At a special chapel service on October 9, family, students, and faculty celebrated the 25th anniversary in the ministry of Professor Harland “Skip” Goetzinger.
Harland “Skip” Goetzinger is the eldest of five children born to Harland “Hank” and Carolee Goetzinger on January 20, 1958, in Duluth, MN. He was born to eternal life through Holy Baptism on June 15, 1958, at the church that his great-grandfather pastored in Duluth, MN. He attended Hales Corners Elementary School and was confirmed in the Christian faith at Hales Corners Lutheran Church in 1972. Prof. Goetzinger attended Whitnall High School in Greenfield, WI (1972–1976). At the age of 35, he entered the non-traditional student Seminary Certification Program at Northwestern College. He graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2001. He served his vicar year at King of Kings Ev. Lutheran Church in Clifton Park, NY.
Prof. Goetzinger was assigned to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada where he served for 22 years until accepting the call to serve at WLS as the director of the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) in 2023. In addition to his parish and PSI work, Prof. Goetzinger has served in numerous positions within the WELS North Atlantic District including chairman of the Board for Parish Services and chairman of the Constitution Committee. He has also served our synod on the Board for Home Missions and its Executive Committee. In addition, Prof. Goetzinger served as president of WELS–Canada for 16 years, as well as the chairman of the Canadian Mission Board.
On July 12, 1980, Prof. Goetzinger married Karen Lynn Small of Greendale, WI. Karen works as a professional artist whose work is exhibited internationally. The Lord has blessed the Goetzingers with two children: Aaron is married to Sarah (Seelow) and serves as pastor of Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church in South Attleboro, MA. Meghan lives in Hales Corners, WI, and works in the brand and business strategy industry.