BETHANY LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - Key Persons

Rev. Theodore A. Aaberg was called as the first full-time president of the seminary in 1976. He had distinguished himself as a parish pastor and a theologian in the synod. At this time the Regents created the office of dean of students, to which position Professor Juul Madson, a member of the staff since 1970, was appointed. During much of this period Professor Rudolph Honsey taught the Old Testament classes in the seminary. President Aaberg tendered his resignation because of ill health in August of 1979 and passed away in January of 1980. Professor Glenn Reichwald served as acting president for the 1979-1980 school year. Rev. Wilhelm W. Petersen accepted the call of the Board of Regents to be the new president of the seminary and began his work on August 1, 1980. He served the seminary as president until 1997. Rev. Gaylin Schmeling was called as seminary president in 1997 and served until his retirement in 2022. Rev. Timothy Hartwig was called and serves as the current president.

Rev. Timothy Hartwig - President

Job Titles:

President
PRESIDENT of the SEMINARY

Hartwig graduated from the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia in 1994 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) degree. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Bethany Theological Lutheran Seminary in 2001. Prior to assuming the presidency of the seminary, Hartwig served Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Lake Havasu City and Family of God Lutheran Church, Fort Mohave, Arizona as a vicar. In June, 2001, he was ordained and installed to serve Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Lake Havasu City, Arizona as pastor and served her for 10 years. He accepted the call to Peace Lutheran Church, North Mankato and was installed in August 2011. Hartwig has a passion for preaching the gospel and reaching the lost. Hartwig was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and grew up on a farm near Gympie. His parents raised him in the Lutheran church and instilled in him a love for the Lord and His church. After graduating from university, he worked as a laborer in a two underground gold mines in Western Australia. His farming background and mining industry experience ingrained a strong work ethic. In June 2000, he married a Minnesota girl, Katie (nee Quist), and they have been blessed with 7 children. Katie has been an incredible support to Hartwig and enable him to develop is talents in pastoral ministry. Her music skill have also been a great blessing to the churches he has served.

Rev. Timothy R. Schmeling

Job Titles:

PROFESSOR of EXEGETICAL and HISTORICAL THEOLOGY