InFocusSummer25 WEB

YEAR IN REVIEW 2024-2025

grounded growing . . . and

1995 Luther Court New Ulm, MN 56073

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Boldly Growing into the College We Need to Be

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Firmly Grounded in Our Gospel Mission

grounded . . . and growing

InFocus Staff WRITER/EDITOR Laurie Gauger DMLC ’87 COPY EDITOR Heidi Schoof DMLC ’86

By President Rich Gurgel NWC ’81, WLS ’86

CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Fischer Adam Hussman Haley Wels MLC ’16

“Grounded.” That means different things to different people at different moments.

MLC PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM* GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. Office of Mission Advancement VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Mark Maurice PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR William Pekrul DMLC ’80 ALUMNI RELATIONS DIRECTOR Michelle Markgraf DMLC ’90 College Administration PRESIDENT Rich Gurgel NWC ’81, WLS ’86 VP for ACADEMICS Jeffery Wiechman DMLC ’90 VP for ADMINISTRATION Scott Schmudlach DMLC ’85 VP for ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Theodore Klug MLC ’97

An adolescent grounded by Mom or Dad isn’t delighted with the concept.

Grounded at that moment feels like being shackled at home when they want to be out having fun with friends.

But being grounded can be beautiful when it means an individual or institution is firmly planted in core beliefs that give purpose and direction to whatever they do. Being grounded provides a compass and sense of direction.

MLC is

grounded.

By God’s grace, this college is grounded

in the best sense of the word. We are deeply rooted in our core convictions about who we are, firmly fixed in our identity as God’s forgiven children through a crucified and risen Lord Jesus, and securely established in our mission.

The first key initiative of our strategic plan, Pursuing Excellence Under the Cross, declares this: We Embrace Our Family’s Identity: We pursue excellence under the cross as we delight without apology in being a confessional Lutheran family whose defining mission is to equip and support the current and future generations of faithful pastors, educators, and staff ministers.

VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Mark Maurice VP for STUDENT LIFE Jeffrey Schone NWC ’83, WLS ’87 *Professor William Pekrul DMLC ’80, Meghan Johnson ’26, Maddie Liebert ’24, Madelinn Romsdahl ’26, Naomi Kassulke ’28, Mora Enoka ’27, Paige Kohlhoff ’27, Sydney Buch ’28, Bailey Schwab ’28, Daniel Reinke ’28, Jessica Laridaen ’28, Maeva Lopez Vicente ’29, Mariah Schultz ’28

VIDEO! ON THE COVER: 2025 graduates Nathanael Wendland, Lukas LaGalo, Joshua Fisch, Alaina Wiedoff, Ellie Slangor, and Jessica Waege

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.

Comments are welcomed and should be directed to gaugerlf@mlc-wels.edu or Laurie Gauger, MLC InFocus, 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.

The mission of MLC is to train men and women to meet the public ministry needs of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

2025 Commencement Reflections

However, being grounded in the comfort and power of Jesus’ forgiving and saving grace does not make us lethargic, nor does it leave us shackled by fear. Being grounded does not hinder us from taking bold steps to be the college we need to be at this moment.

When we are grounded in Jesus’ grace, we are compelled to be bold for Christ, no matter our vocation in life. Being grounded gives us the strength to take bold steps in how we carry out our mission. Being grounded gives us courage to make the most of each opportunity God gives us.

Being grounded unleashes energy and strength to live our faith in bold and courageous ways. That’s how Martin Luther, in his famous preface to Romans, described the impact of being grounded in faith in Jesus: “Faith is a living, daring confidence in the grace of God, of such assurance that it would risk a thousand deaths.

This confidence and knowledge of divine grace makes a person happy, bold, and full of gladness in his relation to God and all creatures.”

So, at MLC we are grounded . . . and

growing.

That’s the theme of this edition of MLC InFocus. We hope you’ll see on page after page that we are firmly grounded in our unchanging mission and boldly growing in many different ways—including these:

• Taking the next steps in our online APPLE program • Exploring new staff ministry options • Upgrading our facilities • Beginning innovative recruitment efforts It’s exciting! Please join us in asking God to keep this campus grounded and growing as we live out our mission as the WELS College of Ministry—through Jesus’ powerful grace.

• Expanding preseminary minors • Adding an associate degree in ECE

graduation 2025

BY THE NUMBERS

of Science in Early 1 Associate Childhood Education of Science in Education 95 Bachelor or Bachelor of Science of Arts or Seminary 30 Bachelor Certification (Preseminary Training)

of Science in 7 Bachelor Staff Ministry or Staff Ministry Certifications

of Science or 17 Master Master of Arts

In just a few months, new adventures of grace begin for all our graduates!

Preseminary graduates begin their seminary training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon. Staff ministry and education graduates begin serving in congregations, elementary schools, high schools, and early childhood centers.

(See the assignments by district on pages 24-27.) And master’s graduates continue their ministries—or embark on new ones—with increased training to enhance their service.

MLC Class of 2025 Verse “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully tothe work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

1 Corinthians 15:58

God bless them all!

The alumni photos at the bottom of the pages are from the anniversary classes of MLC, NWC, and DMLC: ’60, ’65, ’70, ’75, ’80, ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00, ’05, ’10, ’15, and ’20.

Thanks to Copy Editor Heidi Schoof DMLC ’86, who provided this random selection of alumni.

Erica Thiesfeldt

MLC 2000 New Ulm MN

Samuel Hacker III

NWC 1995 Bay City MI

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Worship

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grounded

The Heartbeat of MLC

Confessional Lutheran worship shapes the daily rhythm of our campus life. From the first services at Northwestern College in 1865 . . . to the first services on this hill in 1884 . . . to the twice-daily services in the Chapel of the Christ today . . . this is a college that worships.

Led by faithful professors, the students sing in choir, play organ and piano, and participate in the pew. And while they worship, they’re learning by example how to be tomorrow’s worship leaders.

“Worship is the very heartbeat of life at MLC,” says Dean of Chapel Jacob Behnken MLC ’08, WLS ’12 (top right). “It’s the time each day when the entire campus family, with all their different roles and responsibilities, come together to be fed with the Word of God and to sing their thanks and praise to the Lord who has saved them. As dean of chapel, it is an absolute (and undeserved) privilege to oversee and guide this integral part of life on the MLC campus.”

growing

Worship Ensembles

At its best, confessional Lutheran worship has always used a variety of instruments and sounds to sing the “new song” of faith (Psalm 98:1). We love praising our God with fantastic organ music, like that offered by organist Ben Foster (Emanuel First-Lansing MI, right), and also with today’s equivalent of trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, dancing, strings, pipe, and loud resounding cymbals (Psalm 150:3-5).

Several times a month, students like Ellie Slangor (Hope-Saint Charles MI) and Micah Schibbelhut (St. Paul-Onalaska WI, bottom right) lead the chapel music with a small worship ensemble. Instructor Judy Martens explains that the students help choose the music and musicians—sometimes opting for traditional hymns in modern settings and sometimes newer hymns and anthems—all vetted carefully for doctrinal clarity by Dean Behnken.

Professor Craig Hirschmann DMLC ’84 teaches a 1-credit course in Worship Ensemble Methods and Materials, and his students also provide chapel music. About 200 students—one-third of the student body—ask if they can join a worship ensemble. “I utilize as many as I can,” Instructor Martens says, “and they do wonderfully.”

Ellie is grateful for the opportunity. “I wouldn’t have had this unique experience of serving with so many other talented singers and musicians if I hadn’t come to MLC. I’ve learned how to work together with professors and classmates to coordinate a worship service that involves many moving parts, taking special time and effort to involve each musician’s unique knowledge and abilities. I’ll take these tools and resources with me wherever the Lord sends me.”

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Word

FOCUS ON

grounded

Bible Studies on Campus The Word of Christ dwells richly in MLC students! They’re in the Word not only in class, but in Bible studies all around campus. This year Tutors Nate Savage MLC ’18, WLS ’22 and Aaron Bush MLC ’19, WLS ’23 offered “Did the Savior Really Say?” and “A Story and a Study.”

