Spring Choir Tour 2023

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During spring break, the MLC College Choir shared the gospel in song under the theme “Christ Is All in All.” While winter weather delayed the choir’s departure and caused the cancellation of the Washington and Oregon concerts, the choir was able to present their concerts in California.
Chilly temperatures greeted the group in California, but they met with a warm reception from their hosts and new friends. As a fresh start to the tour, the choir joined the congregation of St. Mark-Citrus Heights CA for worship on Sunday, February 26.
The tour isn’t all hard work! Members took breaks between concerts to sight-see and enjoy fellowship with one another. And they took plenty of fun pictures to prove it! Check out the MLC Facebook page to see photos of the fun.
Pictured: The College Choir sings during St. Mark’s morning worship.

Bingo Night!

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Snow, ice, and frigid temperatures can’t keep students away from one of their favorite events: Bingo Night!
While the MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary sponsors many projects in support of our students, Bingo Night is special. The Ladies’ Auxiliary hosts this event as an annual encouragement to students, letting them see that support firsthand.
This year, 77 different giving units, including many churches and organizations, were so generous! Students won quilts, baked goods, and almost $5,000 in donated gift cards and cash. Most importantly, they felt valued and encouraged by you, MLC’s supporters. To find out how you can help with Auxiliary projects, visit their website.
Pictured: Students gather in the MLC auditorium for an exciting Bingo Night 2023.

New Face on Campus: Rachel Youngblom

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Dr. Rachel Youngblom (special education) is originally from New Ulm, and in 2022, she left the Phoenix sunshine to return to her hometown. She serves MLC as a professor of special education in both the undergraduate and graduate programs.
After attending Minnesota Valley LHS, Dr. Youngblom pursued post-secondary education at Minnesota State University Mankato, obtaining a BS in psychology, an MS in special education, and a PsyD in school psychology.
She then practiced as a licensed psychologist, a certified school psychologist, a paraprofessional, and a braille transcriptionist. Dr. Youngblom is a blessing to MLC’s special education program because she brings expertise on how WELS ministries can serve children with disabilities and their families.
“I have had the opportunity to evaluate, assess, diagnose, and support children with a wide range of disabilities and disorders,” says Dr. Youngblom. “In addition to working with children, I have been blessed to collaborate with various other professionals and providers who support students with disabilities, and learn from them.”
Now she’s sharing her knowledge with her students at MLC. Foundations of Special Education, Developmental Disabilities, and Learning Disabilities and Emotional Behavioral Disorders are just a few of the courses in which Dr. Youngblom has the opportunity to work with future teachers on supporting students with various disabilities.
“I am excited for our graduates from the special education program to be prepared to serve students with disabilities in our WELS schools,” says Dr. Youngblom. “Knowing that we can extend the reach of God’s Word by including exceptional students in our schools and providing them with specialized instruction is such an amazing opportunity and blessing.”

MLC Forum: Radium Girls

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On February 17-19, MLC Forum presented Radium Girls, the story of the women who painted luminous watch dials and had to fight for justice after suffering radiation poisoning.
Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder.
Under the direction of Josiah Winkel (Redemption-Milwaukee), cast members were able to explore who these complex human characters truly were and how best to portray them.
The cast’s performances met with glowing reviews from audience members, who noted the outstanding acting, organization, and artistry involved in the production.
Pictured: Joshua Aden (St. John/St. James-Reedsville WI) portrays Arthur Roeder, owner of the US Radium Corporation.

Early Field Experience

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If you come to MLC during the first week of spring break, you’ll notice that many students and faculty are still on campus, and they’re excited about it. They’re doing what they love: teaching!

Early Field Experience (EFE) is required of all education and staff ministry students, and for the first-years, it’s held on campus during the first week of spring break. Students learn about reflection journals, lesson planning, classroom management, and much more. The education professors mentor students as they prepare their first lessons.
These teachers-in-training start with some simple lessons for their peers, practicing planning and instruction techniques. Then the real fun begins: preparing to teach elementary and middle school students! Each MLC student teaches their lesson to multiple small groups.
While nerves are high, morale is high too. EFE gives students their first taste of the teaching ministry and encourages them to grow as they look forward to the future.
Pictured: Anna Plocher (King of Kings-Garden Grove CA) leads a lesson for her peers.

