A regular update for people and congregations who support Bethany College and its students. 

Plan now to attend presidential inauguration events

Bethany College invites the community to a week-long college celebration April 7-13, culminating with the inauguration of Edward F. Leonard III as the college’s 13th president.

Highlights from the week will include a speech by author James Bradley on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Presser Hall. Bradley, author of Flag of Our Fathers and Flyboys, is well-known for his success in illuminating previously untold stories of people from the past. Flags of Our Fathers was released as a motion picture, directed by Clint Eastwood, in 2007.

The inauguration ceremony will take place in Presser Hall on the college campus, beginning at 1 p.m. on April 12.

            A special chapel service in appreciation of church workers will be held at 10:30 a.m. on April 9, followed by a brunch.

Other events will include a presentation by former professional athlete Jack Parr, a student and faculty art exhibit and concert, alumni receptions, student parties and a campus “Sundae Stroll” with family activities.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.bethanylb.edu/inauguration or call Dave or Sharyl Admire at (785) 227-3380 ext. 8156. 

Numerous summer camps available at Bethany College

Bethany College hosts a wide variety of summer camps for many ages and interests. Camps currently scheduled for 2008 include:

• Tennis Camp, June 2-6
• Boys Commuter Basketball Camp, June 2-5
• Girls Commuter Basketball Camp, June 9-12
• Youth Crime Scene Investigation Camp, June 22-26
• Commuter Youth Football Camp, June 21-24
• Yearbook and Newspaper Workshop, June 28-31
• Crime Scene Investigation Adult Workshop, August 1-3

For more information, contact Roxie Sjogren at 785-227-3380, ext. 8158, or sjogrenr@bethanylb.edu. 

Gift will bring Messiah Festival endowment to $1 million

More than 50 years after they first met at the Bethany College Oratorio Society’s Messiah Festival of Music and Art, a Minnesota couple has pledged nearly $500,000 to support the festival.

Charles and Carolyn Russell, Duluth, Minn., will complete the gift over the next few years, bringing the Messiah endowment to a total of $1 million. In recognition of the gift, the Messiah Festival endowment has been renamed in honor of the couple.

Throughout their 49 years of marriage, Charles and Carolyn Russell have nurtured a shared passion for the arts. Carolyn (Burch) Russell is a 1956 graduate of Bethany College. She first sang in the Messiah Festival when she was a senior at Assaria High School. From 1952 to 1956, Carolyn – a music major – sang in the Messiah Festival or played in the college orchestra.

The couple met when Charles came from Schilling Air Force Base to also sing in the “Messiah.” They married in 1958. 

Pearson Chapel Challenge ongoing for Bethany

Thanks to a powerful challenge from longtime friends Bud and Beverly Pearson, Bethany College currently is raising $1 million for the Pearson Swedish Chapel and Welcome Center.

The new Swedish chapel and welcome center will serve as a place of worship and house the admissions office. To be located at the center of campus, it will clearly show visitors and prospective students where the college’s priorities lie. It also will benefit current students, who are active in worship and campus ministries.

If the college raises $1 million towards the project by June 30, 2008, Pearson will complete the challenge by donating a matching gift of $1 million.

            Bethany is seeking commitments to the project, payable over two years. For more information, contact the Bethany College Advancement Office at 785-227-3380, ext. 8270. 

Christian Youth Day a success

More than eighty junior high and middle school youth and their sponsors attended Christian Youth Day at Bethany College March 8. Youth and sponsors from Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri were in attendance.
            “This event provides a wonderful opportunity for young people to grow in faith and service, to get to know youth from other congregations, and to spend meaningful time on Bethany’s campus. Our student leaders are wonderful hosts and mentors for the youth. We are grateful for sponsors and congregations who make it a priority to join us for this day!” said Campus Pastor Noni Strand.

            Two Bethany staff members and 22 Bethany students helped plan and host the event. This year's theme was Isaiah 43:1, "I have called you by name, you are mine." 

Visit Bethany this spring

Prospective students, you’re invited to experience Bethany College and see our campus renovation on a visit day this spring:

• Swede Fridays – April 18 and May 16. Interested in seeing what it’s like to be a student at Bethany College? Come to a Swede Friday, and take a walking tour of campus, attend a class, eat lunch in the cafeteria and visit with current students and financial aid staff. Your family and friends are welcome, too.
• Preview Day – April 26. Get snapshot views of the Bethany College experience from different panel discussions with faculty and current students, as well as staff members from student life, admissions and financial aid. Then join us for lunch; family members are welcome.

To register, fill out an online form at www.bethanylb.edu, call 800-826-2281 or email admissions@bethanylb.edu. Can’t make it to a visit day? Contact us and schedule a personal visit at your convenience. 

~UPCOMING EVENTS~

Johnson Lecture Series presents James Bradley

April 7, 2008

Chapel Service and Brunch in appreciation of church workers

April 9, 2008 

Inauguration of President Edward F. Leonard III

April 12, 2008 

Baccalaureate and Commencement

May 25, 2008