college built a new dormitory and added to its property. The Wisconsin Synod also solidified its confessional stance during this time and entered into fellowship with the Missouri Synod. The seminary then combined with the Missouri Synod seminary in St. Louis. The college provided pre-seminary training for both synods. Professor August Ernst was installed as a professor in 1869 and became college president. He redesigned the college's institutional structure to match the German Gymnasium system. The college and preparatory departments included seven class levels, each designated by a Latin name. The Latin names are still in use at Luther Preparatory School. The teaching department left in 1892 for New Ulm when the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan synods federated, leaving the pre-seminary department in Watertown. On the night of July 30, 1894, the Kaffeemuehle was struck by lightning and set ablaze. The building was destroyed, and the college constructed the Recitation Building in its place by 1895. In 1909 the Northwestern Club of Milwaukee, a group of alumni, decided to gift a gymnasium to their alma mater. At the gymnasium's dedication in 1912, St. Matthew's congregation of Milwaukee presented a statue representing a "Sprinter on His Marks", commonly called the Sprinter, andPresident William Taft sent a telegram of congratulations. Later years Through a special offering collected at WELS congregations, many improvements and building projects were completed at the campuses of Northwestern College and Dr. Martin Luther College, beginning in the 1950s. Additionally, Mrs. Meta Kilgas Michelson of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, bequeathed the funds to build a campus chapel at NWC, dedicated in 1956. By 1974, the preparatory department began to operate apart from the college as Northwestern Preparatory School, today's Luther Preparatory School, but continued to share a campus with Northwestern College. Dr. Martin Luther College Dr. Martin Luther College was established in 1884 to train pastors and teachers for the Minnesota Synod, one of the church bodies incorporated into the present-day WELS in 1917. The Minnesota Synod, founded in 1860, suffered from doctrinal disunity and a shortage of workers throughout its early years. The synod sought to resolve these issues by establishing its own theological school in Minnesota. Early years The Minnesota Synod received several bids from communities to be the location of the new school. New Ulm was ultimately chosen due to its favorable site, the persuasion of Rev. C.J. Albrecht, and the large support from both Albrecht's congregation in