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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, August 31, 2007
CONTACT Aubrey Streit, (785) 227-3311, ext. 8274
BETHANY ALUMNI COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS, PLANS STRATEGIC PROJECTS
LINDSBORG, Kan.—The Bethany College Alumni Council welcomed three new members, elected officers and heard committee reports on current and upcoming strategic projects at its recent fall meeting.
The 21-member group met on campus Aug. 14 and 15. They enjoyed dinner and conversation with Bethany students in the cafeteria and were greeted by Bethany President Edward Leonard.
Along with emailing new Bethany students to encourage and welcome them, council activities include three groups working on specific projects to enhance the mission of the college.
The first committee is working to provide all alumni with Bethany email addresses to keep them in closer contact with the college. Committee members include: Birger Nelson, Gig Harbor, Wash.; Mike Dreier, Wichita, Kan.; Kathryn Swanson, Fort Collins, Colo.; Ron Olson, Overland Park, Kan.; and Vernon Nikkel, Hesston, Kan.
A second committee, focused on the recruitment and retention of students, is recruiting minority graduates to mentor current minority students and writing thank-you notes to parents of current students. Committee members include: Judy Burch, Lindsborg; Levi Esses, Lindsborg; Jaime Nickel, Lindsborg; Cindy Chrisman, Wichita, Kan.; Kris Ericson, Albuquerque, New Mexico; David Hurty, Oakland, Calif.; and Richard Strange, Salina, Kan.
The goal of the third committee is to increase alumni involvement and giving by encouraging and expanding the use of Thrivent’s Simply Giving program. Committee members include Kevin Peterson, Salina, Kan.; Kip Peterson, Topeka, Kan.; Cheryl Rasmussen, Highland, Kan.; Sharon Palmquist, Goodland, Kan.; and Tanya Dorf Brunner, Topeka, Kan.
New members on the Alumni Council are Jaime Nickel, Ron Olson and Kevin Peterson.
Nickel, a 1989 Bethany graduate, works in Lindsborg as a self-employed interpreter.
Olson, Overland Park, Kan., is a 1965 graduate of the college and retired ELCA pastor.
Peterson, a 1973 Bethany graduate, is director of marketing at Salina Vortex, Salina, Kan.
The council re-elected Kris Ericson, president, and Judy Burch, secretary, to second terms. Birger Nelson was elected to his first term as vice president.
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. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.
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