Lutherans can be proud of WLS’s contribution to higher education. The seminary, a small faith-based school with a remarkable history of forming leaders, has been operating at its present campus location since 1911. The school grew from solely providing training for Lutheran pastors, into a liberal arts college that brought higher education to Waterloo Region. In 1959 the seminary founded Waterloo Lutheran University which, in 1973, became Wilfrid Laurier University.

Now is the time to renew the programs and facilities to meet the needs of students today and the future. Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. has been retained to design a $9-million renewal and modernization of the seminary. WLS’s Board of Governors has embarked on a $1.5-million Reform capital campaign to support the project, which will be completed during the summer of 2018.

Highlights of the project include:
• Renewing and modernizing the seminary building, built in 1963, to meet increased student demand.
• Significantly expanding and diversifying the seminary’s courses and programs.
• Renaming the school as Martin Luther University College to reflect the seminary’s mission in the 21st century.

The renewal and modernization will focus on upgrading building systems and technology, and reconfiguring internal spaces mostly within the current footprint, including:
• seven state-of-the-art classrooms
• gathering commons
• community room
• multifaith room to include ablution facilities
• worship arts centre
• community pastor office
• courtyard
• lobby and welcome centre
• energy efficient design

Rethinking Education

While the seminary remains dedicated to forming pastors for service, we have become much more. We offer programs designed to nurture leaders with a global perspective who are committed to contributing to the health and well-being of our increasingly diverse communities.

Programs include:
• Christian Studies and Global Citizenship
• Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy
• Master of Divinity
• PhD in Human Relationships
• The Kanata Centre for Worship and Global Song
• The Centre for Public Ethics
• Delton Glebe Counselling Centre

Responding to Community Needs

Supporting mental health and well-being has been a core mission of our school for more than 50 years. Our pioneering work in addressing grief, death and dying has comforted countless people. The positive impact of our faculty and graduates resounds throughout the community. The places our alumni are serving include:
• Grand River Hospital (Kitchener and Freeport campuses)
• St. Mary’s General Hospital
• Cambridge Memorial Hospital
• Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Centre
• Family Counselling Centre of Cambridge and North Dumfries
• KW Counselling Services Delton Glebe Counselling Centre
• Long-term care: Grand River Hospital’s Freeport Campus and the Trinity Village Care Centre

Please go to www.reformcapitalcampaign.ca to explore ways of donating to this worthwhile cause.