MLC_InFocus_WINTER25-26 FINAL

A New Day for MLC Knights

WINTER 2025-2026

WINTER 2025-2026 FROM OUR PRESIDENT MLC InFocus Staff WRITER/EDITOR Laurie Gauger DMLC ’87 COPY EDITOR/PROOFREADER Heidi Schoof DMLC ’86 CONTRIBUTORS Valerie Fischer Sarah Gieseke DMLC ’82 Adam Hussman Michelle Markgraf DMLC ’90 Haley Wels MLC ’16 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. Southpaw Design Co. MLC PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM Valerie Fischer, Paige Kohlhoff ’27, Sydney Buch ’28, Bailey Schwab ’28, Daniel Reinke ’28, Jessica Laridaen ’28, Maeva Lopez Vicente ’29, Mariah Schultz ’28 College Administration PRESIDENT Rich Gurgel NWC ’81, WLS ’86 VP for ACADEMICS Jeffery Wiechman DMLC ’92 VP for ADMINISTRATION Scott Schmudlach DMLC ’85 VP for MISSION ADVANCEMENT Mark Maurice VP for STUDENT LIFE Jeffrey Schone NWC ’83, WLS ’87

You: Knighted for Ministry!

By President Rich Gurgel NWC ’81, WLS ’86 Adapted from an MLC morning chapel devotion, November 19, 2025

This world is a dangerous place for believers. Not only do we have to deal with our own and others’ sins, but our true enemies can’t even be seen. They’re the powerful forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Led by Satan, they want to destroy every shred of true faith, hope, and genuine love.

So why would God leave us here as soldiers behind enemy lines?

It’s simple. He’s not yet gathered all the elect, those he’s known by name from eternity. And we are the ones he’s sending on this divine rescue mission. We are his army.

For this task—this privilege!—Paul urges us to “Put on the full armor of God.” As a Roman prisoner, Paul may have had a fully armed and armored Roman soldier guarding him at the very moment he wrote. So he painted for us the armor of God, piece by piece: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation—all these elements to protect us from the evil one.

And God gave us an offensive weapon as well: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. No, this is not permission to take up earthly weapons and try to seize the power of government.

No, our enemy is not of this world! When we use the sword of the Spirit—the Word!—we are not trying to destroy other human beings. We’re trying to win them—to win them to the same repentance and faith we’ve been given.

That’s why we’re here in this chapel and on this campus. God is equipping you, MLC students, with the Spirit’s sword day after day to arm you as soldiers of the cross—knights in God’s army.

One day God may very well call you to be leaders in his army: pastors, staff ministers, teachers. Then you’ll truly be “Knighted for Ministry”! Amen.

MLC InFocus is published by Martin Luther College Marketing and Communications 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.

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President Rich Gurgel

Listen to the full “Knighted for Ministry” devotion.

On Our Cover: Ella Bergemann (Good Shepherd-Downers Grove IL) sports MLC’s new logo.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. FROM EPHESIANS 6:10-17

President Gurgel acknowledges the strong foundation built by others who served under varying institutional names and logos since the inception of WELS ministerial education.

“With gratitude for our heritage, we move forward united in our purpose to support and equip students studying for public ministry. Then, having prayed and worked and told our story faithfully, we will watch with confidence as God raises up the next generation of called workers, equipped with the full armor of God, Knighted for ministry.”

Turn the page to learn all about our new “Knighted for Ministry” brand!

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A New Day for MLC Knights Martin Luther College recently unveiled a new brand platform that helps tell the story of the college’s people, programs, and—most important—its purpose.

You: Knighted for Ministry is more than just a tagline to accompany the new logo. It speaks directly to prospective students and points to the purpose of an MLC education.

“Our goal is to guide prospective students—our future Knights—to understand the distinctive, Spirit-led calling of public ministry and the unique role that MLC plays in training future called workers for ministry,” says President Rich Gurgel.

“In this noisy, busy world full of choices, our brand needs to break through, stand apart, and tell the powerful, beautiful stories of those who train at MLC and then serve in public ministry.”

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Designed with Purpose.

MLC’s new logo is practical but far from simple.

It signifies what the college stands for by merging several key aspects of its identity into one unified mark.

Thank You! Those who developed our new brand: • Blueprint Schools (Appleton WI) • Southpaw Design Company (Greenville WI) The interim co-directors of our Marketing and Communications Office as we made the transition to the new brand: • Angie Molkentin (Morning Star-Jackson WI) • Beth Scharf MLC ’01

A Christ-Centered Mission The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), is central to everything we do.

The donors whose generous gift funded the development and implementation of the new brand: • Dan and Lonnie Schmidt (St. Paul-Lake Mills WI)

And Welcome!

Knights Prepared for Ministry The logo intentionally evokes a knight’s armor, specifically the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. MLC Knights take up this armor (Ephesians 6:17) and go forward into the world, prepared for gospel ministry.

We’re excited to welcome the new director of our Marketing and Communications Office, who will lead us in sharing the mission of MLC, including implementation of the new brand: • Greta Fennell (St. Peter-St. Peter MN)

A Family of Faith The logo reminds many people of a heart, signifying our love for Christ and for each other. Others are reminded of the Chapel of the Christ—where we worship together, prepare together, and grow stronger together.

“When the new logo was revealed . . . it sparked a new excitement in every student—something we don’t always see on a random Wednesday. The entire campus was buzzing with discussion and just overall excitement for ministry and what the future holds.”

Hannah Christensen MLC ’28 (St. Paul-St. James MN, pictured)

Learn more about the intentions behind the logo.

See more videos and information on our brand landing page.

“I used to think that the MLC Knights were the students who participated in sports. This tells me that I’m a Knight too.”

Tianna Rivera MLC ’26 (Messiah-South Windsor CT)

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BIG-CITY MINISTRY

Knighted for Ministry

The alumni photos at the bottom of the pages are from anniversary classes of MLC, NWC, and DMLC. Thank you to Copy Editor Heidi Schoof DMLC ’86, who provided the random selection of featured alumni.

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From Small Town to Global City Joshua Koelpin MLC ’19, WLS ’23 remembers sitting at an MLC Evangelism Day in spring 2016, when he was a first-year student at MLC, listening to Pastor Geoff Cortright MLC ’02, WLS ’08 talk about his missionary work in Vancouver.

“I’d love to be in a global city someday,” he thought to himself.

Little did he know that eight years later, he’d be planting a church in Boston. It’s quite a leap for this native of New Ulm, Minnesota, a quiet little college town of 14,000, to suddenly find himself serving a metropolitan area packed with 54 colleges and 5 million people.

“I think my wife, Katelyn, and I experienced just about every feeling,” Josh said, recalling Assignment Day at the seminary, “from happy and blessed to scared and overwhelmed. It’s a humbling experience. The Lord, through his church, has called me? Most of my life had been spent in a small town, and this is the city.”

The morning after his ordination at Fenway Community Center, outside Fenway Park, he turned to Katelyn and said, “What are we doing here?”

Being Your Authentic Self: Sunday morning church isn’t really part of the culture in Boston, and confessional Lutheranism is almost completely unknown. “Sometimes I joke that there are more confessional Lutherans in Lusaka, Zambia, than there are in Boston, Massachusetts,” Josh says. “But that makes this an ideal place to do mission work—4.8 million people who need to hear the gospel!”

That reality shapes his approach. He can’t go door-to-door introducing himself, so he meets people in organic ways, leaning into the natural rhythms of Boston life—and his own interests. “You simply live your life,” he says, “and be your authentic self. Being yourself means, first, that you know you’re a justified child of God. And then it also means that you’re someone who likes to play tennis or coach soccer or whatever.”

