Proud Past Christ-Centered Mission Strategic Future - Wisconsin ...

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FISHER: “What advice would you give someone on being a leader” MERTEN: “I wrote a paper, So You Think That You Want to Be a University President It was about the characteristics of a leader: 1. Be there. 2. Be approachable, friendly, and eager to listen. 3. The importance of the spouse. 4. Have a short, clean message. 5. Know when to act decisively and know when to wait. 6. Expect frustration. 7. Be agile. 8. Surround yourself with smart, action-oriented people. 9. Mind your business. 10. Make a good match.” LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL’S IMPACT FISHER: “You grew up in Milwaukee and attended the old Lutheran High, graduating in the Wisconsin Synod class of 1959. Describe the challenges of those days. What are your best memories and highlights” MERTEN: “My strongest memories are of the teachers that I had, especially in science and math, and I remember my classmates. I was the last graduating class from the old building. [laughs] I was one of the few kids who ever helped tear down his old high school. It was a terrible building — it was awful — but we got educated. It taught me about the importance of facilities, which I’ve never forgotten. Having survived Lutheran High, I was going to make sure that I’d build better buildings. [laughs] Perhaps that helps explain why I built 125 buildings at GMU. Highlights at Lutheran High include getting elected to the student council and later student body president, as well as being selected for Badger Boys State. It was the combination of student council and math and science that were formative in my life.” VISION, ATTITUDE, AND FAITH FISHER: “From the time you assumed the presidency of GMU, you had a clear vision of what you wanted it to become. Describe that vision. How did you articulate that vision” MERTEN: “When I was selected to be the president of George Mason in January of 1996, I wrote a letter that was a page and a half long. That’s all. I recently found it. The first paragraph was: This is who you are. The second was: This is who I am. The third part: This is what we can do together. It wasn’t so much the vision of specific items as the potential that we had and the way that I was going to approach it. My approach was this: Have a vision. Constantly repeat the vision. Hire the right people. Get out of their way. Celebrate.” FISHER: “You are known for being an optimist, ‘the glass is half full’ kind of guy. How important is attitude in leadership and life” MERTEN: “Attitude is extremely important. People don’t want to work for people who have a crummy attitude. You have to have a positive attitude but you need to be pragmatic, too. I think that people appreciate the positive attitude that I have. Come to me with a problem and I’ll fix it. Come to me to whine and you don’t get much attention.” FISHER: How has your Christian faith played a role in your life MERTEN: “When I was in the Air Force, I was a military aide to the president [of the United States]. I had a perforated ulcer and I was rushed to Andrew’s Air Force base. I didn’t know if I was going to live. It was pretty tough and my faith helped me get through. That is also when I met my wife Sally, who was an Air Force nurse at Andrews. After I recovered I pursued her and we got married in 1967. The challenges and growth of that relationship are where I learned to really realize what being a Christian means. I think that my faith played a major role when I talk about stamina, passion, and a caring attitude. All three of those emerge from my faith. Your body is a temple of God. Passion comes from knowing who you are. [God wants us] to care about people. These three things that have driven me through life are all part of my faith.” FISHER: “What would you tell the students at WLHS today about how to take advantage of their high school years” MERTEN: “I’d say, first of all, develop your communication skills: writing, listening, reading, and speaking. No matter what you’re going to do, you need to have incredible communication skills. Secondly, seize leadership opportunities no matter how trivial they may seem. My sixth to eighth grade teacher at Jordan Ev. Lutheran School gave me my first responsibility — managing the milk money, fifteen or sixteen dollars a week. That’s where I started. When I look at my $900 million dollara-year budget [at GMU], I say ‘I’ve come a long way, baby,’ but that teacher trusted me with that responsibility for three years. Learn to be responsible.” Also, learn to take risks. At WLHS, you’re in a protective environment, failure won’t be terminal. It is alright to fail.” Merten has met with many dignitaries during his career; here he is with his wife, Sally, and the former Prime Minister of England, Margaret Thatcher. 8 CONTACT Fall 2012
Artist Rendering of Main Entrance and Student Atrium Building Committee Formed to Explore Next Steps WLHS has received $2.78 million in gifts, pledges, and grants towards a goal of $5 to 7 million for Gifted for Praise. With this financial milestone achievement, forming a building committee to oversee architecture and construction planning is in order. “There is a long way between now and building,” stated Matt Bilitz, director of mission advancement. “There are a number of steps that need to take place — including final approval. But, developing architecture and construction plans takes a long time. We just want to get as many necessary preliminary items completed as possible, such as complying with City of Milwaukee regulations.” Expanding and Improving Outdated Facilities The Gifted for Praise comprehensive campaign plan is to expand the Fine Arts facilities, which includes the Practical Arts, construct Project Lead the Way® (PLTW) classrooms, and install air-conditioning to better serve Southeastern Wisconsin youth. WLHS has a rich history and a sterling reputation for excellence. However, some portions of the facility, which were built in the 1950’s, are antiquated and in poor condition. Building Committee Leaders Ken Krueger, retired COO of Bucyrus International, has agreed to serve as the chair and Larry Totsky, retired senior vice president of Artisan Partners, as the vice chair. The first meeting of the building committee is scheduled in November. Ken Krueger “I’m pleased that Gifted for Praise is moving forward,” Ken Krueger said. “This expansion will add so much value to WLHS when it is done. It is an honor to serve as chair of the building committee.” Bilitz adds to that, “Please remember, we need your prayers and continued support for Gifted for Praise to be successful. This is a multi-year endeavor.” During the initial planning stage of Gifted for Praise, a Master Site Planning Task Force agreed on conceptual drawings of Fine Arts facilities, an atrium/student gathering space, PLTW space, and a main entrance as designed by Korb Tredo Architects. Now with the formation of a Gifted for Praise building committee, it’s time to begin acting on the concepts. “An expanded center will give us further freedom of expression and will be a great improvement. I can’t wait to see the real thing and the impact it will have for the next generation.” Michael Jeske (’12) Ground Level Proposed Drawing CONTACT Fall 2012 9
Page 1 and 2: Fall 2012 Alumni & Friends Magazine
Page 3 and 4: In This Issue ALUMNUS ALAN MERTEN,
Page 5 and 6: The Strategic Ministry Planning Com
Page 7: Alan Merten with his wife Sally Mer
Page 11 and 12: I Remember When ... by Jamie (Johns
Page 13 and 14: Stephanie (Szymanski) (’02) Hanso
Page 15 and 16: WLHS ACTIVITIES SUCCESSFUL FALL DRA

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