January 13, 2025

Editor: Haley Wels

December Degree Completions

We thank God for the individuals who completed their degrees in December 2024. The 19 students who earned their undergraduate degrees will be recognized during the May 2025 commencement ceremony.


Of the 19 graduates, four were assigned to the public ministry in December:


Hannah Borgwardt (New Ulm MN) to St. Paul LS-Arlington: gr K, 5-6 (one-semester assignment)

Lisa Hoffer MS-Ed (Plymouth MN) to Holy Trinity LA-New Hope MN: departmental science & phy ed (one-semester assignment)

Noah Kvidt (Newnan GA) to Divine Savior Academy: HS theology (one-semester assignment)

Elijah Dorn (Lake Mills WI) to Minnesota Valley LHS: physics, science (permanent assignment).


A May 2024 graduated was also assigned:


Eric Bartsch (Sussex WI) to First LS-La Crosse WI: gr 6 (assignment made permanent)


May God bless these graduates as they serve in his harvest field.

Daylight: Students on a Mission

Getting in-the-field ministry experience during J-term? Amazing! Traveling to Texas, California, Mexico, or the Caribbean to do it? Even better!


In December and January, MLC’s Daylight Program sent six teams of students to warmer climes to assist with ministry programs. One team headed to Ascension-Escondido CA for the church’s Christmas for Kids. They also played music and sang for a Sunday service.


The Escondido team learned how to run a ministry event, and they saw how powerfully the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of the families. That was Charis Headrick’s (Christ Alone-Thiensville WI) favorite part. “I met a woman and her children who came to Christmas for Kids,” she said, “and they came to church and Bible study the next day, which was awesome!”


Pictured: Charis Headrick and Lindsay Hatton (Bethlehem-Menomonee Falls WI) ready for Christmas for Kids.

All-Region Recognition

After being named Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Andrew Esmay (Trinity-Temple TX) garnered more recognition when he was named D3Sports.com Second Team All-Region on December 11!


Andrew led all of Division III in sacks, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries.


Read more highlights on our athletics site.

Christmas Begins with Christ

The MLC Women’s Ministry closed the fall semester with an evening meditation on where we place our focus during the Christmas season. Student volunteers shared readings and played hymns that reminded the gathered women that Christmas begins with Christ.


Pictured: The organizers, readers, and pianists for Advent by Candlelight

MLC Forum: A Story in Every Breath

On the last weekend before break, MLC Forum invited audiences to pause and consider the stories happening all around them. A Story in Every Breath featured two one-act plays—Antigone Now and And the Giants Fell.


The audiences reflected on the show’s messages of tragedy and hope, and the cast members broadened their acting ranges. “I’d been in musicals and children’s theater productions, which are usually lighthearted,” said Olivia Robinson (St. Paul-New Ulm MN, pictured), “but this show was not. Building off of the other actors’ emotions helped me maintain the mood of the show.”


Cast bonding was integral to A Story in Every Breath. The students were encouraged to form new friendships and deepen existing ones, learning from each other’s stories just as they were hoping the audience would do.

Knights December Triumphs

On December 16, Mya Morris (Crosspoint Alliance-Perham MN) was named UMAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week—the first Knight to earn the honor this season!


Mya played a key role in the team’s back-to-back wins in early December, averaging 17.5 points per game and sinking eight three-pointers. She scored 21 points with five rebounds in a win over Luther and added 14 points and six assists in a hard-fought victory against Carleton.


The Knights’ momentum continued as the team extended their winning streak with a 56-50 victory over Augsburg. Emma Dorn (St. John-Redwood Falls MN) delivered a standout performance, leading the way with 21 points and eight rebounds.


The Knights also showcased their defensive skill, recording nine blocked shots and holding their fourth consecutive opponent under 60 points.


Pictured: Mya Morris shooting a free throw in the Knights’ game against Carleton.

Student Christmas Party

With cookie decorating, games, prizes, and, of course, snacks, the MLC Events Team threw a fantastic Christmas party for our student body.


The smiles on the students’ faces say it all!


Check out pictures of the festivities in our SmugMug gallery.

Bingo Night Donations

Bingo Night 2025 is Wednesday, February 26!


The MLC Ladies’ Auxiliary sponsors this highly anticipated event for all MLC students.


We need your donations! The Auxiliary is currently asking for baked goods, quilts/blankets, and cash for gift cards.


Please drop off donations at the MLC reception desk. Or mail them to 1995 Luther Court, New Ulm MN 56073.


Questions? Please email mlcauxiliary@mlc-wels.edu or call 507.354.8221.


Want to promote the event in your congregation? Visit our Bingo website for downloadable materials. 

College Choir Spring Tour

The MLC College Choir’s spring tour is planned for March 15-23, 2025. Concerts are scheduled in Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.


A special concert with the WLS Chorus is planned as part of our efforts to thank the Lord for 175 years of blessings on the WELS and 160 years of WELS ministerial education. It will be held in Milwaukee.


We pray you can join us for a concert near you.


Visit our website for more information.

MLC Forum Presents ...

Call Updates

Calls Extended:

  • Johanna Fischer (St. John-Baraboo WI) accepted a call from MLC to serve as lead teacher in the toddler room at the Early Childhood Learning Center.
  • Michelle Dressel (Risen Savior-Mankato MN) received a call from MLC to serve as lead teacher in one of the preprimary rooms at the Early Childhood Learning Center.


Calls Received:

  • Admissions Counselor Martín Santos returned a call to teach social studies at Arizona Lutheran Academy.

Contact us today:

507.354.8221



mlc-wels.edu

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