The students are on vacation, and our administrative staff has spent the summer planning for the next school year. While this includes many mundane tasks–ordering books and supplies, updating policies, planning facility upgrades, etc.–it also allows time to slow down and reflect. Having just completed six years serving as Walther’s Head of School and Principal, I thought I’d share a few things I am thankful for.
• Our new Principal, Dr. Swims! You’ll read more about him below. He is a breath of fresh air, and he is already making Walther a better place with his bright personality and endless energy, enthusiasm and optimism. I thank God for Terence!
• Our amazing year-round admin team. Teachers rightly get the bulk of the attention in a school, but Walther would not run without people like Bill, Judi, Dana, Georgia, Ed, Alma, Tim E., Jayson and Shaunte’. Our team is amazing!
• Summer athletic workouts. Our tireless coaches have been in and out all summer long, and it is great to see our students–returning and new!–briefly in our hallways on their way to the fields or gym. Our student athletes are a great reminder of whom we serve when our classrooms are empty.
• Our new families! I have had the opportunity to meet so many new Bronco families: in my office, visiting with Alma, at our Ice Cream Social, etc. I love the enthusiasm they bring and always enjoy their stories of how they found and why they chose Walther.
Summer is fun at Walther. The pace is slower, and there is time to plan and dream. We ask you to pray for us as we embark upon our 72nd year.
Yours in Christ,
Tim Bouman
Head of School
It has been a wonderful year back at Walther connecting with alumni, sharing the great news of the school, and advancing the mission.
It was also a very successful year. We had over 100 people in attendance for our first Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 26 years. Several alumni and friends were generous donors during our inaugural Day of Giving. We had 18 alumni on campus to present to our students on Career Day. The Bronco Benefit was attended by more parents and alumni than in years past, and our net fundraising was up 16% from the previous year. We surpassed our fundraising goal for the Annual Fund and had more than 300 donors. Of those, 8% were first-time donors to Walther and several others gave for the first time in many years.
Thank you to everyone who donated their time or treasure for the students and mission of Walther Christian Academy. I am excited about the progress being made engaging alumni and look forward to even bigger and better results in the year ahead.
Please let me know how you would like to get involved. And, come back anytime. I would love to show you around the school.
Bill Koehne ‘87
Director of Advancement
Walther Christian Academy
Each year the students at Walther total thousands of volunteer hours in support of people and services in the community. One schoolwide project they participate in is the Shine Project, an area-wide service project sponsored each April by the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This past school year was the third consecutive time that Walther Christian Academy has participated. Each year Walther personnel decide the project our students will do and who will be the recipients of the activity. We are then responsible for gathering the materials needed and delivering the final products.
On April 15, the students at Walther spent the final hour of the day painting wind chimes which were later delivered to recipients of Meals on Wheels in the Melrose Park and Proviso Township areas. “I enjoyed doing a project like this with friends in my Spiritual Family”, shared freshman Claire Eberhard. Senior Quinten Thomas added, “I am glad we can do something special for people in need to brighten their day.”
Special thanks to event coordinator Catie Urban for all of her work in preparation for this event, and to Tim Bouman for dedicating resources to make it a reality. Catie summed up the event well stating, “It is a real joy being the hands and feet of Christ, shining Christ’s light to other people.”
First Day of School – August 14
First Home Football Game – Under the Lights, Friday, Sept 5, 8:00pm
Homecoming 2025 – October 3-4 See below for more details.
Dr. Terence Swims, Walther Class of 2006, began July 1st in his new role as Principal of Walther Christian Academy. Dr. Swims’ focus will be on curriculum and instruction while overseeing the day to day management of the school. Tim Bouman will continue as Head of School overseeing strategic planning, finance, development, alumni relations, recruitment, communications, and campus management.
After graduating from Walther, Terence attended Wartburg College where he was part of the Wartburg Choir for all four years, served as President of the Wartburg College Black Student Union, led the Gospel Choir, and received the Wartburg Nobility Award. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2010. While teaching, he continued his education at Nova Southeastern University where he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning in 2013. In 2021, Terence earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from City University of Seattle.
In his first teaching job, his principal recognized Dr. Swims’ leadership skills and how effectively he inspired his students to learn. Terence became a mentor to other teachers. “I knew then I wanted to lead in education,” he recalled.
“I am excited to be entering my first year as Principal at Walther”, shared Dr. Swims. His goals include inspiring rigor in the curriculum, providing teachers with the professional development they need to be their best, and integrating more technology into teaching and learning in order to provide pathways for students to be successful with twenty-first century skills. “I want to make our students competitive, no matter what their path becomes after Walther.” Dr. Swims will also work to “reignite fire within the athletic department and bring back Bronco Pride.”
While a student at Walther, Terence participated in many musical ensembles including A Capella, Christian Minstrels, Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, and led the Gospel Choir and Praise Team. He also took part in drama productions and was a member of the football team.
“My favorite memory is lunch with my friends. To this day they are still some of my closest friends, including my wife Melanie. I also will never forget the day, while still part of the Concert Band, Mr. Rose invited me to attend a Wind Ensemble rehearsal. They played On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss. I got chills and tears in my eyes. At that moment, I knew I wanted to not just be part of the Wind Ensemble, but also be a music teacher. Mr. Rose cemented that, seeing what he could pull out of students. His drive and passion, I saw that in myself. I appreciated that he and Mr. Block provided me the opportunity to start the Gospel Choir at Walther. The leadership learned there was fundamental to what I have done since then.”
Another impactful moment came in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “Mr. Gillingham sent everyone to the gym and scrapped classes for the day”, shared Dr. Swims. “We essentially went through a simulation of what was happening there. The experience taught us empathy and how to pray for those we did not know, being together as one body in Christ. That was a monumental moment that has stayed with me.”
We are blessed to have Dr. Swims back at Walther and look forward to his leadership over the years to come.
Homecoming activities will take place this year on October 3rd and 4th with an Alumni Dinner and Concert on Friday evening. Do you recognize any of the 9 alumni in this photo from last year? Events on Saturday include the Athletic Hall of Fame induction and football game.
Now is a great time to start planning your class reunion. We can help in the following ways:
We are still looking for someone to step up and lead the effort for the following classes. Let us know if you are interested.
Check out this information on a couple reunions that are already planned!
Class of ’70: Friday, Oct. 3 initial gathering at Residence Inn – Chicago/Bloomingdale. Saturday, Oct. 4: Walther Football game followed by reunion reception at Bloomfield Club House, Bloomingdale. 5-10PM. Sunday, Oct 5: Church Service and brunch TBD. $45.00 per person covers Friday and Saturday gatherings. Contact 1970walther@gmail.com for more information, including a group rate for hotel accommodations.
Class of ’84: October 4th, 7:00pm @ Gullivers Pizza and Pub in Oakbrook Terrace. $20 includes pizza, pasta, and pop. Other beverages available for purchase. Grads from ’82, ’83, ’85, and ’86 are invited to attend. RSVP to Sabrina Egeland-Reimann at reimann4@comcast.net
Do you live in the area? Are you willing to display a yard sign? We have new signs available. Stop by the school office M-F 9:00-3:00 to pick one up and then share your story when someone asks.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.
Please email any death notices to Advancement@WaltherAcademy.org
Walther Christian Academy is operated for the purpose of providing Christian Education at the secondary level for the families of Lutheran congregations. However, it admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, and religion to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and religion in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
