The Seminary Then...and Now

Abstract

Written in 2003 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s Mequon-Thiensville campus, this historical study by Seth Haakenson and Luke Boehringer compares the seminary’s facilities, academics, and student life in 1929 with those of 2003. Drawing on archival records, interviews, and photographs, the authors detail the original construction, layout, and daily operations of the seminary, including its modest dormitories, cafeteria, and library. They trace the evolution of the curriculum, faculty, and administrative structures, noting both continuity and change. The paper also explores shifts in student demographics, transportation, language use, and cultural engagement. Rich in anecdotal and statistical detail, the study offers a vivid portrait of institutional growth, theological education, and the enduring mission of pastoral training in the Wisconsin Synod. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)