Transitioning to an Online World

On 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 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.”

PHAT TUESDAY Student Programming reinvented Phat Tuesday, a weekly on-campus favorite where students stop by the Warrior Underground for a free treat. During virtual Phat Tuesday, students put their creativity to the test through food challenges where they prepared pizza, cookies, breakfast, and ice cream sundaes. Students voted for the winners on Instagram.

Heather Holtz ’20, who participated in events from her home in Lilongwe, Malawi, won the Phat Tuesday pizza challenge. She said: “Staying connected through WLC's online events and activities has been super fun and allowed us students to be creative! Despite our isolation at home, we didn’t feel alone. I was really glad WLC continued traditions such as bingo and Phat Tuesday because it gave us a sense of normalcy and a way to stay connected with each other.”

HOUSING LOTTERY The Office of Residence Life held an online housing lottery over the course of two nights, allowing students to select their rooms, apartments, or houses for next year.

PANCAKES WITH THE PRESIDENT Pancakes with the President happens each semester the Sunday night before Finals Week. This year, President Johnson, along with outgoing Student Senate president Adam Pagel ’20 and incoming Senate president Evan O’Leary ’21 hosted the event on Facebook Live.

VIRTUAL FUN The popular Monday Madness trivia nights continued through Facebook Live. Nearly 200 students played virtual bingo on a Friday evening. Student Programming and the Warriors Events Board coordinated e-sports video game tournaments, scavenger hunts, DIY projects, an open mic night, and more. WLC students, faculty, staff, and alumni had fun dressing up for Virtual Spirit Week April 13-17.

CAMPUS MINISTRY The Office of Campus Ministry - led by campus pastors Greg Lyon and Wayne Shevey - offered virtual Bible studies, daily devotions on YouTube (edited by Pastor Lyon - pictured), and Bible trivia events. Pastor Shevey also checked in with each WLC student via text message five times to see how they were doing, then responded personally to the texts he got back.

HEALTH SERVICES The Office of Health Services conducted a “Let’s Get Moving, Warriors” contest where students, faculty, and staff submitted their step-counts to win prizes. The contest was held over a weekend in late March, and students’ accumulated steps reached nearly 475,000, while faculty and staff had more than 335,000 steps.

As the semester came to a close in May, Oertel reflected on the previous two months: “I am grateful to God for blessing WLC with incredible student- and missioncentered leaders. The Student Life team consists of individuals with servant hearts who, along with other amazing WLC colleagues, provided timely communication about the virus to the campus family; maintained counseling and student support services; checked in with students; cared for souls and focused on spiritual growth; and kept students connected and engaged.”

Transitioning ACADEMICS

The deans of WLC’s three colleges summed up the rapid transition to online learning, and the impact it had on both faculty and students.

foreign to many of them. What I found especially telling during this unprecedented time was the ongoing concern our faculty had for their students.”

Dr. David Brightsman, dean, College of Professional Studies: “WLC’s faculty found themselves challenged with moving to a distance-learning mode of instruction in a mere two weeks. Not only were they tasked to engage in a modality many were unfamiliar with, but they recognized the need to help our students learn how to learn in a way that was Dr. Jarrod Erbe, dean, College of Arts and Sciences: “To move courses online is a significant task under the best of circumstances. To do so with almost no lead time was really a testament to our faculty’s dedication to their students. WLC is truly blessed to have faculty who are committed to carrying out their ministry regardless of the challenges.”

Dr. Robert Balza ’98, dean, College of Health Sciences: “The School of Behavioral and Exercise Science leveraged online videoconferencing software, interactive polling software, and statistical analysis tools to advance student research projects in a virtual environment. The School of Nursing and Allied Health offered virtual clinical experiences and continued to mentor aspiring nurses. While this semester was less than ideal, it was an awesome reminder of God’s providence through human vocation.”

Friday, March 13 was the final day of Spring Break competition for the Warriors’ baseball and softball teams, but no one could have predicted that it would also be the final day of the season for all eight of WLC’s spring sports programs.

Within 10 days, coaches moved from face-to-face team meetings to weekly touchpoints via Zoom and other platforms. They engaged prospective student-athletes in virtual campus tours and video chats. Teams increased their social media presence by posting videos and announcing 2020 commits.

ADVISING & SUPPORT

Advising sessions and registration for fall courses were conducted remotely. Faculty advisors also guided their advisees through a late course withdrawal process and an alternative grading process.

“WLC’s faculty advisors were excellent during a new and challenging situation for academic advising! The pandemic disruption revealed ideas that can be advantageous going forward, such as virtual advising nights for majors.”

Prof. Paul Burmeister assistant dean of advising

The Student Success Center regularly reached out to students with tips and support for learning in a virtual environment and continued to offer tutoring services.

Prof. Marty Miller ’94, assistant professor of education, and Dr. Rhoda Wolle, dean of student success, delivered podcasts aimed at equipping parents and teachers to help students thrive during this time of isolation. Learn more at

5toThrive.net.

Transitioning ACADEMIC EVENTS

After 20-plus years of running Research Night face-to-face, WLC had to get creative with alternative ways of collecting data. This year, 48 student researchers took part in an online version of Research Night. The leadership of the psychology and communication departments, as well as Josh Johnson M.A. ’13, director of academic technology, ensured that the evening was a "virtual" success.

WLC traditionally hosts an Undergraduate Research Symposium each April. At the event, students present papers, research, or artistic projects. The college’s 20th annual event was canceled, but students were still invited to submit their paper or project. Those who were accepted to the 2020 symposium are listed at wlc.edu/ugrs. They all have been invited to present at the 2021 event.

On May 7, Wisconsin Lutheran College hosted a virtual Honors Convocation, during which scholarships and special awards were announced via Facebook and Twitter to recognize students from many academic programs. Visit wlc.edu/2020-Honors-Convocation for a complete list of awardees.

Anna Grepo ’21 was awarded the Sharon A. Schoeneck Christian Women's Leadership Scholarship at the 2020 Honors Convocation.

Transitioning

ADMISSIONS

The Office of Admissions expanded its recruitment efforts into the virtual realm. The team stayed connected with prospective students by increasing its social media presence and hosting virtual events.

Admissions ramped up its Facebook and Instagram accounts and used Facebook groups to stay connected with students and parents of the Class of 2024. The Admissions team also filmed a virtual visit experience, which they launched on March 26. It enables prospective students to visit with professors and their admissions counselor online. Students can take a selfguided, interactive campus tour as well, where they can see 360-degree views of key areas of WLC. To register for a virtual or in-person visit or take an online tour, go to wlc.edu/visit.