InFocus - Year In Review 2008-2009 by Martin Luther College

1995 Luther Court New Ulm, MN 56073 Address Service Requested

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANKATO, MN 56001 PERMIT #47

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SUMMER 2009

Year in Review 2008-2009

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From the Heart of the Prairie to the Hearts of the World

MLC InFocus Wins National Award

The year 2009 marks the 125th year of ministerial training at (Dr.) Martin Luther College in New Ulm. Since 1884, God has allowed us to train men and women for public ministry here on the hill. For 125 years, the gospel has been held tightly and shared generously—from the heart of the prairie to the hearts of the world.

The February 2008 issue of the magazine in your hand, MLC InFocus, won a Merit Award from the Service Industry Advertising Awards (SIAA) this spring. The national judging panel for this year’s competition evaluated nearly 1200 entries based on execution, creativity, quality, consumer appeal, and overall breakthrough advertising content.

To mark the occasion, this issue of MLC InFocus will contain a few short historical notes.

The college’s designer, Lime Valley Advertising, Inc., which submitted the magazine to the competition, also won six other SIAA awards in 2009. Due to their superior designs, the MLC KnightWatch (our recruitment magazine) and MLC ParentsPage (an e-publication for parents of first-year students) have also won SIAA Merit Awards in the past. All three publications are written and edited by Laurie Gauger with photos by Bill Pekrul.

We realize that this campus is just one of many, past and present, in the WELS ministerial education system. Each campus and each school has its own wonderfully rich story to tell, beginning in 1865 with Northwestern College, known first as Wisconsin University and then Northwestern University. And in a few years those stories will be told as we celebrate 150 years of WELS ministerial education. Still, since it has been 125 years since the Old Main bells first rang out across the Minnesota prairie, we thought it appropriate to pause and listen, and to thank the Lord of the Church for his many blessings on us. Thank you to Professor Emeritus Morton A. Schroeder, whose 1984 book, A Time to Remember, provided much of the information in the historical notes. (Any mistakes, however, are mine alone.) Thanks also to Alumni Director Steve Balza for access to the historical photos and for supplying the alumni photos along the bottoms of the pages. Laurie Gauger MLC InFocus Writer/Editor

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at MLC el Proj ect al Ex perie nces: Lu Publictheran & Scho ols

MLC Clinic

MLC InFocus is published by Martin Luther College Mission Advancement Office and is distributed free of charge to students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends. Owned and operated by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), Martin Luther College trains both men and women to serve as teachers and staff ministers in WELS and also prepares men for pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon WI. President...................................Mark Zarling VP, Mission Advancement........Jon Scharlemann Public Relations Director.........Bill Pekrul Editor/Writer............................Laurie Gauger Photographer............................Bill Pekrul Research Assistant....................Phil Biedenbender Proofreader...............................Heidi Schoof

All correspondence should be directed to MLC InFocus, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN 56073 mlcinfo@mlc-wels.edu 507-354-8221 ext. 295

Carleton Toppe NWC ’34 Waterloo WI

David Brandt MLC ’04 St Louis MO

Elizabeth Robisch DMLC ’34 Jefferson WI

Tanya Tranberg MLC ’04 DePere WI

D May Jesus send them forth with the healing power of his Word—from the heart of the prairie to the hearts of the world!

On our cover: Graduation procession led by President Mark Zarling (left) and Professor John Schmidt (right).

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The Father of DMLC

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All over the world, there are people with heart conditions— hearts full of hurt and hate, hearts hungry for a Savior who loves and forgives them. Here on this hill, in the heart of the Minnesota prairie, God has moved men and women to become surgeons for the Savior. Here they train to use law and gospel to treat those with heart conditions, that God himself might place new hearts of faith within those who are dying.

The Savior God is in the business of miracle cures— heart transplants that bring sinners from death to life. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD (Jeremiah 24:7). I will give them an undivided heart and

But Paul goes on to rejoice: because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.

Contrary to pop culture, human hearts are not the font of pure motives, warmth, and vitality. Without God’s healing intervention, they harbor hatred and impurity. Jesus once said, Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. No wonder Paul uttered, Who will rescue me from this body of death?

put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19).

Spoken by a physician, these words tell the patient that his earthly existence is precarious. Spoken by the Holy Creator, these words tell the sinful creature that his eternal destiny is death.

“You need a heart!”

From the Heart of the Prairie to the Hearts of the World By MLC President Mark Zarling

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Pastor C. J. Albrecht served as the first acting director of Dr. Martin Luther College. Along with three brothers and a sister, Christian Johann Albrecht came to the United States from Eschenau, Germany. In his long and energetic career, he also served as the pastor of St. Paul’s in New Ulm for 42 years, the president of the Minnesota Synod, and, at one time, the president of the China Mission Society.

In 1883, Albrecht and his congregation asked the synod whether they’d consider building a school for young men preparing for ministry. The St. Paul’s congregation offered the synod $7,000 and four acres of land if they’d build such a school in New Ulm.

