated our 15,500-sq. ft. Early Childhood Learning Center in October. We now provide onsite student teaching experiences for all ECE majors, enroll children 0-5, and offer more continuing education for current teachers. Donors who generously gave to Let the Children Come allowed us to complete the project debt free. We’re Using It! The facility has room for 90-95 children age 0-5, plus a college classroom, offices, and activity areas. In spring 2014, 57 children were enrolled. Next year, 70-80 are expected. “This building is such a blessing,” says Professor Jennifer Mehlberg, ECE director. “We’re excited about the way the gospel is being shared through early childhood ministries.”