Meet the Presidents – Mark Zarling
Martin Luther College
(2007-2020)
President Mark Zarling (b. 1954) trained for pastoral ministry at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Northwestern College, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, graduating in 1980. Upon graduation he was assigned to St. Matthew in Danube, Minnesota, where he served for four years before accepting a call to Bethany in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. In 1996, the Lord led Mark to accept a call to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, where he served as professor of Old Testament theology and academic dean with a focus on Christian education. All three responsibilities served him well when he accepted the call in 2007 as the second president of Martin Luther College, serving until his retirement from the public ministry in 2020.
Mark was a strong spiritual leader who fulfilled his love for teaching on and off campus by leading Bible classes. He was often among the first to arrive on campus in the morning, promptly and fastidiously checking his email to correspond with faculty, staff, students, and constituents. The campus family eagerly awaited his messages from God’s Word during Wednesday morning chapel and at graduation. His “Letters from Home” communicated our heavenly Father’s love for his dear children as they prepared for public ministry.
As an effective administrator, Mark led firmly but gently, collaborating and communicating, at times delegating and at other times rolling up his sleeves. He traveled extensively on behalf of the college, serving as a warm and sincere MLC ambassador all over the synod. Although no exact records were kept, it is safe to say he set the standard for the most miles traveled while sharing the college’s mission. A typical week saw him leaving campus on Friday to preach, teach, and visit with constituents, returning midweek to lead administrative meetings on campus, and leaving on Friday to start the cycle again.
With his keen sense of vision, Mark led the campus through two strategic plans (Compelled to Speak 2011-2017 and Equipped to Do God’s Will 2017-2023), two accreditations, a Master Site Plan, and a Master Staffing Plan. Working with a new Office of Mission Advancement, he oversaw the building of Chapel of the Christ and a state-of-the-art Early Childhood Learning Center, and he launched a campaign for a new athletic center and residence hall.
In the words of WELS President Mark Schroeder, “President Zarling leaves an impression. He is a scholar . . . a gifted writer . . . a powerful preacher. He loves people and shows interest in every individual. But most striking and memorable . . . is his heartfelt love for his Savior and his desire to share the good news of Jesus.”
Written by Professor Emeritus Steven Thiesfeldt DMLC ’74
