Gaining experience in sustainability through courses at Wartburg
By Addie Nabholz ’25
Madeline Merten ’24 has a passion for sustainability that can be seen in her chosen major and activities, and she’ll continue on that path after graduation
“I have a job for the summer at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park in Minnesota. It’s just temporary, but I’m hoping that that experience will lead to something permanent,” said Merten.
Merten, who was named the 2024 Outstanding Senior for environmental science and studies, will be an interpretive naturalist for the park. Her responsibilities will include giving cave tours and leading interpretive nature programs, which Merten said Wartburg played a key role in preparing her for. In addition to her class work, Merten held positions on campus like co-manager of sustainability and vice president of Earth Club.
“I feel with the environmental science and studies major, you get a good grip on both the science and the humanities behind the idea of environmental ethics. It’s a very nice mix of the hard science and the interpretive science of how to connect with the people and educate them,” she said.
For two summers, Merten got hands-on experience through an internship with Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District.
“I did water quality testing on rivers in the area and electrofishing, which was actually super cool. We would shock the water and catch the fish to see what species were there. If we saw a change in species, it could’ve meant there was a change in pollution or something similar,” said Merten.
In addition to her internships, Merten also got hands-on experience through courses like Natural Resource Conservation and Ecology. Both courses incorporated a lab that sent the students out into nature. Another course, Environmental Chemistry, allowed Merten to work with a farmer to test their soil and water.
It’s the community that she will miss most about Wartburg and also what makes Wartburg stand out from other institutions.
“All my professors will say ‘hi’ in the hallways. My adviser, Dr. David McCullough, and I have gotten close over the years, which has been helpful and is especially helpful now as I’m still looking for a permanent job. That kind of care for everyone is what you get being at a smaller college,” said Merten.
As she prepares to leave Wartburg, Merten looks back on Wartburg Homecomings and annual May Term sand volleyball as some of her favorite memories.
“I met one of my best friends here. I met her because she was on my floor freshman year. We just happened to be a friend of a friend and met up one day,” said Merten. “I have made really good friends and ones that I’ll hopefully see for years to come.”