FACULTY NEWS and Notes REV. DR. MICHAEL BERG, assistant professor of theology, presented “Making the Case for the Truth of the New Testament” at the Apologetics and Worldview Seminar at Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minnesota) in June 2019, “An Introduction to and Defense of Apologetics” at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s Symposium (Mequon, Wisconsin) in September, and “Apologetics” at Martin Luther College’s Convocation (New Ulm, Minnesota) in November. The paintings of PAUL BURMEISTER, associate professor of art and assistant dean of advising, were shown in four galleries during 2019, including juried regional exhibitions in Beloit and Racine, as well as an invitational exhibition in Oshkosh.
In November, DR. ANGELA EBELING ’99, associate professor of biology, presented at the 2019 American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America International Annual Meeting. Her poster, “Biosolid Treatment Effects on P Availability in Soil from Wisconsin Biosolids as Measured by Chemical Extractions and 31P Solution NMR,” included eight current and former WLC students as authors. She also 16 | Winter 2020
co-chaired the SASES (Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences) undergraduate presentation contest. DR. DANIEL EBELING ’98, professor of chemistry, received funding for work with student researchers on the development of novel sensors for gas detection and air quality monitoring. The research is supported by KWJ Engineering and SPEC Sensors in Newark, California. The research is ongoing and was incorporated into a chemistry class in spring 2019. Each student engineered a unique electrochemical sensor. KRISTIN GJERDSET, professor of art, was the artist in residence at Caribou Ranch for Boulder County (Nederland, Colorado) last summer, where she photographed and made images of many local insects. In exchange for the inspiring opportunity and her housing expense during the residency, she will make a painting to be displayed in a public building in Boulder County.
In October, DR. STACY HOEHL ’01, professor of communication, presented “The Courage to Change: Transforming Personal Pain into Impactful Change” at the International Leadership Association conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. REV. DR. WADE JOHNSTON, assistant professor of theology, published his fourth book in October. Let the Bird Fly – Life in a World Given Back to Us is based on the podcast “Let the Bird Fly!” (letthebirdfly.com) led by Johnston, REV. DR. MICHAEL BERG, and two others. Johnston’s book is an expression of confidence in the power of absolution and God’s love for humanity in and through Christ. The foreword was written by Berg. In October, DR. DONALD KUDEK, assistant professor of business administration and department chair for the School of Business, traveled to Canada to participate in a “Train the Trainer” session with Ira Chaleff, a pioneer in the field of followership. Kudek also presented at the 21st Annual International Leadership Association Global Conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, in October. His presentation was titled “Relationship Between Kelley’s Followership Styles and the Big Five Factor Model of Personality.”
