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Martin Luther College
Encyclopedia
This article deals with the WELS-affiliated tertiary institution in Minnesota. See Luther College
for the ELCA institution in Iowa.
Martin Luther College is the college of ministry operated by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
(WELS). Located on a 50 acres (20.2 ha) campus in New Ulm, Minnesota
, United States
, the college prepares men for pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
and men and women for service as early childhood teachers, elementary, and secondary teachers and staff ministers in WELS churches, schools and missions. A faculty of 82 educators serves approximately 800 students during the school year. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and its teaching program has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.
, and Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm
amalgamated on the New Ulm campus.
Dr. Martin Luther College was established in 1884 by the Minnesota Synod to train Lutheran pastors and teachers working in Minnesota. Northwestern College was established in 1865 by the Wisconsin Synod
to train Lutheran pastors in Wisconsin. In 1892, when the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan Synods formed a federation called the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Wisconsin and Other States, it was agreed that Northwestern College would become the primary college for training men to serve as pastors in the new synod's churches. This purpose was carried out by Northwestern College on its campus in Watertown, Wisconsin, from 1865 to 1995.
It was also agreed that Dr. Martin Luther College would discontinue its pastor training course and would become a teacher training college. Graduates of Dr. Martin Luther College would also teach in any of the new synod's schools.
After several years of study and discussion, the WELS in convention voted to amalgamate its two training schools at the New Ulm, Minnesota campus. The new school, named Martin Luther College, opened its doors for the 1995-1996 school year.
A high percentage of students come from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod's Ministerial Training schools, Luther Preparatory School
and Michigan Lutheran Seminary
. Of the remaining percentage, many students come from Area Lutheran High Schools that are affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. A smaller percentage comes from public schools and international programs.
The campus is composed of 12 buildings: Old Main (Administration, Computer Labs, Classrooms), the Link (ties together Old Main and the Wittenburg Collegiate Center - Administration, Science Laboratories)the Wittenburg Collegiate Center (classrooms, auditorium), the Luther Student Center (cafeteria, student union, gymnasium, power plant), a Library, a Music Center (piano, organ, voice instruction, band and choir rooms), a Music Hall (formerly known as the Aula, MLC's first chapel - organ and piano practice rooms, Music Technology Classrooms), and the Chapel of the Christ (dedicated in 2010) along with the five dormitories listed below.
Students have the ability to participate in a variety of co-curricular and extra curricular events, such as Forum (Drama), Intramural sports, Student Senate, and other clubs and events. Students also produce several publications, including the Knight's Page (student magazine) and Studium Excitare
, a journal of confessional language studies.
Any students who choose the teaching track are given the opportunity to gain valuable experience by participating in student teaching programs. Teachers in training will be placed in area schools, ranging from preschool to high school, and help to develop lesson plans for the school's students.
Many Students are involved with the music department. MLC boasts 20 pipe organs available to students for practice, including the 42-rank Backer Memorial Organ in the MLC Auditorium and the 57-rank Schantz
Organ in the Chapel of the Christ. Also, piano and voice lessons are common, in addition to a Wind Symphony, four Choirs, and co-curricular Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Handbell Choirs.
Off campus life is popular, with students frequenting local business, restaurants, plus nearby Vogel Arena (swimming, field house, racquetball) and Flandrau State Park
for swimming and hiking. Trips into Mankato
(a 30-minute drive) are also popular for shopping at River Hills Mall and other big name stores. Day trips to the Twin Cities are also popular for concerts and other events.
Other events hosted by the Student Senate and the school provide popular entertainment, including Homecoming, Winter Carnival, Swine Sizzler (pig roast), band nights, an annual Ski Trip, an annual Art Museum trip, puzzle and card tournaments, Arbor Day, Evangelism Day, etc.
in Mequon, Wisconsin
. Those students who complete the requirements of the Studies in Educational Ministry department (with an emphasis in elementary, secondary, or early childhood education or a preparation for a parish staff ministry position) become candidates for a call, or assignment, to serve in a Lutheran elementary or high school operated by a WELS congregation. Students who attend Martin Luther College in preparation for the Lord's Gospel Ministry "have made a choice to place their lives at the disposal of the church. They will accept assignment to any location and any slate of duties that meets the church's needs as opposed to their individual preferences. Put another way by Philip Leyrer: "where the church needs him is His preference"
. The school's nickname is the Knights and colors are black, red and white.
