Endowed Scholarships

Julie & George Barrett

Donor-Advised Scholarship Grant

This endowed donor-advised fund was established in 2024 by Julie and George Barrett. Julie and George are dedicated volunteers at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, generously giving countless hours of their time to support the school. Whether it’s selling tickets at sporting events or assisting with other activities, their cheerful presence and commitment to Christian education make a lasting impact. 

This grant will be awarded to a student or students who are attending MLS or MLC on a pastor track and demonstrating financial need.

Chuck Beach

Endowed Scholarship

Charles “Chuck” Beach served as the head of maintenance at MLS for more than 40 years. Though Chuck
was not a called worker, he was a minister in the truest sense of the word. This scholarship was established by
his family and friends to honor Chuck’s many years of faithful service.

It is awarded to a graduating senior who exemplifies Chuck’s selfless, servant attitude and will be attending MLC to prepare for the public ministry.

Roland & Esther Bode

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship grant is given in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Bode, both Dr. Martin Luther College graduates, by their family.

Mr. Bode taught Christian day school for 24 years. He worked for AAL, directed area choirs, and played the organ at local congregations. He also served as office manager at LACE for 12 years in his retirement. Mrs. Bode taught a number of years in Lutheran elementary schools and raised six children who were MLS graduates.

It is awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College.

Rev. John F. & Ruth H. Brenner

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This grant is given in memory of Pastor John F. Brenner (1917-2011) and his wife, Ruth H. Brenner (1922-2001), by friends and family.

Pastor Brenner served as a WELS pastor for 47 years, 41 of those in the Michigan District.  Ruth was his faithful help meet for their 56 years of marriage, during which time Pastor Brenner served four congregations in three different states.

Pastor and Mrs. Brenner held MLS and its special purpose of preparing future pastors and teachers in high regard.  They showed support for the school by regular attendance at MLS functions, even in their retirement years.  They opened their home to the classmates of their children and grandchildren for over four decades. They both were grateful for God’s blessings through service to the church, and freely encouraged students towards ministry.

It is awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College.

James L. Frohmader

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Usually awarded to two top students who will continue training for the preaching or teaching ministry, in memory of Jim Frohmader, a 1977 MLS graduate. Jim was enrolled at Northwestern College but died as a result of an accident at the Michigan state track meet. This scholarship was established in his memory by Rev. Richard Frohmader, H. Richard “Dick” and Shirley LaGruth, and by memorial gifts received from friends and classmates. 

It is awarded to graduating MLS seniors to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College.

Maxine Hensler

Memorial Endowed Fund

This scholarship was established in memory of Maxine Hensler, by her husband Dale.

Dale had a strong desire to help MLS students and encourage them to continue their training for the preaching or teaching ministry at Martin Luther College.

Half of the annual distribution amount is awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College, and the other half is awarded to a returning MLS student to be applied as a financial aid grant.

Rev. W. D. Keturakat

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship grant is given in memory of Rev. William D. Keturakat, who served in the WELS from 1910 until 1945.

It was established by Rev. Keturakat’s son, Bud, for students who intend to continue training for preaching and teaching ministry.

It is awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College.

Hannah M. Kieta

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Hannah M. Kieta was a member of the MLS class of 2013. This memorial scholarship grant was established in 2019 by friends and family to honor her memory.

It is awarded to a graduating MLS senior who has successfully completed at least four semesters of German at MLS and who intends to continue studying German at Martin Luther College. If no students are available who meet the criteria for German, it may be awarded to a graduating senior who has successfully completed at least four semesters of Latin at MLS and who intends to continue studying Latin at MLC.

Martin Luther Memorial Home

Rev. Steven L. Korth Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship has been established in memory of Rev. Steven L. Korth, who served on the board of the Martin Luther Memorial Home. 

Susan M. Post

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship has been established in memory of MLS Dean of Women, Sue Post.

It is awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College.

Room 205

Endowed Scholarship

Conceived and initially supported by four roommates from the class of 2021, this grant was established in thanksgiving for the continual spiritual and emotional support that they received from each other while on the MLS campus. The grant is awarded to returning MLS roommates selected by the MLS Dorm Staff who best exemplify the encouraging spirit of an MLS roommate.

The grant will be used to assist with the following year’s room & board expenses of the recipients.

George W. Schmiege

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established by his family for students who intend to continue training for the preaching ministry.

George Schmiege spent many hours volunteering at his WELS church and at MLS. During his lifetime he generously supported students preparing for the ministry.

It is awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College.

Ron & Barb Schreiner Family

Endowed Scholarship

This endowed scholarship was established in 2022 by Ron & Barb Schreiner for students who intend to continue training for the preaching or teaching ministry.

It will be awarded to one or more graduating MLS seniors to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College. Priority shall be given to student(s) who are members of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Michigan. If no student(s) meet that criterion, it may be awarded to any MLS graduate who is enrolling at MLC.

Prof. Armin Schultz

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2022 by the family of Prof. Schultz for students who intend to continue training for the preaching or teaching ministry.

Prof. Schultz served at MLS from the time he was called as a tutor in 1938 until his retirement in 1974. During this time he taught numerous subjects; including shorthand, Geometry, and German. The county girls’ track meet was named in his honor. 