The men’s RAs presented studies on Galatians, lectionary readings, a Mike Novotny MLC ’03, WLS ’07 book on “taboo” Christian topics (left), and a read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan. Women’s ministry leaders led an Advent by Candlelight and studies on vocation, Bible sisters, and having a fearless faith in college. There’s even a Spanish Bible study.

grounded

Bible Study for Life

President Gurgel (left) wants every student to have a personal spiritual growth plan—one to take into their ministries and into their lives. In his annual August workshop for senior education and staff ministry majors, he shows them how to incorporate Word and prayer into their day, reminding them that “child of God” is their most important calling, that Jesus’ saving grace for them is always the center of their lives, and that a strong personal devotional life strengthens those certainties. (Lest you wonder about preseminary students, they enjoy a similar workshop at the seminary.)

growing

Hilltop Small Groups

Study and spiritual community. Life sharing and burden bearing. Those are the hallmarks of our new Hilltop Small Groups. Launched by Andy Raasch (Salem-Stillwater MN) and Micah Boehm (Crown of Life-West St. Paul MN), these groups of 6-10 students meet weekly for Bible study, spiritual discussions, and prayer. “We share highs and lows,” Andy says.

“We pray for each other and minister to one another. This is where bonding and burden bearing happens.”

With Professor Luke Thompson MLC ’09, WLS ’13 as advisor, about 1 in 6 MLC students belong to a Hilltop Small Group, and more groups will be forming next year. “It’s about filling your cup,” Micah says.

“We’re all believers, but there’s always a need for the gospel and for authentic relationships.”

Mariah Schultz (Divine Savior-Doral FL) says her small group is the highlight of her week. “I’m so grateful to have a close community of girls who support and care for each other. We have deep conversations about Scripture, ask questions we might have on our minds, and then apply it to our lives as college students and future teachers in the ministry.” Right: Mariah Schultz, Heidi Schmidt (Shepherd of the Hills-Tucson AZ), and Dora Grubbs (St. John-New Ulm MN) are three members of a Hilltop small group.

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grounded

Education

More Than Just Teachers Teachers who graduate from MLC are special. In their classrooms, they teach more than math and reading. Their primary subject is the love of Jesus. Take Kassi Aguilar (Cross of Glory-Peoria AZ), pictured left with little Vada at MLC’s Early Childhood Learning Center. In nine short weeks, Kassi went from Vada’s favorite student teacher to Vada’s godmother (right)! One beautiful Sunday in May, Vada, her dad, and her siblings, Owen and Nora Lee, were all baptized into Christ. That’s the power of the gospel. That’s the power of a Christ-centered education at WELS schools. And that’s what makes an education major at MLC distinctive! From the very first Early Field Experience—see Jack List (CrossWalk-Laveen AZ, middle right)—MLC provides not just professional education courses but also ministry training.

Our seniors graduate with both state licensure and synod certification. No other college can make that claim.

The need for qualified teachers is great! To help fill that need, we’ve expanded access beyond our traditional campus programs. We know there are adult learners who want to make teaching in a WELS school their next career. We’re growing programs to help them do that. Read on!

growing

New Associate Degree for Preschool Teachers We already have a graduate! This year we opened our new Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education program—and then conferred our first degree! This 67.5 credit AS-ECE degree is the fourth tier in our “Support at Every Step” program designed to train more preschool teachers. Another dozen are enrolled in this program, which qualifies adult learners to receive divine calls to WELS early childhood ministries.

We’re happy to report that the other tiers of support for early childhood teachers are making a big impact as well: Tier 1: Free ECE basics for new teachers and aides Tier 2: CDA credential training Tier 3: Teacher ministry certification

growing

APPLE Opens Another Door for Second-Career Teachers This year we began enrolling students in APPLE! The Alternative Pathway to Professional Licensure Eligibility is the next step in our exciting competency-based education program, which is opening a door to a WELS teaching call for people like Holly Sloan (right). Holly has a college degree in biology and chemistry, but she’d like to earn a degree in elementary education with Minnesota licensure. She has a family and is teaching at St. Paul-Onalaska, Wisconsin, so moving to New Ulm is not an option.

That’s where APPLE comes in. We’re excited for Holly and all those adult learners who are working hard to finish an education degree from MLC—the professional courses and the theology courses—while staying in their own homes, communities, and jobs.

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Preseminary Studies

FOCUS ON

grounded

Thorough Theological Training MLC preseminary students understand the honor and privilege of gospel ministry. David Fenske (Our Savior-Brookings SD, right), for instance, spent a semester in Ireland, where, for the first time in his life, he met people who’d never heard the gospel. “I learned what it truly means for someone to need Jesus,” he said. He’s excited to share Jesus in his own congregation one day—administering Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, preaching and proclaiming, convicting and comforting, shepherding from font to funeral. Such a significant task requires thorough training, and we’ve been providing that training since 1865: theology, biblical languages, and the liberal arts—all within an environment of meaningful mentoring. “There’s a different attitude at MLC,” David says. “You are growing and developing to become a part of something bigger than yourself.” Left: 2025 preseminary graduates.

growing

First-Years Get Early Ministry Experience It’s an eight-year road. From their first steps on MLC’s campus, preseminary students have four years here and another four at seminary.

To encourage them for the journey, we’ve developed the Early Ministry Experience, which places them into a congregation for a few days their very first year of college. Evan Otto (St. John-St. Paul MN) and Jeremiah Bain (Martin Luther-Oshkosh WI) spent a few days over J-Term at Christ Lutheran in Denver. “The most important thing I learned about the pastoral ministry,” said Evan, “is the importance of being present and faithful to your congregation. The joy the members have when they see Pastor Biedenbender and Vicar Bain stems from something deeper than a friendship. These are the people whom God uses as tools to share his gospel in the city of Denver. I feel so blessed to be studying for the pastoral ministry. The Early Ministry Experience gave me a great look ahead to what, God willing, I will be doing seven years down the road.” Left: Abel Bain MLC ’22, Jeremiah Bain, Evan Otto, Pastor Paul Biedenbender MLC ’01, WLS ’05

growing

New Curriculum Options

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We could call it a “minor change.” In a curriculum expansion, our preseminary students will continue to major in biblical languages and theology, but will have more options for their minor or emphasis. We’re no longer requiring them to minor in a nonbiblical language: Latin, German, Latin and German, or Spanish. Now they can also choose history, English, music, or science. Be assured, though, that we recognize the significance of Latin and German. In fact, the preseminary faculty has established the Confessional Language Scholarship Fund and Endowment Fund to support and encourage students to study these languages of the Reformation, the languages our greatest theologians spoke and wrote.

Left: Jason Horn (Reformation-San Diego) and Matthew Koelpin (Calvary-Dallas) work on their German homework.

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grounded

Staff Ministry

Pastoral Assistants to Fill Many Ministry Needs Until his junior year, Josiah Klatt MLC ’23 (pictured left) majored in elementary education. That’s when he realized that perhaps he wasn’t cut out to teach in one classroom full-time. Perhaps he’d prefer a variety of ministries with people of different ages. So he changed his major to staff ministry, filling his schedule with courses like Intro to Youth and Family Ministry, Foundations of Evangelism, and Caring and Counseling—many taught by Dr. Lawrence Olson NWC ’79, WLS ’83 (middle right).

At his graduation in 2023, Josiah and his wife, Maria, learned they were both assigned to Apostles in San Jose, California (right). As their staff minister for the last two years, Josiah’s days have been filled with variety, just as he’d hoped: teaching religion to grades 9-10, teaching catechism class, leading youth group, and teaching Bible class to 20- and 30-somethings. In the summer, he administers the summer school campus, an all-day, all-summer program with 80 children, three head teachers, and eight aides.

“If you love to talk about God,” Josiah says, “but you don’t know where you fit in with the teacher or pastor track, look into staff ministry.”

2025 graduate Noah Kvidt agrees. In the fall, he finished his internship with Pastor Ben Kuerth MLC ’02, WLS ’06 in Doral, Florida (bottom right), and on Call Day he was assigned to the Divine Savior School in Doral as a staff minister and assistant teacher!

“There are so many unique opportunities with staff ministry!” he says to prospective students. “So, if you’re like I was in high school, unsure of what you want to do in your career, but you love Jesus and sharing his love with others in some way, shape, or form, I encourage you to consider staff ministry!”

growing

Expansion of Our Staff Ministry Program Because our mission is to meet WELS ministry needs, we asked congregations what other needs they had for staff ministers. In addition to the ministry training they receive, might it be helpful if some of our staff ministry candidates were also trained in, say, Christian counseling? Or maybe business, information technology, marketing, or media production? We realize that 21st-century congregations have 21st-century needs.

About 300 congregations responded to our survey, and we’re taking note. In fact, the subject of our Higher Learning Commission Quality Initiative is possible expansion of our staff ministry program. We want to keep our existing foundation of ministry training intact, but explore whether we could make room for course-sharing to create minors or credentials in some of these other areas.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of the program’s initial development,” explains Dr. Olson, “was the collaborative effort to bring together nearly all staff ministers to document their roles and identify the knowledge, skills, and traits vital to their work.

