On June 28, Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau and his family were denied re-entry to the United States after visiting family in their home country of Canada. During the exchange it was determined by a U.S. border officer that Dr. Ristau’s previously approved immigration status should not have been granted due to his position and duties as president of Luther Classical College. After consultation with legal counsel, the college learned its only recourse was to request reconsideration of the ruling, and if unsuccessful, apply for a new immigration status under a faculty-only position. In coordination with LCC Board Chairman Micah Christensen, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso’s office worked diligently to request reconsideration of the cancellation of Dr. Ristau’s immigration status but was ultimately unsuccessful. “While we are disappointed that this immigration issue will prevent Dr. Ristau from continuing as president of the college, we are grateful for the enthusiastic support of Senator Barrasso and his team,” declares Chairman Christensen. “We remain hopeful that with the Board’s expeditious reappointment of Dr. Ristau to a faculty-only position, the Ristaus will be allowed to return to Casper prior to the start of the fall semester.”

The Board of Regents has selected Rev. Joshua Hayes, dean of chapel, to serve as interim president. Rev. Hayes has been instrumental in the establishment of the college, serving as a member of the Board of Regents from its inception in 2020 until he stepped down in December of 2024 to receive a faculty appointment. In May, Rev. Hayes was installed as an assisting pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Casper, Wyoming, and proceeded to teach in June the first-ever class at Luther Classical College, summer Latin. Previously, he served as pastor of Saint John Lutheran Church in Palmer, Kansas, and as a campus pastor at Colorado University in Boulder. Rev. Hayes holds an MDiv from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and an MA in Classics from Washington University in St. Louis. “The Lord equips us for every good work, and I am looking forward to leading the college while the search for a permanent president commences,” relays Hayes.

Pivoting from presidential duties, Dr. Ristau will move into a full-time faculty role in which he will teach theology and philosophy in fall of 2025. He will also assist the dean of chapel with preaching in the college’s daily chapel services. Dr. Ristau’s service as president has been marked by major achievements. Under his leadership, the college acquired its first academic building with a chapel and sufficient teaching space, completed construction on its first student residence, and an excellent team of faculty and staff have been assembled to serve students coming to the college. “I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to serve a remarkable college alongside a professional and devoted staff and faculty in my capacity as president, and I am excited to spend more time in the classroom with those whom God has entrusted to our care,” shares Dr. Ristau. “The will of God is always best.”

“Realigning personnel is not unusual for start-ups,” explains Dr. Ryan MacPherson, dean of academics. For nine months preceding Dr. Ristau’s presidency, Dr. MacPherson was co-acting president with Rev. Dr. Christian Preus, then chairman of the board. Dr. Ristau’s arrival as president allowed Dr. MacPherson to attend to laying the groundwork for student life, which culminated in the appointment of Dr. Caleb Karges as dean of students. Meanwhile, Dr. William Lipke served as admissions director, until Rev. Jacob Benson assumed that role last month so that Dr. Lipke could devote his attention to teaching music.

“The strong teamwork at LCC means that changes in roles can occur smoothly and in line with strategic planning,” explains Rebekah Bennick, who began serving LCC in August 2023 as a part-time consultant and expanded into full-time work in June 2024 as the college’s chief financial officer. “Dr. Ristau’s gifts as a teacher, and the broad range of courses in his repertoire, make him a strong choice for full-time faculty,” notes Dr. MacPherson, who is pleased to announce the board’s unanimous reappointment of Dr. Ristau as Walter C. Dissen Chair in Confessional Lutheranism. “I am deeply grateful for his service as president, and for the personal mentoring he has given me.” Dr. MacPherson particularly appreciates Dr. Ristau’s sense of duty, mission fidelity, and organizational management; gleaned from years of military service, these same traits also bring an open mind to adjusting one’s level of service from one year to the next. Rev. Preus, who worked closely with Dr. Ristau as former chairman, remarks, “Dr. Ristau will be a valuable addition to the faculty. He loves to teach the faith and his care for students is laudable.”

As the college advances with another man at the helm, Rev. John Hill, LCC regent and district president of the Wyoming District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, states, “Pastor Hayes possesses that beautiful combination of a man who is a talented and accomplished scholar, a beloved pastor with extensive experience on campus and in the parish, and a zealous and humble Christian who serves as a model of piety as a husband, father, mentor, and friend. We are blessed both to have him at Luther Classical College and to serve us in this transition as interim president.”

From a practical standpoint, not much will change for the 2025–2026 academic year, but the Board of Regents has formed a presidential search committee to begin the process of selecting a new president. “Although this was not how we imagined starting the semester, we are confident that God’s providence encompasses all things—including the beginning of Luther Classical College,” notes Christensen.

The college will be providing additional information in the coming weeks regarding its presidential search.