In Boston, that’s just what Josh does. He plays tennis at the Tennis Club, coaches youth soccer, attends lectures at Harvard and MIT, plays in a basketball league, goes to an occasional Red Sox game, and grabs coffee at the popular local shops.

Karen Peltz DMLC 1971 Belle Plaine MN

Floyd Brand NWC 1966 Metamora OH

Josh and his wife, Katelyn, and their little girl, Tilly, have an apartment in Somerville, a Boston suburb of 80,000, named the densest city in all of New England.

“As I sit at the desk at the Tennis Club, for example,” he explains, “someone will ask, ‘What do you do when you’re not here?’ and I’ll say, ‘I’m a pastor.’ And the conversation goes from there.”

Sometimes his words will be the start of a deep conversation— and then many deep conversations. Other times they’ll be met with indifference. It doesn’t matter. He’s just being his authentic self: a child of God, a Lutheran pastor.

“So much of ministry is being who you are. Relational ministry is so important. Spend time with people, do things you enjoy, do things they enjoy, share Jesus when you can. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven and that the Holy Spirit will do his work.”

Joyce Lohmiller DMLC 1976 Henry SD

Mishaal Al-Eisa MLC 2011 Grandville MI 7

Learning the Rhythms of City Ministry: Since Boston/ Cambridge is a global city, Josh has gospel conversations with immigrants and doctors, students and millionaires.

Each encounter can become a little mission field.

For instance, he met a computer science professor from MIT playing tennis. They struck up a friendship, and now they play tennis together every week. The professor, who’s Jewish, is amazed that Josh knows Hebrew and that he attended college for eight years before ordination. (“I didn’t know you had to have so much school to be a minister,” he said.)

He regularly asks Josh what he’s preaching and especially enjoys talking about the Old Testament readings. Where will it lead? Josh isn’t sure, but he’s grateful to be having the conversations.

Josh also instructed and baptized the girlfriend—now wife—of a WELS gentleman employed in the tech industry. They later moved to Ireland and then to Michigan. “So, a little church in Massachusetts has now had an impact in three different places,” Josh says.

“One of the reasons we’re in the city is to reach populations that WELS has historically had hard times reaching. In the city, those populations are in front of us all the time.”

Reaching people isn’t a quick process. “Sharing the gospel is like riding a snail,” he says. “It takes persistence and time.”

At his first Easter, seven months into his ministry, four people attended. His second Easter service—last April—was attended by 30 people from five different people groups: Chinese, Korean, Azerbaijani, African-American, and white.

warehouse off of Massachusetts Avenue, between Harvard and MIT, near the famous nightclub, The Middle East. It’s a commonly known and heavily trafficked thoroughfare—a great place for a new church.

“I sometimes hear from people that it must be daunting to start a church in the city. But you have the tools to do it.

The Word works.”

They call themselves “Harbor Lutheran”—for Boston Harbor, of course, and also because of the comfort they find in this passage: “He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!” (Psalm 107:29-30, NLT)

Pastor Josh Koelpin

Since they began holding services, about 100 different people have attended. Numbers aren’t the goal, but they do tell a story of quiet, steady, Spirit-generated growth.

Finding Safe Harbor: Recently they’ve taken a big step and rented their own space. This new congregation meets in an old

Alanna Preuss MLC 2006 Redwood Falls MN 8

Harbor Lutheran meets in an old warehouse in a heavily trafficked area of Boston. Right now, Pastor Josh’s lectern is a music stand (see photo on page 6.) “As we start doing ministry out of this new space,” he says, “I just pray for opportunities to share Jesus with those in our community, and I ask that we would glorify God as we begin our task.”

Edward Pinchoff NWC 1961 Monroe MI

That name fits Josh’s journey too. If you’d told 18-year-old Josh at his first Evangelism Day in 2016 that someday he’d leave New Ulm and settle in Boston, amid 5 million people of different nationalities, experiences, and life goals—if you’d told him he’d find a safe harbor there—he might not have believed you.

But that’s the adventure of ministry. God may ask you to do something you’d never imagine.

Lydia Bitter MLC 2021 Bemidji MN

Thomas Mellon DMLC 1971 West Allis WI

“I sometimes hear from people that it must be daunting to start a church in the city,” he says. “It has its moments, sure . . . but you have the tools to do it. The Word works. I think of Isaiah 55 a lot—the whole chapter, but mainly 55:11: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’”

Evangelism Day: Last November, Josh spoke at MLC’s Evangelism Day himself, exploring the day’s theme “That We Might Save Some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). He recalled the first Evangelism Day he’d attended—10 years ago—and reflected on where God has brought him.

BIG-CITY MINISTRY

Authenticity List Pastor Josh Koelpin presented this list to MLC students preparing to be Knighted for ministry.

Be yourself.

Get off your phone.

Be relational, not confrontational.

Get involved in your community.

“If your community offers Buttered Corn Days, then go to Buttered Corn Days.”

Don’t see community involvement as a ruse to trick people into having conversations about Jesus.

“I coach soccer because I like to coach soccer. If it looks like I’m doing this just to grow my church, people will sense that.”

Josh Koelpin remembers his first Evangelism Day at MLC in 2016. Ten years later, he spoke at Evangelism Day 2025, telling college students about planting a church in a global city.

Remember: There aren’t office pastors and people pastors.

There are just pastors.

To those college students listening to him at Evangelism Day, he said, “Don’t ever say, ‘I grew up in a small town so I can’t go be a pastor in a big city.’ You can—because you know who you are in Christ. You just have to be your authentic self.

Realize that the answer to the question, “Who are my neighbors?” is often your actual neighbors, the people who live on your street.

“And you can cultivate this authenticity here at MLC. You’re a Knight! Study the Word and do the things you like to do.”

Naomi Grebe MLC 2001 North Mankato MN

James Hemmelman MLC 2016 Winona MN

Colleen Leisten DMLC 1976 Fond du Lac WI

Gregory Lyon MLC 2006 Temecula CA 9

G LO B A L M I N I S T RY

Knighted for Ministry Mark Kolander NWC 1981 Montello WI 10

Emily Heidtke MLC 2011 New Ulm MN

Philip Birner NWC 1976 Burton MI

Katherine Pelischek MLC 2001 Fort Atkinson WI

The Wild, Unpredictable Adventure of Ministry Abroad

By Emily Rider MLC ’18 “Here am I—send me.” We’ve heard this verse many times.

Maybe we’ve even prayed it. But don’t we often add a little clause at the end of the verse? “Here am I—send me . . . as long as it’s close to home” or “Here am I—send me . . . as long as it’s a place I feel comfortable and respected.”

I’ve been guilty of that, thinking I know best where I can most effectively serve the Lord. Looking back, I never could’ve imagined where God would send me. In fact, if God had answered my prayers for my life in the way I’d wanted, I would’ve missed out on so much joy and so many adventures.

Called Abroad: Before my husband, Jesse MLC ’18, and I moved abroad, neither of us would’ve said we’d be the right people for the job. Jesse had spent his whole life in a town of about 800 people, and I only knew ministry in a WELS church or classroom. Now we find ourselves in a Southeast Asian city of over 12 million people, doing ministry in a culture drastically different from the one we grew up in.

Surely, there’d be people better suited for this mission work!

Yet God put people in our paths and experiences in our lives that ultimately led us to serve overseas with Friends Network.

