The conference offers keynote speakers and sectional presentations that address both the philosophical and practical side of the conference theme - Learning to Move, Moving to Learn.

Read more about conference offerings and registration.

Read Maria's essay and see her photo here.

Brooks Scholarship

Every year since 1984, the Brooks scholarship has been helping men enrolling at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary with tuition assistance for all three years of classroom study.

Knight Award

The Knight Award is presented to individuals for their contribution to the Martin Luther College athletic program throughout their collegiate career. The award is based on participation, sportsmanship, and excellence in the area of athletics.

Leading Scholar Awards

These awards are given to the students with the leading GPA in each area of study.

UMAC Scholar Athlete Award

This award, which is given to one male and one female student athlete, recognizes graduating seniors who demonstrate a healthy balance by achieving excellence in academics, leadership, and service, while participating in intercollegiate athletics.

Fine Arts Award
This award is presented to a graduating student who has excelled in the area of music, musical performance, drama, or campus publications throughout his/her college career.

Service Award

This award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated a charitable character. The recipient of this award is known by both the student body and faculty of Martin Luther College for using talents and time in Christian service to others.

Via Veritas Vita Award

This award is presented to a student who demonstrates a true Christian character as well as school spirit. Such a person exhibits faithfulness to personal responsibilities, willingness to help others, and distinguishable leadership qualities.

Student Body President Recognition
This award is given to the outgoing student body president for service to the college.

(Back row L-R) Scott Henrich – Brooks Scholarship and Knight Award, Joseph Blum – UMAC Male Scholar Athlete, Samuel Jeske – Service Award, Lindsay Hahn – UMAC Female Scholar Athlete, Ross Chartrand – Brooks Scholarship, Phil Janisch – Student Body President Recognition, (Front row L-R) Laura Miller – Via Veritas Vita Award, Mark Voss – Brooks Scholarship, Jennifer Draeger – Knight Award, Alison Kolander – Education Leading Scholar Award, Joshua Jensen – Preseminary Leading Scholar Award, Rebecca Flad – Fine Arts Award

• Commencement Concert - May 17 at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm
• Commencement Service - May 18 at 10:00 am
• Call Services - May 18 at 2:30 pm

As always, you can watch on the MLC TV website during the live stream or on the Livestream website at the same time.

Professor Carla Melendy is retiring this year, having served 40 years in the ministry. Miss Jennifer Krause, currently serving at St. Matthew - Janesville WI, accepted a call to serve in this position as professor of education.

Dr. Mark Lenz is retiring this year, having served 44 years in the ministry. Rev. Brian Hennig, currently serving at Emanuel - New London WI, accepted a call to serve in this position as professor of theology and history.

Professor John Gronholz is retiring this year, having served 45 years in the ministry. Mr. Dan Gawrisch, currently serving as an MLC admissions counselor, has accepted a call to serve in this position as professor of physical education.

Professor Susan Haar is retiring this year, having served 48 years in the ministry. Miss Jennifer Mehlberg, currently serving as lead teacher in the MLC Early Childhood Learning Center, accepted a call to serve in this position as professor of early childhood education.

Mr. Jonathan Scharlemann is retiring this year, having served many years in Christian financial/estate planning and, most recently, over 25 years in the area of development. The MLC Governing Board is currently extending a call to fill this position of vice president for mission advancement.

Dr. John Nolte will be retiring in 2014, having served 46 years in the ministry. The MLC Governing Board is currently seeking to fill part of Dr. Nolte’s responsibilities by extending a call for professor of music.

New Positions

Mr. Jonathan M. Schaefer, currently serving at Siloah - Milwaukee WI, has accepted a call to serve as professor of continuing education/new teacher induction.

Mrs. Elizabeth Klugherz, currently serving at Trinity - Nicollet MN, has accepted a call to serve as a lead teacher at our new Early Childhood Learning Center.

Current Additional Calls

The MLC Governing Board is currently extending a call to fill the new position of professor of special education.