This grassroots approach, grounded in real ministry practice, led to a curriculum that truly reflects the heart of staff ministry. Since then, the program has continued to adapt, shaped by the changing needs of congregations. As we review survey data and gather insights from focus groups and interviews, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to strategic revisions to the program and to explore creative, forward-thinking ways to further enhance the program for the future.”

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Admissions

Ministry, Life, and “KnightLife” What are your gifts? What do you love to do? What makes a truly meaningful life? These are just some of the many questions our five admissions counselors discuss with high school students every day. This year they once again visited all 30 WELS high schools to talk and pray with students interested in ministry. And about 750 students—like WLA graduate and newly enrolled Knight Trent Klas (top right) and Michigan Lutheran Seminary seniors (middle right)—came for a Focus on Ministry.

What’s Focus on Ministry? It’s a chance for the Student Ambassadors (pictured left) and admissions counselors to give high schoolers a great taste of “KnightLife.” We’ll let Admissions Counselor Hannah Scharf MLC ’02 explain: “A Focus visit means The Betty with Buddies; Classes, Chap, and Caf; Panel and Polka. Translation: You can enjoy Student Ambassador-led fun at the Betty Kohn Fieldhouse, attend classes, go to Chapel of the Christ to worship your Savior with hundreds of like-minded students, eat dinner and enjoy Late Nite in the cafeteria, listen to a student panel discuss all things MLC, and learn to polka. It’s how we show you what it might be like to be an MLC student. (Note: Polka is optional!)” Bottom right: Hannah is the one with the lanyard in the middle of these Student Ambassadors.

growing

Granting College Credit at High Schools One new recruitment strategy: dual high school/college credit. Next school year, students at Luther Preparatory School and Michigan Lutheran Seminary can get a head start on their MLC education. The instructors of two courses, Modern West at LPS and Elementary Statistics at MLS, are aligning their syllabi and assessments with MLC’s so students can receive both high school and college credit. “This is a first step for us,” says VP for Academics Dr. Jeff Wiechman DMLC ’92. “Other Lutheran high school faculties have also expressed interest in this program, and we’re looking forward to working with them as well. We appreciate this willingness to partner with us and to encourage their students to consider studying for the ministry at MLC.”

growing

Ministry Recruitment Counselors The call process is in motion now. With donor-supplied funds, five people are being called for a brand-new position: ministry recruitment counselor.

President Gurgel explains that we can see these five people as “influencers for the influencers.” Embedded in key geographic locations around our synod, they’ll help parents and church leaders be more intentional about recruiting people—both young and not so young—who have gifts for ministry. The counselors at MLC—as well as Luther Prep, MLS, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary—will continue to focus on the potential ministry candidates themselves. We’re excited about how these new ministry recruitment counselors might make a difference, especially to the thousands of WELS students in public high schools who may know very little about Martin Luther College or who may not have considered gospel ministry as a possibility for their lives.

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grounded

Graduate Studies

20 Years of Masters We’re celebrating 20 years of our Graduate Studies Program! Special thanks go to Professors Emeritus John Isch PhD DMLC ’58 and David Wendler PhD, DMLC ’70 who were integral in establishing the program.

When we were first exploring options back in the 90s, we asked called workers what was important to them. They said, “We want you to focus on teaching as a ministry, of course. But please make it practical, convenient, and affordable too.” Under the leadership of Dr. John Meyer DMLC ’87, those are the keys that still guide us. The result: 280 graduates in 20 years! Right: Our first graduates were Aaron Hartwig MLC ’02, ’08 and Brett Kriese MLC ’96, ’08.

grounded

Why They Choose MLC In 2025 we graduated 17, including Sarah Birsching MLC ’19, ’24 (left).

Sarah researched other colleges and then chose MLC for three reasons: Christian perspective, affordability, and online accessibility—a factor that proved indispensable as she served calls in three different states while completing her coursework. Sarah also loved the small classes and the professors, who clearly cared about their students’ success.

And the practicality of the courses became apparent on day 1: “I was able to immediately take what I’d learned and put it into practice with my students. I feel more confident as a technology teacher and technology director. I can guide both the other teachers and my students in using technology as a powerful tool for learning.” Right: Many grad students balance homework with home life. Here Eric Fillner MLC ’06, ’18 shared the spotlight with his daughter, who graduated from kindergarten the same spring.

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What Are the Needs of the Church?

What programs do we develop? Whatever the church needs. We began with one master’s degree in education (with emphases in instruction, leadership, educational technology, and special education). We then added educational administration (ECE director, principal, and technology director emphases), special education, and theological studies.

But we’re not done yet. Our master’s in special education is now a 4+1 Accelerated Master’s Program that allows undergrads to complete five dual-credit courses (15 credits) before they graduate, leaving just five more courses to finish after they graduate. This saved WLA special ed teacher Kortney Bilitz MLC ’23, ’24 (right) a couple years and several thousand dollars! It’s working so well that we’re exploring other 4+1 / 3+2 options as well.

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God Bless Us in ’24 -’25: President Rich Gurgel spoke the blessing as the WELS College of Ministry opened a new year.

Welcome to MLC! First-years and transfers received a warm welcome—and help unloading their cars—from the resident assistants at Orientation.

2024-2025 FALL Conference Encourages Staff Ministers: Our staff ministry majors joined staff ministers from all over the synod—and even the world—under the theme “Come and Go.” Pictured: Dr. Mark Paustian NWC ’84, WLS ’88 presented “Biblical Encouragement.”

Getting Swole at Summit Both rookies and veterans put their quads and pecs to the test on the new training equipment at Summit Training Hall.

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Wait – Is That a Goat?

Yes! Our Wellness Committee sponsored an outdoor “Stretch & Snuggle” event featuring friendly goats that helped loosen some of those muscle knots.

KnightLights: MLC football finished in a tie for third, thanks to a breakout season by #9 Andrew Esmay (Trinity-Temple TX), who led the NCAA D3 in sacks, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries, and won a spot on the D3Sports.com Second Team All-Region. On the offense, QB #18 Brady Turriff (Grace-Charlotte NC) led the Knights to victory while breaking three MLC passing records.

Making Those WELS Connections: First-years got acquainted quickly at the Orientation mixer. Says senior Hailey Rice (Living Hope-Commerce City CO): “MLC is a place where we all come from different backgrounds for one mission.”

FOCUS ON

Fall

Fall Fest: Snacks, games, balmy temps, and a Reformation photo op made for a great Fall Fest one Sunday afternoon in November.

Homecoming!

The Sprinter Fun Run saw 335 runners on campus and many more across the globe. The weekend also included campus worship, Knights athletic events, lots of student contests, the Family Fun Zone, the Alumni Mixer, and of course the Friday night Talent Show. Homecoming never disappoints!

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Evangelism Day: In dozens of

sectionals, guest speakers like Shawna Mehlberg MLC ’08 inspired our students with their experiences in sharing the gospel of Jesus.

“Tradition!”

Musicals are a tradition on campus, and Fiddler on the Roof is always a favorite! This fall we welcomed back cast members from 1978 and 1999! Pictured: The rabbi of our 1978 show, Stephen Merten DMLC ’80, with this year’s rabbi, Eric Smith (St. Paul-New Ulm MN). (“Tradition”—Are you singing it yet?)

2024-2025 WINTER KnightLights: Our 4x200 meter relay team broke the conference record at the indoor track and field championships, helping take the Knights to second place. The team: Stephen Wietzke (Crown of Life-Pueblo West CO), Matthew Hillmer (St. MatthewOconomowoc WI), Lucas Holtz (St. Paul-Appleton WI), and Arthur Robinson (St. Paul-New Ulm MN).

I Want to Be a Teacher—I Think: Over J-Term, first-year education majors like Hannah Berg (St. John-Sleepy Eye MN) explored the teaching profession and taught a lesson to local students.

Watch this great video for highlights!

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Break a Leg: Lydia Meyer, Tim Manning (both St. Paul-New Ulm MN), and the rest of the cast of Ask Any Girl gave outstanding performances in this, the second of four MLC Forum productions this year.

Thousands and Thousands: We printed

37,000 copies of our Advent devotion book this December. (Compare this to the first book we made as a gift for donors back in 2014: it had a print run of 1,200!) These books contain 25 faculty-written devotions and are also available online and as daily emails for subscribers. We love sharing the Word in this way!