And he showed us it didn’t matter one bit if we were the right people for the job—because he’d be with us through it all.

Depending on Jesus: My good friend Sophie knows that

After many years of learning and overcoming obstacles, Sophie asked to be baptized.

And when we pray together, Sophie overflows with thankfulness, saying, “It’s all because of you, Lord,” after each point. I may be teaching her Bible stories, but she’s teaching me what a treasure our salvation really is.

Navigating the Differences: Ministry is a long, joyful learning experience—especially cross-cultural ministry.

But after hearing the love of Jesus time and time again, she finally decided to be baptized. Since that day, she’s said, “I still have all the same problems I did before, but somehow a new happiness.”

For example, in the US, talking to an unbeliever about creation is often a sticking point. Before we had a Bible study with our Southeast Asian friends, we were prepared for this—or so we thought. We had a whole lesson about creation with anticipated questions and answers. You can imagine our surprise when, after reading the story of creation, our friends nodded their heads, said it made sense, and asked no questions. The idea of an almighty Creator aligns more with their culture than evolution does.

Left: Emily Rider is a missionary with the Friends Network.

She’s so grateful for her friend “Sophie,” and Sophie is grateful that Emily shared Jesus with her.

Other times, things that make sense within our culture become sticking points for our friends here. In most Western cultures, it makes sense that our sins deserve consequences, and an eternity in hell is something to be feared. My friend Trang sees

Jesus is with her too. She first heard about Jesus over six years ago, and she was just baptized last April. It wasn’t an easy road for her. She faced her own inner struggles, along with a family that didn’t approve of her studying the Bible.

Cory Olson MLC 2006 Ames IA

Lynnette Saatkamp MLC 1996 Palm Harbor FL

Stephen Apt MLC 2011 Crete IL

Montara Hamilton MLC 2021 St. John’s, Antigua 11

it differently. She says she can believe she’s sinful, but she’s focused on being a good person for now to make her family proud. She’d rather be in hell with her family than in heaven by herself.

Navigating the differences is part of the adventure, and through all of it, God is working both to strengthen our faith as evangelists and to plant the seed of faith in our friends. Some days, we get to hear our friends pray, “Thank you for giving me the inner peace I’ve been searching for my whole life.” Other days we face discomfort, frustration, and rejection. But it’s all part of the adventure.

It’s comforting and freeing to know that God can and does work through everything, even if it looks different from conventional ministry.

Focusing on the Heart of Ministry: To those of you considering the public ministry, I encourage you to focus on the heart of it: sharing the gospel. It starts where you are right now, and then expands outward. The person next to you needs to know the love of Jesus, and so does the one on the other side of the world.

Jesse (front right) took this selfie of their group at a game night.

Missionaries like Jesse and Emily travel a lot, sometimes for business—like renewing their visas—and sometimes for fun. Here they are with their friends Sophie and John.

Being You: Stephen, the Friends Network mission counselor, told us to just do what we love here and ask God to open doors

“Ministry isn’t a box you have to fit in. . . . It could be an adventure you can hardly imagine now.”

Emily Rider

to share the gospel through those gifts and passions. Jesse is involved in a local gym, and several friends have come to our events and Bible studies through that. I love coffee and have met some friends at local coffee shops. Our Friends Network team uses sports, game nights, picnics in the park, English clubs, and more to build connections.

Thomas Neuman DMLC 1981 Shelby MI 12

Janet Arndt MLC 2006 Watertown SD

All people are searching for community, meaning, and belonging. So many are searching for something they don’t yet know is found only through Jesus. And there’s no greater joy in ministry, or in life, than seeing someone you love come to know their Savior.

Ministry isn’t a box you have to fit in. It doesn’t have to look like the pulpit or classroom you’re envisioning. Your ministry could be an adventure you can hardly imagine now.

Even if you don’t think you could be a pastor, teacher, or staff minister, trust the process! You’ll get great training at MLC and the seminary—and then you’ll learn more along the way. God will equip you.

A Wild, Unpredictable Adventure: Whether you’re in an urban classroom, a rural congregation, or another country entirely, ministry is a wild, unpredictable adventure. Just like any good adventure, some days are the best of your life, and some days are just a struggle.

Matthew Spoerl MLC 2021 Green Bay WI

Cynthia Bame DMLC 1986 Benton Harbor MI

Jesse and I aren’t sure if we’ll be overseas for just another year or for the rest of our lives, but when we’re called, we pray God will embolden us to go.

Whether it’s back to the classroom or on to another country, we know God has another adventure waiting around the corner for us.

G LO B A L M I N I S T RY

So next time you pray, “Here am I—send me,” leave it at that. Pray it boldly and confidently. Pray it with certainty that the One who calls you to go already knows where you’ll end up. He goes before you, and he goes with you on the adventure.

Learn more about the Riders.

Right: Emily and her friend Trang wanted to remember this beautiful coffee shop. They often meet for coffee and conversation about family, school, daily life—and Jesus.

Below: Some of the Friends Network team celebrated with Sophie at her baptism.

Joshua Wong MLC 2021 New Ulm MN

Anna Smith MLC 1996 Fond du Lac WI

Roger Klockziem DMLC 1966 Saginaw MI

Elizabeth Sievert DMLC 1991 Janesville WI 13

TEAC HER S

Knighted for Ministry Rachel Olson MLC 2001 Royal Oak MI 14

Paul Schroeder NWC 1991 Oconomowoc WI

Carolyn Schmidt DMLC 1966 St. Louis MO

Rodney Rixe NWC 1986 Graceville MN

A New Path to Knighthood “I could be a teacher!”

After years of working as an assistant teacher and substitute teacher at Divine Savior Academy–Santa Rita Ranch, Texas, Terri Kulick realized she could turn her love for God and these DSA students into a teaching career—with help from Martin Luther College’s APPLE program.

Terri’s career didn’t start in education. She was a leasing agent at an apartment complex and then a stay-at-home mom. Her first steps into the teaching world were in public school special ed classrooms.

Then, in 2018, she began a new chapter—a life-changing one!—working as a first-grade educational assistant at Divine Savior Academy. Once there, it didn’t take long for her to realize: “I love being with the kids. I love sharing God with them. I want to teach!”

When Terri’s pastor learned about MLC’s new APPLE program—Alternative Pathway to Professional Licensure

Eligibility—he pointed Terri to it immediately. APPLE gives returning adult learners a pathway to an elementary teaching ministry degree without requiring them to leave their jobs, which are often in WELS schools.

For Terri, it’s a perfect fit. She’s already completed her theology courses—including her favorites on doctrine. “We got to dig so deep into the Bible,” she says. “It’s been mind-blowing. I love it.”

She’s now working on her education coursework. Previous college “gen ed” credits transferred in, and she’ll apply her teaching experience—which includes supporting nearly every grade level; helping coach volleyball, soccer, and dance; and filling a full-time substitute teaching role—to meet Early Field Experience requirements.

Best of all, when it’s time to do her required student teaching, she won’t need to leave her current position.

“I can do it all while staying right here at DSA, the school I love,” Terri says. “MLC’s APPLE program is making it possible.”

APPLE: Alternative Pathway to Professional Licensure Eligibility

You may wonder: Will my other college credits be accepted? What does a typical course look like?

What if I’m new to online learning? Find answers to these questions and more in our FAQ.

MLC is excited to offer this new pathway for aspiring teachers to be “Knighted for Ministry”! The Alternative Pathway to Professional Licensure Eligibility (APPLE) is designed for returning adult learners who want to serve in the WELS public ministry as elementary school teachers.

