Celebrating 50 Years of God’s Grace

from Wisconsin Lutheran College Magazine

Storytelling Through Theatre

Founded in Prayer and Confidence in God

We recently spoke with Victor Manian, retired chief judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Courts, who drew up the articles of incorporation for WLC and served on the first Board of Regents. Manian shared his memories of the college’s founding 50 years ago and thoughts about WLC today.

– Lisa Leffel ’98, director of alumni relations

50th Anniversary Celebrations

Victor Manian

“We started with prayer and put our confidence in God,” began Manian as he reflected on the founding of Wisconsin Lutheran College.

In 1969, a group of nine men met at the home of Carroll Dummann, a businessman and active layman who wanted to create a new college. “Although there were very good colleges for students to consider, they were either not Christian, or they were for students who wanted to become pastors or teachers. We wanted to establish a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran college for lay people,” shared Manian. These nine men were not alone. A survey showed 158 congregations supported starting such a college. After three years of discussion and establishing the curriculum, WLC was incorporated in July 1972.

OPEN HOUSE: A campuswide event in September saw hundreds of alumni, friends, students, parents, faculty, and staff gathered at WLC. The day began with a worship service in the Schwan Concert Hall with a sermon from Rev. Mark Jeske, who served on the Board of Regents during the fledgling years of the college – a time when students and faculty were few but faithful, and finances were tenuous at best. The ensuing decades of incredible growth and blossoming opportunities were undoubtedly the hand of God at work in the college’s mission.

Highlights of the Open House included a special Afternoon Tea hosted by retired faculty members (pictured), tours of classrooms and labs, meet-and-greets, historical displays, family activities, food, and fellowship. The celebration was capped off with a Warriors football game at Raabe Stadium.

50th Anniversary Celebrations

FOUNDERS’ DAY: On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its founding, WLC held a special chapel service in the Schwan Concert Hall on January 31, 2023, led by Rev. Nathan Wordell, campus pastor, and WELS Southeastern Wisconsin District president Rev. Daniel Leyrer. Student musicians and alumnus Kevin Becker ’06 provided the accompaniment. On January 31, 1973, Rev. Arnold H. Schroeder addressed Wisconsin Lutheran College’s founders with a devotion based on Psalm 127. That same Psalm formed the basis for the anniversary chapel service.

After chapel, the college held a public proclamation ceremony. In addition to several guest speakers (pictured below), WLC’s provost, Dr. John D. Kolander, read proclamations from the Milwaukee Common Council and the State of Wisconsin.

We thank all of you for your support over the past half century. Without you, we couldn’t have fulfilled our mission of preparing thousands of students for lives of Christian leadership!

“Students were seeking a Christian liberal arts education,” noted Manian. WLC started as a two-year institution on September 4, 1973, with 23 full-time and 14 part-time students, as well as eight students enrolled in an income tax course. Without a teaching facility, classes were taught after 4 p.m. at Wisconsin Lutheran High School (WLHS), when its classes for the day had ended. There were no full-time faculty, and Rev. Robert Krause served as the provisional president of the college while maintaining his duties as the high school’s principal.

Funding for this infant college came from 28 congregations and individuals who wanted to see the college succeed. Soon it was time for the college’s first major purchase, a Tudor-style home across the street from WLHS to serve as a student life center and residence for students. With no collateral, four members of the Board of Regents signed personal guarantees so the college could receive an $85,000 loan

In May 1974, Kathleen Reece became the first graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran College. A year later, Dr. Gary J. Greenfield was called to become WLC’s first full- time president and its first full-time employee. With classes still held at WLHS, the next step was to acquire a campus of its own. In 1977, the order of nuns that had established a girls’ home called the House of Good Shepherd, where the current campus sits, put its property up for sale. Manian said: “I think the location was very important. It was near the high school. It was in a popular area of the community. The freeway was nearby. There was room for expansion.” On July 31, 1977, Wisconsin Lutheran College purchased the property for $750,000.

WLC’s campus has expanded greatly over the years, from one main administration building (now named the Gary J. Greenfield Administration Building) to a sprawling property with the Marvin M. Schwan Library (1988), Recreation Complex (1992), Center for Arts and Performance (1996), Campus Center (1998), Stimac and Fischer Halls (2000), Aspire Hall (2014), and Parking Center (2016), in addition to the land purchase and development of the Outdoor Athletic Complex (2005) and construction of the Outdoor Athletic Center (2011). Manian said: “It turned out to be a very wonderful investment. We can all see how WLC has developed after all these years.”

Much of the 1980s was spent working toward accreditation to become a baccalaureate degreegranting institution. In 1987, WLC graduated 12 students with its first four-year degrees. “When we started, we had hoped to develop into a fouryear college. Seeing WLC today, and how it has expanded, it was what we hoped it would become. Wisconsin Lutheran College has developed an excellent reputation,” added Manian.

WLC has always been lay-driven. From its foundation to today, WLC not only is led by Christian servant leaders, but is preparing the next generation. “God has guided the college over the years and he has accomplished what we prayed for all those years ago,” said Manian. Dr. Timothy J. Kriewall was inaugurated as the second president soon after Greenfield’s retirement in 2003 and served the college for five years. Dr. Daniel W. Johnson was called as the college’s third president in 2008 and continues to serve WLC today.

From its humble beginnings, WLC was focused on servant leadership.

“The founders felt it was important to prepare Christian servant leaders. It was about our graduates doing things that are pleasing to God, helping fellow human beings,” noted Manian. Installed on the Quad in 2003 as a retirement gift for President Greenfield, the Divine Servant sculpture by Max Greiner Jr. of Jesus washing the feet of Peter serves as a daily reminder of the college’s mission and purpose since its founding. WLC exists to prepare Christian servant leaders for the world.

Today, WLC is an independent, residential, nationally ranked Christian college that serves nearly 1,100 undergraduate and graduate students. The college is committed to providing quality teaching, scholarship, and service that are rooted in Holy Scripture and promoting the spiritual growth of students, faculty, and staff.

Manian concluded: “We started with prayer. We put our faith in the Lord that he would guide us in starting this college … and as it turned out, it turned out.”

“God sent every resource that we truly needed. He sent eager students, amazing faculty, great leadership, and donors whose hearts were awakened. That didn’t just happen. God sent those people. Only God could have the vision to see how big this little ‘mustard seed’ was going to grow, and how many lives it would change.”

NICOLE TESSMER (B.A., English and Communication) celebrated with faculty members after the commencement ceremony.