The Free Enterprise Academy (FEA) at Milwaukee Lutheran High School provides students with the resources and education to think freely about the principles of economics, personal finance, and entrepreneurship while at the same time using a historical lens to understand free markets through the constructs of capitalism versus other economic models. All students at Milwaukee Lutheran participate in coursework provided by the Free Enterprise Academy, and students with a passion for this field of study can pursue additional coursework in Economics, Accounting, Business, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Media. It is the mission of the Free Enterprise Academy to challenge students to think critically about free markets, business as an enterprise, the role of the government in an economy, and to be financially literate.
The goal of the Free Enterprise Academy is to produce graduates who can use their God-given skills to be leaders in producing wealth, prosperity, enterprise, and a legacy of improving their financial standing for themselves and their communities.
Dr. David Borst now brings his extensive and extraordinary time and talent to Milwaukee Lutheran High School, continuing to improve the quality and depth of the education being offered to the students who now walk its’ halls. Dr. Borst is the former Dean of the School of Business at Concordia University-Wisconsin (Ret.), and is currently the COO/ED of the Family Business Legacy Institute. He is also owner of five companies under the label of Borst: The Brand. After retiring as the Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Borst started up companies that mentor, make pocket squares, and buy and sell colleges and schools. Dr. Borst is known as Dr. Dave on WTMJ radio’s “All Business” every Saturday morning at 6:20am. He is also the education expert for the station, frequently appearing on other WTMJ shows as the news warrants. Additionally, Dr. Borst is the Chairman of the Board at ITA, a choice school in Milwaukee, where he also coaches the men’s and ladies’ basketball teams.
Dr. Borst will begin developing dual credit courses in Economics and other Free Enterprise courses at MLHS, for which Free Enterprise Academy students will be able to receive college credits while in high school. He will also assist in curriculum development, facilitating entrepreneurial skills courses, and teaching Personal Finance.
As an officer in the U.S. Army, Maj. Plumley commanded units in both the United States and Germany, specializing in logistical support. For one project, Maj. Plumley planned and supervised the complete renovation of a restaurant at a planned cost of $600,000, which was completed early and 10% under budget. While serving as a logistical officer for a light infantry division, the division was able to successfully complete its evaluation with an outstanding rating in logistical support. Based on his work, Maj. Plumley wrote
an article (“Parallel Planning”) about his planning and execution of the project that was published in the Army Logician magazine. The article was then incorporated into the Canadian Command and General Staff College curriculum.
Maj. Plumley’s final assignment in the Army was teaching logistics at the Command and General Staff College, teaching graduate level logistics to officers. Maj. Plumley also taught one of the first courses for operations other than war, which involved planning support operations for disaster relief and humanitarian support.
After retiring from the Army in 1995, Maj. Plumley taught JROTC at Hamilton High School in Milwaukee from 1995 to 2013. During this period, the program was awarded Honor Unit with Distinction every year except one. Maj. Plumley’s cadets were involved in numerous community service projects, Color Guards, and support activities. Cadets also volunteered for an after-school activity called Hamilton Helping Hands (“HHH”), which collaborated with students with special needs. Through HHH, cadets organized community service projects, designed and participated in fundraising events and camping trips. The group was recognized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was awarded a $5000 grant to continue operations.
Maj. Plumley has also taught college level courses at technical schools, including courses in group dynamics. Some of these courses also provided instruction on how to prepare and write research papers.
Teaching since 2012, Josh Shaffer brings his experience to Milwaukee Lutheran High School in the fall of 2018, teaching U.S. History. As part of the Free Enterprise Academy curriculum, Mr. Shaffer will be incorporating economic history and episodes in American history, into his courses. Having earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science (Cum Laude) from UW-Stevens Point in 2009, Mr. Shaffer went on to earn is Master of Arts Degree in History at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2015. A published author and accomplished presenter, Mr. Shaffer began his teaching experience at all levels even before he completed his Masters’ Degree, notably spending two years at St. Marcus School in Milwaukee prior to coming to MLHS.
Mr. Shaffer loves the study of History and is an avid reader. He is also an accomplished runner, having run cross-country and Track & Field in college, and completing his fifteenth marathon shortly after coming to MLHS. He is married and has a beautiful young daughter.
