Students Study Abroad

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“It’s been quite a week for this Minnesota girl.”

So begins the January 15, 2018, blog of MLC student Abby Enstad (Cross of Christ-Coon Rapids MN), who is studying in Galway, Ireland, this semester.

“As I dream about what this semester has in store for me,” she continues, “I find reassurance in God’s Word. ‘If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast’ (Psalm 139:9-10). Although I may be 3,697 miles away from my home and my friends, God is never far away. . . . Keep checking this blog [blogs.mlc-wels.edu/study-abroad] if you want to see where Ireland takes me each week.”

MLC students can study abroad anywhere in the world they wish, choosing courses that fit into their MLC ministerial training program. MLC’s International Services Office partners with several internationally known study-abroad providers to facilitate the trips.

After a summer or semester abroad, students return with a broader worldview, a new appreciation for other cultures, and a renewed zeal to share the gospel with all the world.

Pictured: Abby Enstad (left) is studying in Galway this semester. Crystal Carmichael (Bloomington-Bloomington MN, center) and Erin Feddersen (Shepherd of the Bay-Lusby MD, right) studied in Limerick, Ireland, last semester.

This feature was originally published in the MLC InFocus, Spring 2018 issue.

Brenner Speaks on Reformation-Era Pastoral Training

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In the second of the three lectures in MLC’s Reformation 500 Lecture Series, Dr. John Brenner (pictured) presented “Educating Pastors at the Time of the Lutheran Reformation.” His February 11 lecture explored how the Lutheran Reformation changed the way students were trained for pastoral ministry and how these changes have been a blessing to pastoral training in our college and seminary down to this very day.

The series includes two other lectures as well. On November 1, 2017, Pastor Paul Prange read Professor Arnold Koelpin’s essay, “Educating Youth at the Time of the Lutheran Reformation.” (Professor Koelpin passed away a few days later, on November 13.)

And on April 15, 2018, Dr. Gottfried Hermann (of the Evangelisch Lutherische Freikirche of Germany) will present “Educating Society at the Time of the Lutheran Reformation.”

The Reformation 500 Lecture Series was coordinated by MLC Professor James Danell WLS ’90.

This feature was originally published in the MLC InFocus, Spring 2018 issue.

Colleges With the Least Student Loan Debt Per Borrower In the Midwest

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Another ranking that reflects the awesome support our students at MLC receive from so many people! Thank you for your generous gifts which directly benefit our future ministers of the gospel. MLC was blessed to be ranked #18 out of 500 colleges surveyed across the 12 states of the midwest!

Click here for full story from Lend Edu

MLC Ranks #49 in the Nation for Least Average Student Debt

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According to LendEDU, Martin Luther College was ranked #49 when it came to small private colleges and universities with the lowest average student debt figures in the United States. The data is reflective of the Class of 2016.

Thank you to all who support MLC! It is because of your generosity that we are able to offer low tuition rates to our students.

Click here to view the rankings

 

Dr. Cindy Whaley Earns “Professor of the Year”

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The Minnesota Academy of Reading (MAR) named Dr. Cindy Whaley DMLC ’76 (education) Professor of the Year for her contributions to the literacy community of Minnesota.

Due to our January blizzard, Dr. Whaley could not accept the award in person at the MAR Policies and Issues Symposium at Hamline University, but she did utilize Google Hangout to speak to the group and present her keynote address, “The Lifelong Journey of a Successful Reader.”

Whaley has previously won the “Celebrate Literacy Award” from MAR (2012) and the “Community Support Award” for New Ulm Public Schools (2015) in recognition of her work with iTutoring.

This feature was originally published in the MLC InFocus, Spring 2018 issue.

Grace Schultz Finishes Record-Breaking Career

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Grace Schultz (First-Lake Geneva WI) admits that scoring wasn’t always her thing. During her high school basketball career at Fox Valley LHS, her main role was defense. But that didn’t stop her from setting high goals for her college career.

One of those goals was reached on December 4, when Schultz became the third player in MLC women’s basketball program history to score at least 1,000 career points. Schultz joined Erica Babinec ’12 and Emma Babinec ’06 as the only players to reach that milestone.

Schultz says that was one of several goals she set before her debut season in 2014, and the feeling of accomplishment after reaching that goal was special.

