Student Service Projects and Recognition

SERVING THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY

The Serve2Lead Impact Challenge, organized by WLC’s Center for Christian Leadership, began in 2019 as a way to encourage students to make a difference in the local community. Many Milwaukee-area groups and nonprofits are facing difficult times right now, and they need support, encouragement, and resources to overcome those challenges. Over the course of the three competitions, $34,000 has been awarded to 11 teams of WLC students to impact area groups and organizations.

For this year’s program, students in WLC’s Christian Leadership Certificate Program formed three- to eight-person teams and created Servant Leadership Impact Plans to influence their community in a positive way. Selected teams each gave a short presentation on March 6, 2021, pitching their plans in a “Shark Tank”-style format in front of a live audience on WLC’s campus. A panel of judges offered comments, questions, and critiques to each team.

Thanks to donors and corporate sponsors, three teams (see sidebar) received grants at this year’s event; they will be implementing their plans throughout the summer.

PROJECT BRIGHT HORIZONS

The Project Bright Horizons team (presenters: Zechariah Jung, Zach Kline, Ben Bateman) received a $5,000 grant to build new computers for Lighthouse Youth Center in Milwaukee, which will enhance digital learning opportunities in the center’s after-school programs. Students at Lighthouse Youth Center will participate with WLC students in the hands-on construction process to spark interest in technology.

HOOKED ON FISHING

The Hooked on Fishing team (presenters: Isabell Scheibl, Hannah Cook, Grace Kortens) was granted $4,000 to host fishing clinics for Milwaukee-area children. Clinic activities will include learning to tie knots, how to cast, how to clean a fish, and more, culminating in a chance to catch fish in a stocked pond. Participants will leave with their own set of fishing gear, and the clinic should spark a new passion for enjoying the outdoors and the sport of fishing.

MILWAUKEE MENTORING

The Milwaukee Mentoring team (presenters: Brevin Jegerlehner, Amelia Bock, Carter Schneider) received $3,000 to host football and basketball camps for high school athletes. Following the camps, there will be an on-going mentorship between camp attendees and WLC student-athletes, who will go through a mentor training program so they can help support the high school students as they transition to college.

Recognizing Student Achievement

Abigail Bloomquist received the Mary Heins Scholarship for Excellence in Communication at Honors Convocation. Bloomquist is pictured with Prof. Mary Heins, Professor Emeritus of Communication. Three traditional events returned to the Wisconsin Lutheran College campus this spring: the Undergraduate Research Symposium, Honors Convocation, and the Impact Award Celebration.

After a one-year hiatus, the

Undergraduate Research

Symposium took place on April 28. Those who were accepted to present at the canceled 2020 symposium were invited to present at the 2021 event, along with current students. Students gave 29 presentations, covering a variety of topics in the sciences and liberal arts. Dr. David Schulz, Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, gave the keynote address in the Schwan Concert Hall.

WLC held its Honors Convocation in the Time of Grace Center on May 6, where scholarships and special awards were given to recognize more than 65 students from nearly every academic program. Prof. Chad Lindemann, Professor of Art, was the faculty speaker at the event.

Celebrating student leadership is the purpose of the college’s Impact Award Celebration, which was held on May 12 in the Schwan Concert Hall. The keynote speech was given by Karen Fischer, Program Manager at WLCFS-Christian Family Solutions and former Director of Student Health at WLC. Students from the following groups were recognized at the event: Warrior Events Board, Student Senate, seniors who were members of the Conduct Board, and resident assistants. Dr. David Schulz returned to campus to present the 2021 Impact Award to John Sell.

Students Laura Sanford and Connor Boinski (pictured) presented on a relevant topic at the Undergraduate Research Symposium: “Ozone Sterilization of Mask Material.”

Finalists for the 2021 Impact Award were (left to right) Abigail Raasch, John Sell, and Kyle Brandenburg.