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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 13, 2008
LOCAL ALUMNI TO BE HONORED BY BETHANY COLLEGE
LINDSBORG, KAN.—On May 24, Bethany College will honor three graduates of the college, all of whom live in Lindsborg, with its Alumni Award of Merit.
DeVere Blomberg, Doris Carlson and Carol Gusenius will be recognized with their alma mater’s highest alumni honor during the annual Bethany College Alumni Recognition Banquet. The banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Pihlblad Memorial Union. Tickets are $13 per person. Please contact the Bethany alumni office at (785) 227-3380, ext. 8270, to make a reservation.
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| Devere Blomberg |
Blomberg is a member of the Bethany College class of 1951. After earning his M.Ed. from the University of Nebraska, he served in the Army and worked for more than 30 years as an elementary teacher and librarian in USD 305. A lifelong member of Falun Lutheran Church, Blomberg has been a leader in many community organizations, including the Raymer Society Board, Lindsborg Community Library Board, Lindsborg’s Sister City Committee, Salina Area Retired Teachers Association and American Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains. He has participated in 57 Messiah Festivals at Bethany College, and was tenor secretary of the Bethany Oratorio Society for 44 years.
Carlson is a member of the Bethany College class of 1953. Following graduation, she taught first grade at Heusner Elementary School in Salina for two years before devoting herself to her family. At Messiah Lutheran Church, where she has been a lifelong
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| Doris Carlson |
member, Carlson has served as Sunday school superintendent and teacher, a women’s group member and a church council member. She also has volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at Bethany Home in Lindsborg, and was an advocate for her hearing-impaired son during his time in the public school system. In addition to serving as a class agent for nearly 55 years, Carlson has volunteered to help in most every way at Bethany. She has assisted with events, mailings, fundraising and even baking cakes for students. All three of her children are Bethany graduates.
Gusenius is a member of the Bethany College class of 1973. After graduation, she taught for one year in Washington, Kansas; worked as deputy district clerk in Douglas and McPherson counties; and worked for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services. Since 1985, she has been self-employed in real estate sales, and she has been owner/broker of Lindsborg Realty since 1989. Gusenius is involved in many civic activities, including Lindsborg Arts Council, Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce, Svensk Hyllningsfest Committee, Lindsborg Community
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| Carol Gusenius |
Library Board, Smoky Valley Historical Association, Friends of Bach and Handel and the Ling Concert Series Board. She has been a Broadway RFD performer and is a member of the Kammarkor vocal ensemble. A member of Messiah Lutheran Church, she also has been active in the church and as a Meals and Wheels volunteer. Guensius is a former member of the Bethany College Alumni Council, and has assisted the college in many ways, including serving as co-chair of the Bethany in Kansas campaign and on the 125th Anniversary Committee and Presidential Inauguration Committee.
Each year, the Bethany College Alumni Association selects alumni who graduated more than 20 years ago to receive the Award of Merit. Recipients are chosen based on noteworthy achievements, service through church and public life, creativity in the arts or sciences, or outstanding leadership and participation in a recognized organization. Recipients also must show continuing interest in Bethany College.
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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