Ladies’ Auxiliary: A Great Way to Serve

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Please consider joining or supporting the MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary!

Ladies’ Auxiliary has supported the college for more than 50 years, donating over $600,000 dollars. Their standing projects include scholarships, student teacher travel assistance, and student outreach trip assistance. They also pledge to fund many other important projects every year.

A highlight of their work is the annual Bingo Night in February. Every year, the students fill the auditorium for this event and leave with plates of homemade baked goods, handmade quilts and blankets, knitted scarves and caps, gift cards, and cash. This year, almost $5,000 in donated gift cards and cash was given out.

If you’d like to learn more about Ladies’ Auxiliary, check out their website or contact their faculty advisor, Professor Bill Pekrul. If joining isn’t convenient now, you can still support their projects. Donate here and select the Ladies’ Auxiliary option. Thanks, parents!

 

BINGO NIGHT

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Winter Carnival

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What does a college student do when the temperature is minus 10 F? Broomball, painting, ice skating, hockey, trivia, and more!
During Winter Carnival, students willing to embrace the cold competed in broomball, played hockey against Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary students, and went ice skating.
For those more interested in escaping the frigid weather, indoor activities included badminton, Iron Chef, speedball, trivia night, and a talent show.
Students enjoyed the best of both worlds in a favorite event: Bob Ross Night. They painted a wintry scene while staying warm, eating snacks, and relaxing with friends.
Pictured: Naomi Bridgemen (St. Mark-Eau Claire WI), Yu Geng (Jerry) Yang (St. Paul-New Ulm MN), and Jacob Leyrer (St. John-Wauwatosa WI) show off their Bob Ross Night creations.

Lunar New Year Celebrations

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Happy Lunar New Year!
The campus family heard this greeting from January 21 to February 3 as international students celebrated the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year is part of many Asian cultures, and Chinese international student 刘文达 (Wenda Liu) (First German-Manitowoc WI) believes it is important for the campus family to experience.
“It is not enough to just know the aspects of a culture, but also we have to really learn, understand, and connect with others from this culture to respect and admire it,” Liu says. “For me, I have a very diverse and beautiful culture, and I want to share this with our campus family so we can appreciate it together.”
On January 22, students from Introduction to Minority Cultures and Teaching World Language and Culture classes joined with international students at Professor Tingting Schwartz’s house for Chinese hotpot.
The Cultural Engagement Center (CEC) and the Craft Society also hosted a Lunar New Year event on January 24. MLC students, faculty, and staff did 窗花 (traditional Chinese paper cutting). Chinese international students demonstrated the paper cutting technique and explained the meaning of the symbols included in the designs.
To celebrate the Lantern Festival, the final day of the Lunar New Year, Professor Tingting and Wenda Liu went to the MLC Early Childhood Learning Center to read children’s books about the holiday for the preschoolers.
Thank you to Professor Tingting, our international students, the CEC, and the Craft Society for holding these events!
Pictured: Wenda Liu reads The Nian Monster by Andrea Wang to ECLC students.

Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship

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On January 28, supporters packed the MLC gym to celebrate the establishment of the Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship.
This new scholarship will honor and carry forward Coach Unke’s legacy of gospel ministry by financially supporting the training of future pastors, teachers, and staff ministers.
Jim’s players, friends, and colleagues remember the former athletic director for his faithful service and heart for ministry. “As an MLC graduate, I can’t thank Coach Unke enough for what he has done for all of us,” says Jiacheng (Nicholas) Liu MLC ’20. “Coach Unke was always approachable, encouraging, and caring. He set a perfect example for us on how to be a faithful servant.”
To honor Jim’s 25 years of service to MLC, the scholarship committee set a goal to raise $25,000 in 25 days. They met that goal and more! Over $47,000 have been donated to the scholarship fund, and the donations are still coming in. Visit the scholarship’s GoFundMe page to give to the training of future called workers.
MLC is thankful for the support that allowed the Jim Unke Memorial Scholarship to be established!
Pictured: Head Men’s Basketball Coach Greg Holzhueter MLC ’10, scholarship committee chair; MLC VP Scott Schmudlach DMLC ’85, Jim’s brother-in-law; Julie Schmudlach DMLC ’86, Jim’s sister; MLC Admissions Counselor Lori Unke DMLC ’84, Jim’s wife; Dan Cline, scholarship committee member; MLC VP Mark Maurice.