Ready to explore whether APPLE is right for you?

Complete the interest survey, and our team will contact you to discuss how this program can help you reach your goal. Or reach out to Dr. Nichole LaGrow, director of Nontraditional Education, at lagrowna@mlc-wels.edu.

• 100% Online: Finish your degree while staying in your own home, community, and job.

• Competency-based: Build on what you already know and focus on the knowledge and skills you still need.

• Learner-centered: Follow a personalized pathway shaped by your background, experience, and schedule.

• Flexibly-paced: Study when it works for you—whether in small daily doses or longer weekly sessions.

• Faculty-guided: Benefit from one-on-one mentoring and support every step of the way.

Beth Raasch DMLC 1986 Goodhue MN

Joshua Schmidt MLC 2001 Winthrop MN

Amy Templin DMLC 1981 Glencoe MN

Ron Pile MLC 2016 St. John’s, Antigua 15

A M B AS S A D O RS

Knighted for Ministry Our Student Ambassadors aren’t just pursuing their own path into gospel ministry—they’re helping future Knights find theirs. As part of our Admissions Team, they connect with high school students who are sorting through the same swirl of feelings they once had: excitement, uncertainty, and the big question of what to do with their lives. We asked a few of them to share a snapshot of their journey to MLC. Take a look—and thank God with us for these young people being Knighted for ministry, preparing to serve as pastors, teachers, and staff ministers in churches and schools like yours.

David Miller NWC 1971 Phoenix AZ 16

Tarah Steinbrenner MLC 2016 Boise ID

Clinton Kreuziger MLC 2011 Glendale WI

Laura Arnold DMLC 1991 Bay City MI

Pursuing the Path

Noelle Berg

Olivia Klabunde

Myah Loberger

Hailey Rice

Wisconsin LHS

Redwood Valley HS-MN

Fox Valley LHS

Rocky Mountain LHS

Something that tipped me to MLC was my opportunity to receive a call. Sitting in the gym at the Call Service, surrounded by my future colleagues and putting my trust in the Lord, is something I wouldn’t get anywhere else.

I was looking at nursing schools, but once I did my campus tour at MLC, I felt at home. The biggest thing was the Christ-centered education. I got a good education at my public high school, but there’s something about being surrounded by people who love Jesus and believe in the same things you do.

I considered accounting or marketing, but ultimately I wanted a job that allowed me to make a difference in someone else’s life, and what better way to do that than sharing the good news of Jesus with little faces every single day! I also knew MLC would help me grow in my faith through chapels, small group devotions, and Christ being the center of every class.

I looked at colleges in Colorado and even a different Lutheran college for teaching. But I knew MLC was where I’d be best supported. The professors know exactly what it’s like to be a teacher, and they’re committed to preparing me to be the best servant and teacher of God’s people.

Luke Latzke

Ella Bergemann

Jack Pittenger

Illinois LHS

Luther Prep

Malachi Hulse

I was considering Purdue for electrical engineering, then realized that MLC is the most direct way I can use the gifts God has given me to tell others about Jesus.

I seriously considered becoming a counselor, but decided on MLC because as a teacher, I can form a personal relationship with students who may not otherwise receive help and share the life-changing hope of the gospel with them.

Another Lutheran college was always on my list, but what made me choose MLC was the for-sure job waiting for me after college, God willing, and knowing I can do what I’ve always wanted to do.

I was dead set on becoming an EMT and a firefighter. But MLC’s culture, the people, and the Christ-centered community were something that God would not let me ignore or forget.

Justin Dauck MLC 2006 Algoma WI

Judith Siegler DMLC 1961 Boyd MN

Manitowoc LHS

Caleb Solofra MLC 2016 Laveen AZ

Evergreen LHS

Ellen Klankowski DMLC 1966 Caledonia MN 17

G R A D U AT E S T U D I E S

Dr. John Meyer celebrates with two 2018 master’s grads from Antigua, Joycelyn Christmas-John and Joycelyn Williams Green. Although grads in other online programs are usually content to receive their diplomas in the mail, almost all MLC graduates travel to New Ulm to “walk” and receive their diplomas in person.

20 Years of MLC Graduate Studies

By Sarah Gieseke DMLC ’82 Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was the Graduate Studies program at MLC. 2025 marks its 20th anniversary, but its story goes back much further.

It started with a vision. What if MLC could offer courses that enriched the knowledge set our teachers had upon graduation?

And what if those courses formed the foundation for a master’s program? And what if that program focused on teaching not just as a career, but as gospel ministry?

These were questions Dr. John Isch DMLC ’58 and Dr. David Wendler DMLC ’70 asked as they sought to build something that could serve WELS called workers in ways that a degree from a public college could not.

“We needed a program that went beyond what students could learn in four years,” Isch said. “And it needed to have a WELS

2005

Graduate Studies 2005 -2 0 2 5

Dave Wendler added, “One is never done learning how to teach, and we believed that MLC should be the vehicle to provide that continuing education.”

Both men spent years researching, documenting, and ultimately creating a program they could submit to the Higher Learning Commission in 2003. Wendler remembers, “We asked permission to offer one that would be totally online—a bold request at the time.” The full Master of Science in Education program was implemented in spring 2005.

Twenty years later, the core promises of Graduate Studies at MLC remain the same: “Practical, convenient, affordable, and—above all—ministry-focused.” The programs focus on

2008

MS-Education program begins with four emphases:

First two MS-Education graduates

• Leadership • Instruction • Special Ed • Ed Tech

Dr. David Wendler serves as director 2008-2010

Dr. John Isch serves as director 2005-2008 18

doctrinal foundation. There was nothing like that anywhere, so we built it.”

2010 Dr. John Meyer serves as director 2010-present

2014 MS-Educational Administration program begins with two emphases: • Principal • Early Childhood Director

pride. Instead, when Isch and Wendler talk about what MLC has built, one only hears humble gratitude for the blessings the Lord has bestowed on everyone’s efforts. With 292 graduates in 20 years and 132 students currently enrolled in Graduate Studies, we pray that God will continue to bless the program so that it stands well into the future.

Dr. Dave Wendler served at MLC from 1980 to 2014, as both education professor and vice president for academics. He shepherded the college through many innovations, including accreditation, the building of our Early Childhood Learning Center, and the addition of a graduate program.

Dr. John Isch always valued professional education.

He earned his master’s degree in education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln while teaching at the elementary level and his doctorate at the University of Minnesota after accepting the call to DMLC in 1970. When some challenged Dr. Isch about his pursuit of higher education—as if it were unnecessary for ministry—he asserted that it was essential because the theories and methods of education were always changing.

From that insight grew Dr. Isch’s passion to offer graduate studies at MLC, a goal he and Dr. Wendler worked together to achieve.

skill sets that benefit both teachers and the schools they serve—whatever the teacher’s role happens to be. They’re designed to take into account family commitments, busy teaching schedules, and financial constraints. And every class is taught from a confessional Lutheran perspective.

Dr. John Meyer DMLC ’87, Graduate Studies director since 2010, summarizes it: “MLC provides high-quality programs that give our WELS teachers what they need for ministry in a manner that respects their busy lives.”

“There are some individuals whose work truly influenced the trajectory of MLC,” Dr. Wendler said.

“Dr. John Isch is one of those people.”

Many would include Dr. David Wendler in that category as well.