GLORY GRASP IN HIS

ADVENT DEVOTIONS A gift to you from Martin Luther College, the WELS College of Ministry

AdventDevotionsRev.indd 1

Christmas at MLC: The combined choirs of Martin Luther College, the Wind Symphony, and the Hosanna Ringers celebrated the birth of Christ under the theme “And on Earth, Peace.”

10/15/24 12:33 PM

Winter

FOCUS ON KnightLights:

The women’s basketball team punched their ticket to the conference tournament, the first time since 2016-2017. The #4 seed, they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to #1 UW-Superior in overtime.

Despite the loss, the team finished with the most wins since 2010-11. Kudos to team leader Mya Morris (Crosspoint Alliance-Perham MN) and to Emma Dorn (St. John-Redwood Falls MN), who joined the 1,000-Point Club and posted a new MLC rebounding record. And congrats to Coach Dan Gawrisch MLC ’08 (pictured), who was named UMAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year.

Honoring Coach: Our beloved AD Jim Unke, who passed in 2022, was honored

by UMAC Commissioner Corey Burkhardt (pictured with Jim’s family) during a February basketball game. The UMAC named Jim the founding member of the new UMAC Hall of Fame, established the Jim Unke Legacy Award, and committed to regular contributions to the Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship at MLC.

Winter Carnival: Winter in Minnesota? Bring it on! We know how to make the most

of the Minnesota cold. A broomball scrum and some ice skating fun were just two of many, many Winter Carnival activities.

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Record-Breaking Bingo Night Bingo Night 2025 saw the highest student attendance and largest prize totals yet, with 370 students playing, 208 blankets and quilts awarded, and almost $4,000 given out in cash and gift cards. Noah Bickelhaupt (Apostles-Billings MT, pictured) was excited to go pick a prize.

Instruments of Praise We hosted the 2025 WELS National Band Festival—100 students from 21 WELS high schools praising God with their musical gifts. Our own Dr. Miles Wurster (pictured) served as a clinician, and MLC students served as section leader coaches and student ambassadors.

2024-2025 SPRING

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From the Hill to the World:

First Championship in School History

About 140 students volunteered for Daylight trips this year, assisting congregations with outreach, worship, and more. Serving at Beautiful Savior-Fayetteville GA over spring break were Caleb Rimpel (Star of Bethlehem-New Berlin WI), Noah Kelly (Bethany-Saginaw MI), Yi Le Wang (St. Paul-Saginaw MI), and Nicholas Ross (Refuge-Raleigh NC). Because Yi Le comes from a country where worshiping publicly can be dangerous, she considers sharing Christ a precious privilege. “It’s part of my vocation to bring the gospel wherever I go.”

Men’s outdoor track & field clinched their first conference championship in school history, edging out University of Wisconsin-Superior. Leading the way for the Knights was Arthur Robinson (St. Paul-New Ulm MN), who earned Co-Top Scoring Athlete.

Wind Symphony Spring Tour Bright and early the day after graduation, the Wind Symphony hopped on a bus and headed on tour, taking “Dances, Songs, and Legends” to churches and schools in Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Celebrating 175 To commemorate the WELS’ 175th anniversary, the MLC College Choir sang two joint concerts with the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Choir this spring—one at St. John’s-Hillside Milwaukee (pictured) and one at MLC. “Our choir tour concerts often bring me to tears,” said 2025 grad Hope Sulzle (Peace-Cottonwood AZ).

“Every concert is just a little piece of what heaven is going to be like!”

That’s a Red Card An intense game of Capture the Flag gave students an excuse to step away from the books one night in May. Professors Nick Schmoller, Dave Scharf, Jeff Wiechman, and Kayte Gut (pictured) kept them all in line.

FOCUS ON

Spring

Thousands of Kids Bus after bus after bus rolled onto campus for Children’s Theatre again this year! MLC students entertained 4,600 students from 76 schools at our production of Once Upon a Crime: The Trial of Goldilocks. Pictured: Sophia Horn (Reformation-San Diego), Josiah Guenther (St. John-New Ulm MN), and Jenna Weigand (Faith-Fond du Lac WI).

Arbor Day Hey, alumni, you remember Arbor Day, right? For more than a century, students have enjoyed campus and community cleanup in the morning and fun and games in the afternoon! Pictured: Anna Busch (St. Paul-Rapid City SD) and Amelia Thiel (Peace-Boulder CO), two of our group leaders.

KnightLights: After pitching a two-hit complete game shutout, Aidan Berg (David’s Star-Jackson WI) was voted Division III Rookie of the Week (February 24 – March 2) by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA)—a national honor.

23

MLC & WLS

Graduates

ASSIGNED TO YOUR DISTRICT

Anna Busch (Rapid City SD) to Michigan LHS: dorm supervisor, English (one-year assignment)

Emmaline Hagedorn (La Crosse WI) to St. John-Caledonia MN: gr 7-8 (one-year assignment)

Madeline Bourman (Milwaukee) to Carlsbad Christian Academy-Carlsbad CA: gr 1

William Costin (Lincoln NE) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: tutor (reassigned for second year)

MacKenzie Holzbauer (Fond du Lac WI) to Martin Luther College: admissions counselor (reassigned for second year)

Caitlin Broehm (Appleton WI) to GraceSahuarita AZ: ECE, Director Training Program

Kennedy Doble (Ortonville MI) to Grace-Saint Joseph MI: gr 5

Mark Jiang (San Jose CA) to Apostles-San Jose CA: pastor

Alison Foxen (Cedarburg WI) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: tutor (one-year assignment)

Colin Krueger (Appleton WI) to BloomingtonBloomington MN: gr 6, departmentalized science

ARIZONA-CALIFORNIA DISTRICT Jacob Bitter (Milwaukee) to Pan de VidaGarden Grove CA: pastor

Lydia Krenke (Las Vegas) to St. Mark-Citrus Heights CA: gr 3-4 William Mears (Appleton WI) to California LHS: dorm supervisor, PE (one-year assignment) Matthew Rieger (New Ulm MN) to East ForkWhiteriver AZ: gr 5-8, departmentalized math Abigail Schewe (Janesville WI) to RedeemerTucson AZ: K Olivia Siehr (Manitowoc WI) to California LHS: dorm supervisor, math (one-year assignment) Espen Storlie (Lake Mills WI) to St. Mark-Citrus Heights CA: gr 7-8 Joshua Zander (Manitowoc WI) to California LHS: dorm supervisor, social studies, coach (reassigned for second year) Marissa Zaye (Bylas AZ) to Cross of GloryPeoria AZ: 3K

DAKOTA-MONTANA DISTRICT Emma Berg (West Bend WI) to Great Plains LHS: dorm supervisor, music (one-year assignment) Joseph Nash (Wildomar CA) to Great Plains LHS: dorm supervisor, geography, math (reassigned for second year) Ethan Schultz (Waukesha WI) to Lamb of God-Williston ND: pastor

MICHIGAN DISTRICT Lauren Blaine (Hemlock MI) to St. JohnHemlock MI: 4K (one-year assignment)

Thomas Hering 24

DMLC 1980 Bethany OK

Malachi Mortensen (Beaver Dam WI) to Martin Luther College: tutor (one-year assignment)

Grace Gibson (Auburn WA) to Beautiful SaviorGrove City OH: gr 3-5

JonAlden Pedersen (Fond du Lac WI) to Salem-Stillwater MN: associate pastor

Jonathan Gumm (Kekoskee WI) to ImmanuelSault Ste. Marie MI: pastor

Madelyn Plitzuweit (Oconomowoc WI) to Bloomington-Bloomington MN: gr 2, music (assignment made permanent)

Abbee Olsen (Louis Corners WI) to Holy Trinity-Wyoming MI: gr 2-4 Benjamin Roekle (Racine WI) to St. John-Riga MI: pastor Emily Rothfuss (Bay City MI) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: tutor (reassigned for third year) Jeremiah Wallander (Appleton WI) to Michigan Lutheran Seminary: tutor (reassigned for third year)

MINNESOTA DISTRICT Madeline Abel (Fort Atkinson WI) to Good Shepherd-Burnsville MN: gr 5 (reassigned for second year) Aaron Bush (New Berlin WI) to Martin Luther College: tutor (reassigned for third year) Corey Deyo (Sparta WI) to Samuel-Marshall MN: gr 6-8 (one-year assignment) Elijah Dorn (Lake Mills WI) to Minnesota Valley LHS: physics, science Emma Dorn (Redwood Falls MN) to St. PaulNew Ulm MN: gr 3-4 Zachary Flunker (Appleton WI) to Mt. OliveDelano MN: pastor Christopher Gorr (Kenai AK) to Shepherd of the Lakes-Fairmont MN: pastor