Lee Orda Schwecke DMLC ’49 Gibbon MN

Kathryn Luetke MLC ’04 Olivia MN

Adair Moldenhauer DMLC ’39 Milwaukee WI

Jay Bickelhaupt MLC ’99 Fond du Lac WI

here on the

At the Heart of the Campus: Chapel of the Christ As beams and then bricks find their places, the Chapel of the Christ morphs from silhouette to solidity. Filling our skyline, it is a powerful statement about our purpose of preparing public ministers of the gospel and a visual sign of the one who lives in our hearts, the one who is the heart of our campus: Christ crucified. The first dedicated worship space we’ve had on this hill, the Chapel of the Christ will be the sacred place where we receive the gifts of the gospel and respond with praise and thanks. . . where we participate in worship—doing “the work of the people”—with our varied musical and other creative gifts . . . where future called workers are inspired as worship of the highest quality is modeled, embracing the best of the old and the new. And as President Zarling reminded us in his graduation sermon, when the chapel is completed, construction will continue—within us, for by grace we too “are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). Mark your calendars: Chapel Dedication April 10-11, 2010.

Carl Mischke NWC ’44 Hazel SD

Maria Reese MLC ’99 Goodhue MN

Myron Hilger DMLC ’44 Markesan WI

Randy Mensching DMLC ’94 Marshfield WI

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Worship in the Auditorium/Gymnasium

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The campus family has worshiped in many different areas of campus over the years. From 1911-1928, they held chapel in the Aula (pictured), later called the Music Hall. The Aula was a chapel, auditorium, recital hall, and music rehearsal center—a multifunctional building much like our current chapel-auditorium in the Wittenberg Collegiate Center. It seated 300 people, including 50 in the balcony. It also had 10 practice rooms, and the campus boilers in the basement. The Aula was built simultaneously with Summit Hall, the men’s dormitory. Construction costs were $12,000 for the Aula and $45,000 for Summit Hall. Dedication of the buildings on August 20, 1911, brought 5,000 people to campus to thank God for the three beautiful buildings of Dr. Martin Luther College: Old Main, the Aula, and Summit Hall.

Hillmer Schaible NWC ’49 Ann Arbor MI

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Laura Clark DMLC ’94 San Carlos AZ

In 1928, chapel services were moved from the Aula to the auditorium-gymnasium in the newly erected classroom building. In this dual-function room (pictured), students sang psalms and sunk freethrows, depending on the time of day. About 300 seats faced the stage, which was the setting for chapel. The other half of the room was a 68- by 76-foot gymnasium, with a fullsize basketball court and bleachers on each side. Folding doors normally separated the two areas of the room, but for large events, chairs were set up on the gym floor, increasing the seating to 1200. In 1968, an addition and renovation resulted in the removal of the gym floor and the addition of seats, converting the space to the auditorium we are familiar with today. The locker rooms below the gym were converted to two large tiered classrooms, casually known as the catacombs.

Ruth Klossner DMLC ’49 New Ulm MN

Matt Guse NWC ’94 Marietta GA

A Wednesday with

SARAH FOELSKE

Elementary

A Wednesday in the Life The MLC college experience melds coursework with hands-on experience, personal growth with interpersonal relationships—all of it infused with the gospel of Christ and driven by our sole purpose: training for the public ministry. A visit to campus is the best way to absorb this culture, but a look into the daily rhythms of a student’s life can give a taste as well. Let’s take a look at a day—a Wednesday in May, to be specific—in the lives of four students.

This spring, junior Sarah Foelske (Mt. Lebanon— Milwaukee) is tackling a semester heavy on both pedagogy and practical experience. The combination of rigorous coursework and real-world teaching experience is not only preparing her, but inspiring her as well. 8:50 am Teaching Reading with Dr. David Wendler: “It’s amazing,” she says. “Dr. Wendler really knows how to prepare you for what you’re going to do. You leave that class feeling really confident. You learn the techniques, you do the lesson plans, and then you micro-teach: it’s the whole process. And he gives you the philosophy behind it too. So you not only know what to do but why you’re doing it. It’s the best class I’ve had so far. It really gets you ready to be a teacher.” She also has Teaching Language Arts and Children’s Literature, but not today. And she can’t help but mention last semester’s Interpersonal Communication with Professor Mark Paustian. “Professor Paustian gets you out of the textbook and talks to you about people. How do you communicate with people connected to you in Christ? How do you do conflict resolution in church or school? He establishes an atmosphere in his classroom where it’s safe to talk about anything. Everyone is open with each other.” 9:45 am Teaching Religion with Professor Jon Roux: “We learn lots of different ideas using Christ-Light, using the Bible itself, incorporating art and technology and special projects.” She appreciates Roux’s broad background; having taught grades 1-8 for many years, he’s brimming with ideas.

Paul Schuler NWC ’94 Vienna VA

Alvin Kienitz NWC ’54 Two Rivers WI

10:45 am Chapel: “The musicality of MLC is amazing— the student organists, the full singing of the student body.” 11:15 am Lunch: Good news. It’s a taco day. 12:05 pm Organ Practice: She practices about 150 minutes a week to prepare for her Monday lessons with Adjunct Instructor Jeneane Thiesfeldt. “I’d really like to play organ when I’m assigned next year,” she says. 1:00 pm Homework: Sarah has almost an hour to get a little homework done—or to indulge in a quick nap. 1:55 pm College Chorale with Professor Kurt Wittmershaus: Although she’s an English emphasis, Sarah makes room for music in her schedule too. 2:50 pm Wind Symphony with Professor Miles Wurster: Did we mention that she also plays the clarinet? 3:40 pm Still Running: If it were October, she’d be at cross country practice till 6 (pictured), but today she might hike through Flandrau or work a couple hours in the cafeteria. Speaking of jobs, next year she’ll be an RA (resident assistant) in Centennial, a first-year women’s dorm. “I’ll be on call, set up dorm activities, give informal advice, troubleshoot roommate issues, and generally be around with a listening ear.”

