September 8, 2025

Move-in weekend was filled with the smiling faces of new students and RAs as the first-years settled into their dorms at MLC.

The weekend was also filled with activities designed to help new students feel comfortable on campus. On Thursday and Friday, MLC hosted an activity fair, took new students and parents on a tour of New Ulm, led campus tours, and held a picnic for the campus family.

On Saturday, new students and their parents worshiped together in the Chapel of the Christ before first-years headed to meetings about campus life and academics, while the rest of the student body returned for the new school year.

See more pictures from move-in weekend.

MLC’s opening service on Monday, August 25, marked the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. President Rich Gurgel presided over the service, and Rev. Stephen Helwig NWC ’95, WLS ’01 from Gethsemane-Omaha delivered a sermon based on Matthew 9:35-38.

The sermon theme, “The Narrative Hasn’t Changed,” described how, like many aspects of campus life, the message hasn’t changed—the harvest is still plentiful, while the workers are still few.

Rev. Helwig reminded the MLC campus family, especially the students, that they are God’s answer to prayers for more workers in that harvest field, and that because of Christ’s death and resurrection, they are part of the beautiful narrative of God’s salvation.

Later in the service, four new faculty and staff members were installed.

• Professor Benjamin Schaefer MLC ’05, WLS ’09 - professor of Hebrew
• Professor Matthew Doering MLC ’96 - professor of social studies
• Miss Johanna Fischer MLC ’21 - lead teacher at the MLC Early Childhood Center
• Rev. Malachi Mortensen MLC ’21 - instructor and dorm supervisor.

Watch the opening service on MLC’s YouTube channel.

MLC students love that the Daylight program allows them to both travel and share the gospel. This summer, Daylight organized 66 students to travel to 20 congregations from Alaska to Florida, and even one in London!

One team traveled to Crown of Life-New Orleans LA to help with a vacation Bible school.

Charis Headrick (Redeemer-Cedarburg WI), Alaina Hackmann (Grace-Milwaukee), and Cassondra Goeglein (St. John-New Ulm MN) were amazed by the generosity of the congregation, who showed them the French Quarter, took them on a swamp tour, and made sure they tried delicious local food.

The genuine relationships the team built with the congregation were just one blessing of the trip. Another was the opportunity to see that ministry isn’t one-size-fits-all.

“Ministry can look different, depending on the area you are in and the people you are serving,” Alaina said. “Being on this trip showed me the importance of approaching ministry with a flexible mindset, having patience, and being committed to building relationships to be able to share the gospel.”

Watch a highlight reel of our summer Daylight trips.

Our athletes work hard to train for their sports throughout the school year, but did you know they’re also working hard in the community?

The MLC men’s and women’s golf teams (pictured) are busy all year with service projects. From helping with green aeration and golf cart cleaning at the New Ulm Country Club to serving Advent and Lenten meals at St. Paul-New Ulm MN, the teams find all kinds of ways to serve.

Junior Noah Walta (Faith-Fond du Lac WI) appreciates that his coaches organize these service opportunities, giving players a chance to show their thankfulness to those who support them. “Having the opportunity to be on a collegiate golf team is a tremendous blessing for each one of us,” he said, “and we realize we wouldn’t have this opportunity without the support of so many others.”

The teams love having the chance to be a blessing to others, but they can’t deny the invaluable ministry preparation they receive too. “Caring for others first is a priceless quality, both for a member of an athletic team and for a called worker, and these projects have shown us that in a big way,” said Noah. “Seeing the impact they can have on the community has been very special. They've helped build my servant mindset as I prepare to be a servant leader in a school someday.”

We’re happy to announce that Money magazine named MLC one of America’s Best Colleges in 2025, giving us a 4.5-star rating!

Other Midwest colleges earning 4.5-star rankings were Notre Dame, Marquette, St. Olaf, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Only 40 colleges in the entire country earned a full 5.0-star rating—including Princeton and Harvard.

The start of a new school year means Auxiliary Day is near!

On October 4, gather on the campus to enjoy fellowship, hear student presentations, and choose the 2025-2026 classroom projects the Ladies' Auxiliary will fund.

Join us to get in on the fun, including a sneak peek of this year's musical, Little Women: The Broadway Musical.

Learn more on the MLC website.

Mark your calendars for October 11-12 as we reimagine Homecoming at MLC!

This year’s celebration keeps the best of what we’ve loved about Homecoming—like the Sprinter Fun Run, tailgate party, alumni mixer, and worship in the chapel—and adds new events for everyone to enjoy.

Join us for the new alumni breakfast, alumni chapel, and activities for MLC supporters of all ages!

View the Homecoming schedule and register for events on the MLC website.

Join us again this year for another series of lectures from our campus family. Lectures are free, open to the public, and take place at 10:30 am on home football game days.

Visit our website to read more and register.

• September 20 - Football Tailgate Event at Carson Park in Eau Claire WI (Game: MLC @ UW-Eau Claire)
• October 16-17 - Minnesota District Teachers’ Conference @ MLC
• October 24-26 - College Choir Fall Tour

Calls Received:

• Professor Nicolas Schmoller (theology) received a call to serve as pastor at Risen Savior-North Liberty IA.
• Professor Ross Stelljes (theology) returned a call to serve as pastor at St. Luke-Winona MN.