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."

Jordan Bissell, '05

Carthage alumnus Jordan Bissell graduated with majors in English and religion in 2005. "One of the most memorable experiences as a student was my J-Term trip to study the living religious traditions of Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus in India," he remembers. "The architecture, scenery and culture of the country were breathtakingly beautiful."

Mr. Bissell also enjoyed the warm and intellectually stimulating environment the Carthage Religion faculty offers: "The perspicacious insights with which James Lochtefeld composed his class, the sheer alacrity of Dan Schowalter, and the formidable wit of Christopher Von Dehsen made my time at Carthage edifying and enjoyable."

He graduated in August 2009 from the University of South Carolina with an M. A. in Religious Studies. He is the recipient of USC's Rutledge Scholar Award, and his thesis was acclaimed by his mother as a definite success: "I'm very proud of you, honey." His brothers, however, have descried his work as a shallow and pretentious exercise in self-congratulation: "Who are you trying to impress anyway, dude?"

Justin Larson, '03

"In deciding a major in college, I chose to study subject matter that I thought would help me better understand the life I live," says Justin Larson, '03. "As a Carthage professor said in lecture one day, 'Whether people realize it or not, the idea of Religion is relevant to everyone.' That thought stayed with me through my studies and into my professional life. Beyond worldly inspiration, being a religion major also improved my ability to research, write, communicate and think on an analytical level.

"I have been in social services for the past 10 years. As a social worker advocating for developmentally disabled youth from broad cultural backgrounds, my ability to relate to clients has benefited from studying religious practices from around the world.

"As a graduate student pursuing a master's in autism at San Diego State, I feel more than prepared to handle the level of work. Working closely with Carthage professors and learning from a wide array of classes and travel experiences has been a great benefit to me."

Nick Barootian

"I didn't realize when I was at Carthage that I would be in the position I am now. As a pastor, I'm grateful for the religious studies program at Carthage and especially for its breadth. I received a strong start in biblical studies, as well as a working knowledge of the depth and range of religious traditions which invigorate our world. Especially as I see anxiety, fear and anger so often expressed by religious means, I am even more glad for my Carthage education, which prepared me to serve (I pray) as an agent of peace, in the church, and especially as the church meets the rest of the world.

"Through classwork, thesis work, study abroad opportunities and extra-curriculars, students get a chance to form pretty close relationships with the faculty, which contributes immensely to learning potential and achievement. That was certainly my experience. Qualified personal attention is hard to come by, but it's here. Creativity is encouraged. My independent thinking and my faith were both nurtured in the same place. Thanks!"

Raja Banerjee

"Matters of faith of all faiths shape the world we live in. We no longer live in isolated homogenous cultural pockets. Because of this, I found myself with a passion to explore the teachings of the many religions. My religion major in Carthage gave me the opportunity to do just that, too immerse myself in both the sources of discord and the vast sources of collective interest between the religions of the world."

Rhonda Pruitt

"I am finishing up seminary planning to be included in the winter draft for 2010 and living in Chicago. I have been traveling both in the U.S. and abroad, and working with Youth Ministries in various formats. I hope to graduate from LTSC with an M.Div and a focus in pastoral care.

"Life is good and I am thankful for God's blessings including some fond memories of Carthage! Nobody throws a party like the Religion Department. It really is because of the professors there that I unknowingly began constructing a theology that would serve God via the ELCA (in a professional capacity). Thank you so much for making space for questions and challenges and for accepting my view as my own!"

Sarah Wetzel Bultman

"I have been married for 10 years. My husband, Ken, is a high school science teacher. We adopted our son, Fale, when he was 10. My husband was in the Peace Corps, and Fale is from the Samoan family that Ken considers family. We actually went to Samoa this summer to visit Fale's family. It was quite an amazing trip.

"I am still doing youth ministry, but just part time these days. About a year and a half ago, I took a position at Immanuel Lutheran in Waupun as their confirmation coordinator. I am also going on my second year of working as the secretary in the guidance office at Berlin High School. I still get to work with youth ... even more so than doing ministry because I am with them every day. Plus I get breaks and summer vacation with my husband. So it isn't glamorous, but I still see myself as ministering to young people. I am just more in the secular world than before."

Academics at Carthage

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.