Arvid Kramer DMLC ’59 Gibbon MN

William Bernhardt NWC ’64 Kenosha WI

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Education Major

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Going Student Teaching? Just Walk down the Hill

6:00 pm Supper 7:00 pm Chapel 7:30 pm Tutoring: Sarah meets with a local fourth grade girl Wednesday nights, assisting her with reading and math (pictured). 8:30 pm Homework: “I usually put in an hour or more per class period.” 10:30 pm Bedtime: She usually hits the sack between 12 and 1, but because tomorrow is her all-day clinical at Washington Elementary in New Ulm, she adheres to the earlier “teacher bedtime.” At Washington she works with special education students under the supervision of Joyce Resoft, who’s WELS. “It’s a great opportunity to see how a WELS teacher works in a public school. I start the day in the grade 4-6 special education room, and then I go with a student to their regular classroom, assisting them with the work. I see maybe four different teachers throughout the day.” In addition to junior clinical, she taught grades 7-8 at Pilgrim—Menomonee Falls WI during spring break this year. Last year, she taught grades 3-4 at Risen Savior— Milwaukee (pictured). And next year, she’ll student teach. Before she knows it, Call Day will arrive, and Sarah will find out just where the Lord of the Church will put her and her many gifts to use for the gospel.

Brian Schuessler MLC ’04 Livonia MI

Rosemarie Kionka DMLC ’64 Saginaw MI

Beginning in the 1890s, DMLC students in their second normal year walked down the Center Street hill (pictured, c.1912) to the former St. Paul’s school building kittycorner from the present church on State Street. They taught classes at St. Paul Lutheran School to gain practical experience. In 1923, a classroom at St. Paul’s was deemed the official “practice room,” where DMLC students spent much larger blocks of time with the children. In 1964, Professor Howard Wessel changed the entire look of the program by expanding it to a full eight weeks and by sending students not only to St. Paul’s, but also to schools in Appleton and Watertown WI. Many other schools in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota were added soon after. This system continues today with some adaptations: All education majors complete scores of hours of early field experience in addition to student teaching. Secondary education majors student teach in high schools. And for the last two years, we’ve sent students outside the Midwest. Four students taught in Washington in 2007-2008, and four taught in Florida in 2008-2009.

Carl Henkel NWC ’69 Menomonie WI

Jerome Wolff MLC ’04 Caledonia MN

A Wednesday with

tarr d av i d s ta rr

A junior in the preseminary program, David Starr (Trinity—Bay City MI) spends many hours grappling with Scripture in the original Greek and Hebrew, but this semester he’s also analyzing Shakespeare’s comedies, Einstein’s theories, and Reaganomics. MLC’s liberal arts education will help David become a pastor who’s firmly grounded in the Word and who also can think critically and converse intelligently on a wide range of topics. He starts early on Wednesdays: 7:55 am History of Science with Professor Martin Sponholz: “We start with Aristotle and Socrates in this class and now we’re at Einstein,” David says. “We learn the basics of evolution and how it’s infiltrated everything in the world of science.” 8:50 am US History since 1945 with Professor Brian Dose: “It’s good to learn why things are the way they are today—and to keep up on current events too.” 9:45 am Free Hour: Time to grab a bagel in the cafeteria or chat with a professor, like Dan Balge (pictured). Part of MLC’s “other curriculum,” the one undocumented in the catalog, is the availability of the professors and the advising, the mentoring, the quiet modeling they provide. 10:45 am Chapel: “It’s good to see all the professors I have for class getting up to preach as I look forward to doing that in my ministry as well someday. I like listening to Danell— great organization. And Koelpin—he almost performs his sermons. And Paustian—he knows just when to pause, when to get soft, when to speak up again.”

Cynthia Schultz DMLC ’79 Chicago IL

Angela Scharf MLC ’99 West Allis WI

Preseminary Studies

11:10 am Shakespeare: Comedies and Histories with Professor Larry Czer: “It’s a lot of reading.” Fortunately, that hour before chapel gave him time to glance again at a couple scenes from Henry IV while downing his bagel. 12:05 pm St. John’s Gospel (Greek) with Professor Daniel Balge: “We went through all the basics of Greek the first couple years, and last semester we read The Iliad. Now I’m really enjoying it as we start to go through the books of the Bible.” Note: Wednesday is his only Hebrew-free day—as far as class with Professor Thomas Nass goes. That doesn’t mean he won’t be spending some time with his qal and nifal forms tonight though. “Once I got used to the Hebrew alphabet, it became almost easier than Greek. I like languages.” 1:00 pm Lunch: He’s done with classes but he’s got a lot of studying: “about two hours of Hebrew every day; one hour of Greek; and lots of reading for Shakespeare, U.S. History, and Science.” 4:00 pm Shifting Gears: If it were September, he’d be at football practice. If it were January, he’d probably be reffing some grade school basketball games. But today he’ll play some tennis or softball, or run down to “Plaza,” the local Mexican restaurant, for chips and salsa. 6:15 pm Supper 7:00 pm Evening Chapel: On April 14, he took his turn delivering evening chapel (pictured). His text was Ephesians 5:25-32. “Yeah, I was really nervous.” This was the first time he’d delivered chapel at MLC, but

Sarah Lowery MLC ’99 Rapid City SD

Kent Holz NWC ’94 Belle Plaine MN

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Far left: Aaron Krause was assigned in May 2006 to Bethany, Manitowoc WI. Lori Meyer (Ascension, Plymouth MN) was assigned in December 2006 to ChristSt. Peter, Milwaukee.

