COLLEGE LEADERSHIP
Dear Friends,
Having finished our 49th year, God continues to out-dream us all at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Navigating successfully through post-pandemic times was challenging, but God blessed us with another near-record freshman enrollment! In fact, we’ve enrolled three of the largest classes ever in the history of WLC during the past four years.
We were able to return to a sense of normalcy with traditions like WLC Christmas and celebrating with our seniors for commencement, which returned to our campus. Most importantly, we never missed a beat in fulfilling our mission of preparing Christian servant leaders, which remains the same and is needed today more than ever, as we serve within a broken and hurting world.
During a time in our nation’s history when Christian values are questioned, and sometimes even the notion of needing a college education, WLC holds steadfast in its commitment to providing a high-quality, Christian highereducation experience. Our foundation based on God’s Word and the scriptures remains firmly grounded.
As you page through this report, you will see evidence of our amazing students, faculty, and staff, whom the Gospel emboldens to lead here at WLC and throughout the world. We could not accomplish our mission without our dedicated donors. Thank you for your continued prayers and support as WLC moves forward and continues to grow and impact the world, one Christian servant leader at a time.
In Christ’s service with you, Dr. Daniel W. Johnson, President Wisconsin Lutheran College
BOARD OF REGENTS 2021-2022
C. Peter Aisbet (Chair) Slinger, Wisconsin
Steven Boettcher Hartland, Wisconsin
Matthew Burow West Bend, Wisconsin
Rev. James Buske Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Gary Drska Muskego, Wisconsin
Bruce Eberle Vienna, Virginia
Rev. Jonathan Enter South St. Paul, Minnesota
Patricia Freer Fremont, Wisconsin
Stephen Granberg Appleton, Wisconsin
Dr. Terry Gueldner Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Charles Kluenker Roseville, California
Rev. Carlos Leyrer Doral, Florida
Dr. R. Bowen Loftin Bryan, Texas
Jamie Luehring Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Rev. Jeremy Mattek Willis, Texas
Mark Neumann Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Rev. Jared Oldenburg Castle Rock, Colorado
John Pahmeier ’92 Mequon, Wisconsin
Greg Patterson ’12 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tom Plath Germantown, Tennessee
Kent Raabe Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Dr. William Raasch Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Jim Reinert Parkville, Missouri
Rev. Aaron Robinson New Ulm, Minnesota
Paul Scriver Kansasville, Wisconsin
Dr. Zach Shiels ’09 Waukesha, Wisconsin
Chellee Siewert Big Bend, Wisconsin
C. Daniel Stefferud Redondo Beach, California
Dr. Gary Stimac Houston, Texas
Lawrence Totsky Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Debra Waller Kenosha, Wisconsin
Dr. Ronald White Fort Myers, Florida
Mark Wrightsman Venice, Florida
WLC CABINET
2021-2022
Dr. Daniel W. Johnson President
Dr. John D. Kolander Provost
Lucas Faust ’02 Vice President of Enrollment
Jon Flanagan Vice President of Human Resources
Dr. Richard Mannisto ’94 Vice President of Advancement
Ryan Oertel Vice President of Student Life
Gary Schmid ’82 Vice President of Finance
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Wisconsin Lutheran College is a nationally ranked, independent Christian college in Milwaukee that serves 1,104 undergraduate and graduate students through its on-campus and online programming. The college, which prepares students for lives of Christian leadership, is recognized for its academic excellence and superior student experience.
2021-2022
2021-2022 COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS
JULY 2021
The WLC men’s and women’s track & field teams were named All-Academic Teams by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. This was the second straight season that both programs were honored by the organization.
AUGUST 2021
WLC announced the newest members of its Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2021 induction class included Chris Glasel ’08 (baseball), Jamie Hennen ’96 (baseball), Amanda (Markham) Frier ’16 (track & field), Michael Reeves ’15 (football and track & field), Kristen Schulz ’15 (women’s basketball), Wayne A. Smith (coach, women’s basketball), Lee Johnson ’15 (men’s tennis), and Sean Esenberg ’16 (men’s golf).
SEPTEMBER 2021
WLC was ranked 18th in the nation by Washington Monthly in its 2021 listing of Bachelor’s Colleges. The publication also included WLC in its ranking of Best Bang for the Buck Colleges; WLC was 15th on a list of 371 ranked schools in the Midwest.
