Student Leadership Team - Lutheran Campus Ministry

Emily Hackerson (Apple Valley, MN)

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Emily is entering her senior year at the U and is studying genetics. During the summer, she enjoyed a fun girls trip with her mom to Beverly Hills! This year at LCM, Emily is looking forward to the fall retreat and seeing new faces. She goes to church because she loves the people there and the environment of peace.

James Dahlvang (North Mankato, MN)

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James is a junior this year and is interested in science (specifically biology!). This summer, he caught TWO 27-inch walleyes yet didn’t win the biggest fish trophy in Canada. James is excited for the year as a servant leader with LCM to notice how expanding the small groups might open up the community. James goes to church because God has given him a lot. James has received a lot of love in his life from his church family and he wants to share that love with others.

Connor Fell (Millburn, NJ)

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Connor is a junior studying industrial and systems engineering. The highlight of Connor’s summer was a trip to Chicago for a weekend. Connor is eager to serve as a leader with LCM this year and walk alongside all of the new leaders, noticing changes within group dynamics. He goes to church because he feels welcome there and is able to put his faith into practice.

Amanda Charles (De Pere, WI)

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Amanda is in her senior year, studying strategic communication and economics. This past summer, she spent two weeks backpacking around Europe after finishing up a semester abroad in Germany. Less exciting, but equally interesting, a chipmunk crawled up her leg after she opened a granola bar while on a hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Amanda is always excited to see how the LCM community changes as the new LCM-ers mingle with the old LCM-ers. She loves seeing new personalities and learning about what each person brings with them into this space. Amanda goes to church because, amid all of the chaos and noise in the world, church reminds her that God is, and always will be, a source of everlasting love, grace, and comfort.

Haley Renner (Lakeville, MN)

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Haley is a sophomore studying Sociology LCD. This summer, Haley had a great time attending her second cousin’s wedding in Cooperstown, ND. She is really excited for this year with LCM to meet some baby gophs (aka first-year students). Haley goes to church because it gives her hope!

Laura Wyatt (East Bethel, MN)

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Laura is in her senior, studying agricultural education. Laura studied abroad in Italy for 3 weeks at the start of the summer! She’s very excited to have a fresh group of students at the beginning of the school year to bring new ideas and life into LCM. Welcoming the freshmen is one of her favorite things that the LCM community does! Laura goes to church because she loves to surround herself with such positive people all of the time. She believes that being together in community is one of the most important things God calls us to do and gathering at LCM lives into that calling.

Grace Richmond (Sun Prairie, WI)
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Grace is a junior in microbiology (major) and public health (minor). Last summer, Grade went to New York City! She’s excited to take a more active leadership role as an upperclassman, along with the opportunities that are in the works for the upcoming year with LCM! Grace goes to church because it reminds her that she is a loved child of God even when classes get stressful. She also uses church as a time for herself, to reflect on the week, and practice spiritual self-care.

Olivia Olson (Plymouth, MN)

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Olivia is in her junior year, working for a double major in food systems and global studies, both with an emphasis in environmental sustainability. Last summer, Olivia spent 10 weeks in Vietnam, learning Vietnamese, taking a few classes, and interning at an organization that works to eliminate food waste. She is stoked to work on building community with LCM, and to help everyone feel welcome and cared for. Olivia goes to church because of the community, and because it’s a place to ask tough questions and learn what it means to live in this world.

Mara Pollmann (Hutchinson, MN)
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Mara is sophomore, studying aerospace engineering. Last summer, Mara was lucky enough to go to a wiener dog race. She is excited to see everyone again and make new friends at LCM. Mara goes to church because it fills her up.

Andrew Freitag (Philadelphia, PA)

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Andrew is a junior year studying finance. Last summer he was lucky enough to see the Rolling Stones and Queen in concert. Andrew is excited for the year to build more meaningful relationships through the LCM community. He goes to church because it allows him to connect with other people in a space that allows everyone to practice their faith.

Mara Bowman (Manitowoc, WI)
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Mara is a senior majoring in elementary education. She had an amazing summer at camp! While at camp, Mara played capture the chicken a lot. She’s most excited to continue to grow the LCM community and to continue participating in pause/planning worships. Mara goes to church because it brings her hope for what the world could be, it gives her a faith-based community where she can live to be the person God is calling her to be, and it challenges her to live out her faith by loving her neighbor (whatever that looks like) beyond the walls of the church.

Sydney Erickson (Windom, MN)
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Sydney is in her third year, studying political science, sociology of law, criminology, and deviance (pre-law). She spent her summer working at camp and seeing/hearing the word of God in action. Sydney is excited to be a part of something bigger than herself and to grow more in her faith. She goes to church because she enjoys worshipping alongside her fellow classmates and “resetting” her week with the constant reminder that she is a loved child of God.

Jenna Von Holtum (Thief River Falls, MN)

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Jenna is in her second year at the U. Last summer she visited four different lakes during one weekend! Jenna is looking forward to being more involved this year in LCM as a servant leader. She goes to church because it keeps her life feeling more whole and balanced.

Silas Ryan (Marion, IN)
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Silas is a senior philosophy major. Last summer he resolved to try skydiving, outcome TBD. This year, Silas is excited to reconnect with the wonderful LCM community! He goes to church because his faith is stronger when he is surrounded by good, loving people.

Melodee Grant (Marshall, MN)
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Melodee is a junior studying biology. She studied most of last summer for the Dental Admission Test and it paid off! Melodee is excited to take on a leadership role with LCM and see where that takes her. She goes to church because she finds strength in community and enjoys sharing Jesus moments with people she loves.

Molly Hawkins (Fairmont, MN)
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Molly is entering her junior year, studying political science and history. Last summer, she completed her first marathon! She also was a congressional intern with Senator Klobuchar’s office AND went on a trip to Seattle with her friends. Molly is most excited about expanding LCM’s impact beyond our campus. She thinks channeling her faith by putting it into action is so important. Molly goes to church because it grounds her and gives her peace.

Abby Lonne (Proctor, MN (10 min outside of Duluth))
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Abby is in her senior year, double majoring in dance and communication studies. Last summer, Abby had a great time facilitating a leadership camp! She is looking forward to this year by taking on a new role in the awesome LCM community! Abby goes to church because it gives her purpose.

Jacob Nelson (Golden Valley, MN)
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Jacob is a senior studying chemical engineering. Last summer, he dedicated himself to learning a new way of playing ping pong on a single table with a large group of people. They call this game “Group Ping Pong On A Single Table.” Jacob is really looking forward to having discussions with people at LCM this year about what they believe in and how that impacts their actions. He goes to church because it gives him the tools to live a life he’s proud of and it helps him to grow in positive relationships with others.

Emily Pliscott (Kenyon, MN)
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Emily enters her third year at the U as a senior studying applied economics and agricultural communication and marketing. Over the summer she enjoyed living and working in Washington, D.C. This year, Emily is looking forward to having the chance to spend more time growing and making the LCM community more welcoming to other people. She goes to church because it gives her a community to talk and grow in faith with.