Practicing Proper Deportment

he’d had a little practice his senior year at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, and the approval of his advisor, Professor David Sellnow, gave him confidence too. 7:15 pm Library: “After chapel the library becomes a social mecca for campus.” He studies, yes, but let’s call it a social study. On certain winter nights, though, you won’t find him in the library but the gym, where he’s a member of the male cheerleaders, a group with roots at Northwestern College whose stunts—slightly off, superbly funny—turn the timeouts and halftimes at basketball games into comedy riffs. 10:00 pm Dorm: Time to enjoy a movie or play some video games with his roommates before bed—although a midnight run for double cheeseburgers isn’t out of the question either. He’ll need his strength for the Hebrew quiz tomorrow. This Summer: David is serving as director of Project Share (pictured), a joint venture of the Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw congregations. “We provide Bible studies in prisons and homeless shelters, as well as help ex-cons in the transition from prison to life on the outside. We also may be starting a mentoring program with kids at risk in the local public school.” It’s the kind of early ministry experience that many MLC students engage in, allowing them to do ministry while they’re training for ministry.

Robert Wasserman NWC ’89 Maple Lake MN

The early college catalogs listed dos and don’ts for the students, beginning with such basics as “proper deportment” and “proper dress,” which these students of 1908 (pictured) apparently did not take too seriously. The first catalog in 1884 included 27 regulations, including the following: • No disorderly noise on campus • No outside games on Sundays • No conversing or throwing things from the windows • No visiting eating houses where intoxicating spirits are sold • No cards or games of chance • No tobacco without permission from the president • No bathing in the river without permission from the faculty • No attending balls or theatrical exhibitions • No leaving campus without the permission of the president

David Clark NWC ’79 Detroit MI

John Dolan NWC ’74 Zion IL

Jean Beilke DMLC ’69 Morgan MN

A Wednesday with

ha steph anie humann

An early childhood education (ECE) major, Stephanie Humann (Holy Trinity—Des Moines WA) is training to meet one of the synod’s most pressing needs: qualified teachers of children ages 0-8. Early childhood education is the fastest growing ministry in WELS; in fact, the number of early childhood ministries exceeds the number of elementary schools and, according to the MLC Governing Board, more ECE teachers are needed. 7:55 am Teaching Literacy II with Dr. Cindy Whaley: After a quick bagel in the cafeteria (pictured), she plunges into methods and resources to develop literacy in primary-grade children. 8:50 am Foundations in Early Childhood Education with Professor Susan Haar: In this study of the philosophy underlying ECE, students learn very quickly that teaching young children is not glorified babysitting, nor is it a simplified version of teaching middle grades. “It is amazing to see the development of early childhood education and how it is still changing and growing to this day,” she says. “It is such an important ministry, and I admire the people who really pushed for it to happen.” 9:45 am Administration of Early Childhood Programs, again with Professor Haar: MLC graduates are sometimes assigned immediately as directors—think “principals”—of ECE programs, where they not only have to develop curriculum, but also set policy, meet a proliferation of government regulations, create budgets, promote the program within the congregation, and—oh,

William Arras DMLC ’34 Saginaw MI

Jeffrey Spangenberg DMLC ’84 New Ulm MN

yes—teach the children. This course shows students how to handle these duties faithfully. 10:45 am Chapel: “Your faith definitely matures here. I feel like I’m always growing through chapel, Bible study, talks with Christian friends.” 11:10 am Christian Doctrine II with Professor Lyle Lange: “It is a blessing to have such knowledgeable professors, not only for methods courses, but also for biblical courses.” 12:05 pm Lunch 1:00 pm Primary Curriculum with Professor Cheryl Loomis: “I love Professor Loomis’s classes. She has such practical knowledge and applications. Primary Curriculum was a great opportunity to get a taste of teaching!” 2-3:30 pm Work-Study Job: Stephanie is fortunate to have an on-campus job in the financial aid office (pictured) to help with tuition. 4:00 pm Track Practice: It’s spring, and that means track practice. Stephanie runs sprints and mid-distance races. If it were fall or winter, she’d be playing intramural volleyball or basketball. 5:30 pm Supper: A shower, a salad, and a chance to catch her breath. 7:00 pm Evening Chapel

Gretchen Kempf DMLC ’89 Viroqua WI

Ruth Lorenz DMLC ’34 New Ulm MN

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Early Childhood Education Major

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Far left: Aaron Krause was assigned in May 2006 to Bethany, Manitowoc WI. Lori Meyer (Ascension, Plymouth MN) was assigned in December 2006 to ChristSt. Peter, Milwaukee.