For 2022, U.S. News & World Report rated WLC as one of the Top 20 Regional Colleges in the Midwest. WLC also was included in the U.S. News rankings for Best Value Schools, ranked 14th among Regional Colleges in the Midwest.
OCTOBER 2021
On October 9, WLC welcomed families to campus for Warriors Parent and Family Day. More than 350 people attended the event.
WLC hosted The Rescue Story Tour on October 14. This soldout concert in the Time of Grace Center featured Christian artist Zach Williams with We the Kingdom and Cain.
The Center for Christian Leadership hosted power luncheons for business leaders in both Milwaukee and Madison. The
keynote speaker at both luncheons was Dee Ann Turner, CEO of Dee Ann Turner & Associates, LLC, three-time best-selling author, and a 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A.
NOVEMBER 2021
The WLC Theatre Department opened its season with eight performances of the well-known musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Directed by Prof. Simon Provan, this revised version of the 1967 hit Broadway hit brought to life characters from the lovable Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz.
DECEMBER 2021
On December 16, WLC held winter commencement exercises in the Time of Grace Center, where diplomas were awarded to more than 40 students. Dr. Daniel Ebeling ’98, professor of chemistry, gave the keynote address. Alumnus Jim Pautz ’86 welcomed graduates to the ranks of WLC alumni.
JANUARY 2022
During J Term, WLC professors Dr. Ethan Degner and Courtney Moll ’09 traveled with eight students to Summerland Key in Florida to take part in marine biology activities and research. Students participated in a number of projects including invertebrate collection and typing, conservation efforts, and snorkeling. They also took a short course with the Mote Marine Lab.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) awarded initial accreditation to the college’s exercise science program. WLC’s Bachelor of Science in sport and exercise science degree program became one of only 64 baccalaureate programs nationally, and the only exercise science program in Wisconsin, to be accredited by CAAHEP.
FEBRUARY 2022
From February through early April, about 50 paintings and drawings by Paul Burmeister, professor of art at WLC, were
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October – Zach Williams Concert
January – Marine Biology Research Trip
on display in the Schlueter Art Gallery. The retrospective exhibition featuring artwork from more than 30 years of Burmeister’s career was titled “Subject Matter 1987-2021.”
The fourth Serve2Lead Impact Challenge was held on February 26 in the Schwan Concert Hall. This challenge was established by the Center for Christian Leadership as an opportunity for students to create servant leadership impact plans that would positively impact the local community. This year, three teams were selected to receive funding for their projects.
MARCH 2022
Senior Kendra Schumacher became the first student-athlete in women’s track & field history to earn All-American honors after finishing fourth in the 200m final at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 5.
The Wisconsin Lutheran Choir and Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. James A. Nowack, performed four concerts in Georgia and Florida from March 13-18. The 2022 Spring Tour concluded with a home concert in the Schwan Concert Hall on March 25.
WLC was honored to have violinist Frank Almond teach a master class for students. Almond, who held the concertmaster chair with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for 25 years, offered feedback and instruction to students in the Schwan Concert Hall.
WLC announced the addition of Esports as its 20th varsity athletics program, effective with the 2022-2023 season. Director of Athletics Skip Noon appointed WLC alumnus Austen Eppen ’20 as the program’s first head coach.
APRIL 2022
WLC hosted a sold-out concert featuring Grammy Awardwinning artists Casting Crowns with special guests We Are
Messengers and Jonathan Traylor. The event, which was part of The Healer Tour, took place April 1 in the college’s Time of Grace Center in front of more than 2,000 people.
MAY 2022
On May 5, WLC held its annual Honors Convocation in the Schwan Concert Hall, where scholarships and special awards were given to recognize students from nearly every academic program. Dr. John Werner was the faculty speaker at the event.
WLC students were honored at the 2022 Impact Award Luncheon, an annual student leadership recognition event, on May 11. Senior Sam Rodmyre, a biology major from Federal Way, Washington, was the 30th recipient of the Impact Award.
On May 14, the WLC School of Nursing celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its first graduating class with an open house. Nearly 80 alumni and friends of the program were in attendance for the luncheon. Guests enjoyed tours of the Sharon A. Schoeneck Nursing Lab and observed patient-care simulator demonstrations.