Two recent graduates echo those thoughts: • “Taking classes with students who are like-minded in our Christian faith was a big reason why I chose MLC for my master’s education.” Sarah Birsching MLC ’19, ’24 • “Rather than posing hypotheticals, the classes focused on looking at my current ministry and ways that I could enhance it immediately.” Mitchell Giovannettone MLC ’19, ’24 When the Roman architects surveyed what they had built, some of which still stands today, one can imagine they took pride in what they created. The early architects of MLC’s Graduate Studies program might have the right to that same sense of

2018 MA-Theological Studies program begins

2019 Technology Director added as third emphasis in MS-Educational Administration

Dr. John Isch served as first director of the Graduate Studies program from 2005 to 2008.

2023

2025

MS-Special Education program begins

MLC Graduate Studies celebrates 20-year anniversary

MLC Ranked “Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration Program” by Forbes

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Welcoming First-Years KNIGHT LIFE

Pumpkin Painting, Anyone?

We kicked off November with an apple pie bakeoff, a cold brew coffee bar, and lots of games and music at Fall Fest.

Focus on Ministry—and Fun Winnebago Lutheran Academy was one of about 20 different high schools and youth groups we hosted for Focus on Ministry visits in the first semester. For these 425+ students, serious talk about gospel ministry went hand in hand with fun at the Betty Kohn Fieldhouse.

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Posing for a photo offered a nice break after these RAs finished hefting TVs and fridges for almost 200 first-years!

Nice Dink!

Ella Walz (David’s Star-Jackson WI) and Jonah Uhlenbrauck (St. Peter-Appleton WI) took home the Homecoming pickleball championship. Intramurals like pickleball, sand volleyball, bowling, and many more keep hundreds (yup—hundreds) of MLC students busy and fit.

MLC’s Got Talent It’s a full house and the lights are up at the Homecoming Talent Show as students showcase their gifts—some serious, some silly.

First-Team Knights Jemimah Habben (Mt. Calvary-Flagstaff AZ) placed third out of 60 runners in the cross country championships, earning First-Team All-UMAC. Grace Hahm (Holy Trinity-New Hope MN), Eliott Heiderich (Good News-Lehi UT), and Levi Panitzke (Christ-Big Bend WI) also earned First Team honors in cross country, and Ella Ristow (St. Luke-Watertown WI) notched the award in soccer.

It’s Tradition The Homecoming Sprinter Fun Run is 15 years strong—with hundreds racing across campus and plenty more logging miles from home! And of course, one runner paints himself like the Sprinter statue—that’s tradition done right!

Homecoming Highlight Alumni, parents, and friends joined MLC choirs, instrumentalists, and the whole campus family in making a joyful noise at Homecoming Sunday worship.

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Conducting Ministry Micaiah Wagner (Riverview-Appleton WI, pictured), Josiah Smith (St. Paul-North Mankato MN), and Caleb Krahn (St. John-Two Rivers WI) conducted the Wind Symphony in November—ministry preparation for leading their own musical ensembles someday.

On the Road with the Gospel The College Choir hopped on the bus and took their praises to Belle Plaine MN and Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, and La Crosse WI on a whirlwind weekend tour.

Football First Teamers

What Is? Professors Dave Scharf, Luke Thompson, and Jeff Wiechman hamming it up at Faculty Jeopardy.

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Quarterback Brady Turriff (Grace-Charlotte NC), First Team All-Conference, led the UMAC in TDs (19), passing yards (2,312), and completions (179) in 2025.

Other First Team football honorees were Thomas Koelpin (Foundation-Folsom CA), Jude Pederson (Cross of Christ-Coon Rapids MN), Arthur Robinson (St. Paul-New Ulm MN), RJ Perry (Our SaviorBrookings SD), Timothy Manning (St. Paul-New Ulm MN), Micah Koschnitzke (Grace-Milwaukee), and Jeremiah Stanton (Redemption-Milwaukee).

Stage and Screen Playing the indomitable Jo March, Bailey Schwab (St. Paul-Plymouth NE) and the rest of the talented cast delivered all the feels in Little Women: The Broadway Musical. And for the first time, we offered audiences an encore streaming option.

KNIGHT LIFE

Don’t Look Down Professor Breanna Olson is training MLC PE students—and some brave staff and faculty—in adventure education on our high ropes course.

Students are looking forward to adapting the activities and concepts in their own PE classes one day.

Sharing Their Stories On Evangelism Day, students heard from ministry veterans like Pastor Ryan Kolander MLC ’10, WLS ’14 (Riverview-Appleton WI), who explained how they share Jesus’ love in their own unique contexts: in Spanish, through art and music, in multi-site churches, to people impacted by trauma, and more.

Festive Shenanigans The MLC Event Team hosted a student body Christmas party, which included an “Awkward Christmas Photo” contest.

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D AY S & K N I G H T S

One of America’s Best Colleges We’re happy to announce that Money magazine named MLC one of America’s Best Colleges in 2025, giving us a 4.5-star rating!

As a 4.5-star college, we joined other Midwest colleges like Notre Dame, Marquette, St. Olaf, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Only 40 colleges in the entire country earned a 5.0-star rating.)

Worldwide MLC Day Is May 6!

On this special day, we invite all the friends of Martin Luther College to celebrate and support the Knights—the men and women training to become your pastors, teachers, and staff ministers!

Your gifts that day support the matching fund of the Congregational Partner Grant Program—an incredibly successful program that will contribute $1.9 million to student tuition accounts in 2025-2026.

mlcday.com

We’re so thankful for your support, which is helping ensure the blessings of ministerial training this year and for generations to come.

Mark it on your calendar: Worldwide MLC Day—May 6, 2026

Request an MLC Sunday!

Could Pastor Joel Thomford (left) or one of our other professors visit your congregation for an MLC Sunday?

Our profs love to join parish pastors for a special Sunday where we focus on the gospel of Jesus and how MLC is training future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to share that gospel.

We can preach and give presentations on what’s new at the college.

Interested? Check out our website or email us at info@mlc-wels.edu.

Susan Zink DMLC 1981 Hales Corners WI 24

Paul Kelm DMLC 1986 Bloomer WI

Elaine Buss DMLC 1961 Appleton WI

Peter Sternberg MLC 2001 Rhinelander WI

Thalassa Prize 2025

THALASSA

The Thalassa Prize is given to recognize a Martin Luther College student or graduate who expresses clearly and beautifully, in image and word, a personal reflection on a ministry experience overseas.

2025 WINNER

He Knows My Name Madeline Liebert ’24 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Meet Cristian. And his beloved, adorable puppy he fittingly named “perrito,” which means puppy in Spanish.

Cristian lives in a workers’ camp for poor families of sugarcane workers in the rural city of Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico. To the children and young mothers living there, we presented a week-long vacation Bible school.

Every day when we arrived, Cristian would appear with a sneaky grin on his face, a glint in his eyes, his pet in his arms, and an excitement to participate in that day’s lessons and activities.

Little did I know upon meeting him that first day that I would be the one to share the love of Jesus with this precious child for the first time.

The stories we shared with the children during VBS were ones that I had grown up hearing my entire life: Jesus’ birth, Jesus feeding the 5000, Jesus raising Lazarus. I recounted the familiar details in imperfect Spanish, just hoping the children would at least understand, despite my errors and different accent, the important details: that there is a God who exists, and he loves us! He saved us!

Cristian’s name means “follower of Christ.” Cristian did not know of the Christ his very name speaks of. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit worked in his little heart so that whenever he hears his name, he remembers that there is a God who knows him by name, who loves him, and who offers free and full salvation to those who trust in him.

Cristian, God knows your name, follow him!

MLC has now begun accepting submissions for the 20th annual Thalassa Prize.

