Valparaiso University, Sept. 14-15, 2006

Each year the Career Center at Valparaiso University holds a Career Fair. The fair is attended by more then 800 students who have an opportunity to interact with employers and graduate school representatives. I was there amongst the 100+ other organizations meeting with students and talking about possibilities for their future. Actually folks representing the FBI were right across from me; it kinda freaked me out. And no, they were not wearing black suits and dark sunglasses.

Throughout the morning and early afternoon I had conversations with a number of students regarding seminary study. I will share a few: One young man, Ian, stopped by to chat. He said to me, "I want an unbiased opinion of Luther." His mother graduated eight years ago from Luther and obviously has a bias towards the place; plus, she's his mom.

Ruth stopped by and inquired about the Master of Divinity degree and shared her interest in church history. A young lady majoring in Theology stopped by and wanted to know my thoughts on how to look for an administrative vocation within the church. A few women in the nursing program stopped by and picked up a brochure on the Sacred Music degree to give to a young lady in their church. They have been encouraging her for a few years now to attend.

And there was Erin. We met the night before the fair. Over pizza and pop Erin shared with me about her family, church life, Valparaiso cafeteria food, her dislike for anything called a vegetable and her interest in being a pastor.

I did take time out from the fair to attend chapel. The Chapel of the Resurrection is a magnificent building. It was a treat to be in that space and to worship with and be lead by the students.

My thanks to Sandra McGuigan, director of the Career Center and her team for the invitation to and planning of this event; I truly enjoy meeting and being among the students at Valpo.

First Week, Postlude

As I think back to the events of First Week I do so with a smile on my face. I am proud to be a part of a seminary that takes four full days to make sure those that are new feel welcome, wanted and are given the tools, right from the start, to succeed. And I know that care will not end after classes begin. Luther Seminary is not a perfect seminary, no seminaryis, but it takes seriously its calling to train leaders for ministry and to fulfill that calling to the best of its ability. Because of this, it is easy for me to encourage students to come here to study and see if this place best fits what they need to be equipped for ministry.

If you are thinking you want to come and see if Luther Seminary is that place for you I invite you to participate in “Ventures in Vocation.”

And if these dates pose a conflict for you, please contact our Welcome Coordinator, Barbara McCauley (800.LUTHER3 or welcome@luthersem.edu) and find a date that will work best.

And who knows, maybe next year you will be the new student going through the events of First Week.

First Week, Days Three and Four

Day three was the "Day of Service" and began early. Before 8 AM a school bus had already been loaded with students, faculty and staff and was on its way to Le Sueur county; an hour or so south of the Twin Cities. That county was hit by at least three tornados on August 24th. Help was needed to clear debris from farm fields before harvest.

At 8:30 AM another group gathered in chapel for worship lead by the new campus pastor, John Mann and me. At the conclusion of worship we commissioned this group as missionaries and sent them forth into service at People Serving People. People Serving People is a temporary homeless shelter in Minneapolis serving the needs of men/or women and families and unaccompanied youth.

By 9 AM the campus had reverted back to its summer time quietness.

Day four and the final day of first week ended with a Boundaries Workshop; a new requirement for all students. I was asked to help facilitate a small group as part of the workshop. As I listened to the presentation I kept thinking, I wish someone would have told me this when I was in seminary. The speakers dealt with vital topics around the theme “What does it mean to be a public Christian leader?” Two main topics were highlighted:

1) Power dynamics--in the classroom, with parish supervisors, and with minors and vulnerable adults.

2) Self-Care—maintaining healthy habits: physical exercise, nutrition, devotional time, finances, family and friendships, hobbies, a mentor, etc.

I appreciate the seminaries putting time, effort and requirement toward this topic. I know unfortunately it is done in part to help students and the seminary avoid law suits, but more importantly it is to help students truly be healthy and faithful leaders in the church.

I thought First Week was very successful and I hope the new students received enough information to “enter in” to this new chapter in their lives. Let class begin!

