What a marvelous homecoming weekend we had - a special time for everyone who has been and still is a part of Bethany! It's hard for all of us to imagine that a place changes when we hold it in our hearts and memories in a certain way, but if it didn't change there would be no place to "come home." I had the chance this weekend to meet and talk with current students I didn't know and to learn more about what they expect from Bethany and what kinds of changes they want to keep it relevant for them. I had to laugh to myself as I listened, because all I could think of was how "strange and different" their desires were to what I wanted when I was at Bethany.

But I also know that there were people out there 25 years ago thinking my requests were strange. Even so, they listened and made adaptations to meet the needs of students of my generation.  It's the least I can do to try and help meet theirs. Bethany continues to be a vibrant and alive place where young people can explore options and define goals for their future. 125 years in the past and more than 125 yet to come. Bethany of yesterday creates the Bethany of today which will define the Bethany of tomorrow. We should all be proud of this institution, the people that define her, and the achievements that impact the world.