Sharon Becker

DMLC 1960 Stewart MN

Alexander Ritter (Berrien Springs MI) to TrinityNicollet MN: gr 5-8 (one-year assignment) Anastasia Scharf (New Ulm MN) to St. PaulArlington MN: K, gr 5-6 (one-year assignment) Grace Seim (Beaver Dam WI) to Trinity-Belle Plaine MN: gr 1-2, music (one-year assignment) Meg Stangl (Watertown WI) to St. Paul-Cannon Falls MN: gr K-3 (one-year assignment) Hope Sulzle (Cottonwood AZ) to Immanuel Grace-Hutchinson MN: gr 3-5, athletics (one-year assignment) Kylie Wolf (Greenville WI) to St. John-Lake City MN: gr 6-8 (one-year assignment)

NEBRASKA DISTRICT Josephine Bieberitz (Eau Claire WI) to Shepherd of the Valley-Westminster CO: 4K (one-year assignment) Lauren Paulsen (Oconomowoc WI) to Lord of Life-Thornton CO: gr 5-6 Joshua Sprain (Surprise AZ) to Zion-Valentine NE: pastor Seth Veers (Cross Plains WI) to Rocky Mountain LHS: instructor, coach John Wenzel (Lena WI) to Beautiful SaviorO’Neill NE / St. Paul-Naper NE / ZionBonesteel SD: pastor

David Sievert

NWC 1960 Watertown WI

Carlyn Waggoner MLC 2015 Rockford IL

Noah Worster (York NE) to Nebraska LHS: dorm supervisor, instructor (reassigned for third year) Daniel Zabel (Lake City MN) to St. PaulPlymouth NE: gr 6-8 (one-year assignment)

Nathan Helwig (Omaha NE) to Divine Savior Academy-Sienna TX: gr 5, Principal Training Program

SOUTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT Kassidy Aguilar (Peoria AZ) to Divine Savior Academy-Delray Beach FL: ECE, Director Training Program

Natalie Hueske (DeWitt NE) to Divine Savior Academy-Sienna TX: gr 6-8 science

NORTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT

Diana Escalona (Miami) to Divine Savior Academy-Doral FL: high school English

Amelia Thiel (Boulder CO) to Abiding Word-Houston: gr 2

Olivia Robinson (New Ulm MN) to Little Stars of Bethlehem-Manassas VA: ECE, Director Training Program

Alexis Kvidt (Watertown WI) to Divine Savior-Doral FL: staff minister (assignment made permanent)

Phillip Valdez (Chula Vista CA) to Abiding Savior-Killeen TX: pastor

Nathaniel Stein (Poynette WI) to ChristClarksville MD: pastor

Noah Kvidt (Newnan GA) to The Divine Savior School-Doral FL: staff minister, assistant teacher

NORTHERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT

Maya Price (Weston WI) to Bay Pines-Seminole FL: gr 3-4

Peter Christie (Waukesha WI) to Mt. OliveSuamico WI: pastor Rachel Huebner (Madison WI) to St. John's Little Lambs-Montello WI: 3K-4K Abigail Kesting (Neosho WI) to First GermanManitowoc WI: K Jenna Koehler (Neenah WI) to St. PaulWinneconne WI: 4K Natalie Luebke (Jackson WI) to St. JohnWrightstown WI: gr 3-5 Hannah Ott (Germantown WI) to Shepherd of the Valley-Menasha WI: ECE, 2-year-olds Caleb Raasch (Stillwater MN) to St. PaulHurley WI / Zion-Mercer WI / Bethany-Bruce Crossing MI: pastor

Adam Rosenbaum (Saint Joseph MI) to Divine Savior Academy-Doral FL: math Noah Satorius (Annandale VA) to NorthdaleTampa FL: associate pastor-Hispanic outreach Meaghan Scannell (Renton WA) to Divine Savior Academy-Delray Beach FL: gr 3 Makena Shobe (Rainbow CA) to New Hope-West Melbourne FL: upper grades Noah Uhlenbrauck (Appleton WI) to St. Paul-Beverly Hills FL: gr 5-6 Kendra Valleau (Maplewood MN) to Divine Savior Academy-Doral FL: gr 3 Christopher Walther (Watertown WI) to Good Shepherd-Deltona FL: pastor

Eric Raasch (Sioux Falls SD) to Christ AlonePrinceton WI: gr 6-8 (one-year assignment)

SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT

Hannah Rassat (South Haven MN) to ChristEagle River WI: gr 1-2

Morgan Behnke (Brillion WI) to Divine Savior Academy-Santa Rita Ranch TX: gr 1 (one-year assignment)

PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISTRICT Margaret Menges (Missouri City TX) to GraceKenai AK: gr 1-2 Emmalee Mindock (Kaukauna WI) to St. Matthew-Spokane WA: gr 1 Lillian Shambeau (West Bend WI) to GracePortland: gr 1-2

Lloyd Schlomer

NWC 1980 Mobridge SD

SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT Joshua Aden (Reedsville WI) to Christ the LordBrookfield WI: gr 6, Principal Training Program Stephanie Affeldt (Germantown WI) to Atonement-Milwaukee: gr 2 Hannah Bain (Mequon WI) to Crown of Life-Hubertus WI: K (one-year assignment) Carolyn Bauer (North Hollywood CA) to Our Savior-Grafton WI: gr 3-4, music (one-year assignment) Meghan Blaine (Hemlock MI) to Kenosha Lutheran Academy-Kenosha WI: gr 1 Jacob Borgwardt (Fond du Lac WI) to Crossroads-Chicago: pastor Kaitlin Butler (West Allis WI) to Star of Bethlehem-New Berlin WI: gr 6, gr 6-8 science (one-year assignment) Matthew Curtis (Palmetto GA) to St. John-Libertyville IL: gr 7-8 Samantha Grass (Milwaukee) to Risen Savior-Milwaukee: gr 6 Lydia Hahm (Plymouth MN) to Kingdom Prep LHS: science

Anna Bilitz (Madison WI) to Divine Savior Academy-Sienna TX: 3K, 4K

Julia Hallman (Watertown WI) to St. LucasMilwaukee: gr 4 (one-year assignment)

Rebekah Cole (Milwaukee) to Divine Savior Academy-Sienna TX: Spanish

Maya Heichelbech (Reedsville WI) to Risen Savior-Milwaukee: gr 8 (one-year assignment)

Kyle Doering (Lake Mills WI) to CalvaryDallas: gr 5-6, vice principal, Principal Training Program

Serina Hintze (Watertown WI) to Zion-South Milwaukee WI: gr 7-8 (assignment made permanent)

Jacqueline Keller

MLC 2015 Thiensville WI

Kevin Cortez

NWC 1990 Franklin WI

Shelley Koelpin

DMLC 1995 Tucson AZ 25

MLC & WLS

Graduates

SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT Sarah Hoffe (Nodine MN) to Wisconsin LHS: Spanish (one-year assignment) Zachary Klement (Greenfield WI) to St. PaulMuskego WI: staff minister Grace LaGalo (Saginaw MI) to BethanyHustisford WI: gr 4-5, athletics (one-year assignment) Corianna Lamb (Grove City OH) to SalemMilwaukee: gr 7, upper-grade English (one-year assignment) Alyssa Lewis (Hartford WI) to St. LucasKewaskum WI: gr K-1, youth choir (one-year assignment) Isaiah Loersch (Onalaska WI) to Star of Bethlehem-New Berlin WI: gr 8, Principal Training Program Ty Marohn (Eau Claire WI) to Illinois LHS: PE, assistant athletic director Jordan Massiah (Pickering, Ontario) to Crown of Life-Hubertus WI: associate pastor Katelyn Mensching (Watertown WI) to Bethlehem-Menomonee Falls WI: gr 5, gr 5-6 English (one-year assignment) Isabel Monday (Freedom WI) to Christ/St. Peter-Milwaukee: gr 6-8 math (one-year assignment) Megan Muske (Appleton WI) to St. MarcusMilwaukee: 4K (reassigned for second year) Sarah Otto (Janesville WI) to St. MarcusMilwaukee: gr 4 (one-year assignment) Grace Pocza (Davison MI) to AtonementMilwaukee: 4K (one-year assignment) Hannah Renner (Rochester MN) to St. PaulEast Troy WI: 4K Kevin Renner (Rochester MN) to St. JohnMilwaukee: staff minister Anna Rixe (Wildomar CA) to Christ/St. PeterMilwaukee: gr 2 (one-year assignment)