Dr. Martin Luther College's nickname was the Lancers and school colors were maroon and gray. Northwestern College's nickname was the Trojans and its school colors were black and red.
Currently, Martin Luther College offers the following sports:
Men's Cross Country, Soccer, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Track and Field, and Golf;
Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Track and Field, and Golf.
Opportunities are also available to play Hockey in annual matches with Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
. The school also offers a variety of intramural sports for students who do not wish to compete in intercollegiate sporting events.
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
for the ELCA institution in Iowa.
Martin Luther College is the college of ministry operated by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is a North American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Characterized as theologically conservative, it was founded in 1850 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As of 2008, it had a baptized membership of over 389,364 in more than 1,290 congregations,...
(WELS). Located on a 50 acres (20.2 ha) campus in New Ulm, Minnesota
New Ulm, Minnesota
New Ulm is a city in Brown County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,522 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brown County....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the college prepares men for pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is located in Mequon, Wisconsin and trains pastors for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod .The campus consists of twenty two buildings, including a library with over 58,000 volumes, including a collection of rare pre-18th century theological...
and men and women for service as early childhood teachers, elementary, and secondary teachers and staff ministers in WELS churches, schools and missions. A faculty of 82 educators serves approximately 800 students during the school year. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and its teaching program has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.
![](http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/m/ml/mlc_oldmain_viewfromsummitave.jpg)
History
Martin Luther College was established in 1995 when Northwestern College, located in Watertown, WisconsinWatertown, Wisconsin
Watertown is a city in Dodge and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Most of the city's population is in Jefferson County. Division Street, several blocks north of downtown, marks the county line. The population of Watertown was 21,598 at the 2000 census...
, and Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm
New Ulm, Minnesota
New Ulm is a city in Brown County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,522 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brown County....
amalgamated on the New Ulm campus.
Dr. Martin Luther College was established in 1884 by the Minnesota Synod to train Lutheran pastors and teachers working in Minnesota. Northwestern College was established in 1865 by the Wisconsin Synod
Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is a North American Confessional Lutheran denomination of Christianity. Characterized as theologically conservative, it was founded in 1850 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As of 2008, it had a baptized membership of over 389,364 in more than 1,290 congregations,...
to train Lutheran pastors in Wisconsin. In 1892, when the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan Synods formed a federation called the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Wisconsin and Other States, it was agreed that Northwestern College would become the primary college for training men to serve as pastors in the new synod's churches. This purpose was carried out by Northwestern College on its campus in Watertown, Wisconsin, from 1865 to 1995.
It was also agreed that Dr. Martin Luther College would discontinue its pastor training course and would become a teacher training college. Graduates of Dr. Martin Luther College would also teach in any of the new synod's schools.
After several years of study and discussion, the WELS in convention voted to amalgamate its two training schools at the New Ulm, Minnesota campus. The new school, named Martin Luther College, opened its doors for the 1995-1996 school year.
About Martin Luther College
For the 2010-2011 school year, Martin Luther College (MLC) has approximately 710 students and 75 faculty members. The average class size is 17, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1.A high percentage of students come from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod's Ministerial Training schools, Luther Preparatory School
Luther Preparatory School
Luther Preparatory School , established in 1995, is a residential four-year secondary school located in Watertown, Wisconsin, USA and is owned and operated by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod...
and Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Michigan Lutheran Seminary
Michigan Lutheran Seminary is a private preparatory boarding high school affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod located in Saginaw, Michigan...
. Of the remaining percentage, many students come from Area Lutheran High Schools that are affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. A smaller percentage comes from public schools and international programs.
The campus is composed of 12 buildings: Old Main (Administration, Computer Labs, Classrooms), the Link (ties together Old Main and the Wittenburg Collegiate Center - Administration, Science Laboratories)the Wittenburg Collegiate Center (classrooms, auditorium), the Luther Student Center (cafeteria, student union, gymnasium, power plant), a Library, a Music Center (piano, organ, voice instruction, band and choir rooms), a Music Hall (formerly known as the Aula, MLC's first chapel - organ and piano practice rooms, Music Technology Classrooms), and the Chapel of the Christ (dedicated in 2010) along with the five dormitories listed below.