7:15 pm Study: She’ll hang in the library for a few hours. Tomorrow she only has two classes, Music Technology at noon and Educating the Exceptional Child at 2, so she’ll be studying mostly for Friday classes, which match today’s.

College Admits Women

10:00 pm Socializing: She and her friends do a quick survey: “What should we do—bowl a few games at Kegel, get some half-price appetizers at Applebee’s, or just watch a movie in our room?” Midnight: A little more cramming for Educating the Exceptional Child tomorrow. “It’s interesting. We discuss how kids learn differently and how to create curriculum to meet their individual needs.” 1 am Bed: It’s late, but she says, “Tomorrow I can sleep in till 10 if I want.” This Summer: Stephanie is doing a 9-week summer ministry experience, traveling throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington, and maybe Oregon, assisting churches with their Jesus Cares Ministries in conjunction with the Lutheran Home Association of Belle Plaine MN. Jesus Cares Ministries is an outreach ministry that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Stephen Schamber NWC ’89 Yankton SD

John Raabe NWC ’34 New Ulm MN

DMLC opened its doors to women in 1896. That same year a teacher named Wedekind presented an essay at a Wisconsin teachers’ conference in which he said: “Although German educators do not approve of teaching as a profession for women, many of our congregations appoint female teachers because the salaries are lower. Some even think it is best for little children away from their mother’s care for the first time to be under a woman teacher. But that is a big mistake. Every experienced educator knows that the instruction of little ones—which must lay the foundation for the whole school— presents the greatest problem and requires the services of a trained schoolmaster.” In spite of some dissension in the ranks—and the general belief that higher education made women unfit for marriage and motherhood—DMLC graduated its first “co-ed,” Lillian Mohr, in 1898. The women pictured were students in 1911.

Kristi Jacobs DMLC ’89 Lansing MI

Faith Kurbis MLC ’04 Tacoma WA

A Wednesday with

re andr ew schmiege

With two years of college left, the résumé of Andrew Schmiege (Christ—Oakley MI) already drips with versatility: he’s a double major in elementary education and secondary Spanish education with an eclectic set of college credits. His schedule this semester includes Lutheran Confessions, two foreign languages, a heavy dose of methods courses, and a full day of clinical experience teaching science and English to 6th graders in St. James. Oh—and he plays piano and sings in choir as well. After coffee in the cafeteria, his day begins:

10:45 am Chapel

9:15 am Piano Lesson with Instructor Bethel Boeder: He isn’t planning on a career as a recitalist, but looking ahead to his ministry he says modestly, “Someday I might have to punch out some notes on the piano.”

1:00 pm Lunch: He likes the Special K bars.

9:45 am Teaching Foreign Language with Professor Paul Bases, a class that introduces him to instructional resources and strategies he can use in his classroom someday: “It’s just seven students and Professor Bases. We did our immersion experience in Ecuador together. The class is very real. Rigorous, but practical.” One distinction of MLC’s Spanish program is demonstrated by the title of another course Andrew took: Communicating Christ in Spanish. “I’ve already used the Spanish I learned during Communicating Christ in Ecuador while speaking with a teacher. The religious vocabulary is key to accurately conveying Jesus’ love.”

Carlton Palenske NWC ’54 Toledo OH

Ellen Klatt DMLC ’69 Hazel SD

Seco

11:10 am Lutheran Confessional Writings with Dr. Mark Lenz: We’re a confessional Lutheran church, and this study of the confessions of the Book of Concord is required. 12:05 pm Latin (Aeneid) with Instructor Karl Valleskey: Spanish is demanding enough. Why another language? “It enhances my Spanish,” he says, “and what’s more, my Spanish enhances my Latin! I love languages.”

2:00 pm College Chorale with Professor Kurt Wittmershaus: “It feels good to sing in a good choir. Someday I’ll maybe direct kids in a choir.” 2:50 pm Teaching Reading with Dr. Cindy Whaley: “For a teacher, this is the most important class an MLC student will take. It’s not only a class about teaching reading, but teaching in general. I especially found it useful because teaching first-year Spanish students is very similar to teaching first and second graders how to read. Dr. Whaley is a very passionate teacher, which is always very motivating for an upcoming teacher.” 3:45 pm A Change of Pace: “I might work out in the fitness center or run to Mankato and donate some plasma”—one way to earn cash for books and tuition.

Nancy Ebert DMLC ’69 Reedsville WI

Carol Gieseke DMLC ’44 New Ulm MN

Rebecca Seeger taught English as a foreign language in Southeast Asia from August 2006 to the present.

What is the Higher Learning Commission? It is one of six regional accreditation agencies in the United States. The United States Department of Education recognizes the Higher Learning Commission as the accreditator of colleges and universities in 19 Midwestern states. It evaluates a college’s governance and administration, organizational effectiveness, financial stability, resources, admissions and student services, student academic achievement, and relationships with outside constituencies.

By Jennifer Joecks—Southeast Asia

[Excerpt] Smoke and incense filled the air, making it difficult to breathe in the crowded room. Worshippers pushed through the temple carrying sticks of incense and flaming candles. The scenes that day were hard to watch. Toddlers lifted to touch images of stone. Mothers helping children light incense. Fathers demonstrating how to bow before idols. Teenagers placing offerings at the feet of man-made statues. Hands folded in prayer, petitioning deaf and lifeless ears. . . . I have the honor of leading them out of the clouds of incense, past the golden statues, to the One who provides lasting hope and peace. . . .

