who we are

University Christian Ministries (or UCM) is a cooperative, protestant campus ministry of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Our Vision
A community within UW-Milwaukee that celebrates and shines forth God's love as it is made known through Jesus Christ.

Our Mission
To plant and nurture the seeds of faith within members of the UWM community.

To foster partnerships between local churches and the University.

To support students seeking to become leaders of the church.

To encourage those considering professional ministry as a possible future career.

Our Values
UCM is rooted in the Reformed Christian tradition and grounded in an ethic of love, hospitality, and tolerance for all people.









the staff of UCM:
alan
The Rev. Alan McCalister
Campus Minister and Executive Director

I became the campus minister at UCM in August of 2005, having already spent three years serving on the Board of Directors, working with students at the ministry center. What attracted me to UCM is the feeling of community, the energy, and the deep caring of the students at UCM who follow and serve Jesus Christ. Before coming to UCM, I spent many years working as a computer technician and serving congregations as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I play soccer, have a passion for music and movies, and like to tell really corny jokes! However, I am not joking when I say that I am deeply honored to serve with the student interns whose concern, heart-felt commitment, and hard work are the heart of this ministry. I hope you will stop at UCM and let them touch your heart with the love they share in Jesus Christ.

 

caila
Caila "The Great" Ney
Lunch Bunch Coordinator and Administrative Assistant

Hi! My name is Caila Ney. I am a junior at UWM. I am majoring in elementary Education and am also getting a youth pastor degree. I enjoy being outside in the beautiful weather. I love to be active - running is my favorite thing to do! I am a very happy person. I simply love life and what God has created within me! I enjoy volunteering in Milwaukee as well as other parts of the United States. Something that is unique about me is that I live with my grandmother and I play rugby!

 

erik
Mr. Erik Beardsley
Student Intern

I'm a senior accounting and finance major at UWM who enjoys volunteering and baseball. I like UCM because this ministry does an outstanding job focusing on showing God's love to everyone possible. One day I hope to own a venture capital firm and have the opportunity to finance new businesses, churches, and ministries. A fun fact about me is that I have a removable front tooth... just ask if you'd like to see!

 

jimmy
Jimmy Keller
Student Intern

I am a senior here at UWM majoring in architecture with a certificate in real estate. I enjoy UCM because of the close-knit community it has been able to create here at UWM. In the future, I would like to design my own small home on a lake Up North after a successful career. Here in Milwaukee I like to bike around and expore different neighborhoods and parks throughout the city. I also like to study by the lake and be outdoors as much as possible... (not so much in the winter...) A fun fact about me is that everyone in my family is at least 6' tall - even my 14 year-old bros!

 

andy
Andy "Danger" Mentel
Student Intern

I am a junior finance student at UWM. I hope to use my finance degree to get into investments. I would also like to travel throughout Europe after I graduate. I am a huge sports fan with volleyball and basketball being my favorites. I am excited to be part of UCM and to help others and better myself as a Christian. If you see someone hanging around UCM with a big smile talking sports, it's probably me!

 

emily
Emily "Emmy" Stewart
Student Intern

I am a junior at UWM majoring in music with an emphasis on both Choral and Instrumental Education. This is my first year as an intern with UCM where I will be directing open mic nights and co-directing the ministry's weekly worship services. I am also directing children's worship at Plymouth Church. I hope to work with UCM to bring people to Christ through fellowship.

 

tosin
Tosin "The Holy One" Thompson
Student Intern

Hello! My name is Tosin and I am currently a junior majoring in Biology. I was born and until 2001 was also bred in Nigeria. I like playing the guitar, reading inspirational books, and listening to chilled electronic music. My dream and mission is to see God's light and love manifest on the UWM campus and in the life of its students.

 

marty
Marty "The Computer Master" Cherwin
Student Intern for Web Design

Hey people, I am a super-senior who enjoys too many things! I am currently a Computer Science major at UWM and the keyboardist of 3 Up 3 Down, a local rock band working to hit it big. UCM has opened up more than one opportunity for me to receive and reciprocate God's Love, both now and in the future. I love being able to assist in a student ministry through web design. God has also blessed me greatly through UCM by allowing me to be engaged to Natalie Thrun, the former Lunch Bunch intern. My current projects include: 1) the website you're reading this bio on, 2) 3 Up 3 Down, and 3) LiveSine Productions, a small business a friend and I started.