Founders Day Convocation

A 91ÆÞÓÑ alumnus, Mark Gulsrud is a self-employed artist and designer who has worked primarily in architectural, cast, and laminated glass for nearly four decades. Personally involved in every phase of design, fabrication, and installation, Mark creates works that harmonize with their architectural surroundings and the natural environment, fostering calm, beauty, and enrichment in both public and private spaces. Whether for corporate, liturgical, or civic settings, He blends time-honored craftsmanship with innovative, state-of-the-art techniques to produce pieces that feel timeless yet contemporary.

Accustomed to collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, architects, design teams, committees, and general contractors, Mark excels at navigating diverse perspectives to reach a unified vision without compromising artistic integrity. Each project begins with thoughtful consultation to determine the most fitting materials and approaches, often resulting in modular designs that can be adapted in scale or location while preserving the integrity of the concept. Viewing each work as a visual point of departure, Mark invites viewers into an open-ended dialogue with the art, much like cloud watching, where they are free to discover unexpected details, personal meanings, and new perspectives within the familiar.

Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells (he/him) serves as the Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Colleges and Universities (NECU), representing 28 ELCA-affiliated institutions. He is also the Strategic Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Wartburg Theological Seminary and the immediate past National President of the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA). With a career spanning leadership in faith-based communities across New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, Rev. Wells has championed ecumenism, social justice, and inclusive campus ministry, including serving as Lutheran Campus Pastor for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Atlanta University Center. He previously directed LuMin, a network of over 240 inclusive campus ministries nationwide.

A Morehouse College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology, Rev. Wells also holds Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees in Leadership from the Interdenominational Theological Center/Johnson C. Smith Seminary, as well as a Professional Certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. He has pursued advanced studies in leadership at Harvard Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary and is a clergy fellow of the Chautauqua Institute. A member of the National Honor Society of Theta Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Rev. Wells has received numerous honors, including induction into Morehouse College’s prestigious Board of Distinguished Preachers. A sought-after preacher, speaker, and community organizer, his prophetic vision continues to inspire transformative leadership and collective action.