Wartburg College has recognized four individuals with its highest honor, the Wartburg Medal, celebrating their exceptional service, leadership and commitment to the college’s mission.
The Rev. Michael Burk; Steve and Jane Noah; and Susan Vallem were recognized during the college’s first Pillars of Impact celebration earlier this month. The weeklong celebration of pillars of the Wartburg community who represent and embody the foundational pillars of the Wartburg Mission also included recognition of the Graven Award and Young Alumni Award recipients as well as RICE Day.
The Wartburg Medal recognizes individuals who have provided significant service to the college over a sustained period, and recipients have a personal commitment to the college’s mission, quality and character.
Burk was the head pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School before accepting a call to oversee the creation of the ELCA’s new hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. He was elected bishop of the Southeast Iowa Synod in 2008 and served through 2020. Burk briefly exited retirement to serve as interim bishop for the ELCA in 2023. He has previously served on the Wartburg Board of Regents and as co-chair of the Alumni Board.
The Noahs, who both graduated from Wartburg, have contributed to the college’s lecture series, building projects and scholarships. They have done extensive advocacy for civil rights at home and in Rwanda, providing educational opportunities for students there and sponsoring study in the U.S. These efforts dovetailed into a May Term travel class focused on the Rwandan genocide and restorative justice. Steve has served on the board of Iowa Micro Loan and helped found Farmers for Free Trade, a national advocacy group.
Vallem, a 1966 Wartburg graduate, returned to her alma mater in 1987 and taught in the Department of Social Work until her retirement in 2013. She served as chair for much of that time and developed the Day on the Hill advocacy event where social work students travel to the Iowa Capitol. She was also instrumental in forming the college’s service dog training partnership with Retrieving Freedom. She served on the Waverly Health Center board from 1985-2024 and continues to provide clinical licensure and internship services for Lutheran Services in Iowa.
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