An open letter to the staff, faculty, and administration of Wisconsin Lutheran College and Vice President Michael R. Pence
From: Concerned members of the WLC Community
August 21, 2020
Last updated at 9:45 PM on August 26, 2020
To Wisconsin Lutheran College and Vice President Pence,
We renounce the decision to invite Vice President Pence to speak at the Class of 2020 Commencement on Saturday, August 29, 2020. We are concerned about the college’s blatantly inappropriate decision to invite the vice president to speak for this monumental event for the Class of 2020. Not only is the invitation disrespectful, but also the remarks provided by the college fail to recognize the reality of the decision.
WLC has insisted that this event, “is not in any way meant to be viewed as a political event, as it cannot be, and is not a political statement.” They claim the decision was apolitical. However, the mere invitation of a Vice President of an incredibly divisive and controversial ticket to speak in a swing state months before an election is ignorant and deceptive. Speaking to young adults months before an election is a political move and not one that WLC can decide is apolitical.
Praising Vice President Pence for his advocacy, “for the freedom of religious expression so that ministries like our churches and Wisconsin Lutheran College can flourish within a pluralistic society,” is problematic. This administration has been divisive and degrading. As a governor and now as the vice president, Mike Pence has failed to promote policies that reflect Christian values. The WLC administration should recognize, instead of ignoring, his problematic policies. WLC cannot and should not thrive from putting love on hold. Love must always come first. We invite you to rethink your priorities.
WLC cannot reasonably suggest that this is not an endorsement of any political party or candidate(s). Throughout the years, WLC continues to invite people that consistently support conservative and Republican politics, those who often claim Christian values in their rhetoric, but don’t always display them in their policies. Vice President Pence is no exception. It seems the WLC administration is not currently pushing an agenda of love for their neighbors.
Lastly, we would like to express our empathy and grief for the Class of 2020. We celebrate your achievements and congratulate you on your graduation. Your commencement ceremony should not have been infected by toxic politics. You didn’t ask for this, and you should not have needed to ask for this not to happen. Controversial political figures need to stay out of our academic celebrations. Please continue to shine in your future endeavors. We are excited for you and continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
We invite concerned members of the WLC Community to join us in solidarity.
(To sign, please respond below.)
Respectfully,
Concerned members of the WLC Community
Aaron Siegmann, Class of 2010
Adam Cares, Class of 2001
Aimee Grahl, Class of 2001
Aimee-Leigh Lerret Harris, Class of 2010
Alex Hartin, Class of 2017
Alex Nikolai, Class of 2014
Alexander Raver, Class of 2014
Alexandra Halldorson, Class of 2019
Alexandrea Hackel, Class of 2014
Alicia (Arlen) Westphal, Class of 2010
Alyssa Pautz (Ruege), Class of 2011
Amanda Schumacher, Class of 2012
Amber Gallun, Class of 2008
Amber (Marshall) Castillo, Class of 2012
Amy Ludeman, Class of 2009
Anastasia Halldorson, Class of 2020
Andrea Gurgel Delwiche, Class of 1997
Andrew Billings, Class of 2016 (in part)
Andrew Westphal, Class of 2010
Andy Ognenoff, Class of 2004
Andy Wilken, Class of 2002
Anna Garvey, Class of 2016
Anna Kuske, Class of 2018
Anna Rose, Class of 2021
Anne Wendland, Class of 2006
Anthony Moroder, Class of 2020
Ashley Hussman, Class of 2008
Austin Dodson, student from 2018–2019
Autumn Gurgel, Class of 2005
Ayla Starr, Class of 2019
