Religion

Alumni

Karena Langehaug, '06

Carthage alumna Karena Langehaug loved her time as a religion major at Carthage. "All of the classes I took were very interesting, and I feel like I really learned a lot in them," she said. "I was fortunate enough to go on two different overseas adventures with the Religion Department. I went to Greece to learn about Greek and Roman mystery religions, and I went to Israel to participate in an archaeological dig of a temple."

That trip to Omrit in northern Israel now tops her "Best Things I've Ever Done in My Life" list, she said.

"Going to Israel — and returning just before the fighting in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon began — has to be No. 1," she said. "My experience within the Carthage religion department was great."

Carmen Arentz, '05

Ms. Arentz recently completed majors in business and marketing, and a minor in religion through Carthage's ACE program. She is currently employed with Jockey International Inc. in Kenosha. "I have been with Jockey for 16 years. I currently hold the position of Corporate Purchasing Manager," she said.

"I chose to complete the requirements for my minor in Religious Studies after my first exposure to the first two required religion classes for my majors," she said. "I found the religion classes opened up to me new understandings of religious views, as well as my understanding on some of the foundations of my faith. I plan to continue my learning experience through research in other religious thoughts and ideas to increase my own level of understanding."

Geoff Sinibaldo, '97

When he thinks back to his time studying religion at Carthage, alumnus Geoff Sinibaldo remembers two particular moments. The first came on a cold spring day outside Lentz Hall, when he asked Religion Prof. Dudley Riggle what it might mean to go to seminary. The second came during a conversation with President Campbell. President Campbell was teaching one of Mr. Sinibaldo's classes at the time. "President Campbell told me once when I doubted myself, 'You will not only be a pastor, but a leader of pastors,'" the Rev. Sinibaldo said ... (read more)

Steven Frenk, '05

Mr. Frenk graduated from Carthage with a degree in sociology and a minor in religion. "I enjoyed learning from great faculty members and taking part in the Religion Department's J-term trips, which are by far the best offered," he said. "I plan to continue my education and earn a Ph.D. in sociology, with a possible emphasis on sociology of religion."

Eric Nelson

“And I went to Carthage, where I found myself in the midst of a bubbling cauldron of lust.” Augustine’s Confessions, Book 3.

To evade this cauldron while at Carthage, I shadowed Dan Schowalter. For four happy years I interrupted his New Testament lectures, tried my best to fail his Greek course, followed him behind the former Iron Curtain, babysat his kids, and even fell asleep once in his Heritage class. When Dan wasn't on campus, I busied myself with the leadership of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, the founding of CUMBYA… and, sadly, I splashed around a bit in Augustine’s cauldron...(read more)

Kate Schruba, '06

Ms. Schruba, from Caroline, Wis., majored in religion at Carthage. She is currently attending Luther Seminary to become an ordained minister and possibly do global missions work in Asia.

"My time at Carthage will always be very memorable, and I think it greatly prepared me for my time at Luther Seminary. I miss it already!"

Robert Greskoviak

Mr. Greskoviak chose to major in religion at Carthage because religion had been a big part of his family life when he was growing up. He is now self-employed and imports religious artwork to the United States.

Bonnie Flessen, '92

"Nearly 15 years after graduation from Carthage, I am still chasing the goals that began to take shape during my time as a religion major here," said Bonnie Flessen, an adjunct religion professor at Carthage and a 1992 graduate. "The scholarship, teaching, and support of the religion department faculty inspired me to ask questions of biblical texts, and the faculty of Lutheran School of Theology Chicago has given me the opportunity to do just that. I am grateful for the patience and generosity of Carthage faculty; they are my mentors, advisors and colleagues in the field."

Academic Resources

Prospective Students

Faculty Spotlight

Religion Professor James Lochtefeld brings Indian culture to life in photography show. Read more.

J-Term in Israel

Unearthing the Past. Annual study tour in northern Israel transforms Carthage undergrads into archaeologists.

J-Term in India

See a slideshow of photographs from Religion J-Term trips to India and The Himalayas.