LD S

2009 Thalassa

important for many reasons, including the following.

Twenty international teachers entered our third annual Thalassa Prize

• Only students who attend accredited colleges and universities are eligible for federal and state financial aid. In 2008-09, 70% of MLC students received government financial aid grants or loans.

competition, sending us photos and written reflections on their ministries overseas. Thalassa [THAH-lah-sah] is Greek for “the sea.” This year’s Thalassa Prize winner is Rachel Meyer. The $1000 prize, given by an anonymous donor, has been divided between Ms. Meyer and her mission choice. Although MLC Daylight International teachers serve in about 10 different countries this year, the 2009 entrants were predominantly from Southeast Asia.

School Schedule in 1914

• Graduation from an accredited undergraduate institution is an expectation for admission into graduate schools.

6:15 pm Supper

• Credits earned at an accredited institution transfer to other institutions.

7:00 pm Chapel

• Graduation from an accredited college or university is a prerequisite for obtaining state teaching licenses.

7:30 pm Library: One homework item among many on tonight’s list: “I have to read a 190-page book for Children’s Literature and prepare a lesson.”

• We live in a credentialed society in which people judge quality by credentials. Graduation from an accredited institution provides evidence of the degree’s quality.

9:30 pm Dorm: “We might play some NCAA football on a video game, or maybe I’ll do a little more homework. Probably the first option.” 11:30 pm Cafeteria: It’s open till midnight, so he’s got time to grab a quick pop and hotdog before bed. Tomorrow his classes don’t start until 9:45, so he can sleep in a bit.

How did MLC prepare for the accreditation visit? A self-study steering committee directed the study. Members of the faculty, staff, and student body served on committees to gather evidence that demonstrated how well the college met the accreditation criteria. MLC students and faculty, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary students and faculty, graduates, principals, and laypeople were surveyed. The National Survey of Student Engagement, the Student Satisfaction Inventory, the college’s strategic planning results, and the college’s assessment data were also used to provide evidence of the college’s effectiveness. Self-study work began in October 2006 and culminated with the writing of the self-study report and the accreditation team visit in 2009.

“Constant Companion”

A typical Wednesday schedule for DMLC students in 1914 ended at lunch. In fact, until as late as 1970, students had half days on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Looking Ahead: In the next two years, he’ll student teach in both elementary and high school. His training in Spanish education is gaining momentum, and his desire to develop his gifts in service to God permeates his thoughts: “This summer I’m going to go to Ecuador for Spanish immersion again (pictured). I don’t have to, but I want to do it. After I graduate, maybe I’ll go teach in Colombia and then get my master’s in Spanish.” Whatever he chooses, you can sense that God has blessed him with a drive for excellence, and he wants to prepare himself as well as possible for that day when he enters the public ministry—in a classroom of sixth graders or sophomores, Spanish speakers or not.

2 0 0 9 W I NNE R

2 0 0 9 R u n n e r- U P

T H E WO R OF

He explains what the commission is, what the visiting team said, and why their evaluation is important for MLC as we train pastors, teachers, and staff ministers for public ministry in the WELS.

“Life for the Lost” 2 0 0 9 R u n n e r- U P

2 0 0 9 R u n n e r- U P

InFocus asked Dr. David Wendler for his thoughts on the Higher Learning Commission’s visit. In addition to serving as the MLC Vice President for Academics, Dr. Wendler also serves on the Higher Learning Commission himself, as a consultant-evaluator who leads visiting teams to other colleges.

Mary Balza taught English as a foreign language to middle school and high school students in Southeast Asia from November 2006 to June 2008.

[Excerpt] . . . Although we stood only a few feet away from them, there was a chasm between us. Our differences were as marked as night and day: white skin vs. yellow, rich vs. not-enough-money-to-buy-soap poor, English vs. Lisu dialect, age vs. youth. We were separated by an entire culture, but curiously united by something much stronger. The same Spirit, who took us out of our spiritual poverty and gave us the incredible riches of His Grace, did the same for them. . . .

HE HE TO T AR

[Excerpt] . . . All people are traveling on the road of life. For those who know Jesus, that road leads to heaven. . . Sadly, at this time, the majority of the 1.3 billion people living in this country still do not know Christ. The good news is that many of those people are open to hearing the gospel and more and more people are coming to faith every day! . . . Only God knows when or if that road will end. Only God knows when the road of each person’s life will come to an end. . . . The time to go and tell them is now, before the end of the road!

By Rebecca Seeger—Southeast Asia

Why is accreditation important to MLC and MLC graduates? Accreditation is

The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools awarded a ten-year continuation of MLC’s accreditation on June 25, the pronouncement a result of their March 30-April 1 campus evaluation visit. The five-member team consisted of Dr. Beth Jernberg (chair), Professor of Education, University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls SD; Dr. Cheryl Jacobsen, Provost and Academic Dean, Loras College, Dubuque IA; Dr. Carol Ann Mooney, President, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame IN; Dr. Jacci Rodgers, Professor and Chair of Accounting and Information Technology, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City OK; and Dr. Ronald Shope, Professor of Communication and Research/Director of Assessment & Institutional Research, Grace University, Omaha NE.