Bailey (née Bintz) O’Leske, Class of 2010
Ben Kreuter, Class of 2001
Ben Parman, student from 2002–2004
Ben Tollefson, Class of 2008
Benjamin Bauer, Class of 2004
Benjamin Schulz, Class of 2011
Benjamin Silbaugh, UW-Whitewater Class of 2018
Bethany Berg, Class of 2016
Bettina Winfrey, Class of 2004
Blake Miller, Class of 2011
Bobbi-Jo Wetzel, Class of 2007
Brady Coulthard, Class of 2022
Brandon Marth, Class of 2019
Brent Peterson, Class of 2011
Bryan Eckelberg, Class of 2016
Caleb Brondos, Class of 2011
Caleb Cordes, Class of 2005
Caroline (Corlett) Wales, Class of 2007
Carrie (Johnson) Tanner, Class of 2000
Cassandra Andrus, Class of 2017
Catherine (Schmeichel) Borck, Class of 2013
Chad Gholston, Class of 2014
Chad Roelke, Class of 2010
Chanda (Ciriacks) Klinker, Class of 2002
Charisa Cheek (Hanneman), Class of 2012
Charlie (’06) and Claudia (Busse) (’07) Beck
Chase Maxwell, Class of 2017 — Class Speaker
Cheryl (Figueroa) Spriggs, Class of 2012
Chiké Dottin, Class of 2020
Chris Gibbons, Class of 2017
Chrissy (Bandy) Swearingen, Class of 2000
Christa Dyrssen, Class of 2016
Christian Williams, Class of 2000
Colin Sheahan, Class of 2016
Collin Brinkmann, Class of 2020
Courtney (Hoff) Christensen, Class of 2015
Courtney Schultz, Class of 2011
Craig Gerke, Class of 2011
Dan Mulrain, Class of 2013
Danielle (Bethke) Roelke, Class of 2011
Danielle (Novak) Losos, Class of 2011
Danielle Willis, Class of 2017
Deanna Strasse, Class of 2012
Eileen (Tesarik) Girmscheid, Class of 2012
Elaina (Helmen) Adickes, Class of 2016
Elizabeth Cina, Class of 2022
Elizabeth Lang, Class of 2013
Elizabeth Richards (Petri), student from 2008–2009
Elizabeth Schroeder, Class of 2020
Ellen Schwartz, Class of 2013
Emily Gessner, Class of 2017
Emily Jade, student from 1999–2001
Emily Malsack, Class of 2016
Emily Palm, Class of 2020
Emily Puerta (Reul), Class of 2007
Emily Reitz, Class of 2019
Emma Tollenaar, Class of 2020
Enrique Arreola, Class of 2017
Erek R. Lehnen, Class of 2020
Erica Sorum, Class of 2010
Erik Pyatt, Class of 2020
Erin Eggers, Class of 2004
Erin Hoehnke, Class of 2018
Erin Leverence, Class of 2015
Erin Malsack, Class of 2018
Erin Salerno, Class of 2006
Erin (Sternberg) Mathieus, Class of 2015
Evan Johnson, Class of 2021
Garett (Lemerand) McGathey, Class of 2013
Geoff Gurgel, Class of 2000
Greg Dickenson, Political Science, Class of 2009
Hadassah Lustig, Class of 2020
Hailey Hughes, Class of 2021
Hailey (Moldenhauer) Anderson, Class of 2015
Hailey (Schwartz) Dougherty, Class of 2015
Haley Bilda, Class of 2021
Hannah Dovnik, student from 2015–2016
Hannah Holzhueter, MLC Class of 2016
Hannah R. Knouse (Picchiottino), Class of 2006
Hannah Snyder, Class of 2020
Harold Summers, Class of 2020
Heidi (Schwerin) Kreuter, Class of 2002
Jack Bechtel, Class of 2019 — Class Speaker
Jacquelyn Beier, Class of 2020
Jahna (Juedes) Hildebrandt, Class of 2002
Jake Mroczynski, Class of 2016
Jake Semmann, Class of 2015
Jamie Trudell, Class of 2010
Janet (Wrensch) Anderson, Class of 2001
Janna Hall, Class of 2005
Jared (’07) and Myrriah Greanya (‘06)
Jarred Strupp, Class of 2018
Jasmine Zabrowski, Class of 2013
Jay Skinner, Class of 2017
Jeff Clutterbuck, Class of 2008
Jenni Petersen, Class of 2007
Jennifer Pruess, Class of 2002
Jenny Rechlicz, Class of 2014
Jessica Howard, Class of 2014
Jessica Neddersen, Class of 2020
Jimmy Pautz, Class of 2011
Jimmy Pierson, Class of 2018
John Plaski, Class of 2019
John R. Dodson, Class of 2015
Jonas Leyrer, Class of 2009
Jonathan Adsit, Class of 2020
Jonathan Kelly, Class of 2020
Jonathan Wright, Class of 2018
Joseph Swearingen, Class of 1998
Josh Leverence, Class of 2016
Josh Ponkauskas, Class of 2021
Josh Scheibe, Class of 2015
Jordyn Frailing, Class of 2021
Joseph Sollazo, Class of 2017
Julie Baron, Class of 2007
Julie Straseke, Class of 2010
Justine Ploeger, Class of 2020
Kai Tai “Stanley” Chan, Class of 2010
Kailey Runtas (Leach), Class of 2013
