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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, October 29, 2007
BOARD APROVES NEW MAJOR, WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
LINDSBORG, Kan.—At its Oct. 27 meeting, the Bethany College Board of Directors approved the creation of a forensics science major at the college and welcomed new members to the board.
The forensic science major will supplement Bethany’s current science and social science programs by providing an option more attractive to students specifically interested in forensic science as well as students seeking a more broadlyapplicable degree.
“There are already students who have chosen this as a contract major. Current student interest in all things connected with forensic science is very high, and students who are applying show increasing interest in forensic science. Given this, and the fact that not many other schools in Kansas offer a forensic science major, we feel that this program will serve Bethany well,” said Eugene Bales, academic vice president.
Students accepted into the program will take a wide variety of classes in fields including biology, chemistry, math, criminal justice, physics, psychology and anthropology, and complete a forensic science practicum. Graduates will then be prepared for careers in forensic science, work in laboratory sciences and technology, and graduate study in scientific disciplines.
The program will be coordinated by Loranelle Lockyear, associate professor of chemistry at the college.
Also during its business meeting, the board of directors approved sabbatical leaves for Mark Ahlseen and Dan Mahraun for the 2008-2009 academic year. Ahlseen, associate professor of economics, will spend the year as a visiting lecturer at the University of Karlstad in Sweden. Mahraun, associate professor of music, will use the spring semester to prepare editions and arrangements of choral music for submission for publication, and to study choral literature and techniques.
After morning committee meetings, the board of directors engaged in strategic conversation with members of the Lindsborg community. Discussions focused on the relationship between the community and Bethany College, as well as community members’ aspirations for the future.
New members joining the board of directors were Chris Crawshaw, Leon Burch, Thomas Mack and Barbara Varenhorst. Crawshaw, Burch and Mack are all graduates of the college.
The Bethany College Board of Directors sets vision for the institution, supporting and guiding the mission of the college. Members serve as advocates of the college, who invest time, talent and expertise.
Crawshaw, Wichita, Kan., has more than 20 years of professional experience in public accounting and private industry, holding senior positions in accounting and finance with Ernst & Young LLP, Bombardier Inc. and Invista. Crawshaw served on the Bethany College Board of Directors from 1994 to 2000 and was co-chair of the comprehensive capital campaign. A former President’s Advisory Council member, Crawshaw is a member of Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Wichita.
Burch, Lindsborg, has a long history of service to the college. He has served as director of advancement, dean of admissions and assistant director of admissions. From 1986-2002, Burch was director of advancement and personnel at Bethany Home. He currently serves in volunteer positions, including college fairs representative and summer residence hall painting projects coordinator for Bethany. A member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Lindsborg, Burch received the Bethany College Alumni Award of Merit in 1997.
Mack, Wichita, Kan., is executive vice president for Devlin Enterprises, where he manages the real estate division, including the company’s residential developments. Mack has more than 20 years of experience in real estate development. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Wichita Area Association of Realtors, and Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Wichita, where he serves as treasurer. Mack is a past president and distinguished service award recipient of the Butler Community College Foundation Board, and a former member of the President’s Advisory Council at Bethany.
Varenhorst, Portola Valley, Calif., has more than 40 years of experience in the peer-helping field. She worked with Lyle Griner to write the Peer Ministry Basic Curriculum Manual used in the Youth and Family Institute, Minneapolis, Minn., and is a founding member and former president of the National Peer Helpers Association, now the National Association of Peer Programs. Varenhorst, who has helped facilitate training for Bethany’s peer ministry team, has written a number of articles and books. She has been a teacher and lecturer at several institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and John Hopkins University. Varenhorst has served on the board of regents of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She holds a master’s from Syracuse University and a doctorate from Stanford University.
The board approved the following members for executive positions:
· Tad Doering, chairperson
· Kathleen Hurty, vice-chairperson
· Steve Gragert, secretary
· Janelle Pearl, treasurer
The board also approved the following members as chairs of standing committees:
· Cathy Simmelink, enrollment management / marketing
· Orlew Lauger, academic and student life
· Norm Estes, institutional advancement
· Chris Crawshaw, business and finance
Finally, Bill Gusenius, Jennifer Kinzel and Ross Tidemann were recognized for their service to the board of directors. Each completed the maximum term of service on the board, serving for the past nine years.
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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