“Separated but United”

By Mary Balza—Southeast Asia

MLC’s Third Annual Contest

“The End of the Road”

M THE

F THE PR AI T O

Prize

F RO

MLC Awarded Ten-YearSecondary Spanish Education Major

In a 1914 Messenger, a student writes more about the typical schedule for the college “boys”—a schedule that looks surprisingly like that of a preparatory school student today. 6:00 am: Wake-up by tower bells 6:20 am: Chapel Breakfast (The author mentions his favorite comfort food, kneep, or syrup.) Make beds, sweep rooms, get ready for class 7:30 am: Bells ring for English Chapel, which included town students 8:00 am: Five 40-minute “recitation” periods in Recitation Hall (Old Main) 11:50 am: Dinner, rest, and relaxation 1:20 pm: Four more recitation, or class, periods 4:00 pm: Free time—many of the “boys” went downtown to the “sweet shops” 6:00 pm: Supper 7:00 pm: Study hall 9:00 pm: Evening chapel 10:00 pm: Lights out

By Rachel Meyer—Southeast Asia A young girl shuffled along a rustic path. Ignoring the beauty in the surrounding mountaintops, she focused on the small distractions. She whimpered when the steps became too high or when a strong wind blew in her face. Her father accompanied her on this short journey. He never left her side. Clutching a large load over his shoulder, he placed his free hand behind her, carefully leading her along the uneven stones. Amazingly, his guidance went unnoticed by his young child. To many, life seems unbearable. They are tired and saddened, concentrating on the trials of this hopeless world. Blind with unbelief, they fail to notice a companion who lowered himself to give them peace. To share the good news is a command and the responsibility of all believers. Opportunities to fulfill this command are as plentiful as there are people in the world. In my work here, I am blessed to share the news about our ever-present Friend. While some analyze, others cling to His promises and the new clarity which permeate their lives. Only the Good Shepherd knows when true faith is planted in a person’s heart, and I rejoice when He gives me evidence. A friend reflected upon His saving work as she left study. While tying her Converse shoes, she confessed, “Some days I feel like I can’t do it, but then I am very confident when I remember that it is He who makes me brave to face everything in life. I hear Him say to me tonight, ‘Go in peace.’” Until we reach our final destination, our constant Companion guides our earthly walk with an abiding peace that never departs from those whom He loves.

Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mark 16:15

Jennifer Joecks has worked in Southeast Asia from September 2007 to the present.

Rebecca Schultz DMLC ’79 Juneau WI

Robert Bitter NWC ’64 Millersville WI

John Gawrisch NWC ’74 Mequon WI

Rosalie Radue DMLC ’64 Maribel WI

Lenore Thurow DMLC ’39 Menomonie MI

Mark Wenzel NWC ’84 West Allis WI

Dawn Reckzin DMLC ’84 Nepean, Ontario CN

Bernard Kuschel NWC ’39 Pound WI

132

Praise Him for never leaving us alone. Rachel Meyer taught English as a foreign language to grades 7-9 in Southeast Asia from August 2007 to June 2009.

Rebecca Seeger taught English as a foreign language in Southeast Asia from August 2006 to the present.

By Jennifer Joecks—Southeast Asia

LD S

2009 Thalassa

important for many reasons, including the following.

Twenty international teachers entered our third annual Thalassa Prize

• Only students who attend accredited colleges and universities are eligible for federal and state financial aid. In 2008-09, 70% of MLC students received government financial aid grants or loans.

School Schedule in 1914

• Graduation from an accredited undergraduate institution is an expectation for admission into graduate schools.

6:15 pm Supper

• Credits earned at an accredited institution transfer to other institutions.

7:00 pm Chapel

• Graduation from an accredited college or university is a prerequisite for obtaining state teaching licenses.

7:30 pm Library: One homework item among many on tonight’s list: “I have to read a 190-page book for Children’s Literature and prepare a lesson.”

• We live in a credentialed society in which people judge quality by credentials. Graduation from an accredited institution provides evidence of the degree’s quality.

“Constant Companion”

A typical Wednesday schedule for DMLC students in 1914 ended at lunch. In fact, until as late as 1970, students had half days on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

2 0 0 9 W I NNE R

2 0 0 9 R u n n e r- U P

T H E WO R OF

He explains what the commission is, what the visiting team said, and why their evaluation is important for MLC as we train pastors, teachers, and staff ministers for public ministry in the WELS.

“Life for the Lost” 2 0 0 9 R u n n e r- U P

2 0 0 9 R u n n e r- U P

Mary Balza taught English as a foreign language to middle school and high school students in Southeast Asia from November 2006 to June 2008.

HE HE TO T AR

By Rebecca Seeger—Southeast Asia

Why is accreditation important to MLC and MLC graduates? Accreditation is

“Separated but United”

By Mary Balza—Southeast Asia

MLC’s Third Annual Contest

“The End of the Road”

M THE

F THE PR AI T O

Prize

F RO

MLC Awarded Ten-YearSecondary Spanish Education Major

Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mark 16:15

Jennifer Joecks has worked in Southeast Asia from September 2007 to the present.