“I sat in the locker room and just absorbed all that had just happened,” she said. “It took me a little while to register that I had actually accomplished a big goal of mine. Sitting there, I couldn’t help but think of all the teammates and coaches that had challenged me to improve in practice and games throughout my life, knowing that none of my personal successes would be possible without them.”

Schultz hasn’t allowed the other aspects of her game to suffer as her scoring role increased. This season, Schultz set a new MLC single-season record with 97 steals, and finished second in program history with 265 career steals. She also finished second in program history with 666 career rebounds, and ranks sixth with 210 career assists. She finished her career with 1,299 career points, and ranks third in both career field goals and free throws.

While she has established herself as one of the premier athletes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) during her career, Schultz credits her coach, Professor Dan Gawrisch ’08, and teammates for helping her game develop.

“I remember having conversations with Coach Gawrisch about what my role was on the team in every preseason meeting and how scoring became an important factor of my role,” she said. “Knowing his expectations and my own, along with hard work and a lot of shots in the gym, I have grown as a basketball player, and I give that credit to my coaches and teammates.”

Basketball is only part of Schultz’s athletic career at MLC. This fall Schultz finished her four-year career as a right-side hitter for
the volleyball team, where she was a two-year captain and finished with 436 career kills. During her career on both the basketball and volleyball teams, Schultz has helped her team qualify for the UMAC Postseason Tournament in all seven tries.

One of the things that made her athletic career special is sharing her experiences with friends and classmates. Jade St. Germaine (St. Mark-Watertown WI), Kira Grev (Divinity-St. Paul), Taylor Weber (Bethlehem-Germantown WI), Heidi Moldenhauer (St. John-Manitowoc WI), Jenna Miller (Riverview-Appleton WI), and Rylee Weisensel (St. John-New Ulm MN) were part of a seven-player senior class on the volleyball team, while St. Germaine and high school classmate Hailey Johnson (St. Paul-Green Bay WI) played all four years with Schultz on the basketball team.

“As my eligibility decreased, my love for sports turned into a love for family, the family that was created through these sports,” Schultz said. “I still enjoy sports, but what I enjoy more are the memories and friendships that have been created. The special thing about MLC, besides training for a lifetime of public ministry, is that you realize how blessed you are to be surrounded by God-fearing friends and future colleagues every single day.”

This feature was originally published in the MLC InFocus, Spring 2018 issue.

Knights lead UMAC with 85 academic honorees

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Martin Luther College led all Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) schools with 85 fall semester student-athletes named Academic All-UMAC, including 21 from the women’s soccer team alone. These student-athletes finished their semester of competition with a GPA of 3.5 or better.

The Knights also finished with the highest team GPA in four of the eight fall semester sports: volleyball (3.82), women’s cross country (3.78), women’s soccer (3.73), and men’s soccer (3.35). The three women’s teams—volleyball, cross country, and soccer—notched the top three team GPAs among all programs in the conference.

This feature was originally published in the MLC InFocus, Spring 2018 issue.

Evangelism Day Encourages Students

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More than 40 speakers from all over the country, including David Gartner DMLC ’92, ’10 (St. John-Redwood Falls MN), came to campus January 10 to encourage these future called workers with tips for Christ-centered ministry through the power of the gospel.

“So many awesome presenters shared their experiences and stories with us,” said sophomore Anna Hemmelman (Trinity-Goodview MN). “Evangelism Day puts all of our time and studies here at MLC into perspective. It realigned my focus and got me excited about ministry!”

This feature was originally published in the MLC InFocus, Spring 2018 issue.

Interim Director Concludes Service

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We thank Professor Erin Meissner (pictured) for her three semesters of service as interim director of instrumental music while Professor Miles Wurster pursued his graduate studies.

Here’s an excerpt of Professor Meissner’s departure letter:

“Within the rehearsal setting, concert performances, and interactions with one another, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of music—as an edifying aesthetic expression and unifying force, certainly, but more significantly as a vehicle for the expression and profession of sincere faith.

At several points during the course of my three semesters at MLC I have remarked to my students about the privilege of teaching in an environment where all students share the same faith. We can speak it, sing it, play it, and pray our faith corporately. It is an awesome and profound blessing. . . .

I marvel at the young men and women the Lord is raising up to serve his people and at the talented and dedicated faculty and staff called to teach, direct, guide, and support them. I shall forever consider it a blessing to have served among you.”