Transitioning to an Online World
O
n March 12, during Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Spring Break, students received word that their break would extend another week due to the developing COVID-19 pandemic. On March 16, President Daniel W. Johnson informed the campus family that classes would be taught online beginning March 23. Two days later, he announced that the remainder of the spring semester would take place online. As WLC’s faculty and staff worked from home, they migrated services for students to an online format, and it was important to incorporate every aspect of the students’ campus experiences. While a team helped transition the college from face-to-face classes to virtual learning, a group of leaders was using its expertise and creativity to bring campus life to the students in their homes.
Transitioning STUDENT LIFE “Frequent engagement with students and open communication were critical in successfully making the transition from a unified, on-campus environment to suddenly being away from their campus home and each other,” said Ryan Oertel, vice president of student life. “The newly formed Student Engagement Task Force - and the students themselves - stepped up to keep Warriors pride alive even though they were many miles apart.” The task force included representation from Campus Ministry, Student Programming, Health Services, Student Success, Residence Life, Athletics, Student 12 | Spring/Summer 2020
Senate, Alumni Relations, and Marketing and Communication. The team met weekly to brainstorm, plan, and coordinate ways to keep students connected. Many ideas were modified and shared with prospective students and alumni to keep them engaged as well. Task force member Brady Coulthard ’22 (pictured above) said: “I was grateful to represent the students’ voices on this task force because staying engaged and involved is essential for our spiritual and emotional well-being, whether we are on campus or off. Many of our ideas and strategies will continue going forward.”