Rebecca Schultz DMLC ’79 Juneau WI

Robert Bitter NWC ’64 Millersville WI

John Gawrisch NWC ’74 Mequon WI

Rosalie Radue DMLC ’64 Maribel WI

Lenore Thurow DMLC ’39 Menomonie MI

Mark Wenzel NWC ’84 West Allis WI

Dawn Reckzin DMLC ’84 Nepean, Ontario CN

Bernard Kuschel NWC ’39 Pound WI

132

Praise Him for never leaving us alone. Rachel Meyer taught English as a foreign language to grades 7-9 in Southeast Asia from August 2007 to June 2009.

JulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJune

A Year InFocus

Readers’ Theater: Frankenstein Radio

More than 2000 fans attended “Fun, Friends, and Football” at Luther Prep’s Umnus Field. Honored at halftime were alumni football players from all three of our colleges: NWC Trojans, DMLC Lancers, and MLC Knights.

MLC Alumni Association Board adopts constitution at Homecoming. The group set priorities and planned events, including a July Alumni Reunion Weekend.

Musical: Students present the original musical The Sundance Kid, written by MLC students Kent Reeder and Dan Johnston.

Wind Symphony presents first concert. Four other concerts and a tour of the Midwest will fill out their season.

2008-2009 school year begins

“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” is the theme of the fourth annual Evangelism Day at MLC, featuring presentations by dozens of pastors, missionaries, and teachers, including keynote speaker Pastor Tim Soukup.

Higher Learning Commission recommends renewed MLC accreditation for 10 years.

The 62-member College Choir finishes their tour to 10 congregations and three Lutheran high schools in Michigan and Wisconsin.

On May 16, 139 undergraduates and four graduate students earned their degrees.

Men’s cross country team takes UMAC championship, their ninth title in 11 years. Professor Mark Paustian named UMAC Coach of the Year for fourth time.

The Late Knight Show: Students skate through cold and crazy Winter Carnival.

Professor Lori Unke earns UMAC Volleyball Coach of the Year.

Hamlet presented by Forum in Outdoor Classical Theater. Next year students can register for a new major: secondary life science education.

Children’s Theater Three Fairy Godmothers seen by 6,000 people.

Ballroom Blast—including mixers, speed dating, and dancing— enjoyed by first-year students.

Fall sports—soccer, golf, cross country, volleyball, and football—enjoy successful seasons in the UMAC. Students, alumni, and visitors enjoy Homecoming at MLC: football, soccer, cross country, talent show, and competitions (Iron Chef, Mr. Concord, and the Amazing Race).

View this DVD to discover

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the exciting opportunities MLC can offer you . . . on campus, off campus, and around the world!

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©Martin Luther College 2008

Focus on Ministry welcomes 164 high school students to talk about ministry and get a taste of college life. Several hundred more attend similar events later in the year.

Knights basketball fans cheer their team with “White-Out Night” and “Black-Out Night.”

Campus Arbor Day

Ladies’ Auxiliary holds annual meeting at MLC and adopts project list. Year-end gifts will total more than $11,000.

Men’s golf takes home first-ever championship. Professor Larry Lotito named UMAC Coach of the Year.

All choirs and instrumental groups praise the newborn Christ at annual Christmas Concert, which closes with the traditional “O Jesus Christ, Your Manger Is.”

Professor John Gronholz appointed to the steering committee of “Heart of New Ulm,” a $40 million heart health project sponsored by the Minnesota Heart Institute and Allina Health. First health screens will be done on MLC campus.

Many speakers visited campus this year, including the following: Reactive Attachment Disorder: Dr. Alan Spurgeon, Vicar Year: Joe Koelpin and Ben Enstad, Writing Children’s Books: Jill Kalz, Hmong Outreach: Pastor Leon Piepenbrink, Gambling Addictions: Pastor David Koelpin, Mexico: Missionary Mike Hartman, Personal and Relational Safety: Counselor Anita Smith, Lutheran Schools for Outreach: Dr. Gene Pfeifer, WELS Pastoral Ministry: Pastor Vilas Glaeske, First-Year Concerns/Second-Year Confidence: Teacher Jamie Spielbauer, The Pastor and His Family: Pastor Randy Hunter, Making Decisions: Professor Emeritus Daniel Deutschlander

Students enjoy games, bands, and food at the annual Swine Sizzler.

This summer, 75+ MLC students will lend ministry assistance to WELS congregations coast to coast through our Daylight USA program.

Four seniors student teach in Florida. Until last year, when four seniors taught in Washington, students completed their student teaching in Midwestern schools only.

View this DVD to discover the exciting opportunities MLC can offer you . . . on campus, off campus, and around the world!

1995 Luther Court New Ulm, MN 56073

New admissions DVD is produced.

Veterans Day event honors vets from all five service branches and the National Guard.

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary students travel to MLC for annual WLS-MLC hockey match. Hockey is now an officially sanctioned club team at MLC.

Winter Play: Musical Comedy Murders of 1940

Football team finishes season with most explosive offense in school history, breaking seven offensive records. First-year education majors enjoy their first EFE, or early field experience, during spring break. Sophomores and juniors complete their EFEs off campus.

Men’s basketball team earns regular season cochampionship, and Professor Jim Unke named UMAC Coach of the Year for second consecutive season.

Spring sports in full swing.

Eighty candidates receive assignments on Call Day.

Campus mourns as firstyear students Zachary Moyle and Ryan Zweifel, both Lakeside Lutheran HS graduates, were called home to heaven after a tragic car accident.