Cultural Engagement Center
Promotes Cross-Cultural Understanding
The Cultural Engagement Center is up and running! The team is busy fulfilling the center’s goals to welcome and support diverse students, provide opportunities for cross-cultural understanding, and promote community on campus—always with an eye on the Great Commission: to take the gospel to all nations.
Welcoming International Students
Nine international students attended a welcome dinner hosted by Professor Tingting Schwartz in September. “Everyone enjoyed a dinner of 12 Chinese dishes with rice and homemade noodles,” said Professor Schwartz.
“Mooncakes were also served to celebrate a full moon festival observed by China (Mid-Autumn Festival), Korea (Chuseok), Japan (Tsukimi), and Vietnam (Tết Trung Thu).”
Twelve international students are enrolled this year. They come from Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Columbia, China, South Korea, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
Pictured: First row: Jiajun (James) Ji (China), Ziwen (Peter) Shi (China), Renée Johnson (Canada), Yu Geng (Jerry) Yang (China), SungGon (Peter) Kim (South Korea); second row: Jiale (Caleb) Huang (China), Zirui (Billy) Wang (China), Zihui (Regina) Lou (China), Juan David Escobar (Colombia). Not pictured: Kostiantyn Skorenkyi (Ukraine), Minh (Ronny) Nguyen (Vietnam), Urvin Lewis (Antigua).
Professor Schwartz also facilitated a meeting between our Asian students and Pastor Neil Birkholz, who serves as the WELS North American Asian ministry consultant after serving in East Asia for six years.
“I appreciate that the students were willing to talk with me and share their passion for serving in ministry,” said Birkholz. “I inquired of blessings and challenges they’re experiencing as they train for future service. I came away very impressed and encouraged about how God might use us to reach more people with the Good News.”
Making the Most of Study Abroad
Mrs. Kassuelke (pictured left) is preparing several students for their semester abroad in Berlin, London, or Limerick, Ireland. The students enroll in her three 1-credit courses, one pre-departure, one in-country, and one upon reentry to the country and the campus.
Book Discussions
Reading and discussing great books can be an excellent way to explore complex topics. The center hosted two book discussion groups this fall semester.
Hearing Hispanic Voices
Mi Voz, Mi Vida means “My Voice, My Life.” During Hispanic Heritage Month, four of MLC’s Hispanic students shared their stories at a Facebook Live event: Diana Escalona (Divine Savior-Doral FL), AnaCristina Iglesias (St. Mark-Watertown WI), and Kendra and Rebecca Rivera (Messiah-South Windsor CT).
Did You Know? Nearly 20% of Americans identify as Hispanic, making them the largest minority in the U.S. Our graduates’ churches and schools will likely include Hispanic students
Third Culture Kids
The CEC hosted a meeting for third-culture kids, kids raised in a culture other than their parents’ culture or the culture of the country listed on their passport. The CEC supports and encourages them as they adjust to life in the American Midwest.
Recruitment and Enrichment
Professor Aaron Robinson MLC ’96, WLS ’00 traveled to Michigan Lutheran Seminary to talk to students about ministry (pictured). He’s also making recruitment trips to Wisconsin LHS, Kingdom Prep LHS, Luther Prep, and Divine Savior Academy-Houston and Miami campuses.
Robinson also took black MLC students on an enrichment trip to Pilgrim Lutheran Church-Minneapolis and to The Journey School, a charter school in St. Paul where MLC graduate Michelle Cambrice DMLC ’94 is director and co-founder.
Day of Children’s Books
Spanish major Morgan Gosch (Bethel-Sioux Falls SD) and preseminary studies junior JuanDa Escobar (Divine Savior-Doral FL) were two of several MLC students who read favorite childhood books in Spanish and English to area children. The reading groups met at the Cultural Engagement Center, at the MLC Early Childhood Learning Center, and outside on the library patio.
