Dr. Jeff Lemke

Dr. Lemke explains that this course will lead the graduate students through several crucial elements of administering a Lutheran school: financial management, recruitment, marketing, fundraising, and developing entrepreneurial schools.

Some of these topics touch on areas that are sensitive, perhaps even controversial. Lemke wants to discuss them all openly and honestly.

He explains: “It’s commonplace in today’s world that the topics of finances and belief are not to be discussed. I’m continually drawn to both these topics because they’re of critical importance in building schools that can be great tools for ministry. I believe other WELS principals and childhood directors believe the same.”

Lemke comes by his knowledge through both education and experience. His credentials include a BA (psychology) from Wisconsin Lutheran College, and an MA (organizational leadership) and PhD (educational administration) from Bethel University-St. Paul. He feels blessed to have received a broad education across several disciplines: psychology, communications, theology, business leadership, and education.

His experience includes his current ministry at St. Croix Lutheran Grades 6-12, where he serves as director of admissions, marketing, and international programs. He contracts with both international partners and local marketing firms to project St. Croix’s brand, and he regularly shares the blessings of a St. Croix education with families as close as St. Paul, Lake City, and Rochester, Minnesota, and as far away as South America and Asia.

Prior to his St. Croix call, he directed a St. Paul Family Center program that assisted new immigrants with the transition to life in America, a role that included extensive grant writing and community partnership development.

An eclectic early education also adds color to Dr. Lemke’s CV: He started elementary school at a rural school, Grace-Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and finished at an urban school, Atonement-Milwaukee. He continues to support Atonement enthusiastically because of the “incredibly formative experience” he received there. He’s also a proud graduate of St. Croix Lutheran, from which he immediately stepped off to a European backpacking trip with his sister. “Thus began a life-long journey of experiential learning,” he says.

Lemke is looking forward to joining MLC as an adjunct instructor. “Every time you teach,” he says, “you learn so much and see the fruits of it in your ministry. I have learned much already from the instructors who have guided me in developing the course and look forward to the many things I will learn from my students.”

Grad students will enjoy both Dr. Lemke’s knowledge and also his passion for excellence in Lutheran education. “The Lord has blessed each one of us with a passion for excellence in a unique realm of his created world,” he says. “May the Spirit guide us all in fully developing our area of excellence so that he may use us as an instrument of his will.”

Meet Dr. Jeff Lemke

Family: I have wonderful women in my life. My wife has her master’s degree in philanthropy and development and works with our local hospital. She’s a tremendous resource regarding fundraising and financial management and is an outstanding mother, especially during my weeks out of the country. My daughters Ava and Lucia revel in their friendships and learning opportunities at Salem Lutheran in Stillwater, Minnesota. Their little sister, Mikaela, is 7 months old and makes sure we are awake and giggling all of the time. We all love dance parties and exploring nature.

I’ve been raised in good company with three older sisters and two sisters-in-law. My mother taught at the grade school level for over 25 years and provided me with a sense of creativity shown via photography endeavors.

My father is a lifelong friend and mentor. We talk daily about financial management and how to build great schools. We continue to utilize God’s gift of football as a tool for ministry with young men and have been fortunate to build two statechampionship teams together.

Church: Salem-Stillwater MN

Professional Organizations:

• National Association of International Educators—Committee of K-12 International Programs
• School Board at Salem-Stillwater MN
• Minnesota Football Coaches Association

Personal interests: dance parties with my girls, international movies, skiing, investing, football