Melanie Rathje 26

MLC 2005 Port Huron MI

ASSIGNED TO YOUR DISTRICT

Grace Russell (Beaver Dam WI) to JerusalemMorton Grove IL: gr 5-8 science, math Sophia Scheuerlein (Watertown WI) to SalemMilwaukee: K (reassigned for second year) Elijah Schoof (New Ulm MN) to Risen SaviorMilwaukee: gr 8, Principal Training Program Margaret Sims (Hernando FL) to St. PaulCudahy WI: gr 4 (one-year assignment) Jessica Techlin (Brookfield WI) to Garden Homes-Milwaukee: gr 3 Bethany Valleau (Maplewood MN) to Mt. Calvary-Waukesha WI: gr 8, music (one-year assignment) Sarah Vance (New Ulm MN) to Wisconsin LHS: dorm supervisor, gr 9 English (one-year assignment) Jessica Waege (Tomah WI) to PilgrimMenomonee Falls WI: gr 2 (one-year assignment) Erika Wordell (Rapid City SD) to Risen Savior-Milwaukee: gr 4 (one-year assignment)

WESTERN WISCONSIN DISTRICT Zachary Arndt (Rosemount MN) to Christ/St. John-West Salem WI: gr 5-6 Quinn Bilitz (Lake Mills WI) to First-La Crosse WI: associate pastor Jenna Boggs (Watertown WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year) Ethan Carter (Eau Claire WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment) Joseph Ehlke (Jackson WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment) Brian Friesenegger (Elizabeth CO) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Jordyn Heckendorf (Kewaskum WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year) David Hirsch (Manhattan KS) to St. MarkWatertown WI: gr 4, athletic director Emma Holzen (Clayton NC) to St JohnPardeeville WI: upper grades (one-year assignment) Grace Kieselhorst (Watertown WI) to St. Paul-Lake Mills WI: K Jacob Kieselhorst (Watertown WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment) Nathan Miller (Muskego WI) to Lakeside LHS: social studies, English, coaching Ryan Mitchell (South Haven MI) to ChristusDelavan WI: pastor Brett Schmidt (Lake Mills WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for third year) George Sims (Franklin WI) to St. PeterSchofield WI: gr 7-8 Claire Tomhave (Lake Mills WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year) Andrew Wietzke (Pueblo West CO) to Northland LHS: chemistry, physics Nathaniel Wranovsky (Muskego WI) to Our Savior-Wausau WI: pastor Lilianne Zimpelmann (Manitowoc WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (one-year assignment)

INTERNATIONAL Zachary Satorius (Annandale VA) to World Missions-One Latin America Team David Shang (Toronto, Ontario) to Chinese ministry

Ryan Gurgel (Mequon WI) to Luther Preparatory School: tutor (reassigned for second year)

Thomas Welch

DMLC 1985 Flint MI

Deborah Kraklow

DMLC 1980 Greendale WI

Bill Werth

NWC 1985 St. Peter MN

Full Assignment Lists Additional assignments may have been made since this list went to press.

For the fully updated lists, scan the QR codes.

WLS Assignment List

MLC Assignment List

Peace in the Assignment Process On Call Day, our teacher and staff minister candidates are assigned to their first ministry—a place where their gifts meet the church’s needs. How do they feel about the assignment process? Nervous? Excited? Sure! But mostly they feel at peace.

Looking back, I didn’t know exactly what I needed or wanted to do in ministry. At MLC they do a good job in observing you and meeting with you, taking note of your strengths and weaknesses. So, when it came to Call Day, I didn’t feel nervous. I knew that through MLC and God’s guidance, I’d get to where I needed to be. I tell people that in anything you do, there’s some uncertainty. But at MLC, you can know that people are looking at what you can do and who you are, and they use that in their decisions about where you should serve. I hope prospective students can find reassurance in that. I know I did.

Josiah Klatt MLC ’23 Assigned to Apostles-San Jose CA as staff minister How cool is it that God has each of our futures planned out already for us? I don’t have to apply anywhere, and I don’t have to go on the job hunt.

Instead, I find peace in knowing that wherever God plants me is where I’ll serve him best. I couldn’t be more excited!

Kate Mensching MLC ’25 Assigned to Bethlehem-Menomonee Falls WI as grade 5 teacher and grade 5-6 English teacher I am ecstatic for Call Day. I am confident the Lord is going to place me exactly where he needs me to serve. I look forward to using the gifts and skills he’s blessed me with to benefit him and his kingdom.

Natalie Luebke MLC '25 Assigned to St. John-Wrightstown WI as grade 3-5 teacher

Sara Hoffman

MLC 2010 Aurora CO

Craig Russow

NWC 1990 Clear Lake SD

Mary Fritze

DMLC 1985 Watertown WI

James Marshall

DMLC 1970 Flint MI 27

Updates

FACILITY

Renovations in Centennial & Summit The restrooms/showers have been completely renovated throughout Centennial Hall. And we’re in the midst of the same renos in Summit Hall.

Old Main Entrance – Join Us July 1 Thank you, donors! This year you gave $620,0000—blowing away our goal of $550,000—for the Old Main entrance campaign: “Step by Step: Building Memories and Ministries.”

Now it’s time to start! On July 1 at 4:00 pm, we’ll begin with some ceremonial sledgehammering. We’ll also create a special time capsule, which will include our prayers and

Chapel of the Christ Rehearsal Hall The lower-level rehearsal hall was fully funded this year, and construction is in full swing—much of it by our own skilled carpenters and technicians.

Stay tuned for more details this fall!

Terrance Greening 28

DMLC 1975 Milwaukee

hopes for the students who’ll use this new entrance.

When Old Main was dedicated in 1884, it housed all of campus life: classrooms, dorm rooms, chapel, cafeteria. This new entrance (rendering pictured) will repair the damage of the years, retain the historic aesthetic of the building, and allow us to use it safely for many more generations to come.

Marty’s Place Kitchen, game area, and lots of seating.

Marty’s Place is a new space in the lower level of Centennial Hall—a welcome hangout spot for students.

An extra bonus: The majority of the construction was completed by our own staff.

Library AC The library is getting a new AC system.

Who says libraries aren’t cool?

High Ropes Course Our Low and High Ropes Course puts “Grounded and Growing” into a whole new light! Construction is finished, and the staff is being trained this summer.

We’ll share actions photos this fall!

Marlene Steinhaus

DMLC 1970 New Ulm MN

Steven Springborn

MLC 2010 Cambridge MN

Jennifer Janke

MLC 2005 Modesto CA

Mission Advancement

FOCUS ON

New Scholarships in 2024-2025 We’re so grateful for the scholarships established this school year! If you’d like to assist MLC students by establishing a scholarship, please reach out to us at 507.354.8221. Scan the QR code to learn more.

Congregational Partner Grant Program More than $1.5 million! That’s how much we disbursed to students through the Congregational Partner Grant Program in 2024–2025.

Next year, we’ll disburse even more as we increase MLC’s “match max” from $1,450 to $1,600 per year per student!

And we’ll keep increasing this award by 10% each year through the 2027-2028 school year!

Thank you for your gifts to CPGP on MLC Day and throughout the year! Those gifts are the reason this program can provide such vital financial assistance to our students!

• 316NOW Scholarship • Confessional Language Endowment Fund • Elizabeth Mara Johnson Memorial Scholarship • Kallies Family Scholarship • Rev. J. D. Liggett Endowment Fund • MLECM Preseminary Tuition Assistance Scholarship • Ron & Char (Ulrich) Morrow Endowed Scholarship • Ron & Char (Ulrich) Morrow Annual Scholarship • Online Early Childhood Associate Degree Scholarship • Paulsen Family Science Scholarship • Matt and Amy Pearson Family P.E. Scholarship • Science Academic Scholarship • Spanish Immersion Preseminary Scholarship • Betsy Tester Memorial Scholarship Fund • Vetting - Frisque Student Assistance Scholarship

A Special Way You Can Give to MLC in Summer 2025: Qualified Charitable Distribution from Your IRA

Are you 70.5 years old or better? Are you required to take a distribution from your IRA? If you answered ‘yes’ to either question, you can receive a wonderful tax benefit by making a charitable gift directly from your IRA to MLC! 2025 has been a rocky year in the financial markets. None of us know what these markets will do the rest of the year. Perhaps now is a good time to make that tax-wise charitable gift to MLC! Please talk with your financial advisor to see if a charitable gift from your IRA is right for you.

