MLC Governing Board plans for future advancements

MLC Governing Board Digest September 22-23

Concept designs for the Intergenerational Ministry Project were shared by Jeff Tredo and Kathleen Laird of Korb Tredo Architects. The plans include a new 15,500-square-foot early childhood learning center and a 50-unit senior housing complex on the Luther Manor site. Anton Doneff of Doneff Companies and Michael Klatt, chief executive officer of The Lutheran Home Association, represented the senior housing interest. The board passed resolutions to move ahead with the Intergenerational Ministry Project, including plans to construct a new early childhood learning center and a senior housing facility.

Funding for the learning center is primarily dependent on a capital campaign. A $2.8 million expenditure cap was set for the various aspects of the project. The senior housing will be built on land leased from WELS, with Doneff Companies acting as developer and The Lutheran Home Association acting as manager. The tentative timeline calls for demolition of the current Luther Manor building and the start of new construction next summer.

Joshua Birkholz, lead consultant from Bentz Whaley Flessner, and Kurt Lueneburg, WELS Christian giving counselor, were present to provide an update on the feasibility phase of the Compelled to Speak capital campaign.

President Zarling introduced "Compelled to Speak: A Strategic Plan for Martin Luther College (2011-2017)." Vice President Thiesfeldt conducted a focus group session with the board to gather input on the plan.

For the 2010-2011 fiscal year, MLC achieved a Department of Education composite financial ratio of 3.0 (on a three-point scale). The college also has received an unqualified opinion on its recent financial statements, the highest category possible.

The board designated unrestricted net assets of $1.0 million for student financial aid in 2012-13, $250,000 for program maintenance in 2012-13, and $250,000 for the Economic Sustainability Fund.

Approval was granted to call a professor of life science to replace Professor Richard Ash when he retires at the end of the current academic year. The call will be extended sometime after November 1. The retirement of Professor Ronald Shilling at the close of the current academic year was announced. A plan for his replacement is pending.

Student fee increases were limited to 4% for 2012-13, bringing total tuition, room, and board charges for fulltime students to $16,340. The board also approved credit card use under the twice-a-semester payment plan, effective with the 2012-13 school year.