DEADLINE: April 30, 2026 Past Winners & Submission Guidelines: mlc-wels.edu/Thalassa

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) In January 2023, Madeline served in workers’ camps in rural Mexico, teaching a VBS for the mothers and children there. MLC’s Cultural Engagement Center awarded her $1,000, half of which she designated to the Mission for the Children, Mexico. This is the 19th annual Thalassa Prize awarded by MLC.

Steven Nerby NWC 1991 Tucson AZ

James Schmeling NWC 1981 Harbor City CA

Julie Boggs MLC 2011 Indianapolis IN

Michael Naumann DMLC 1991 Snohomish WA 25

GIVING

Thank You, MLC Auxiliary!

More than $20,000—and a new name!

October 4 was a busy Saturday as the MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary approved a project list worth $23,600, worshiped and fellowshipped together, enjoyed student presentations and performances—and also voted to change their name!

Outgoing President Jackie Dalueg (pictured) and MLC advisor Sarah Gieseke DMLC ’82 provided leadership as this generous support group approved a project list that includes puzzle boards for the dorms, tricycles for the Early Childhood Learning Center, StrengthsFinder inventories for students, and many other items.

They also voted to continue funding their standing projects: tuition scholarships and travel assistance for both student teachers and Daylight ministry volunteers.

The 65-year-old organization also changed their name. Though their primary mission—supporting MLC students with fun events, funding, and prayer—remains the same, the MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary is now simply the MLC Auxiliary.

By any name, these generous supporters are much appreciated by the MLC campus family!

New Grant for New Knights at Saint Mark-Mankato MN The members of Saint Mark-Mankato MN are going above and beyond to support their members who are MLC Knights.

The congregation already participates in MLC’s Congregational Partner Grant Program, contributing the maximum amount ($1,600 in 2025-26) for each of their enrolled students. But now they’re going even further.

They’re making a big tuition payment—$5,000—for the first year of any Saint Mark member attending MLC. Called the First-Year Encouragement Grant, this bold initiative is one answer to prospective students’ concerns about the cost of college.

“Some students might be open to exploring the path of public ministry, but the financial obligations of attending college make it hard to go down that path,” says Saint Mark President Greg Holzhueter—himself an MLC grad and MLC professor. “So we decided to make that first step easier. If they’re willing to consider ministry, we’re willing to invest in them.”

Why focus on first-year students? Because MLC’s retention rates are so strong.

“Once they’re on campus,” Holzhueter says, “many students become even more excited about gospel ministry. That’s why this grant is so targeted. It’s all about helping them take that first faithful step.”

In an era when the need for called workers is so great, we’re deeply grateful for congregations like Saint Mark who are stepping up to assist their sons and daughters who want to be Knighted for ministry.

Is your congregation supporting and encouraging your students at MLC in a special way? We’d love to hear about it! Email us at gaugerlf@mlc-wels.edu.

Is your congregation interested in establishing a program like this? Contact Professor Greg Holzhueter for more information: holzhuga@mlc-wels.edu.

Owen Breitkreutz NWC 1971 Redwood Falls MN 26

Angela Sellnow MLC 2006 Wyoming MI

Jeremiah Gumm MLC 2001 Yuma AZ

Jon Schmugge NWC 1966 St. Paul MN

SCHOLARSHIPS

Focus on Scholarships The Elizabeth Mara Johnson Memorial Scholarship was started in 2025 by Mr. Gary and Mrs. Sandra (née Wilkes) Johnson DMLC ’75 in loving memory of their daughter Elizabeth (1986-2020).

Liz graduated from Wisconsin LHS in 2004. As a very independent person, her parents say, she initially resisted following her mother into WELS teaching, despite their encouragement. Gifted in music and the dramatic arts, she pursued studies in those areas at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Her love for children led her to become a nanny for a family with five children on the East Coast, and her desire for travel and adventure took her into work as a flight attendant. These were all meaningful but short-lived choices.

The Holy Spirit then went to work and opened her eyes to a beautiful truth: her talents and passions could all find a home in Lutheran education. Liz enrolled at MLC and graduated in December 2010. She was assigned to teach at Lord of Life in

Friendswood, Texas, and later served joyfully at Christ the King in Palm Coast, Florida, and St. Matthew in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

After a battle with cancer, Elizabeth went home to heaven in 2020. In the months that followed, her parents heard from many of her former students—young people who shared that she had inspired them to become teachers or had helped them in their studies in special, memorable ways. Hearing that she had been such a blessing to others brought her parents great joy.

By God’s grace, the Johnsons are now able to offer financial help to future teachers. They pray their gift will also be a blessing to those preparing for ministry.

Elizabeth Mara Johnson Memorial Scholarship recipients are education majors with financial need. Preference is given to second-career and nontraditional students.

You Can Establish a Named Scholarship A named scholarship allows you to honor a loved one while supporting MLC students. Long after you and your loved ones are gone, the fund will continue to assist MLC students. You can establish it in your own name or the name of a loved one. You can support a specific area of ministry training—like preseminary students or early childhood education students—or designate that the funds go to any student with financial need. You can receive personal thank-you letters from MLC students, enjoy tax benefits, and—most important—give glory to the Lord of the church while leaving a lasting legacy at MLC. We’ll help you set up your named scholarship! Contact Mark Maurice (mauricme@mlc-wels.edu / 507.354.8221) or Sarah Gieseke (gieseksm@mlc-wels.edu / 507.354.8221).

Franklin Zabell DMLC 1961 Pigeon MI

Kathleen Van Orman MLC 2011 Huntsville AL

John Campbell DMLC 1976 Waukegan IL

Amara Olson MLC 2016 Inver Grove Heights MN 27

A L UM N I

Knights for Life Hey, alumni! We know many of you were Trojans or Lancers—or MLA/ DMLHS Rams or MLTC Spartans—but we also know you agree with this: We are all YouKnighted in our mission and our purpose: to put on the armor of God and go out into the world, sharing the gospel of Jesus.

Christopher Esmay MLC 1996 Corpus Christi TX 28

Susan Redick DMLC 1971 Jenera OH

Daniel Gawrisch NWC 1976 Mequon WI

Gabriel Plocher MLC 2021 Vassar MI

MLCAA Board on Campus We were delighted to welcome the board of the Martin Luther College Alumni Association (MLCAA) to campus on Homecoming weekend! With the leadership of our board, we’ll continue building awareness of the MLCAA with all graduates of MLC and our five legacy schools. And we’ll work hard to connect all alumni—retired, lay, and called workers—and to equip and empower them all to champion Martin Luther College’s mission wherever they serve.

Front: Rev. Austin Ziche MLC ’13, Jeremiah Drews MLC ’09, Rev. Karl Schauland MLC ’08, Mandy Pavelchik MLC ’03, Tonya La Duca DMLC ’94. Back: Prof. Em. Ron Brutlag DMLC ’69, Stephanie Arndt MLC ’07, Kristen Tomczak MLC ’99, Rev. Abe Degner MLC ’05, Eric Wolf MLC ’13, Luther Curia MLC ’03.

Thank you to our outgoing board members: Jeremiah Drews, Tonya La Duca, Kristen Tomczak, and Emily Niemi.

Blessings to our co-chairs for 2025-2026: Abe Degner and Karl Schauland!

