Alan and Muriel Meyer
Twenty years ago, Alan and Muriel Meyer had never even heard of Martin Luther College. Now they’re generous supporters, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
In the early 2000s, the Meyers’ church, Immanuel in Salem, Oregon, was starting a new Lutheran elementary school, and the Meyers wanted to assist families who might have trouble paying Lutheran school tuition. Working with Paul Soukup, then-gift planning counselor with WELS, they established an endowment fund for student financial aid at Immanuel.
During that process, they learned that the teachers for their new grade school would be graduates of Martin Luther College, an institution 1,700 miles away in New Ulm, Minnesota. In fact, their pastors would also have been educated in the WELS ministerial training system that included MLC.
That’s when they looked at each other and decided that another endowment fund was in order. “We decided that we could also support students there. We believed that this would benefit the entire synod as MLC is vital to the education of called workers.”
Thinking about the needs of others is a way of life for the Meyers. They’ve lived all over the country and have always found ways to serve their community. Before moving to Oregon, Muriel had her own consulting business, helping children with special needs. In Salem, she has served as chair of the Human Rights Committee at the Fairview Training Center; as manager of Second Edition, a clothing resale shop associated with the Assistance League of Salem/Keizer; and as administrative assistant at Immanuel.
Alan has worked in management positions in several different industries: laboratory supplies, electronic test equipment, semiconductor production equipment, electric utility, and forest products. He’s also served for 16 years as a board member of the Energy Trust of Oregon. And at Immanuel, he’s filled several leadership positions, including president and treasurer.
Both Alan and Muriel have also served on the City of Salem Morningside Neighborhood Association for 30 years, Alan as vice president and traffic chair, and Muriel as parks chair. “We enjoy meeting and greeting folks that are new to the community,” they said, “and informing them of the services available to them.”
With hearts curved outward toward church and community, the decision to support MLC with their financial gifts seemed a natural step—even though they’ve never stepped foot on the campus itself.
They do feel a connection though—a connection nurtured through visits by various MLC personnel through the years: former gift counselor Kate Tohal, President Emeritus Mark Zarling, and more recently, President Rich Gurgel and Vice
President Mark Maurice.
And even more important than these great connections is the Great Commission that MLC strives to fulfill—going to all nations, baptizing and teaching. “We are big believers in education, especially Christian education,” the Meyers said.
“We hope that our contributions will enable additional students to attend MLC to prepare themselves for service within WELS. Even if they decide on a career outside of the church, we believe the education they receive at MLC will benefit both them and society.”
The Meyers established the Alan and Muriel Meyer
Endowment Fund at MLC. Income from the fund is
distributed to students with financial need.