Student life
Students at MLC live in one of four dormitories: Augustana (Primarily sophomore-senior women), Centennial (primarily freshman women), Summit (primarily junior and senior men), or Concord (primarily freshmen and sophomore men). A fifth dormitory (Luther Manor) is used when school attendance requires.Students have the ability to participate in a variety of co-curricular and extra curricular events, such as Forum (Drama), Intramural sports, Student Senate, and other clubs and events. Students also produce several publications, including the Knight's Page (student magazine) and Studium Excitare
Studium Excitare
Studium Excitare is a quarterly academic journal dedicated to the translation of confessional Lutheran writings, focusing on the teaching of today's Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod...
, a journal of confessional language studies.
Any students who choose the teaching track are given the opportunity to gain valuable experience by participating in student teaching programs. Teachers in training will be placed in area schools, ranging from preschool to high school, and help to develop lesson plans for the school's students.
Many Students are involved with the music department. MLC boasts 20 pipe organs available to students for practice, including the 42-rank Backer Memorial Organ in the MLC Auditorium and the 57-rank Schantz
Schantz Organ Co.
The Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio is a major, national builder and restorer of the pipe organ. Their facilities are located in Orrville, Wayne County Ohio, about 70 kilometers due south of Cleveland, Ohio.- History :...
Organ in the Chapel of the Christ. Also, piano and voice lessons are common, in addition to a Wind Symphony, four Choirs, and co-curricular Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Handbell Choirs.
Off campus life is popular, with students frequenting local business, restaurants, plus nearby Vogel Arena (swimming, field house, racquetball) and Flandrau State Park
Flandrau State Park
Flandrau State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, on the Cottonwood River adjacent to the city of New Ulm. Initially called Cottonwood River State Park, it was renamed in 1945 to honor Charles Eugene Flandrau, a leading citizen of early Minnesota who commanded defenses during the Battles of...
for swimming and hiking. Trips into Mankato
Mankato, Minnesota
Mankato is a city in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 39,309 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Minnesota outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The county seat of Blue Earth County, it is located...
(a 30-minute drive) are also popular for shopping at River Hills Mall and other big name stores. Day trips to the Twin Cities are also popular for concerts and other events.
Other events hosted by the Student Senate and the school provide popular entertainment, including Homecoming, Winter Carnival, Swine Sizzler (pig roast), band nights, an annual Ski Trip, an annual Art Museum trip, puzzle and card tournaments, Arbor Day, Evangelism Day, etc.
Graduates
Those students who complete the program offered by the Studies in Pastoral Ministry department continue their education at Wisconsin Lutheran SeminaryWisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is located in Mequon, Wisconsin and trains pastors for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod .The campus consists of twenty two buildings, including a library with over 58,000 volumes, including a collection of rare pre-18th century theological...
in Mequon, Wisconsin
Mequon, Wisconsin
Mequon is a city in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 21,823 at the 2000 census, and an estimated population of 23,739 in July 2009...
. Those students who complete the requirements of the Studies in Educational Ministry department (with an emphasis in elementary, secondary, or early childhood education or a preparation for a parish staff ministry position) become candidates for a call, or assignment, to serve in a Lutheran elementary or high school operated by a WELS congregation. Students who attend Martin Luther College in preparation for the Lord's Gospel Ministry "have made a choice to place their lives at the disposal of the church. They will accept assignment to any location and any slate of duties that meets the church's needs as opposed to their individual preferences. Put another way by Philip Leyrer: "where the church needs him is His preference"
Athletics
Martin Luther College competes in the NCAA Division III and the Upper Midwest Athletic ConferenceUpper Midwest Athletic Conference
The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference is a college-level athletic conference. The UMAC is a member-conference of the NCAA Division III. The UMAC was formerly affiliated with the NAIA. Corey Borchardt is the current commissioner of the UMAC, and was appointed to the position in 2008...
. The school's nickname is the Knights and colors are black, red and white.
Dr. Martin Luther College's nickname was the Lancers and school colors were maroon and gray. Northwestern College's nickname was the Trojans and its school colors were black and red.
Currently, Martin Luther College offers the following sports:
Men's Cross Country, Soccer, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Track and Field, and Golf;
Women's Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Track and Field, and Golf.
Opportunities are also available to play Hockey in annual matches with Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is located in Mequon, Wisconsin and trains pastors for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod .The campus consists of twenty two buildings, including a library with over 58,000 volumes, including a collection of rare pre-18th century theological...
. The school also offers a variety of intramural sports for students who do not wish to compete in intercollegiate sporting events.