Reflections on MLC’s Silver Anniversary:
Faculty Memories
Back in ’95
Observations from current faculty members who have served at MLC since its establishment in 1995
One College
In 1995 we were still operating with the principle that there were two colleges on one campus. I taught only Studies in Pastoral Ministry students. It took some time and negotiation to merge into a single college with distinct ministry tracks. At the same time, from a professor’s perspective, the stories that there was great tension among and between faculty members were exaggerated. We were all finding our way, but there was a collegial atmosphere. We were all training servants for the church, and we lived under the grace and mercy of Jesus. Surely there were disagreements, but the gospel prevailed. Professor Paul Koelpin
A Tearful Goodbye
I remember the last NWC graduation. I was deeply moved by a spontaneous, rousing standing ovation as the faculty and students walked out of the gym for the last time. I don’t know whether the applause was for the students, the faculty, or NWC—probably all three. Professor John Schmidt
Growing the Family
In 1995, one goal was to help everyone see the blessings of this amalgamation rather than only the challenges. I used the term “growing the family” when I would talk with colleagues. As pastors, teachers, and staff ministers, the amalgamation would allow us to better understand, support, and respect each other’s ministry as we share the gospel with the world. In 2020, we continue to see that blessing magnified by God’s grace. Dr. Cindy Whaley
Two Cultures
I was also teaching Introduction to Minority Cultures at the time. I was thankful for the lab environment created by amalgamation, and often compared MLC amalgamation struggles to struggles between ethnic cultures. I think it helped students speak freely to each other about issues they were experiencing and begin to understand why they felt as they did. That was a blessing of year 1 (and 2, and 3, and 4, and . . .) Professor Thomas Hunter
Challenging Assumptions
When we came from Northwestern a big change was, no surprise, women. A female professor from DMLC asked me how things were going, and I said it was an adjustment having women in class. She asked for an example. “Well, I don’t think I can use my carburetor illustration about writing anymore,” I explained. She, with good cause, challenged my sexist assumptions and said that I should make no changes and just teach as I always have. It was good advice, sort of. Turns out my illustration had not been very helpful anyway, even for the guys, since they stopped using carburetors in cars years ago. Professor Brian Dose
A Warm Welcome
I appreciated the warm welcome by members of the DMLC faculty as they helped members of the NWC faculty move in and then invited us into their homes for dinner and an evening of fellowship. Professor John Schmidt
Determined to Be Pastors
There was a degree of energy and excitement from the newness of everything. And MLC records show that the retention rate of pastor students in the early years was at a height never again matched. The pastor students who came to New Ulm in the first years were determined to be pastors, and it was a joy to teach them. Thinking back, it is marvelous to reflect on how God launched MLC in 1995, and on how God has richly blessed MLC since its unsettled beginning. Professor Thomas Nass
Merging Athletics
Merging the Northwestern soccer team with the club team from DMLC was an exciting thing. The Northwestern team had been an officially recognized team; the DMLC team operated under a club concept. I saw it as my responsibility to create an atmosphere that saw us as a single team—representing MLC. I think that happened. We did indeed compete as a single unit—there was buy-in as the players began to respect each other. The 1995 team was, honestly, a very good team—many good student-athletes. Professor Paul Koelpin
It’s History Now
I was surprised this past year when a student told me that his topic for a history research paper was amalgamation. For our current student body and most of the current faculty amalgamation is just another historical event in the history of our synod, an event that has been richly blessed by our gracious God. Professor John Schmidt
