July 14, 2025

On June 9, MLC hosted the 33rd annual Golf Classic, raising funds for student scholarships and outdoor student spaces. Over 100 golfers competed in the Classic–all in support of future called workers!

See more pictures in our SmugMug gallery, and visit our website for information about next year’s Golf Classic.

Pictured: Shooting a 59, the 2025 winners are Todd McKeeth, MLC Professor Matthew Pearson (education), MLC student Benjamin Pearson, and Jeff Anderson.

The MLC campus family is thankful for the service of three faculty members who retired at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Through them, God has richly blessed MLC, and we pray that in their retirement they continue to use their gifts in service to him.

Read more about their ministries on pages 34-35 in our Summer 2025 MLC InFocus.

Professor Thomas Nass NWC ’77, WLS ’82 served as a professor of Hebrew at Martin Luther College from its beginning in 1995 and at Northwestern College the previous year (1994-1995). Prior to that, he served as pastor at St. Lucas-Milwaukee and at St. Paul-Mankato MN, and as an instructor at Northwestern College.

Professor Emeritus Nass will continue to serve as president of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference and teach at MLC as a part-time adjunct professor.

Professor William Pekrul DMLC ’80 served at Martin Luther College from 2002 to 2025, first as a professor of English and then as director of Public Relations. Prior to his ministry here, he served as an English instructor at Winnebago Lutheran Academy and as teacher and principal at Martin Luther-Neenah WI.

Professor Emeritus Pekrul and his wife, Peggy, plan to stay in New Ulm where they hope to connect even more closely with their family, especially their grandchildren.

Professor Mark Tacke DMLC ’80 served at Martin Luther College from 2011 to 2025 as a professor of science. Prior to his ministry here, he served as a teacher at Evergreen LHS, Northland LHS, St. Paul-North Hollywood CA, and Emanuel-Flint MI.

Professor Emeritus Tacke and his wife, Rachel, are moving back to their home in Auburn WA, where they lived for 17 years and raised their family while Mark taught at Evergreen LHS.

Work has begun on the Old Main entrance project!

On July 1, MLC hosted a ceremony to mark the start of “Step by Step: Building Memories and Ministries.” Dean of Chapel Jacob Behnken led a brief worship service, after which President Rich Gurgel addressed the attendees.

Then it was time to use the sledgehammers! After the first ceremonial swings, attendees were invited to take their own swings, celebrating the repair and preservation of the entrance to this historic building.

When MLC graduates receive their first teaching call, they’re supported by friends, professors, and a trained mentor through MLC’s New Teacher Induction program.

NTI provides two years of instructional mentoring, seminars, and observation for new teachers. And it provides something more—connection.

That connection extends beyond the two years of mentoring. In June, NTI hosted a Nashville retreat for teachers five years into ministry, reuniting them with mentors and peers to reflect and share experiences.

As new teachers begin their calls this month, they can look forward not only to NTI’s immediate support, but also to lasting connections.

Pictured: Teachers and mentors gather with the director of NTI, Dr. Jon Schaefer, and President and Mrs. Gurgel at the Nashville retreat.

MLC faculty are busy this summer, leading Continuing Education courses such as Teacher Wellness and Crafting a Literacy Instruction Philosophy.

Those are just two of 25 in-person and satellite courses being offered in 14 cities. The Continuing Education program is also offering 35 online courses. Our 60 total courses have more than 780 students enrolled.

Interested in Continuing Education? Fall registration is now open!

This summer, MLC students are spreading the gospel and gaining ministry experience through 18 short-term Daylight trips and two summer-long Daylight ministry experiences across the country.

These experiences are special opportunities to serve others while learning about ministry. Lucas Prange’s (pictured, New Life-Kenosha WI) team spent six days at Beautiful Savior-Corvallis OR, leading Bible lessons, games, and activities.

Student teams also use their gifts for canvassing, art camps, soccer camps, and VBS, as well as helping with food drives and worship services.

Check the MLC Facebook page to see more summer Daylight trips!

The Summer 2025 MLC InFocus is out now!

Learn how our campus is “Grounded and Growing” in academic programs, faith-building opportunities, and more!

Plus, see a year-in-review photo collage and peruse all the teacher assignments made on Call Day.

Read online

Calls Received:

• Dean James Danell returned a call to serve as pastor at Divinity-St. Paul MN.