Kevin Walker

NWC 1995 Omro WI

Emily Rasmussen

MLC 2010 Oak Creek WI

• Peggy Witt Scholarship to Inspire Infant/Toddler Child Development Associates • Peggy Witt Scholarship to Inspire Preschool Child Development Associates

MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary 2024-2025 We thank the Ladies’ Auxiliary for their financial support and so much more!

This year they gave . . .

• $3,000 Scholarships • $3,000 Travel assistance for student teachers • $2,500 Daylight outreach opportunities • $1,000 Promotional sponsorships • $2,000 Preseminary Early Ministry Experience • $1,000 Whiteboards in foreign language classroom • $1,500 Archival storage boxes for MLC Archives • $1,818 MLC athletic branding door wraps • $460 Shelves in ECLC Infant Room • $560 Manikins for CPR training

Annual Ladies’ Auxiliary Day Saturday, October 4, 2025

Interested in learning more?

Please contact us!

Mark Maurice 507.354.8221 / mauricme@mlc-wels.edu Sarah Gieseke 507.354.8221 / gieseksm@mlc-wels.edu WELS Ministry of Christian Giving 800.827.5482 / mcg@wels.net WELS Foundation 800.752.8940 / welsfoundation@wels.net

Norman Burger

NWC 1980 Sleepy Eye MN

Lori Monday

MLC 2000 Houston 29

FOCUS ON

Alumni

By Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Markgraf DMLC ’90

Save the date!

HOMECOMING 2025 IS OCTOBER 10-12!

2025 Reunions

Do You Remember?

June 20-21 DMLC Class of 1965 (New Ulm)

Uh oh! What’s happened here?

Please send your answers to Michelle Markgraf at alumni@mlc-wels.edu.

July 25-27 MLPS Class of 1980 (New Ulm)

Thank you!

September 11-13 DMLHS Class of 1960 (New Ulm) September 17 DMLHS Class of 1956 (New Ulm)

From the Spring 2025 issue: This 1970 photo shows the DMLC College Choir recording a 30-minute concert for broadcast on KEYC-TV. Carl Nolte MLA ’68, DMLC ’73 identified himself as the pianist.

Congratulations to John Nolte DMLHS ’64, DMLC ’68, Dave Niemi DMLC ’81, and David Enter MLA ’68, DMLC ’72 for correctly explaining the picture.

Caleb Klatt 30

MLC 2015 New Hope MN

September 19-21 MLA Classes of 1975 & 1976 (New Ulm) October 17-19 DMLC Class of 1975 (New Ulm) Will your class celebrate a significant milestone in 2026? Contact the Alumni Office! We’d love to help you start planning your reunion! alumni@mlc-wels.edu or 507.233.9135

Martha Simdon

MLC 2000 Fort Atkinson WI

Ryan Hulse

MLC 2005 Belleville IL

Julie Radel

DMLC 1990 Vesta MN

Our 6th grade son, Elijah, was beyond thrilled to get a campus tour from Student Ambassador Jack Pittenger. Elijah ended the day with a new appreciation and excitement for MLC. Thank you to Jack and all the other student ambassadors who are such an important part of sparking interest in our youth.

(From Ben Martens)

“Celebrating Blessings” was the theme of the 2025 MLC Day—our tenth one!

This day of sharing, praying, and giving was established in 2016 by Professor Emeritus Bill Pekrul, and it’s grown bigger and better every year!

My daughter, Vivian, matching her favorite ECE director, Karla Opperman! We are thankful for MLC and the MLC ECLC for training ECE teachers who love children and sharing Jesus with them every day!

(From Monica Quinnett)

We loved receiving photos, videos, prayers, and congratulations from schools, churches, and individuals all over the country!

God bless MLC! From the third graders of St. John’s, Baraboo, Wisconsin.

You Helped Us Meet Our Goal!

Thank you! Your MLC day gifts—and the generous matching gifts from two donors—took us to $150,778, far surpassing our goal of $130,000!

Happy MLC Day from all the staff and students at St. Paul Lutheran School in Tomah, Wisconsin!

(From Kim Pilz)

Jiacheng Liu

MLC 2020 Shanghai China

These gifts help us be the match for the Congregational Partner Grant Program! More than 90% of our students received a congregational grant this year, and we matched those grants up to the max of $2,900.

In total, we distributed more than $1.5 million CPGP funds!

Rebecca Marley

MLC 2020 Midlothian VA

Paul Schweppe

NWC 1970 New London WI

(From Tim & Rachel Kuske)

We are proud of you, Ryan Boggs!

What a blessing MLC has been to you and you to it.

On to the Seminary this fall! Wow! Happy MLC Day. (From John Boggs)

Kristin Steinbrenner MLC 2010 Livonia MI

31

FOCUS ON

Awards

Northwestern College Alumni Society President Fund Grant Recipients 2025 Congrats! These preseminary students received NWC Alumni Society President Fund Grants for Excellence.

Front: Preston Ballentine (Abiding Peace-Simpsonville SC) Pres. Carleton Toppe Grant for GPA and Religion Ben Springstroh (St. Luke-Little Chute WI) Pres. August F. Ernst Grant for Confessional Languages (Latin) Jordan Otto (St. John-St. Paul MN) Pres. Adam Martin Grant for Living Languages (Spanish) David Fenske (Our Savior-Brookings SD) Pres. John A. Braun Grant for English

Johannes Bourman (Mt. Lebanon-Milwaukee) Pres. John A. Braun Grant for Leadership Jason Horn (Reformation-San Diego) Pres. E.E. Kowalke Grant for Biblical Languages (Hebrew) Back: Drew Esmay (Trinity-Temple TX) Pres. E.E. Kowalke Grant for Biblical Languages (Greek) Tim Manning (St. Paul-New Ulm MN) Pres. August F. Ernst Grant for Confessional Languages (German)

2025 Honors Recitalists Congratulations to these students who were chosen to play in the Honors Recital based on their demonstrated excellence in musicianship.

David Spaude 32

MLC 2015 Antigo WI

Annemarie Backus (St. Mark-Watertown WI) piano Ben Foster (Emanuel First-Lansing MI) organ

Sarah Kjenstad

MLC 2020 Aberdeen SD

Thomas Balge (St. Paul-New Ulm MN) Pres. August F. Ernst Grant for Confessional Languages (Latin & German) Matthew Koelpin (Calvary-Dallas) Pres. Robert J. Voss Grant for Student Government Stephen Wietzke (Crown of Life-Pueblo West CO) Pres. Robert J. Voss Grant for Student Life Zach Maedke (Trinity-Coleman WI) Pres. Carleton Toppe Grant for Worship and Music

Joe Panning (St. Paul-Litchfield MN) baritone Joe Panning saxophone (pictured) Emma Pufahl (Emmanuel-Tempe AZ) soprano

Robert Krueger

NWC 1985 Washington NJ

Emma Pufahl and Hope Sulzle (Peace-Cottonwood AZ) pianos Abby Schmitz (St. Paul-New Ulm MN) mezzo-soprano

Sharon Schwartz

DMLC 1965 Wood Lake MN

Special Honors for Knight Athletes Knight athletes earned dozens of spots on the UMAC All-Conference team. For the full list, scan the QR code. Here are a few special honors: Andrew Esmay (Trinity-Temple TX) Defensive Football Player of the Year Adam Loberger (Mt.Olive-Appleton WI) Basketball Rookie of the Year

MLC Senior Achievement Awards 2025 Front: Morgan Behnke (Trinity-Brillion WI) Leading Scholar-Studies in Educational Ministry

Back: Matthew Hillmer (St. Matthew-Oconomowoc WI) UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award

Isabel Monday (St. Peter-Appleton WI) Fine Arts Award

Ryan Boggs (St. Luke-Watertown WI) Via Veritas Vita Award Brooks Scholarship

Joseph Ehlke (Good Shepherd-West Bend WI) Jerome Kruse Knight Award for Athletic Achievement Emma Dorn (St. John-Redwood Falls MN) Jerome Kruse Knight Award for Athletic Achievement UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award

Noah Uhlenbrauck (St. Peter-Appleton WI) Service Award Justus Borgwardt (St. John-New Ulm MN) Leading Scholar-Studies in Pastoral Ministry Student Body President Recognition

Not pictured: Grace Russell (Grace-Waupun WI) Leading Scholar-Studies in Educational Ministry

Philip Strackbein

NWC 1975 Winthrop MN

Joyce Nitschke

DMLC 1965 Wauwatosa WI

Benjamin Pearson (St. Paul-New Ulm MN) Golf Rookie of the Year Arthur Robinson (St. Paul-New Ulm MN, pictured) Co-Top Scoring Athlete at UMAC Outdoor Track & Field Meet MLC Leads UMAC Academically: In fall 2024, MLC led the UMAC with the most student-athletes earning Academic All-Conference honors (104). We also won the team GPA award in four of the eight fall sports: women’s soccer (3.71), men’s cross country (3.59), men’s soccer (3.49), and football (3.36).

