Herb Strentz (‘70 PhD)

Our time at 2204 was as “house parents” during the 1967-68 academic year. The time was one of the most rewarding experiences of our married years.

We moved to Northwestern that summer secure in thinking we had enough in savings to do so. But the costs were much higher and the accommodations well below what we wanted. In desperation I phoned Rev. Clyde McCormack, whom I was well acquainted with from my 1965-66 year at Northwestern and worship at 2204, hoping he had some leads.

Did he ever! He had just begun looking for house parents for the upcoming year. 

Within a day we were moving into the five-room flat on the third floor at a rent of $50 a month and snow shoveling chores during what was to be one of the mildest winters in Chicago history! A wonderful rescue followed by a wonderful year.

Pastor Jonathan Schmidt (‘82)

My first Sunday was also the installation of Lloyd Kittlaus as campus pastor, and I stuck around, even helping get chairs from one of the local congregations.  For the next two years I was involved in ULC, serving on council, in the choir, and as brunch coordinator.

ULC, however, had a greater significance for me.  I was discerning the call to ministry at that point, and Lloyd and the community were absolutely critical to me.  With a father, grandfather, and three uncles in ordained ministry, I needed to find my own way. Lloyd gave me an ear to listen and lots of good insight, and the community gave me the support I needed during that time.

But not just to me.  My senior year, there were four of us involved in ULC – myself, Joel, Don Kreiss, and Peter Rehwaldt – who currently serve as ordained clergy in the ELCA, including Don as bishop.  What a great gift to the church ULC/LCMNU has been.

Rebecca Sims (‘94)

One of my favorite memories is when we decided to do a "ULC Prom." We all got out our old prom dresses from high school and had a great time at the Center, singing, dancing and just being silly!

It's also been really fun to reconnect with some of the alums from the 90's this past year. We've had 2 Zoom reunions so far, and both have been a success!

Tomas Gordo Churchill (‘22)

As for my favorite memory from LCMNU, it is writing and performing a historically (and theologically) -sound rap on the life of Martin Luther for LCMNU’s spring showcase. I remember spending hours trying to write and perfect the rap to include such lines as: 

"You think you done something spectacular? I wrote the Bible in the vernacular!” OR "After deemed a heretic, thought I was a nut case; No matter what I preached the power of grace”

It was a blast sharing it with others and celebrating Lutheran history and heritage in a light-hearted way.