Every other month we get an update on what’s been happening recently at our Immanuel Lutheran High School, College and Seminary in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Thirty years ago, Heather Williams (née Bassett) arrived as a freshman in high school at Immanuel, a dorm student from South Carolina. Now, she is back in the dorm, but as the new girls’ dorm supervisor.
Heather attended Immanuel, and lived in the dorm, all four years. During her senior year she began dating her future husband, Eric, also an Immanuel Lutheran High School (ILHS) alumnus, who then went on to attend and graduate from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. They married in 2002, beginning a journey that would take them to a number of different places and CLC congregations around the country. These experiences have given Heather an appreciation for the fellowship we enjoy in the CLC, particularly in smaller congregations where close connections develop, and everyone appreciates every member.
New girls’ dorm supervisor Heather Williams and family (photo credit: Rachel Naumann)
Heather’s varied experiences have prepared her well for her new role at Immanuel. She spent years as a stay-at-home mom and, most recently, she worked for three years as a paraprofessional in the Muskego-Norway School District. Furthermore, the Willams’ older children, Austin and Ava, attended Immanuel as dorm students, and their daughters, Allie and Autumn, are currently high schoolers living in the dorm, so she understands the challenges that parents and students face. Becoming a dorm supervisor wasn’t something that Heather had long planned, but over time, her thinking changed. She notes, “I really felt like the Lord was leading me.” She now sees how the Lord used her previous experiences to prepare her for this opportunity.
Though there are some adjustments (like staying up late on weekends) that have taken some getting used to, Heather has enjoyed settling into her apartment and getting to know the girls under her care. She is also thankful for her resident assistants, Ellie Daub and Audrey Arndt.
New administrative assistant Bethanie Gantt and fiancée
Bethanie Gantt has also joined the staff of Immanuel Lutheran College as the administrative assistant. Bethanie attended ILHS for her junior and senior years after being homeschooled through tenth grade. Looking back on that experience, she says, “ILC was my home for two years and continues to be special to me years later.”
Bethanie brings several years of work experience to her new position. Most recently, she worked as a billing claims specialist for Oakleaf Clinic, where her responsibilities included working with insurance companies to process medical bills. The computer, communication, and customer-service abilities that she developed will be particularly helpful in her new position, as well as her desire and commitment to serve ILC staff and students.
Originally from South Dakota, Bethanie now lives in the Chippewa Falls area. Away from work, she enjoys hiking and gardening during the summer and thrift shopping throughout the year. Also, she just recently became engaged to David Mach, and they plan to wed next summer.
For Bethanie, returning to ILC is more than simply taking a new job. She sees the opportunity as another way to serve her Savior: “I am excited to see how the Lord leads me to serve Him in this way.”
We thank the Lord for providing these dedicated servants for vital roles on our campus, and ask Him to bless their (and all our) work here.
is President of Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.