wfn.org | ELCA's Muhlenberg College Celebrates 150th Year

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 12, 1997

MUHLENBERG CELEBRATES 150TH YEAR

With the 1997-1998 academic year, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., celebrates its 150th
anniversary -- the sesquicentennial year.  Muhlenberg is one of 28 college and universities of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  The college was established in 1848, the year the
Allentown Seminary was opened by the Rev. Christian R. Kessler, a minister of the Reformed
Church.  On May 21, 1867 the institution was taken over by the Lutheran Church and christened
Muhlenberg college, named for Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg, a patriarch of the Lutheran church in
America.  The first president of the college was the Rev. Frederick A. Muhlenberg, great- grandson
of Henry Muhlenberg.  The college celebrated its anniversary this summer with a fireworks display
and an opening convocation led by President Arthur R. Taylor.  Street flags will feature the
sesquicentennial logo and banners will be displayed at alumni events, athletic engagements, lectures
and speaking engagments.  Muhlenberg hopes to garner local, regional and national media
attention with "Muhlenberg Minutes," a series of 60-second spots to air on local cable stations,
CNN, ESPN and USA Networks in1998.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html