Professors Paul Waldschmidt and Joel Russow were installed as seminary professors on February 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Professor Waldschmidt received his pastoral training at Northwestern College, Watertown, WI (1990-1994) and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, graduating in 1999. He served his vicar year at Trinity Lutheran Church, Caledonia, WI and served as an emergency instructor at Manitowoc Lutheran High School immediately following his vicar year. Over the course of his ministry, Prof. Waldschmidt pursued continuing education at WLS and received a Master of Sacred Theology (STM) in 2020.

Professor Waldschmidt was assigned to St. Mark Lutheran Church, Normal, IL where he served for the first 13 years of his ministry. In 2012, he accepted a call to Peace Lutheran Church, Hartford, WI, and served there until accepting the call to WLS. In addition to his parish work, Prof. Waldschmidt served as a Circuit Pastor and member of the Nominating Committee for the Southeastern Wisconsin District as well as a Circuit Pastor and Coordinator for Adult Discipleship in the Western Wisconsin District.

Professor Russow received his pastoral training at Martin Luther College (2002-2006) and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (2006-2010). He served his vicar year at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Summerville, SC.

Professor Russow was assigned to serve as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, Tallahassee, FL, where he served until accepting the call to WLS. In addition to his parish work, Prof. Russow also served his district on the South Atlantic District’s Commission on Youth and Family Ministry, as Military Contact Pastor, Coordinator of the Commission on Discipleship, and Circuit Pastor.