Meet the
Northwestern College
Presidents
Northwestern College President
Carleton Toppe
President Carleton Toppe (1914-1998) began his ministry at Northwestern College in 1948 as professor of English. He became registrar in 1954 and then served as the college’s fifth president from 1959 to 1987. His presidency saw great changes at the school, all introduced with care and deliberation. Two dormitories, a gymnasium, and a remodeled auditorium were added to campus. The preparatory department was separated from the college department and renamed “Northwestern Preparatory School.” The college sought and was granted accreditation. And the curriculum was redrawn, with a reduction in required credits, a reduced emphasis on languages, and the addition of many electives.
1865-1869 Adam Martin 1869-1870 Lewis O. Thompson 1871-1919 Dr. August F. Ernst 1919-1959 Erwin E. Kowalke
1959-1987 Carleton Toppe 1987-1993 Robert J. Voss 1993-1995 John Braun
Dr. Martin Luther College 1884-1885 Christian J. Albrecht 1885-1893 Otto Hoyer
A gifted teacher and leader, Carleton Toppe served the college and the church well for four decades. In his retirement he wrote a history of Northwestern College, Holding the Course: Northwestern College 125 (Northwestern Publishing House: 1990).
1893-1908 John Schaller
The Northwestern College Alumni Society honors the NWC presidents through memorial scholarships. The Carleton Toppe Grant for GPA and Religion is awarded annually to a preseminary student based upon his campus citizenship and participation, potential for pastoral ministry, and excellence in academics, especially religion.
1918-1920 Johannes P. Meyer
Northwestern College served as the WELS preseminary college from 1865 to 1995, when it amalgamated with Dr. Martin Luther College to form the present Martin Luther College.
1980-1993 Lloyd O. Huebner
1908-1918 Adolph Ackermann 1920-1935 Edmund Bliefernicht 1936-1966 Carl L. Schweppe 1966-1980 Conrad Frey 1993-1995 John Lawrenz
Martin Luther College 1994-2007 Theodore Olsen 2007-present Mark Zarling
Eunice Schulz DMLC 1963 Oak Creek WI
Diane Roekle DMLC 1978 Saginaw MI
Joseph Christina MLC 1998 Grayslake IL
Yvonne Relien DMLC 1968 Hortonville WI
27