The MLC Governing Board is currently extending a call to fill the position of professor of education with a focus on student teacher supervision. This position was vacated by Professor Jeff Wiechman, who will be serving as academic dean next year.

The MLC Governing Board is currently extending a call to fill the second position of lead teacher at our new Early Childhood Learning Center. (A third lead teacher for our Early Childhood Learning Center will be requested from the Assignment Committee.)

• Rev. Michael Otterstatter, called to serve as Vice President for Mission Advancement
• Mr. Scott Schmudlach, called to serve as Professor of Education
• Mr. Daniel Tacke, called to serve as Professor of Music
• Mr. Daryl Hanneman, called to serve as Professor of Special Education

More than 80 entries have been submitted during the last six years, with the Thalassa Prize awarded to these six: Kristina Wessel, Dominican Republic (2007); Rachel Kionka, Malawi (2008); Rachel Meyer, Southeast Asia (2009); Gretchen Schmiege, Southeast Asia (2010); Amber Schlomer, Southeast Asia (2011); and Paul Kelm, Czech Republic (2012).

Might you be the winner for 2013? For submission guidelines, go to www.mlc-wels.edu/thalassa. Deadline: April 30, 2013.

• 2009 – WELS Conference of Presidents (COP) directs MLC to train more early childhood educators.
• 2009 – MLC Governing Board makes the building of a new ECLC an institutional priority.
• 2009-2010 – MLC conducts research related to needs of current and future early childhood education ministries in WELS.
• April 2010 – MLC Governing Board approves the construction of a new ECLC.
• February 2011 – MLC Governing Board authorizes a capital campaign to fund the project.
• December 2011 – WELS COP authorizes the capital campaign.
• February 2012 – Ministry of Christian Giving counselors and MLC’s Mission Advancement team begin visits to those interested in the project.
• April 2012 – WELS Synodical Council is updated on the campaign funding & construction time table.
• May 2012 – MLC Governing Board delays groundbreaking to allow for additional funding. Construction start is moved from summer 2012 to spring 2013.
• December 2012 – MLC Governing Board authorizes the use of reserve funds to close construction funding gap with a commitment to replace funds as quickly as possible.
• January 17, 2013 – WELS Synodical Council ratifies the use of reserve funds.
• February – Asbestos abatement begins in ECLC building.
• March 25 – Demolition of current structure begins.
• April 6 – MLC celebrates with a groundbreaking service.
• April 8 – Site work and construction begin.
• September – Building is completed and ready for occupancy.

ECLC Groundbreaking from Martin Luther College on Vimeo.

Calls were extended to:

• Mrs. Elizabeth Klugherz (currently teaching prekindergarten and kindergarten at Trinity Lutheran School in Nicollet) and
• Miss Kristin Mantey (currently serving as director at Hope Lutheran Early Learning Center in Manhattan, Kansas).
• A third position will be filled by requesting a candidate from the Assignment Committee in May.

The Governing Board met by teleconference on Saturday, March 16, to extend calls for several college positions.

• Prof. Randy Bode, currently teaching at Luther Preparatory School, was called to serve as professor of music.
• Dr. Carrie Pfeifer, currently teaching at St. Croix Lutheran High School, was called to serve as professor of special education.
• Mr. Philip Stern, currently teaching at Trinity Lutheran School in Waco, Nebraska, was called to serve as professor of education.

The board also approved a recommendation requesting a new call for nominations for vice president of mission advancement before extending its next call for the position.

The MLC Governing Board set Saturday, March 16, for a teleconference to extend three calls (professor of music, professor of special education and professor of education). The board will also consider a recommendation to request the initiation of a new call for nominations for the vice president for mission advancement before extending its fourth call for that position.

Each of the following individuals has reached a decision on a call to serve the college:

• Mr. James Carlovsky, currently serving at Kettle Moraine LHS, Jackson, WI, has returned a call to serve as professor of education;
• Mr. Robert Fischer, currently serving as director of mission advancement at Fox Valley LHS, Appleton, WI, has returned a call to serve as vice president for mission advancement;
• Rev. Brian Hennig, currently serving at Emanuel, New London, WI, has accepted a call to serve as professor of theology and history; and
• Miss Jennifer Krause, currently serving at St. Matthew's Lutheran School, Janesville, WI, has accepted a call to serve as professor of education.