WLC awarded diplomas to more than 190 traditional undergraduate students, accelerated degree completion students, and graduate students at commencement. Rev. Dr. Mark Braun, professor emeritus of theology, gave the keynote address and was presented the Pro Gloria Dei Award, recognizing his life of distinguished service to God and his people.
JUNE 2022
WLC presented the Divine Servant Award to Kathie Lee Gifford during a celebration event on June 3. Gifford is an Emmy Award-winning host and prolific playwright, recording artist, author, and humanitarian who brought an uplifting spirit to the event. More than 400 guests enjoyed an evening filled with fun, food, and conversation, while raising more than $760,000 for student scholarships.
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May – School of Nursing Anniversary Event
June – Divine Servant Award Celebration
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION – audited (rounded to 000s) June 30, 2022 June 30, 2021 ASSETS Cash, investments, and charitable trust$ 52,978,000$ 52,907,000 Contributions receivable $
Other assets $
650,000 Land, building, and equipment, net $ 67,819,000$ 69,791,000 TOTAL ASSETS $ 123,581,000$ 125,495,000 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS LIABILITIES Accounts payable and other liabilities$ 1,203,000$ 1,039,000 Annuities payable $ 183,000$ 183,000 Long-term bonds and notes payable $ 48,738,000$ 49,583,000 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 50,124,000$ 50,805,000 NET ASSETS Unrestricted $ 31,734,000$ 36,290,000 Temporarily restricted $ 32,714,000$ 29,810,000 Permanently restricted $ 9,009,000$ 8,590,000 TOTAL NET ASSETS $ 73,457,000$ 74,690,000 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $ 123,581,000$ 125,495,000 REVENUE AND EXPENSES – audited (rounded to 000s) OPERATING REVENUE for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 Gross tuition and fees $ 30,136,000 Room and board $ 7,377,000 Unrestricted contributions $ 6,116,000 Restricted contributions $ 3,603,000 Endowment earnings $ 1,456,000 Other income $ 1,203,000 CARES Act grant revenue* $ 2,710,000 OPERATING REVENUE $ 52,601,000 OPERATING EXPENSES for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 Institutional scholarships $ 16,166,000 Salaries $ 11,522,000 Benefits $ 4,125,000 Supplies and expenses $ 6,191,000 Student grants (CARES Act)* $ 1,422,000 Contract services $ 5,395,000 Utilities $ 1,880,000 Depreciation $ 3,054,000 Interest $ 660,000 OPERATING EXPENSES $ 50,415,000 32% 23% 8% 12% 11% 4% 6% 1% 5% 57% 14% 12% 2% 7% Operating revenue $ 52,601,000 Operating expenses $ (50,415,000) Non-operating investment change $ (3,419,000) TOTAL CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $ (1,233,000) 3% 3% *Federal and State COVID relief dollars benefited students directly, reimbursed the College for direct expenses, and replaced lost revenue for the College. WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE FINANCIAL REPORT 6 | WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
2,101,000$ 2,147,000
683,000$
ENDOWMENT
– audited (rounded to 000s)
Balance June 30, 2021
INVESTMENTS
Permanent endowment* $ 9,786,000
Interest in charitable trust $ 358,000
Quasi- (board designated-) endowment**$ 21,092,000
Legacy Fund endowment** $ 14,690,000
Split interest agreements/cash $ 1,060,000
MARKET VALUE $ 46,986,000
TRANSACTIONS
Contributions
917,000
(1,996,000)
(1,400,000)
(2,479,000)
Balance June 30, 2022
INVESTMENTS
Permanent endowment* $ 10,129,000
Interest in charitable trust $ 364,000
Quasi- (board designated-) endowment**$ 16,711,000 Legacy Fund endowment** $ 16,363,000 Split interest agreements/cash $ 940,000
TOTAL MARKET VALUE $ 44,507,000
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$
Earned income and market price adjustments$
Scholarships granted $
NET DECREASE $
ENDOWMENT MARKET VALUE AND STUDENT ENROLLMENT
$0 $10,000,000 $20,000,000 $30,000,000 $40,000,000 $50,000,000 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 2013201420152016201720182019202020212022 MARKET VALUE ENROLLMENT Endowment Market Value Student Enrollment
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN COLLEGE FINANCIAL REPORT
*includes realized gains and earned income only **includes unrealized gains In 2021-2022 the overall return on the market value of the endowment before scholarship awards was a decrease of -4.4%.