Friends for Life: The Waldheim Gang The nine women of the “Waldheim Gang” shared all the laughter, late-night talks, and life lessons that came with living together on the second floor of Waldheim—the big white house that once stood at the Summit Avenue entrance. When graduation came, they were determined not to let the friendship fade. So they launched a round-robin letter—a traveling bundle of news, photos, and encouragement that’s helped them stay close “like sisters . . . encouraging each other’s families and sharing Jesus’ love.” Fifty years later, the tradition—and the friendship—are still going strong.

Pictured here on the steps of Old Main are some of the Waldheim Gang who attended the DMLC Class of 1974 reunion in September 2024: Rita Castillo Bartsch, Delores Kracht Schuetze, Susan Rauch Musgrave, and Helen Rehklau Tipler. On Sue’s phone is Pam Romberg Sievert. The others (not pictured): Lois Weihrauch Achey, Pauline Salzwedel Clark, Rachel Inniger Fry (deceased), and Mary Peterson Edenhauser (deceased).

We offer a special thank you to these alumni for establishing an MLC scholarship! The Waldheim Scholarship will be disbursed annually to MLC education majors with financial need.

Sarah Frost MLC 2016 Appleton WI

David Birsching NWC 1986 Sebewaing MI

Risa Fellers MLC 2021 Monroe NC

Paul Emmel NWC 1961 Green Bay WI 29

Grads Gather!

We love hosting our graduates! These groups had a fantastic time in the summer and fall of 2025, reconnecting and reminiscing about their years here on the Hill! Though students back then were not known as the Knights, all our graduates are YouKnighted in the beautiful mission God allows us to carry out here: Knighting men and women for gospel ministry!

DMLHS 1960

DMLC 1975

MLA 1976

MLPS 1980

DMLC students who enrolled in 1958

DMLHS 1956

Will your class celebrate a significant milestone in 2026 or 2027? Contact Director of Alumni Relations Michelle Markgraf DMLC ‘90. She’d love to help you start planning your reunion! alumni@mlc-wels.edu or 507.233.9135 30

MLA 1975

Alumni Scholarships

ALUMNI

Message from the DMLHS Class of ’59

At their 60th reunion, the Dr. Martin Luther High School Class of 1959 established a scholarship endowment fund. In just a few years, it has grown substantially! Now they’re inviting other classes to consider starting a scholarship too. (Letter excerpted) Dear Alumni, There was a brochure that just came out from New Ulm asking, “Where will your next pastor, teacher, or staff minister come from?” That is a question for each of us to ask.

Then, another important question is “What am I or could I be doing to influence the answering of that question?”

On a local level, we can be encouraging our family members and congregation members to consider becoming a called worker in the Lord’s kingdom. . . . Another thing we can do locally is to encourage our congregation to give help with tuition to those studying to work in the Lord’s kingdom. This would show that the congregation is serious about filling the need for called workers.

What we as the DMLHS class of 1959 are doing is gathering money for a fund to give tuition assistance to any students at MLC needing it. This assistance comes from the interest income of the fund. For the last few years, we have given help to two or more students per year. Our fund was $19,000 when it was first started in 2019. Today the fund is over $110,000.

Please consider starting a fund for your class . . . or make a gift to the DMLHS Class of 1959 Scholarship. Thank you!

Do You Remember?

From the Summer 2025 issue: This is West Hall, the first women’s dorm on campus, after the fire in 1985. It was torn down that summer. Greg Schmill DMLC ’80 identified the picture, and Beth Sternhagen DMLC ’87, recalled the commotion in the middle of the night.

What mischief or miracle brings this scholar to his knee?

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

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F AC U L T Y & STA F F

Faculty and Staff Notes New Faculty Matthew Doering,

Professor of Social Studies

Matthew is a graduate of Minnesota Valley LHS, MLC ’96, and Ashland University (MA in American history and government, ’22). In his first call to Our Savior in Bylas, Arizona, he taught grades 3-5 and 6-8 and served as principal. In 2002, he accepted a call to Lakeside LHS, where he taught social studies and coached football and softball.

He and his wife, Jill (née Boggs), have three children, all graduates of MLC: Cassandra Schilling ’20, Rebecca Kvam ’20, and Kyle Doering ’25.

Johanna Fischer, Lead Teacher at

MLC Early Childhood Learning Center

Johanna is a graduate of Luther Preparatory School and MLC ’21. She’s also completed the Director Training Program through the WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools and is currently pursuing her MS-Educational Administration degree at MLC. From 2021 to 2025, Johanna served as early childhood director, 3K & 4K teacher, and childcare teacher at St. John in Baraboo, Wisconsin. She’s the daughter of Doran and Rebecca Fischer and has three sisters: Naomi Christensen, Miriam DeGidio, and MLC graduate Abby Galecki ’15, ’24, who’s married to MLC graduate Charlie Galecki ’15, ’21.

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Malachi Mortensen,

Dormitory Supervisor & Instructor Malachi is a graduate of Lakeside LHS, MLC ’21, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary ’25. He served his vicar year at Gethsemane in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2023-2024 and was also a part-time religion instructor at Kettle Moraine LHS in 2024-2025. He’s the son of Marvin Mortensen and Mara Dahms.

Benjamin Schaefer, Professor of Hebrew

Benjamin is a graduate of St. Croix Lutheran Academy, MLC ’05, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary ’09. In 2009, he was assigned as pastor to First German in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In 2018, he accepted a call to serve as pastor at Calvary in Redding, California. From 2021 to 2025, he also served a second site in Anderson, California. Benjamin and his wife, Anna (Zarling) ’09, have five daughters: Ruth (15), Dorothea (14), Vivian (12), Alice (10), and Louisa (7).

Prof. Peter Baganz DMLC ’87 (history/social science) presented “Authentic Social Studies Assessments” at the Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference in October.

Dr. James Carlovsky MLC ’02, ’10 (education, math) presented “Generative AI: A Lutheran Educator’s Toolkit” to Nebraska District teachers at Nebraska LHS in August. In October, he presented “Creating Math Moments of Learning” and “Building Thinking Math Classrooms” at the Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference and “Building Mathematical Mindsets” and “Building Thinking Math Classrooms” at the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference.

Prof. Rebecca Cox DMLC ’89 (PE) helped UMAC

Commissioner Corey Borchardt coordinate the UMAC Women’s Professional Development Event at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul in March.

Dr. Susan Decker MLC ’13 (English) presented “Teacher Wellness 101” at the Minnesota Council of Teachers of English spring conference in Alexandria MN and “Set Fire to the Brain: Strategies for Sparking Deeper ELA Class Discussions” at the Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference at MLC. She also led a “Teacher Wellness” satellite course for the Dakota-Montana District Conference and the Western Wisconsin District Conference. Finally, she published two articles in professional journals: “Using Concept Albums to Engage with Layers of Theme” in the Minnesota English Journal and “Lyrics in Conversation: Using Music to Embrace the Writing Process” in the Journal of General Education.

Prof. Aaron Dolan MLC ’03, WLS ’07 (theology), along with co-author Pastor Eric Schroeder MLC ’03, WLS ’07, saw publication of their devotion book He Is the Christ (NPH 2025).

Dr. Timothy Grundmeier MLC ’07

(history) published “Pennsylvania’s ‘Youthful Daughter’: Reexamining the Early History of the Wisconsin Synod” in the Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (Spring 2025) on the occasion of the WELS’ 175th anniversary. He was interviewed about the article on the Lutheran History Podcast. He also saw the publication of his book, Lutheranism and American Culture: The Making of a Distinctive Faith in the Civil War Era (Louisiana State University Press 2026).

