J TERM TRIPS Studying,

Competing, and Witnessing

tudent travel opportunities returned to pre-pandemic levels as we kicked-off 2023. During the three weeks between New Year’s Day and the start of spring semester – aka January Term, or J Term – students could enroll in a course on campus or as part of a study tour. Campus Ministry and Athletics also led trips as the year began. Here’s a recap of the trips that were available to WLC students this year.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Warriors opened their 2023 season by securing the first two victories in program history during a trip to New York State: a 3-2 win over Bard College in Annandale-On-Hudson and a 3-0 sweep of Russell Sage College in Albany.

Theology 291 Footsteps Of Paul In Turkey

Rev. Dr. Joel Pless, professor of theology, led a two-week study tour of biblical Turkey. WLC students John Pless and Laura Kvidt displayed their Warriors’ pride at the site of biblical Derbe, where the apostle Paul preached the gospel and established a Christian congregation, as described in Acts 14. Also pictured is Rev. Dr. Glen Thompson, former professor of history at WLC.

Campus Ministry

Six WLC students – along with students from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and members of Heritage Lutheran Church – did 10 days of neighborhood evangelism in Gilbert, Arizona, with Truth in Love Ministries. They shared the message that Jesus is enough for our salvation.

Marine Biology 283 Marine Ecology

Twenty WLC students and seven Martin Luther College students studied marine ecology in Jamaica. The trip was led by assistant professor of biology Dr. Ethan Degner, assistant lecturer of biology Courtney Moll ’09, and Martin Luther College professor of theology Rev. Dr. Lawrence Olson.

MEN’S SOCCER

The Warriors traveled to England and Scotland to play three matches and explore all things “football” – including tours of famous stadiums and a visit to the National Football Museum. They also visited local sites such as Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and Edinburgh Castle.

Nursing 347 Global Health Immersion

Fifteen nursing students and three chaperones (assistant professor of nursing Dr. Stephanie Armstrong ’13, School of Nursing chair Dr. Sheryl Scott, and nursing program coordinator Amy Morin) traveled to Zambia for the first time since January 2020 to study the implementation of health care programs across the globe. Students observed medical practices and procedures in local clinics and hospitals, learned about diverse cultures, and conducted health education programs.

Theology 312 Theology Of Christian Worship

Students studying on campus got to take a trip with Rev. Michael Berg, assistant professor of theology. They took a self-guided audio tour of the beautiful Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee. St. Josaphat, which opened in 1901, was named the third basilica in the United States in 1929.

GALVAN GARNERS THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICAN HONORS

Wisconsin Lutheran College junior goalkeeper Puma

Galvan was named a Third Team AllAmerican by the United Soccer Coaches. He is the first student-athlete in program history to receive All-American recognition.

“Not only is it amazing that Puma is an All-American, but he did it a season after suffering a catastrophic injury,” said 23rd-year head coach Joe Luedke “He’s a great team leader and does so many intangible things that you don’t receive awards for. Puma is an amazing goalkeeper and makes saves at such a high level by putting himself in great position.”

THREE WARRIORS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT

WLC’s Jenna Charron (women’s volleyball), Kyle Kubacki (football), and Carter Schneider (football) were named 2022 Academic All-District recipients by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA).

Charron, a senior marketing and management major from Appleton, Wisconsin, was selected First Team All-NACC for the third straight season. Starting all 19 matches played, she led the Warriors in kills per set (3.37) and points per set (3.82), and was second in digs per set (2.49). Charron recorded eight double-doubles and had 14 double-digit kill performances.

Kubacki, a junior sports management major from St. Francis, Wisconsin, was named Second Team All-NACC for the second straight season. Playing all 10 games, he tied for third on the team with 50 total tackles, including 31 solo and 19 assisted. Kubacki tied for a team-high nine tackles for loss, including a team-best seven sacks, which was also good for second in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC).

Schneider, a junior accounting major from Jefferson, Wisconsin, earned NACC Honorable Mention for the second consecutive year. He led WLC with six touchdown receptions in 10 games. Schneider averaged a team-high 15.8 yards per catch while hauling in 24 passes for 381 yards.

To be an Academic All-District honoree, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore at their institution and have spent at least one full year at that school, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above, and have played at least 50 percent of their team’s contests as a starter or important reserve.

Esports Completes

Inaugural Fall Season

WLC’s Esports team wrapped up its inaugural fall 2022 season by qualifying for the November LAN tournament hosted by Carthage College.

WLC picked up the program’s first win during week three of the season with a 3-0 victory over UW-Milwaukee. The win sparked a streak of five straight triumphs that included victories over UW-Whitewater (twice), top-ranked Lakeland, and Edgewood.

The Warriors began the season ranked 11th in their division of the Wisconsin Collegiate Rocket League, but climbed as high as fourth by season’s end. The team played a total of 10 series, including two at the LAN tournament, finishing with a 5-5 record. They resumed play in February.

“I am very proud of our players for working so hard this fall,” said first-year head coach Austen Eppen ’20. “We were the underdogs this season, but were able to show that hard work and dedication proves results. I am very excited for the growth of our program and where it will take us.”

WARRIORS PLACE SIX ON ALL-REGION TEAMS

Peyton Hartman of men’s cross country earned All-North Region recognition from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Jason Cano (First Team) and Puma Galvan (First Team) of men’s soccer received All-Region VIII honors from the United Soccer Coaches, and Ty Castillo (Second Team), Trevion Green (Third Team), and Arnulfo Ortega (Third Team) of football garnered AllRegion accolades from D3football.com.

Hartman (pictured at left), a junior from Montgomery, Illinois, became the fourth AllRegion performer in program history after finishing 30th out of 214 competitors with a personal-best 8K time of 25:26.4 at the NCAA Division III North Regional. He posted three top-10 finishes in 2022 and recorded the fifth-fastest time in program history.

Cano, a senior from Delavan, Wisconsin, led the Warriors in goals (17), assists (9), points (43), shots (72), shots on goal (36), and game-winning goals (4). Starting all 18 games, Cano had four multi-goal matches, including a pair of hat tricks. He concluded his career as the program’s all-time leader in goals (59) and points (140), and is second in assists (22), shots (286), and shots on goal (139).

Galvan, a junior from Racine, Wisconsin, started nine of 17 games he played in net for WLC. He led the NACC in goals against average (.640) and save percentage (.875), which also ranks seventh in NCAA Division III. Galvan posted a 5-1-4 record while recording three shutouts and making 56 saves.

Castillo, a senior from San Antonio, Texas, led the Warriors with 104 total tackles, including a NACC-best 61 solo stops. He added nine tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a pass break-up. He finished his career with a school and conference record 369 total tackles.

Green, a junior from Miami, Florida, led the Warriors with 560 receiving yards on 38 catches. He hauled in five touchdowns and averaged 14.7 yards per reception with a long of 59 yards.

Ortega, a sophomore from Laredo, Texas, finished second on the team in scoring with 51 points. He connected on seven of 10 field goal attempts with a long of 46 yards, made 30 of 31 extra point tries, and averaged 48.0 yards per kickoff with seven touchbacks.