Fall 2026 at Immanuel - The Same . . . but Different

 Newly Different, but Still the Same

The end of August saw the campus again streaming with students back from summer break; that hasn't changed. Old friends greeting, new friendships being formed, all familiar scenes. There was, however, a large turnover of faculty and staff this fall. 

The General Business Office has seen the most change. Barb Pfeiffer has retired after thirty plus years as the check writer for ILC and CLC business. Barb is in all our prayers as she recovers from a series of strokes. Please keep her in your prayers. Stepping in to fill Barb's position required two people, Beth Sandeen and Amanda Roth, who have stepped up and are learning the job, helped by our financial manager Steve Lentz, afternoon front desk worker Stephanie Quam, and long-time Book House manager and general glue of the GBO, Jessica Lau.

Dr. Daniel Sullivan has taken on the call to fill out our faculty. Besides taking on new classes, Daniel is organizing the mass choir and the Tour Choir. As is true of all our faculty, Daniel needs your prayers that our efforts contribute to the betterment of the Kingdom and the welfare of our students.

Christian Goodman has stepped into the role as head girls' basketball coach after Missy Noeldner has stepped down. I guess a daily commute from Colorado where she is moving to did not seem viable to Missy. Thanks to Missy who stepped in and capably led the girls team to several solid seasons.

The Canteen has seen some changes as well. A volunteer group of parents of Immanuel students are reorganizing the Canteen, now called "ILHS Concession Stand", utilizing student groups to work when the Canteen is open, typically during sporting events or weekend movies. Those groups might be the Banquet Committee, Robotics, Activities Committee, a specific class to save for a Senior Class trip, the Soccer club, the Art Club, Leave It Better, Student Council . . . you get the idea. Any student group interested in working the Canteen to earn money for their group should contact one of the Concession Committee members, one of whom will be present when the Concession Stand is open.  

There are also changes in South Hall, the girls' dorm. The Bredehoft family has moved on and Heather Williams has moved in as the girls' dorm supervisor. The position used to be called "dorm mom" since this person served as the girls' mom away from home. This year the term takes on more meaning since Heather's two daughters, Autumn and Allie, are staying in the dorm. We pray for blessed years in both South and in North Hall where Henry Lau continues to serve.

What hasn't changed over the years is the dedication and effort the Immanuel faculty and staff put in to do their best for the good of the students entrusted to their care. We don't always get it right, but we endeavor to follow the message of Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" confident in the promise of 1 Corinthians, "Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."