May 12, 2025

MLC Day 2025 provided a beautiful picture of how richly God has blessed MLC and WELS ministries through our called workers and supporters. Thank you for showing your support for MLC in your prayers, posts, and gifts.

Because of your support, we raised $143,866 for the Congregational Partner Grant Program—so far! We’ve heard from several supporters that they are still intending to contribute, so we are leaving that opportunity open until Monday, May 19.

With additional gifts, we can assist even more students. MLC Day is part of a year-long effort to raise $775,000 to meet our commitment of matching the gifts from congregations who support their MLC students!

Also, please take advantage of sending an encouraging message to this year’s graduates on our MLC Day "Celebrating Graduates" Kudoboard. This will be available through our commencement weekend.

Our students feel your support in many ways, including through WELS ministries. As part of our on-campus MLC Day celebration, our students gave shout-outs to the schools and individuals who encouraged them to join the ministry!

Please continue to pray for MLC’s students, faculty, and staff, and for our mission of training the next generation of called workers to share the gospel with the world.

MLC men’s track and field won their first UMAC Outdoor Championship!

In order to achieve that feat, the Knights needed help from multiple individuals, and they got just that with many first- and second-place finishes. They also set multiple records for the meet and for MLC.

Stephen Wietzke (Crown of Life-Pueblo West CO) led with three first-place finishes, including in the 4x100m relay with his teammates Matthew Hillmer (St. Matthew-Oconomowoc WI), Lucas Holtz (St. Paul-Appleton WI), and Arthur Robinson (St. Paul-New Ulm MN).

Samuel Plocher (Holy Trinity-Des Moines WA) set a meet record in the high jump and won the 110m hurdles.

First-year Daniel Ertman (Bethany-Fort Atkinson WI) broke both the MLC and meet record in the 400m, finishing just ahead of Robinson, who also beat the old record and earned four second-place finishes overall. Both Daniel and Arthur were also part of the 4x400m relay team with Ryan Schmidt (Shepherd of the Hills-Tuscon AZ) and Micah Schibbelhut (St. Paul-Onalaska WI), which took first and broke the meet record.

In the field events, Daniel Reinke (Trinity-Waukesha WI) won the discus with a personal best and took third in shot put, and R.J. Perry (Our Savior-Brookings SD) set a school record in the hammer throw.

The meet featured outstanding performances from many MLC athletes. Read more on the MLC Athletics website!

What really happened when Goldilocks went into the bears’ cottage that day?

Each character in this year’s Children’s Theatre production, The Trial of Goldilocks, shared their own interpretation of events, leaving audiences to decide Goldilocks’ fate.

From a cow trying to make a name for herself to a Papa Bear in need of some sleep, every cast member delighted children and adults alike, subverting fairy tale conventions and bringing plenty of laughter.

See pictures from the show in our photo gallery!

Pictured: First-year Sophia Horn (Reformation-San Diego) portrays Goldilocks.

Students love a day off from classes, especially when they can enjoy beautiful weather and a picnic. So when Arbor Day comes around each year, it’s always a delight.

But Arbor Day at MLC is more than just picnics and sunshine. It’s an opportunity to serve.

Seniors Anna Busch (St. Paul-Rapid City SD, pictured left) and Amelia Thiel (Peace-Boulder CO, pictured right) worked as two of our group leaders for Arbor Day this year, cleaning up around campus with several other groups. Some students also went into the community to clean up public parks and faculty yards.

Anna and Amelia see how this kind of service is one of many ways they can serve their neighbor and their Savior.

“Arbor Day is just one small way to take care of the blessings provided for us here in New Ulm and at MLC,” said Anna.

Amelia added, “Arbor Day is one of those special opportunities to show our love for Jesus and let our light shine in all we do!”

On April 26, MLC women’s tennis finished out the season with a record of 7-8 overall and 3-2 UMAC. Ranked third in the conference, the Knights’ season included several highlights, including a sweep over Crown and two consecutive wins over Bethany. The seven wins are also the most victories for MLC women’s tennis since the 2018 season!

MLC softball also finished its 2025 season with a pair of their best performances all year. The Knights beat Maranatha Baptist on the road in a doubleheader, with scores of 21-5 and 12-2.

Read more sports stories on the MLC Athletics website.

Pictured: Rachel Schoeneck (Beautiful Savior-College Station TX) serves in a match versus Superior.

Please join us for the 2025 Commencement events:

• Honors Recital - May 16 at 4:00 pm in the Chapel of the Christ
• Alumni Dinner - May 16 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at Turner Hall
• Commencement Concert - May 16 at 7:30 pm in the MLC Auditorium
• Commencement Service - May 17 at 10:00 am in the MLC Gymnasium
• Call Service - May 17 at 2:30 pm in the MLC Gymnasium

From Sunday, May 18, to Thursday, May 22, the MLC Wind Symphony will present their spring tour. Under the direction of Dr. Miles Wurster, they'll offer Dances, Songs, and Legends, a captivating musical journey through global traditions.

This concert features an exciting and diverse program, from the fiery Spanish rhythms of Ferrer Ferran’s Consuelo Císcar to the rich folk heritage of Variations on a Korean Folk Song by John Barnes Chance. Experience the Mohican tradition of “vocables” in Brent Michael Davids’ Grandmother Song, the spirited energy of Dvořák’s Slavonic Dance No. 8, and the timeless beauty of Holst’s First Suite in E-flat. The concert concludes with the poignant reflection of Julie Giroux’s One Life Beautiful and the fervor of Alfred Reed’s El Camino Real. Don’t miss this celebration of music, culture, and legend!

See the full tour schedule on our website.