(As of mid-May 2025, the winter/spring Academic All-Conference awards had not yet been awarded.)

Jeffrey Schoenherr DMLC 1990 Jefferson WI

Teri Rust

MLC 2005 Salem OR

33

FOCUS ON

Faculty

Faculty Retiring in 2025 Professor Thomas Nass

NWC ’77, WLS ’82 served as a professor of Hebrew at Martin Luther College from its beginning in 1995 and at Northwestern College the previous year (1994-1995). Prior to that, he served as pastor at St. LucasMilwaukee (1992-1994) and at St. Paul-Mankato MN (1984-1992), and as an instructor at Northwestern College (1982-1984).

Tom holds degrees from Northwestern College (BA), Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (MDiv), and the University of Wisconsin (MA-Hebrew).

Tom will leave a significant imprint not only on MLC, but on the worldwide church. He still serves as president of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference, which consists of 34 churches in our fellowship across the globe. He’s served on the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations; the WELS Translation Evaluation Committee, which led the synod’s evaluation of Zondervan’s 2011 New International Version; and the WELS

Translation Liaison Committee, which sends recommendations for translation improvement to Bible publishers. He also writes his own theological works, notably End Times in the People’s Bible Teachings Series (NPH 2011) and Joel in the Concordia Commentary Series (CPH 2023). In 2024, he revised a Hebrew textbook written in 1995 by Northwestern College Professor Paul Eickmann republishing it as Reading Biblical Hebrew, which future pastors studying at MLC will use for years to come.

As a fellow Hebrew professor at MLC, Dr. Mark Paustian NWC ’84, WLS ’88 deeply appreciates Nass’s ministry: “I can hardly think about pastoral training at MLC without thinking of Thomas Nass.

We admire the scholarly mind that burns so brightly in him. He is Lutheran to his core. In his chest beats a passionate Christian heart. These qualities combine in a way that is beyond rare, quite wonderful to behold.

“We’ve grown accustomed to the unparalleled clarity, wisdom, and grace of his preaching. He has long injected the same into countless weighty matters, no less into the hundreds of conversations we’ve enjoyed with the Hebrew Scriptures lying open between.

Celebrating Ministry Anniversaries Vice President Scott Schmudlach DMLC ’85 (40 years)

I’m not alone when I say that Tom has enriched and elevated my life more than I can say.

“Then there’s what his students, his true legacy, have to say. I asked them about the ‘hidden curriculum’: What has Professor Nass been teaching you boys when the subject matter is ostensibly Hebrew grammar? They say the man is thankful for every day he has with Jan. He delights in his children and grandchildren. He exudes serene confidence in Jesus his Savior, whatever should come between now and glory.

“We pray that what comes in between is one blessing after another for this faithful man of God. He will be missed.”

Professor Emeritus Nass and his wife, Janice, are planning to stay in New Ulm. Tom will continue to teach at MLC as a part-time adjunct professor, and he hopes to continue writing and working with inter-church relations.

His last message for MLC students: “I encourage MLC students to pray every day that God will grant you a long ministry in the church. You may find that God will grant your request!”

In Memoriam Dr. John Lawrenz 1943-2024

President Rich Gurgel NWC ’81, WLS ’86 (40 years) Professor Aaron Robinson MLC ’96, WLS ’00 (25 years)

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Dr. Rolland Menk 1940-2024

For full obituaries, go to mlc-wels.edu/ history/professor-obituaries

Professor Bill Pekrul

DMLC ’80 served at Martin Luther College from 2002 to 2025, first as a professor of English and then as director of Public Relations. Prior to his ministry here, he served as an English instructor at Winnebago Lutheran Academy (19942002) and as teacher and principal at Martin Luther-Neenah WI (1980-1994).

Bill holds degrees from Dr. Martin Luther College (BS Ed) and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (MS Ed).

As director of Public Relations, Bill and his student photography teams created a photo gallery with thousands of photos, many of which have graced MLC’s hallways, publications, and social media channels. He established MLC Day, a celebration and giving day that saw its tenth anniversary in 2025. He administered MLC’s Facebook page and facilitated the development of a

Professor Mark Tacke

DMLC ’80 served at Martin Luther College from 2011 to 2025 as a professor of science. Prior to his ministry here, he served as a teacher at Evergreen LHS (1994-2011), Northland LHS (1988-1994), St. Paul-North Hollywood CA (19841986), Emanuel-Flint MI (1980-1984), and Evergreen LHS (1978-1979).

Mark hold degrees from DMLC (BS Ed) and Mankato State University (BS Biology and MS Continuing Studies).

Mark served as math/science division chair at MLC for eight years. He has also served the synod with his conference presentations, including “The Christian and Bioethics,” “Genesis 1 for Poets: Light and Color Workshop,” and many sectionals and workshops that shared hands-on science activities with teachers at every grade level.

new college logo in 2007. He served as advisor to the MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary, a member of the Campus Beautification Committee, and a friendly MLC face at concerts, conventions, and other events across the country.

Rev. Mark Luetzow MLC ’99, WLS ’03, president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary, was Bill’s grade school student in Neenah and remembers clearly the Christian example set by “Mr. Pekrul”: “Whether standing in front of his students or behind the lens of the camera that captured thousands of moments in MLC’s history, service was at the core of Mr. Pekrul’s ministry. As his former grade school student, I had the privilege of learning from him not just from what he taught, but through the example he set every single day. His integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to Christian education provided a model for ministry that subtly impacted many in their own path to ministry, including me. Now, as a colleague in WELS ministerial education, I’ve appreciated even more the faithful

Dr. Jeff Wiechman DMLC ’92, vice president for academics, who visits classrooms to provide instructional leadership, says he has always enjoyed visiting Mark’s classroom. “Professor Tacke is a master teacher, and his mastery took the form of studentdirected learning. In his classroom he was by no means the fabled ‘sage on the stage’ but instead embodied fully the idea of a ‘guide on the side.’

“Professor Tacke used a 5E instructional method to the advantage of his students, and they recognize it. His science lessons sought to engage students by providing them opportunities to explore concepts, explain them to each other, elaborate on them as variables change, and then evaluate their findings. All of this increased and improved the students’ ability to think critically and at higher levels. As I read Professor Tacke’s student reviews, they glowed with statements like this: ‘I came into this class not liking science, but I left it with a

service and servant leadership he brought to every role he held.

“Mr. Pekrul led with humility, always pointing to Christ, and always finding ways to uplift those around him.

His love for MLC was evident in every conversation, every word of encouragement, and every project he poured his heart into.

“Thank you, Mr. Pekrul, for being my teacher, my colleague in ministerial education, and my friend. I pray that you find rest and enjoyment in your retirement with your bride, Mrs. Pekrul, and you continue to proclaim the gospel of our Savior Jesus in everything you do.

Pass it on.”

Professor Emeritus Pekrul and his wife, Peggy, plan to stay in New Ulm where he hopes to connect even more closely with his family, especially their grandchildren.

His last message for MLC students: “Dedicate yourself to lifelong learning focused on Philippians 3:10: ‘I want to know Christ.’”

greater appreciation, joy, and realization that maybe science is not so bad.’

“I’m thankful for Professor Mark Tacke, his teaching methods, his love for MLC students, and the modeling he did for students who will one day lead others in their congregations, schools, and communities. It has been an honor to call him a colleague, and I know I join the entire MLC family in wishing him and Rachel God’s richest blessings in retirement.”

Professor Emeritus Tacke and his wife, Rachel, are moving back to their home in Auburn WA, where they lived for 17 years and raised their family while Mark taught at Evergreen LHS. His last message for MLC students: “If I could leave MLC students with one last message, it would be Hebrews 12:2: ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith’ (NIV 1984). I always end each class each semester with this passage.”

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God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage Watch as members of the campus family gather for an impromptu chorale after morning chapel on MLC Day—unrehearsed and in four-part harmony, of course. The music for this signature hymn was composed by DMLC’s first music professor, Fritz Reuter.