Miniclasses

The winters here at Immanuel, located in “the tall green pines” of the northwoods of Wisconsin, can wear on the spirits of the Immanuel family particularly during the long stretch of time between the Christmas break and Spring Break. To break up that time almost 30 years ago, then Professor Ron Roehl developed “Miniclasses” here at Immanuel. For a number of years Prof. Mark Kranz took over the reins and now Professor Ross Roehl organizes members of the senior high school class to plan the event.

In the past, classes have been presented on subjects as diverse as sign language, automobile maintenance, woodburning, and ice fishing. Each one hundred minute class is a stand-alone unit, with a goal of giving enrollees experience in a hobby, skill, or occupation that they might wish to pursue in the future.

For example, those with a curiosity about the construction trades have gotten hands-on training in skills like house framing, electrical wiring, and the installation of siding. Those who like cooking could check out classes in pie-making, pizza baking, and stir fry. Fine-arts offerings have included watercolor painting, voice, acting, dance, photography, and cross-stitch. An introduction to engineering has been offered, with a survey of computer aided design and an off-campus trip to see how a computer numerical control (CNC) machine works. In the sporting arena there were classes in badminton, soccer, golf, bowling, skating, disc golf, and weightlifting; with some of the participants making excursions to off-campus facilities.
There is always at least one session of mini classes with a specifically spiritual focus. These classes included Christian apologetics, Biblical Hebrew, how to survive college as a Christian, witnessing, Christian music, How to Prevent Becoming Puppy Chow for the Devil, and others. A career fair, attended by all the high school students, is organized ever other year.

Some mini classes have been taught by instructors from the ILC faculty, some by older students, and some by members of Messiah/Eau Claire and other CLC churches who volunteer their unique skills in widely-varying fields of expertise. Mini classes have enjoyed a broad popularity among ILC students over the years, serving as something of a respite in the long, wintry stretch between the Christmas and spring breaks.

This year Miniclasses are being held on February 14-16. Do you have a topic you would like to present? Contact Prof. Ross Roehl at ross.roehl@ilc.edu


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