BETHANY BOARD CHAIR, COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE COLLEGE PRESIDENT 

LINDSBORG, Kan. — The Bethany College board chair invites the community to an open house, celebrating a record-breaking year of fundraising and the leadership of Paul and Pat Formo.

Bethany ended fiscal year 2005-2006 on June 30 with the unrestricted annual fund totaling more than $1.1 million for the year. Bethany’s previous high in the unrestricted annual fund was $952,815 for 2001-2002. All gifts to the college for fiscal year 2005-2006 totaled more than $2.4 million.

Paul Formo began his tenure as Bethany president July 1, 2001. Since then, the college has celebrated its 125th anniversary with world-class speakers and events, added six new majors, and balanced the annual operating budget four of the five years.

Bethany board chair Bill Gusenius will host the event, to be held in the Bank of America community room in downtown Lindsborg from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 9. Light refreshments will be served. The public is invited.

“For five years, Bethany College has been moving ahead. Our progress would have been impossible without strong support from alumni and friends and thoughtful and committed leadership,” Gusenius said. “This community is richer because of donor gifts to the college, and because of the gifts of Paul and Pat Formo. We are grateful, and we invite the community to celebrate with us.”

“I am proud of our staff, and I am grateful to the Bethany donor community. Many larger institutions would be envious of this annual-fund total. It speaks volumes about the depth of support for the college and its leadership,” said Kurt Meyer, Bethany interim vice president for advancement.

Monies in the unrestricted annual fund are used for general budget expenses, including faculty and staff salaries, physical-plant operation, and learning resources such as computers and classroom teaching tools.

Formo is the 12th president of Bethany College. As president, he serves as chief executive officer of the college and chair of the college faculty. He also serves on many regional and national boards related to the welfare of the college and community, including those of the Sandzén Gallery, Lutheran Planned Giving Services of Arkansas-Oklahoma and Central States Synods, Swedish Council of America, Smoky Valley Development Corporation, National Intercollegiate Athletic Association marketing committee, Lutheran Educational Conference of North America and the International Chess Institute of the Midwest.

Pat Formo is an active member of the community. She serves as chair of the Bethany Auxiliary and is a member of the Bethany 125th anniversary commission. She is an active member of Stephen’s Ministry through Bethany Lutheran Church and Bethany College Knit Wits, and intergenerational service organization. 

Under Paul Formo’s leadership, the college has:

            Clarified its mission and identified five core values guiding college life and decision-making. Core college values include integrity, hospitality, relationship, leadership and sustainability.

            Instituted fiscal discipline. Since 2001 the college has ended the fiscal year in the black four out of five years, with now three consecutive years of balanced budgets.

            Received strong donor support. On June 30, 2004, Bethany completed its first successful fundraising campaign in more than 20 years. The Reaching Higher campaign generated $8.5 million for the college over three years — $1.5 million more than the original goal. This year’s $1.1 million annual-fund total demonstrates continuing confidence in the college.

            Overhauled admissions operations. Beginning in 2003 the college systematically analyzed the higher-education marketplace and, in fall of 2005, implemented a strategic enrollment plan. The new strategy is a comprehensive, campus-wide effort to improve admissions and retention, with the goal of increasing total net revenue. 

            Promoted dynamic, relevant academic programs. The Bethany faculty has responded to the changing needs of society, adding majors in art therapy, art administration, music — liberal arts, sports management, physical wellness, Christian ministry, sacred music and athletic training.

            Strengthened Lindsborg’s claim as a world-renowned cultural center. Building on the reputation of the Bethany Oratorio Society and Messiah Festival, Bethany has brought world-class minds and performers to Lindsborg. In addition to the likes of Ken Burns, Mikhail Gorbachev, Håkan Hagegård and Jim Lehrer, the college last fall hosted a four-day symposium on Swedish and American culture. The event brought scholars from around the world to campus.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service.

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