We thank God that he has provided for our needs by filling two of our anticipated vacancies. May God bless each of these individuals, either as they remain in their current callings or as they transition to a new field of service at MLC.

As a part of our strategic plan Dr. David Wendler, vice president for academics, was given the responsibility to “investigate the development of an undergraduate special education major.” As a part of that investigation, a committee of the education division became aware of a doctoral study that surveyed WELS principals.  The purpose of the study was to identify principals’ perceptions of, and potential barriers to, the successful implementation of special education services in WELS Lutheran elementary schools (LES). The study revealed that there are students with diagnosed special needs attending our WELS schools. However, the number of available resources and teaching staff with a degree or certification in special education is not sufficient for the successful implementation of special education services in these schools.

The education division then explored possible implementation of a special education major.  Special education has several areas of possible study including learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.  The committee determined that at this time, specialized training in learning disabilities would be the most helpful to our WELS schools.  A possible goal for a special education program would include providing specialized training to graduates who can serve as the special education resource person for a school.  The ideal situation might be to have one regular teacher on a faculty with this specialized training.

Since MLC already has some applicable courses in our curriculum, the curriculum for a special education major studying learning disabilities would require the addition of seven courses.  While special education could be a single major, students would be strongly encouraged to double major in elementary education and special education.  This would enable a graduate who is assigned to teach third and fourth grade to also serve as the school’s special education resource person.  Students could complete the double major in five years without needing to add courses in summer.

