Named after Rev. Dr. Reinhard Ulrich, distinguished professor, ethicist and pastor who served at Lakeland from 1964 to 2001, the Ulrich Center for Faith, Ethics and Justice invites members of the Lakeland community, and surrounding communities, to explore intersections between faith, ethical discernment, and social justice. The Ulrich Center is home to Lakeland’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives, providing leadership, support, and inspiration to the Lakeland and Sheboygan County communities.
The Ulrich Center is funded through the generosity of a significant gift from the Wisconsin Conference UCC's Forward in Faith campaign, Lakeland alumni and friends and numerous UCC congregations through the Wisconsin Conference UCC. The exploration of these intersections and the commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is guided by Lakeland's Christian heritage and its intentional relationship with the United Church of Christ.
Lakeland University is committed to the challenging and essential work of justice and equity. Justice and equity work at Lakeland aims to promote and foster an environment that supports diversity and inclusion for our students, faculty and staff with particular attention to those who have been traditionally marginalized based on race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, gender identity, religion, body size, nation of origin, immigration status and ability. Our commitment to justice and equity is deeply rooted in Lakeland’s mission and values and our United Church of Christ heritage. This includes appreciation of differing backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints and promotion and development of social justice initiatives. These initiatives include paying attention to policies and practices involving management, leadership, communication, resources, scholarship, classrooms, curriculum and community. It attends to the broader community of Sheboygan County, promoting justice and equity through relationships, leadership and educational resources. We recognize that this work is difficult and invite from one another both compassion and accountability, as together we learn and grow in our witness to equity, inclusion and justice.
This work is not just the job of one person or one department. Instead, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are woven throughout the university’s structure and overseen by multiple individuals. We want to work collaboratively with the entire Lakeland community, offering support, resources and encouragement.
The purpose of student diversity, equity, and belonging initiatives is to facilitate an inclusive environment where all students feel they belong; to provide educational opportunities that promote healthy dialogue regarding race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, class, and other differences; to guide the Lakeland community to a better understanding and respect of cultural differences and the importance behind them; and to advocate for systemic changes that promote justice for the underrepresented; and to assist those who feel led to speak out.
The Ulrich Center offers numerous programs and services to the entire Lakeland community and to Sheboygan County.
Mission House Lecture
Founder’s Day Lecture
Fall and Spring Ethics Conversations
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
LUforREAL
2023:
2022:
2021:
2020:
2019:
2018:
2017:
Confirmation Events
Lectionary Series
2023: “Surviving the Lectionary” featuring Rev. Dr. Karl Kuhn.
Safe in the Lake Training and Certification
Safe in the Lake is a program created by the Ulrich Center for Faith, Ethics, and Justice to train and equip Lakeland community members to be active and compassionate allies to members of the LGBTQ+ community. The program is designed to align with Lakeland’s mission of fostering an emotionally and physically safe community by helping to create a network of community members who promote education, awareness, and acceptance and who provide confidential support for Lakeland community members of all sexual orientations and gender expressions.
More information:
Essence of Heritage
2023
2022
MLK Observances
Pride Week
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Check back soon for more information!
International Night
Individualized or Departmental Trainings and Consultations
Check back soon for more information!
The Ulrich Scholars Program offers renewable scholarships ranging between $1,000 and $3,000 per year for incoming students who are interested in exploring the intersections of faith, ethics and social justice. The goal of the program is primarily two-fold: to strengthen Lakeland’s religion and social justice studies programs and to create additional opportunities for our students and other community members to engage in social justice initiatives.
Once admitted to Lakeland, students can apply via their Future Muskie Portal!
QUALIFICATIONS:
EXPECTATIONS:
Committee for Mission and Equity (CME)
Charges
The Committee on Mission and Equity (CME) reviews institutional policies, procedures and practices of our community life, and collaborates inclusively on the challenging and essential work of justice and equity across the university, to ensure that we are serving one another and our students in ways that best embody our Mission and Values.
Current members
UCC Members Audit Courses
Due to Lakeland's historic ties to the United Church of Christ, we are pleased to offer the opportunity for UCC members to audit one Religion (REL) course per semester for the cost of $100.00 (This rate applies only to religion courses offered for traditional students at the main campus. No credit is earned for an audited course. (Members of other denominations may audit at the cost of $200.00 per course.)