Thank You!
Wisconsin Lutheran College students who are awarded donor-funded scholarships annually thank their scholarship donors. Below you’ll find information about four such students, including excerpts from their thank-you notes. Gifts to scholarships make a big impact in the lives of WLC students. We thank all those who generously donate to student scholarships each year.
Since high school, I have spent most of my summers working to pay for my education. Without your generous support, it would be much more difficult for students like me to get a college education.
I was fortunate to have an internship at Johnsonville Foods in the accounting and finance department, where I worked with the cost team. I am further blessed to have an internship lined up with Baker Tilly’s auditing and assurance services.
After WLC, I plan to obtain my CPA license and work in public accounting. With my double major, I will have plenty of options to consider down the road, including starting my own business. Your support is helping me attend WLC. Thank you so much!
I have been so blessed to attend WLC. Opportunities like internships, volunteer experiences, and academic courses have helped to strengthen my skills as a Human Social Services major. I started the Human Social Services Club to hopefully bring more people into the major as well as to serve the local community. I love every second of being an HSS major, and I plan to pursue my Master of Social Work degree after graduating from WLC.
Without generous donors like you, I would not be able to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College. I value the education and opportunities that WLC provides me, and I am deeply appreciative of your support, which allows me to continue my education here. Thank you so much for thinking of students like me and giving so generously!
There are many ways for you to continue to support the important work of WLC. If you would like more information on how you can renew your commitment, please visit us online at wlc.edu/giving, contact the Office of Development at donor.services@wlc.edu, or call 414.443.8823.
If you have designated a legacy gift to support the mission of Wisconsin Lutheran College in your will or estate plan, please let us know by contacting Dr. Rich Mannisto ’94 at 414.443.8788 or rich.mannisto@wlc.edu. Informing us of your intent to make a gift tomorrow will allow us to say “thank you” today.
Alex Sprenger ’23 Cleveland, Wisconsin Accounting and Finance Major
McKenna Dietze ’23 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Human Social Services Major
I am grateful to have received scholarship support as I work hard at my academic career. Without kindhearted people like you who donate to scholarships, it would be very hard for my family to afford my schooling. It really helps me to keep going on my college journey no matter how tough it can be.
After earning my degree from WLC, I plan to attend graduate school for physical therapy. I would love to be a physical therapist for a college or pro football team. It is a dream of mine to rehabilitate athletes and help them return to play after experiencing an injury.
As I continue to grow academically and personally, I will remember to take a step back and count my blessings. Thank you again for your support.
I want to express my sincere gratitude for your financial support. You are helping me pursue my education and goals.
I am a biology major in WLC’s dual-degree pharmacy program. After graduating from WLC in 2023, I will enter the Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. With this degree, it is my desire to serve my community in any way that I can. As a first-generation Hispanic college student, I want to not only educate people about pharmaceuticals, but also advance the field of medicine.
Thanks to you, I am closer to achieving these goals, and I can focus more on doing well in my classes. Again, I am deeply appreciative of my scholarships, and I thank you for your generosity!
Our 2021-2022 Annual Report listing (print edition only) includes the names of all donors to Wisconsin Lutheran College from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. If your name is missing, we deeply apologize. However, one of the following statements may be a reason for your name not appearing:
• Our records show you have indicated your wish to remain anonymous.
• Your gift was made before July 1, 2021, and was recognized in a previous report or was made after June 30, 2022, and will be recognized in a future Annual Report.
• You made a pledge instead of a gift and plan to fulfill your commitment after June 30, 2022.
• A gift was made using a corporate check or was made through a foundation or other giving organization. In this case, look for the name of your corporation or organization in the Annual Report.
• There may be an error. Despite our best efforts, omissions can occur. If so, please accept our sincere apologies and notify the Office of Development, 414.443.8823, or email donor.services@wlc.edu.
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Niko Rosales ’23 Kenosha, Wisconsin Sport and Exercise Science Major
Noemi Cervera Evangelista ’23 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Biology Major
Thank You!
