The Wessel family established this scholarship in 2019 in memory of Professor Howard L. Wessel (1933-2017), who served as a professor of education at Dr. Martin Luther College and Martin Luther College from 1964 to 1999.
Professor Wessel was called to Dr. Martin Luther College in 1964 to help launch DMLC’s first off-site student teaching program. He served in various capacities during his tenure: as an education professor, as an off-site student teaching supervisor, and as the director of the student teaching program from 1968 to 1999.
Professor Wessel’s groundbreaking work in the education division is well known. Fewer people know that Howard was also an accomplished musician, and in his first calls to Fairmont and Red Wing, Minnesota, he served as a congregational organist and choir director. Because church music was one of Professor Wessel’s great loves, his family established this scholarship to lend financial assistance to blossoming Lutheran church musicians, particularly those whose focus is the organ. The family prays that the scholarship may be a blessing to students for years to come.
Scholarship winners are undergraduate education majors (single majors only) who demonstrate an ability and interest in church music, particularly the organ, and who demonstrate financial need.