• Acting in the role of the Romberg Supporting Foundation Board of Trustees, a standard distribution of $170,643 from the Romberg Supporting Foundation was approved with $127,982 (75%) designated for MLC tuition assistance and $42,661 (25%) for Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School.
• New board member Rev. Duane Rodewald of Simpsonville, SC, was welcomed to his first meeting.
• Rev. Jonathan Kolander of Menomonee Falls, WI, was elected vice chairman of the board.
• Mr. Randy Matter of Cedarburg, WI, was appointed to a second three-year term as an advisory member of the board.
• Divine calls were extended to Rev. Brian Hennig, currently serving at Emanuel, New London, WI (professor of theology and history); Mr. Robert Fischer, currently serving as director of mission advancement at Fox Valley LHS, Appleton, WI (vice president for mission advancement); Miss Jennifer Krause, currently serving at St. Matthew's Lutheran School, Janesville, WI (professor of education); and Mr. James Carlovsky, currently serving at Kettle Moraine LHS, Jackson, WI (professor of education).
• The board recommended the hiring of Mr. Jonathan Scharlemann to a part time role in our Mission Advancement Office with an emphasis on deferred gifts following his retirement from full time service this summer. This position will be re-evaluated after one year.
• Director of Finance Carla Hulke provided a report on college finances showing a $1.7 million increase in cash position since the end of the last fiscal year. She also noted that the funding gap for the construction of the new Early Childhood Learning Center is now under $750,000 as gifts continue to arrive on a steady basis.
• Vice President Wendler and Rev. Michael Otterstatter provided an update from the Early Childhood Learning Center Building Committee. Asbestos abatement has begun at the Luther Manor site in preparation for demolition of the building in early March. Site work and construction will begin in early April with completion set for September 1 and occupancy by September 15. Forty-four pre-primary students are already on the enrollment list for next year. The final project cost is not to exceed $3.385 million.
• The board received an update on the planned senior living complex next to the new Early Childhood Learning Center from developer Anton Doneff. The college expects to complete the sale of the southern half of the Luther Manor property within the next two months, allowing the construction of a 50 unit senior living facility. Mr. Doneff indicated that a recent survey of prospective tenants shows that interest in the senior living facility, with its close proximity to the college and opportunities for intergenerational ministry, remains strong.
• Mark Arnold, president of WELS Investment Funds (WIF), provided a report showing that MLC currently has $6.6 million invested with WIF. This represents approximately 5% of WIF’s combined net assets. Investment returns for the year to date are in the 8% range and are expected to remain static in the coming months. Mr. Arnold’s report was provided as part of the board’s ongoing fiduciary responsibility, awareness and training.
• The addition of a special education major was approved along with the calling of a special education professor for the 2013-2014 academic year. The call for nominations will be initiated immediately. Once a list of candidates has been finalized, a call meeting will be held via teleconference.
• The board received notice of the retirements of Dr. John Nolte and adjunct music instructor Lanita Nolte at the end of the 2013-14 school year. The board subsequently approved the immediate calling of a music professor to direct choir and teach music courses beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year. Once again, the call will be extended as soon as the preliminary arrangements for securing a list of candidates can be finalized.
• A report recommending that the college decline a request from Pilgrim Lutheran in Minneapolis to partner as “authorizer” for the establishment of a charter school in the Twin Cities area was endorsed.
• The plan to offer a Teaching Online Certificate Program as part of our Continuing Education offerings was approved.
• Meeting dates were set for 2013-14 with the board gathering in New Ulm on September 26-27, 2013, and February 20-21, 2013.
• Student Tyler Weinrich, Admissions Counselor Michael Koepke and Tutor Jason Enderle introduced themselves to the board and provided insights to their involvement at MLC.
• The service and retirements of Prof. John Gronholz, Dr. Mark Lenz and Vice President for Mission Advancement Jonathan Scharlemann at the end of the current academic year were recognized at a special Thursday evening banquet.
• The service and retirements of Prof. John Gronholz, Prof. Susan Haar, Dr. Mark Lenz, Dr. Carla Melendy and Vice President for Mission Advancement Jonathan Scharlemann at the end of the current academic year were recognized at a special Thursday evening banquet.
• The further investigation of an overture from several local organizations for a partnership to construct and maintain an indoor recreation facility on the MLC athletic fields was encouraged.
• The highly visible campus wide efforts of the Campus Beautification Committee were acknowledged with appreciation.
• Given the anticipated large influx of new faculty members anticipated in the near future, the administration was encouraged to develop a plan to address the issue of transitional housing.
• The administration was encouraged to continue exploration of options for placement of a Verizon cell phone tower on the campus.
• Vice President Thiesfeldt led the board in a training session to overview the Compelled to Speak strategic plan and used a hypothetical exercise to demonstrate how the various initiatives of the strategic plan might be prepared for implementation. The full plan was approved for implementation with the addition of a tracking mechanism for regular reporting and updates to the board.

• Rev. Brian K. Hennig (NWC ’90), currently serving at Emanuel – New London WI: professor of theology and history
• Mr. Robert Fischer (DMLC ’73), currently serving in development at Fox Valley Lutheran HS – Appleton WI: vice president for mission advancement
• Miss Jennifer Krause (MLC ’96), currently serving at St. Matthew's Lutheran School – Janesville WI: professor of education
• Mr. James Carlovsky (MLC ’02), currently serving at Kettle Moraine LHS – Jackson WI: professor of education

Governing Board members are (back row L-R) Duane Rodewald – Simpsonville SC; Keith Bowe – Menomonee Falls WI; Chairman Michael Woldt – Jackson WI; Timothy Peterman – Eau Claire WI; Jonathan Kolander – Menomonee Falls WI; Charles Degner – St. Peter MN; Jonathan Hahm – Caledonia MN; (second row L-R) Paul Prange – Burlington WI; Barry Price – Clarkston MI; Dale Krause – New London WI; Michael Otterstatter – Redwood Falls MN; Steven Rosenbaum – Wildomar CA; (front row L-R) Randy Matter – Cedarburg WI; Stephen Loehr – Onalaska WI; Jeffrey Wegner – Rumford RI; MLC President Mark Zarling – New Ulm MN.