He served as athletic director and coached track, cross-country, baseball, and basketball. He also served as vice president, and acting president. This scholarship will be awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward his or her tuition at Martin Luther College.

Sola Gratia

Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship grant was established by Gilbert & Naomi Wichert, in honor of their daughter, Susan Weir, and her husband, Dr. James Weir for students who intend to continue training for the preaching or teaching ministry.

It is awarded to an MLS student in 11th or 12th grade who is seriously considering enrolling at Martin Luther College upon graduation, and will be applied toward their tuition at Michigan Lutheran Seminary.

Lloyd & Edith Thompson

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship grant is given in honor of Coach Lloyd Thompson and his wife Edith.

It was established by family, friends, and colleagues on the occasion of Lloyd’s 80th birthday.

It is awarded to a graduating MLS senior to be applied toward their tuition at Martin Luther College.

Ray & Helene Vasold

Memorial Scholarship Grant

This grant is given by the Prof. Em. Terry Vasold family in memory of Ray & Helene Vasold, who volunteered countless hours to MLS and other agencies of Lutheran education since the 1960s. 

It is awarded to students who will be continuing their training for the teaching or preaching ministry at Martin Luther College.

Fred & Arlene Wenzel

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Ron Wenzel’s appreciation and enjoyment of music in the church led him to establish this grant in memory of his parents, Fred & Arlene.

It is awarded to students who have demonstrated an interest in music and will be continuing their training for the preaching or teaching ministry at Martin Luther College. 

Prof. Meilahn P. Zahn

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

One of Meilahn Zahn’s sons, together with his wife, established this scholarship in 2017 in memory of Prof. Meilahn P. Zahn (1905-1982), who served as a professor of music, history, and English at Michigan Lutheran Seminary from 1950 to 1962. Prof. Zahn served as the director of both the choir and band, and started the marching band, during his time at MLS.

The Prof. Meilahn P. Zahn Scholarship for the Advancement of Music in Lutheran Worship will provide scholarships for MLS seniors who have a demonstrated interest in music and are planning to attend Martin Luther College.

It is awarded to an MLS student to be applied toward their senior year tuition at MLS.

Alumni & Friends

Student Tuition Endowment

In 2016, generous donors established this endowment to provide tuition assistance to students attending MLS. Through God’s blessings, gifts continue to flow into this fund, enabling more families to afford the Christ-centered education provided by MLS.

The distributions from this fund support the Student Need Fund, which provides financial assistance for MLS students.

MLS Foundation

Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship fund is available for those who wish to contribute to scholarships for graduating seniors but for whom no named endowed scholarship exists. Scholarship distributions will be given to one or more graduating MLS students who are continuing their studies at Martin Luther College.

Director O. J. R. Hoenecke

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is given in memory of Rev. Otto J. R. Hoenecke, the first president of MLS.

Scholarship distributions will be given, based on GPA, to one or more graduating MLS students who are continuing their studies at Martin Luther College.

President Conrad I. Frey

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Rev. Frey was the second president of MLS, serving in that role from 1950 – 1966. The Frey scholarship was established in 1998 by the faculty of MLS in honor of his ministry.

Scholarship distributions will be given, based on GPA, to one or more graduating MLS students who are continuing their studies at Martin Luther College.

Please contact the school directly (989.793.1010) for more information or to give a gift for this scholarship.

Dr. John C. Lawrenz

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Dr. John C. Lawrenz served as the fourth president of MLS from 1978 to 1993. Students remember Dr. Lawrenz as a dynamic teacher of Old Testament history. Many graduates can still construct a map of the Holy Land the way he taught them. Students who were paying attention were astounded to learn how each detail of the Old Testament pointed to Christ.

Faculty members remember Dr. Lawrenz as the constant improver of facilities. The current layout of the school comes from the 1985 building project in which separate buildings were tied together. In the same year land was purchased and developed for an MLS track and baseball diamond, now known as Cardinal Field. The continuing beauty and efficiency of the campus can be traced directly to wise decisions made in the Lawrenz years.

WELS mission fields remember President Lawrenz as someone who reached out to enroll international students of high school age to return to their countries strengthened by instruction in the Word and connection to lifelong Christian friends. Some growth in current WELS mission fields can be traced to seeds planted under his leadership.

Saginaw community leaders remember Dr. Lawrenz as someone who cared about good relations in the athletic conference and in the community. The campus of MLS remains a stable flagship in its area of Saginaw. The faculty and staff of MLS are active contributors to local WELS churches and to the whole community.

Donors to the MLS Foundation decided to endow this scholarship in honor of the fourth president of MLS, Dr. John C. Lawrenz, in 2024. He cared about scholarship, about good fiscal planning, and about supporting students who would continue their studies for the ministry of the gospel at the college level. This scholarship is awarded to the graduating MLS student who exemplifies a passion for people by demonstrating the qualities of innovation, initiative, creativity, and leadership outside of academic achievement. 

President Martin R. Toepel

Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Rev. Toepel was the third president of MLS, serving in that role from 1966 – 1977. Prior to that, he served as Dean of Students for 16 years. The Toepel scholarship was established in 1985 by the MLS Booster Club.

Scholarship distributions will be given, based on GPA, to one or more graduating MLS students who are continuing their studies at Martin Luther College.