New Memorial Scholarship Honoring Dr. Monty and Louise Budahl

Maranatha Baptist University is pleased to announce a new memorial scholarship in honor of Dr. Monty and Louise Budahl. The Monty and Louise Budahl Memorial Scholarship is awarded in loving memory of the Budahls who faithfully served the Lord and Maranatha from the founding of the school for over 40 years as faculty in the Department of Music and on staff. The Budahls went to be with the Lord together on the same day, January 24, 2022.

This scholarship is presented to Music or Music Education majors in their junior or senior year with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients must have demonstrated commitment to the pursuit of excellence and must be actively serving in local church music.

Why a scholarship in the Budahls’ honor? The answer is one word: legacy.

Legacy refers to something received from a predecessor that has a lasting impact and can be in the form of culture, material possessions, or behavior that is passed down. The Budahls left a legacy in each of these categories and would love to see that heritage passed as MBU trains some of the next generation of servant leaders.

The Budahls’ culture was service. The Budahls served at MBU for over 40 years—Dr. Budahl as a music teacher, department chair, band and orchestra director, and Madrigal Choir director, and Mrs. Budahl as executive secretary under the Cedarholms and later as library secretary. Even though they worked in separate departments, Louise often found ways to assist her husband with concert or music festival preparations. Their hours were not limited to an 8-5 job; they served after hours on a regular basis.

The material possessions left behind are in the form of music arrangements—published and unpublished alike. Dr. Budahl’s brass quintets or string quartets can still be heard across the country performed by an MBU traveling group during the summer or in a local church on a Sunday. In addition, his choir arrangements of “Yesu Cristo Mwokozi,” “My Song in the Night,” or “When We All See Jesus” cross-cultural medley are familiar to many and frequently requested by alumni. The “Banner of the Cross” arrangement is still sung by graduating men at MBU’s commencement. Who will continue to arrange godly music? Dr. Budahl would be so pleased to know of the next generation of budding arrangers/composers in training at MBU today.

The behavior the Budahls left behind as a legacy to us was their example of faithfulness to and love for the Lord. They were active in ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in the choir (Louise) and directing the orchestra (Monty), and their longevity at MBU shows their fortitude and sacrifice. But more so than what they did, was who they were. When you talked to the Budahls, whether it was passing Louise in the hallway, or getting a visit in the practice room by Dr. Budahl, you could tell they each had a close relationship with God. Few conversations ended without leading to a discussion of some gospel truth, and students and staff alike were blessed for this connection as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Budahls left a legacy. Now it’s time to see it passed on and lived out by the next generation of leaders – some of whom are musicians training at Maranatha Baptist University TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY.

If the Budahls’ ministry impacted your life, consider contributing to this tangible result of their legacy. You can contribute to the Budahl Scholarship by either sending checks or cash to the Maranatha Development Office, giving online at mbu.edu/give and selecting “Scholarship Fund”, or by calling 920-206-2325. Students can apply at mbu.edu/scholarships after January 26 when privately-funded scholarships open.