Kali Boldebuck, Class of 2020
Karissa DeMille, Class of 2012
Kate Mau, Class of 2000
Kate Naujock, Class of 2018
Katherine Mau, Class of 2017
Katherine Weyker, Class of 2011
Katie Foster, Class of 2011
Katie Pautz, Class of 2017
Katie Schleicher, Class of 2013
Katie (Sloan) Brase, Class of 2011
Katrina Smith, Class of 2012
Katy Brodesser, Class of 2017
Katy Walker, Class of 2011
Kayla Joosse, Class of 2018
Kaylan Biersack, Class of 2020
Kelsey Danke, Class of 2017
Kelsey (Palm) Kolb, Class of 2014
Kendall Bonnin, Class of 2016
Kerry Ognenoff, Class of 2004
Kristina Puotkalyte-Gurgel, Ph.D., Class of 2000
Kristine Brown Graves, Class of 2010
Kyle Foster, Class of 2011
Kylee Bruemmer, Class of 2020
Lacey Pfalz, Class of 2020
Lachrisa Grandberry, Class of 2014
Laura (Hartman) Schneider, Class of 2011
Laura Heibler, Class of 2016
Laurel Gallman, Class of 2017
Leah Munson (Dohm), Class of 2009
Leah Northrop, Class of 2018
Lezlie España, Class of 2016
Lisa Gerlach, Class of 2014
Lorylen (Shiber) Ludgate, Class of 2007
Lucie Bauer (Marikova), Class of 2005
Lydia Schroeder, Class of 2022
Lydia Wagenknecht, Class of 2017
Lydia Witte, Class of 2011
Lyndsey Nagel, Class of 2011
Lynne Hemerley Sakowski, Class of 1997
Madeline Strange, Class of 2020
Madeline (Wunderle) Kuzniar, Class of 2017
Malaika Robinson, MLC Class of 2018
Mark Mattek, Class of 2004
Mark Johnson, Class of 2021
Martin Smith, Class of 2014
Matt Lawrenz, Class of 2002
Matt Pautz, Class of 2013
Matthew Gasper, Class of 2012
Melanie Dodson, Class of 2019
Melissa A. Cordes (Oberbeck), Ph.D., Class of 2007
Melissa (Boehm) Joecks, Class of 2002
Meredith (Huebner) Fridley, Class of 2010
Michael Cyr II, Class of 2014
Michael Kittelson, Class of 2015
Mikayla Spanovich, Class of 2019
Mike Gallun, Class of 2007
Mike Schulz, Class of 2008
Miriam (Wendland) Rupprecht, Class of 2002
Molly (Kuenzi) McKnight, Class of 2003
Nathaniel Bauer, Class of 1999
Naomi Maxwell, Class of 2017
Nate (’07) and Chelsea (’06) Hamilton
Nicole Thaci (Centgraf), Class of 2008
Nikita Duling, Class of 2019
Noah Schroeder, Class of 2018
Nora Swearingen Pagel, Class of 1994
Octavia Morton, Class of 2013
Olya Finnegan, Class of 1997
Payton Persinger, Class of 2020
Peter Buschkopf, Class of 2013
Rachel Italiano, Class of 2016
Rachel (Kelly) Pappenfuss, Class of 2016
Rachel (Mau) Weiss, Class of 2003
Rachel (Mischke) Besler, Class of 2017
Rachel Limpert, Class of 2021
Rachel Sebald, Class of 2017
Rebecca Jabs, Class of 2006
Reed Luengen, Class of 2016
Ross Ewert, Class of 2018
Ross Finnigan, Class of 2006
Ryan George, Class of 2016
Sam Thoma, Class of 2019
Sam Wessel, Class of 2014
Samantha Kalski, Class of 2020
Samantha Nigbur, Class of 2014
Samantha Schulz, Class of 2005
Samuel Wilde, Class of 2022
Sarah (Becker) Leyrer, Class of 2010
Sarah (Iles) Gerrish, Class of 2004
Sarah Joers, Class of 2017
Sarah (Laupan) Doran, Class of 2011
Sarah Miskowski, Class of 2018
Sarah Raver, Class of 2014
Sean Grady, Class of 2020
Seth Workentine, Class of 2016
Shem Biebert, Class of 2010
Sierra Tackett, Class of 2016, Certificate in Servant Leadership
Siobhán Heiss, Class of 2020
Stephanie Barenz, Adjunct Professor from 2009-2017
Stefanie Cox Yuen, Class of 2014
Stephanee Albert (Mannisto), Class of 2016
Susan Corlett, Class of 2002
Susanna Gonzales-McCaulley, Class of 2020
Tabitha Krug, Class of 2006
Tabitha (Schultz) Schroeder, Class of 2018
Taleya (Parker) Williamson, Class of 2016
Tarah Patton (maiden name Engelke), Class of 2007
Thomas Behn, Class of 2011
Thomas Reitz, Class of 2018
Tim Hansen, Class of 2002
Tina Chau, Class of 2015
Tina (Hoewisch) Gahagan, Class of 2003
Trent Deans, Class of 2020
Valerie Kohler-Regel, Class of 2008
Vincent Pelligrino, Class of 2010
Warren Iles, Class of 2005
Whitney (Dotson) Bartholomew, Class of 2013
Anonymous, Class of 2011
Anonymous, Class of 2012
Anonymous, Class of 2012