First Week, Day Two

Today I felt like a new student. I graduated from this institution in 1996. I was in the last class under the "old curriculum." And though students who started after me were doing the "new curriculum," I really didn't pay that much attention to it; I had enough to deal with navigating the old.

Since being back on campus and having a husband graduate under the "new curriculum," I have discovered a few changes since my time — the Bible proficiency exam, classes like "Reading the Audiences" and "Creation and the Triune God I & II" were new. I knew faculty and staff didn't just slap a new name on old classes, so it was very interesting to learn the "method behind the madness" as Dr. Lose, Academic Dean, put it.

Here is what I learned. There are three areas that the curriculum focuses on in forming missional leaders:

1. Learning the story—learning the foundational biblical and historical understandings and language of the faith.
2. Interpreting and confessing the story—discovering through study, discernment and dialogue the story of the faith and owning it.
3. Proclaiming the story (rhetoric)—art of persuading and inviting others to be a part of the story.

Students also have the option of participating in "Discipleship," a small group facilitated by faculty or staff offering support, guidance, fellowship and prayer. These groups meet weekly.

Throughout the day as I participated and observed the planned activities I heard and saw over and over again, from faculty and staff, in a variety of ways these commitments — "we care about students, we want to help students to succeed, we want to know our students, we are available to students, and we are so glad you are here." I heard this message from those who led or hosted First Week orientation events today:


Professor Mark Throntveit and Patricia Lull, Dean of Students


Professor Mary Hinkle Shore


David Stewart, Director of Library Services


David Lose, Academic Dean


Professor Jim Boyce, Professor Terry Fretheim and Nina Bliese, wife of the President


President Rick Bliese

All of this makes me want to be a student all over again. And even more, it makes me want to invite students to study here. This is a different place then it was ten years ago and yet the same place where students are educated and formed to be leaders in the Church.

First Week

"First Week" orientation has begun here at Luther Seminary for first year students. Over 130 students will be participating in this week-long event under the theme, "Let Us Enter In."

The first day was a day of welcoming and familiarizing students with the details concerning the two major degree programs: Master of Arts and Master of Divinity. Faculty and staff met with students in large group sessions giving them all the details needed to successfully complete their degree program. I am sure it was an overwhelming experience, but a necessary part of getting organized.



It was a fun day for me as I saw a number of prospective students I had met on the road, now here on campus ready to begin their studies. It was a joy to sit in chapel and see the pews filled, hear the organ swell, the voices sing, and be reaffirmed in my baptism and sent forth as a child of God to fulfill my calling in this place.

Other activities of the day included keynote speaker Ian Punnett, former Luther student and host of "A Balanced Breakfast with Ian and Margery," a morning radio show in the Twin Cities. The day concluded with a "Fiesta Dinner" for all students, staff and families.

Liza goes to the Fair!

Just before another summer comes to a close and another school year begins it is State Fair time in Minnesota. "THE STATE FAIR — The Great Minnesota Get-together!" That is exactly what it is, and an event much loved by Minnesotans.

This year I went with my husband, John (yes, I am married as of April 28th) and his sister, Stacy, two nieces, Reagan and Rachel, nephew Sean and 170,000 others on the Friday of Labor Day weekend.

Let me share with you a few snapshots of my day.

Eating is the most important activity to do at the fair and the options are endless. The Minnesota State Fair is known for having the most food items served on a stick. There’s the Pronto pup (a corn dog on a stick & a must eat), walleye on a stick (of course), pork chop on a stick, deep fried candy bars on a stick, even spaghetti and meatballs on a stick. I enjoyed olives on a stick.

A must-see at the Fair is the display of butter sculptures. Every year a young woman is crowned Minnesota Dairy Princess ("Princess Kay of the Milky Way") and her likeness and the likenesses of the other finalists are sculptured out of butter.

Other random views of the day:



It was a great day at the Fair and a fun way to bring closure to another summer and gear up for another school year. On Tues. Sept. 5th a week of orientation begins for new students at Luther Seminary. It will be nice to see the campus filled with students pursuing their calling in the name of Christ.