NUrturing Faith

Sharing Stories from LCMNU

Sept 2025

More than taking classes: Toni Schramm

More than Taking Classes

After she graduated from California Lutheran College, Toni Schramm (‘75) went to Northwestern University with her sister to pursue a graduate degree in Education and English. Since Toni knew no one east of the Colorado River, her English advisor recommended that she seek out the Lutheran Center (University Lutheran Church, ULC, at that time) and Pastor Clyde “Mac” McCormack. At the Lutheran Center, Toni found a community that became central to her time in Evanston.

There, she participated in deep discussions and made many treasured memories: experiencing playing in the snow for the first time, creating liturgical banners for the Center, and cooking Sunday Suppers. Toni also found friends that would support her through her first month of teaching—friends that remain fifty-one years later!

Pastor Mac invited Toni to become a ULC Council Associate, a role specifically to allow undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to participate in church leadership at ULC, during her first quarter at Northwestern. Toni’s first reaction was to decline the additional commitment; she was already busy with lessons to prepare, papers to grade (and papers to write), readings, and studying. However, when a friend from ULC who was also invited to become a Council Associate reached out to her to share his excitement at having the opportunity to serve the community, she caught his enthusiasm and decided to take on the role. As an Associate, Toni had “voice but no vote,” and experienced how a church council functions: she learned to listen, discuss, and even respectfully disagree as she learned how to serve her church.

Toni directly ties her active participation and leadership in her congregations post-graduation to her experience as a student at Campus Ministry and ULC. She has attended Synod Assembly three times and, at her current church: Shepherd of the Lakes, in Grayslake, IL, she

heads up the usher team, organized and created a picture directory for the congregation, and is the point person for her church’s participation in the summer farmer’s market.  

LCMNU also remains an important part of Toni’s life today. Beyond the friendships that have endured since she was a student at NU, she returns for Homecoming and the Showcase when she can. Toni has also come to know Pastor Deanna and, with two other LCMNU alumni, is helping to organize documents at the Center. Looking back, Toni notes “My graduate school experience at Northwestern was so much more than taking classes, and the influence of that time and the people I met and the experiences I had at LCMNU remain with me forever.”