About Us
Introduction to Surrounding Communities of MLHS
Michigan Lutheran High School is a proud community member of Southwestern Michigan and Northern Indiana, frequently referred to as “Michiana.” Centering on the twin cities of Saint Joseph / Benton Harbor in Berrien County and nearby South Bend, Indiana, the area’s chief natural resources are tourism and agriculture, specifically orchards and vineyards. The international headquarters of the Whirlpool Corporation is located in the area. Bosch, LECO, and Lakeland Medical Center are also major employers. MLHS students reside in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties in Michigan and St. Joseph County in Indiana.
Michigan Lutheran has a deep relationship with its community. Many alumni and supporters reside in the area, some of whose families were instrumental in founding the school. The Titan marching band always draws loud cheers during the annual Blossomtime parade. Local employers seek out ML students. Titan coaches are well known and respected not only for their success, but also for fostering character-building in their athletes and for their emphasis on Christian sportsmanship.
Michiana includes many churches of multiple denominations. It is a deeply patriotic area with close relationships to its local politicians. Cultural highlights include July’s Venetian Festival and the spring “blessing of the blossoms” which draws up to 250,000 visitors. Berrien County is committed to supporting the arts, as is evidenced by the Krasl Art Center, the Twin City Players, Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center, and several arts and crafts festivals “on the bluff.”
A Brief History of Michigan Lutheran High School
On March 10, 1968, six WELS congregations in Berrien County hosted a Lutheran high school exploration Sunday at St. Matthew’s Lutheran School in Benton Harbor. Due to the encouraging attendance and the presence of sixteen WELS churches, the Southwestern Michigan Lutheran High School Association was established. On June 30, 1968, a constitution was adopted and a Board of Regents was elected. Though a 50-acre tract of land was purchased in St. Joseph in November of 1968, the school met in temporary quarters beginning in the fall of 1970. MLHS’s first freshman class of sixteen students started their school year at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor. Mr. Elmer Dobberstein was called as the first principal.
In the fall of 1971, a capital drive began toward the goal of building a permanent facility. By December, nearly $300,000 had been raised. Ground was broken on April 17, 1972, and the cornerstone set in place on August 13 of that same year. Five years and one day after adopting its constitution, a 34,000 square foot building was dedicated on June 3,1973, under the theme Thou Hast Done It. The next milestone for the young school came on June 19, 1974, when the first graduating class of fifteen students received their diplomas. During its lifetime, the facility has received multiple upgrades to its athletic fields, fine arts equipment, and technology. The most recent facility update took place as a result of the 35th Anniversary campaign in 2005, during which over $350,000 was raised to repair the roof, resurface the parking lot, and completely refurbish the gymnasium.
Throughout its years, ML has graduated about 1000 alumni and has been served by more than 60 different called workers. Titan alumni fill important positions in countless professions throughout the country. Many others serve their Lord full time in the pastoral and teaching ministries. MLHS has enrolled dozens of students who are children of its alumni. Over the years, the faces and facility of ML have changed, but its central focus on Jesus Christ has not wavered. The school remains committed to its mission of preparing young adults for lives of Christian service as future lay members, lay leadership, and called workers in God’s kingdom. Dedicated disciples of Jesus have given immeasurable time, talents, and prayer to make the work of MLHS possible for nearly half a century. In today’s world, the work of preparing young disciples of Christ is more important than ever.
| TITAN NATION - Alumni Testimonials |
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David Balza – MLHS (87), University of Michigan ’91 – Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL - I am very thankful to our Lord that I had the opportunity to attend one of our Lutheran Day Schools (St. Paul – South Haven), followed by four years at MLHS. Rarely do we recognize our greatest blessings at the time they occur. It is often many years later that we see their true worth. Certainly I received an excellent academic education and made some life-long friends at ML, but more importantly, I grew in my faith and in the knowledge of my Lord while there. Looking back, I really appreciate how well the teachers incorporated Christ into all of the curriculum. Whether it was science, math, history or English, the classes were taught from a biblical perspective. This perspective has been invaluable since, through college and into the so-called “real world.” I continue to work to maintain a Christ-centered outlook in all areas of my life thanks in great part to the training that I received at good ‘old ML! |
| Ashley Hunt (Emhoff ’04) - I like ML… because it is a close-knit, positive environment… I learned a lot from being a student at ML, but the most important thing I learned is that God is always here to provide and protect us thru the rough times… the best thing that it taught me was to believe and trust in God because without him you really have nothing. |
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