Prof. em. James Grunwald PhD DMLC ’78 received an

Prof. em. Grace Hennig DMLC ’89 published two treble choir anthems, “Laudamus te” and “Midnight Hour” (Indianapolis Children’s Choir Publishing House). She conducted a video interview with retired WELS Director of Worship Bryan Gerlach NWC ’76, WLS ’83 for the Profiles in American Lutheran Church Music at Concordia University Chicago’s Center for Church Music.

And she accepted an appointment to serve on the Center’s Advisory Group.

Prof. Craig Hirschmann DMLC ’84 (music) played a hymn festival and recital at St. John-Milwaukee in January.

Prof. Paul Koelpin NWC ’85, WLS ’90

(history) presented “The New Ulm Campus and Its Role in WELS History,” a commemorative address in honor of WELS’ 175th anniversary, at the 2025 Synod Convention at MLC in July.

He gave other presentations on WELS history at various venues in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. And he presented “The Unique and Distinctive Features of the Gospel Accounts” as a featured speaker at the Bible Blitz in Minocqua WI.

Linda Kramer (director, Library Services) was appointed a charter member of the Aspen Library Software Foundation Board of Directors. In October, she presented “Aspen as One-Stop-Shop: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” and served on a “Library of Things” panel discussion at AspenCon 2025 in Nashville.

Dr. Jennifer Krause MLC ’96 (education) served on a panel that explored “Molding for Ministry through Mentoring” at the May WELS Campus Ministry Conference in Brookfield WI. In June she presented “Backward Planning,” a sectional at the WELS Education Conference in Green Bay. Prof. Rebecca Kvam MLC ’20 (PE) was awarded her MS in Kinesiology & Recreation: PE Pedagogy from Illinois State University.

Michelle Markgraf DMLC ’90 (director, Alumni Relations) was elected president-elect of the International Board of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society.

Dr. John Meyer DMLC ’87 (director,

Graduate Studies and Continuing Ed) presented “Grace-Filled Grounds: Building and Maintaining a Christ-Centered Culture” at the South Central District Teachers’ Conference in October and “Homework & Memory Hacks: Practical Insights from Cognitive Research” at the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference in October.

award at the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA) meeting in June 2025 to honor his 17 years of service as a WELS School Accreditation (WELSSA) representative and his long service as chair of the NCPSA Commission on Instructional Technology and Distance Education.

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FA C U LT Y & S TA F F Prof. em. Thomas Nass NWC ’77, WLS ’82 participated

in the meeting of the Commission on Theology of the CELC (Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference) in Lusaka, Zambia, in June. He presented a paper on the public ministry at the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Symposium in September, and he presented “WELS and Other Lutherans” at a pastors’ conference in Red Wing MN in October. He also participated in the December meeting of WELS, ELS, and LCMS leaders in Florida.

Dr. Mark Paustian NWC ’84, WLS ’88 (English, Hebrew) delivered several presentations, seminars, and webinars in recent months: “The Power of Story” at the Project Veritas Lectures in Muskego WI; “Difficult Conversations in the Life of the Pastor,” a course at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, a satellite course in Las Vegas, and a webinar for CrossTrain Ministries; “Biblical Encouragement: The Power of Words” in Rochester MN; “Narrative Witnessing” at the Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference at MLC; “The Things We Overhear,” an essay on LGBTQ issues for the WELS website resource, madeknown.net; “Overhearing the Gospel: The Art of Indirect Communication” at the Western Wisconsin District Pastors’ Conference; “Spiritual Wellness” for Milwaukee circuit pastors; and “Fostering a Culture of Grace” for several congregations in the Burnsville MN area.

Prof. Rachel Renno MLC ’06 (director, Academic Computing and Online Learning) was awarded her EdD in Leadership and Educational Technology from Concordia University Chicago.

Dr. Jonathan Roux DMLC ’95 (education) presented the keynote “Teaching Literacy and the Gospel in a Changing World” at the Michigan District Teachers’ Conference in Stevensville and St. Joseph, as well as five different sectionals on children’s literature and spelling at the Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin District Conferences in October. In November he presented a daylong keynote address on young children’s literacy and literature at the Arizona-California District Teachers’ Conference.

Finally, he served as guest organist for a teacher anniversary at St. John-Lewiston MN and an area Reformation service at St. John-Wood Lake MN this fall.

Dr. Jonathan Schaefer MLC ’02 (director, New Teacher Induction) presented “Resilience in Faith and the Classroom” at the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference in Milwaukee in October.

Prof. David Scharf MLC ‘00, WLS ‘05 (theology) led MLC Sundays at eight congregations around the country, including a Reformation Festival in West Des Moines IA. In August he presented “Just You and Jesus” at the Fox Valley Lutheran Faculty Fall Conference, and in January he presented “Hope for the Challenged Church” at the WELS National Conference on 34

Lutheran Leadership. He has also finished a six-year tenure as editor of the Q & A column in Forward in Christ.

Prof. Nicolas Schmoller MLC ’06, WLS ’10 (Greek,

theology) led an April 2025 workshop to help the Obadiah Lutheran Synod in Uganda write their statements of faith for application to the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference. He also preached and presented at a September World Mission Festival at Immanuel-Buffalo MN.

Prof. Luke Thompson MLC ’09, WLS ’13

(theology) presented the keynote “A Pedagogy of Re-enchantment” at the WELS Education Conference in Green Bay WI in June. In October he presented the keynote “Direction, Not Perfection: A Confessional Lutheran Approach to the Well-Being of Educators” at the Pacific Northwest District Pastor/Teacher Conference in Washington.

Prof. Alan Uher DMLC ‘87 (education) made three recent

presentations: “Christ in My Classroom: Cultivating a Christian Classroom Culture” at the Michigan District Study Conference in Bowling Green OH in June, “Engaging the Disengaged” at the Twin Cities Metro Area Conference in New Hope MN in July, and “Shaking Hands with a Squid” at the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference in Milwaukee in October.

Prof. Duane Vance MLC ‘16 (education) led a WELSSA Accreditation site visit at a Lutheran elementary school in Wisconsin in September.

Dr. Keith Wessel NWC ‘87, WLS ’91 (Latin, theology) contributed the chapter “Tabitha: Charity and Resurrection” to The Illumination of History (Wipf & Stock), a Festschrift in honor of Dr. Glen L. Thompson NWC ’72, WLS ’77. He also presented “Awaiting the Fullness of Time: The Intertestamental Era” at the Camp Croix Men’s Retreat in September. And in October he presented on Luther’s “On the Bondage of the Will” at the Bjarne W. Teigen Reformation Lectures at Bethany Lutheran College-Mankato MN. Dr. Cindy Whaley DMLC ’76 (education) presented “Every Teacher Is a Teacher of Reading” at the Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference at MLC in October.

Dr. Jeff Wiechman DMLC ’92 (VP for Academics) presented “The Basics of Good Ministry Culture” at the Minnesota District Lutheran Teachers’ Conference and at the Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference, both in October.

C O M PLINE

Every Monday night at 10 pm, MLC students gather in the Chapel of the Christ for Compline.

According to centuries of Christian tradition, Compline is the last prayer service, or office, before bedtime. It comes from the Latin completorium, meaning “the completion of the day.” Our Compline service is quiet and meditative, a time for students to reflect on the day, thanking the Lord for his guidance and protection as they continue to train for ministry. Students enter in silence, and then leave in silence, commending themselves once again to the care of the Savior who loves them.

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A DDRESS SERV I C E R EQU ES TED :

WINTER 2025-2026

Aurora Borealis, the northern lights, paint the sky above the Chapel of the Christ.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1)