Membership in the Carl Aaron Swensson Society, founded in 1994, is open to all alumni, parents and friends of Bethany who:

• Include Bethany College in their will;
• Designate Bethany College as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or transfer ownership of the insurance policy to Bethany College;
• Establish a charitable gift annuity or a deferred payment gift annuity with Bethany College
• Complete a trust agreement designating Bethany College as a beneficiary;
• Transfer real estate to Bethany College through a life-estate agreement; or
• Designate Bethany College as a beneficiary of their pension plan, IRA, 401K, 403B, or other retirement plan.

Membership in the Carl Aaron Swensson Society is also attained by making lifetime gifts to Bethany College totaling $25,000 or more. Lifetime donors are recognized at these levels:

• The Nelander Award for Lifetime Gifts totaling $25,000 to $49,999
• The Bethania Award for Lifetime Gifts totaling $50,000 to $99,999
• The Founders Award for Lifetime Gifts totaling $100,000 to $249,999
• The Reaching Higher Award for Lifetime Gifts totaling $250,000 to $499,999
• The Legacy Award for Lifetime Gifts totaling $500,000 to $749,999
• The President’s Award for Lifetime Gifts totaling $750,000 to $999,999
• The Horizon Award for Lifetime Gifts totaling $1,000,000

The Carl Aaron Swensson Society is a symbol and an inspiration. Membership in the society speaks to a donor's deep commitment to the college, and a challenge for others to join. Bethany College is deeply grateful to all members for their support, faithfulness, loyalty and love.

It is tradition for members of the Carl Aaron Swensson Society to gather on the weekend of Palm Sunday.

If you are a member of the Carl Aaron Swensson Society and haven’t received your invitation, or if you’ve made a planned gift within the last year, or if you’d like to talk with someone about making a planned gift, please contact us at (785) 227-3380, ext. 8275.