Meet the Advancement Staff

Merlyn Kruse, vice president for institutional advancement, joined the advancement staff in 2006. During the previous 22 years, he served as principal and president of St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul, Minnesota. While at St. Croix, he led the development of a significant high school diploma program for international students numbering more than 60 per year. Kruse has taught at both the middle and high school levels. Contact Merlyn at (414) 443-8831 or merlyn.kruse@wlc.edu.

Kristine Metzger, director of planned giving, has held several different positions within the advancement department since 1999. One of her primary roles as the new director of planned giving is to coordinate activities for the Ella Post Legacy Society (the college’s planned giving organization). Before she was called to WLC, she served for two years as an elementary educator in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and as a freelance artist and sculptor for 21 years. Contact Kris at (414) 443-8925 or kris.metzger@wlc.edu.

Sharon Patterson, director of corporate and foundation relations, is a familiar face to many in the Milwaukee area, having spent 26 years in broadcasting for Milwaukee Public Television, several of those as co-host of the local show, "Black Nouveau." Before that she worked as a producer at radio stations WLUM and WNOV. Patterson joined the advancement staff in 2006. Contact Sharon at (414) 443-8556 or sharon.patterson@wlc.edu.

Lisa (Kosloske) Leffel '98, director of alumni and parent relations, began her career as an agency resource manager for Lutheran Brotherhood. After serving in that role for four years, Leffel was offered another marketing position, this time as a partner manager with Frank F. Haack & Associates. In August 2004, while on maternity leave with her first child, Leffel received a call to serve as alumni relations director at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In addition to building relationship with alumni and parents, Leffel also directs the college's Arts Insider Club and Warrior Club. Contact Lisa at (414) 443-8796 or lisa.leffel@wlc.edu.

Victoria Walther, director of institutional advancement services, joined the institutional advancement staff in 2007. One of her primary responsibilities is the oversight of the WLC Fund, the college's annual fund. Before coming to WLC, she worked on the staff at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Wis., for five years where one of her responsibilities was administrative implementation of two capital campaigns. Prior to that, she worked for 20 years in engineering project management, consulting, and analysis. Contact Vickie at (414) 443-8962 or victoria.walther@wlc.edu.

Michael Miller, gift counselor, joined the advancement staff in 2008, but has a long-time history with the college. He was the secretary of the Board of Regents when the present campus was purchased, served a principal of Christ the Lord Lutheran School in a neighboring community for 35 years, has a son who is a WLC graduate, and has a passion for Christian education on all levels. He is eager to share the exciting mission of WLC with you. Contact Mike at (414) 443-8594 or michael.miller@wlc.edu.

Kathleen Loose, institutional advancement services specialist, joined the team in 2010. Contact Kathleen at (414) 443-8823 or kathleen.loose@wlc.edu.