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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY CELEBRATES BACCALAUREATE AND COMMENCEMENT
May 30, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., May 24, 2019 –Bethany College conferred degrees upon 101 students who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees during the 2018-2019 academic year.
Summer, fall, interterm, and spring graduates from 2018-2019 were honored during baccalaureate worship and commencement ceremonies in Presser Hall on Sunday, May 19.
The Reverend Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, preached during baccalaureate and encouraged graduates to embrace diversity.
At commencement, Kayln Powers, from Lindsborg, Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Music, shared her vocal talent. Avery Holmes, from Wichita, Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts was the senior speaker. Bishop Eaton was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity. Ross Tidemann ’71, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws in Administration and his wife, Karma (Jukes) Tidemann ‘72, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws in Education.
Will Jones, President of Bethany College, also addressed the graduates, asking students to “recognize” and practice hospitality in the world, speaking to various forms of hospitality and leading graduates through the chorus of “We are the Champions,” by Queen.
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 educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
Summer, fall, interterm, and spring graduates from 2018-2019 were honored during baccalaureate worship and commencement ceremonies in Presser Hall on Sunday, May 19.
The Reverend Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, preached during baccalaureate and encouraged graduates to embrace diversity.
At commencement, Kayln Powers, from Lindsborg, Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Music, shared her vocal talent. Avery Holmes, from Wichita, Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts was the senior speaker. Bishop Eaton was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity. Ross Tidemann ’71, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws in Administration and his wife, Karma (Jukes) Tidemann ‘72, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws in Education.
Will Jones, President of Bethany College, also addressed the graduates, asking students to “recognize” and practice hospitality in the world, speaking to various forms of hospitality and leading graduates through the chorus of “We are the Champions,” by Queen.
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 educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
Bethany College conferred degrees upon 99 students in Presser Hall Auditorium on April 27, 2024. The ceremony honored students who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education from the college during the 2023-2024 academic year. Summer, fall, and spring graduates were honored during a Baccalaureate worship service at 10:30 a.m. in Presser Hall, followed by Commencement at 2 p.m. Campus Pastor Melissa Woeppel led the Baccalaureate Service, and Rev. Lamont Wells, Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Co llege and Universities (NECU). Gracelyn Gaskill '24, a chemistry and music major from Lindsborg, Kansas, provided special music for Commencement. Senior class speakers Inioluwa "Enoch" Ojo '24, a biology major from Katy, Texas, and Benjamin "Ben" Turner '24, a History and Political Science Major from Peyton, Colorado, gave thoughtful remarks on their time at Bethany College, taking time to thank their friends, faculty, and coaches. Dr. Brent Mai '85, Dean of University Libraries at Wichita State University, gave the commencement address, encouraging this year's graduates to go out into the world and exercise the four tenets of stoicism: wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice.
Interim President Steve Eckman commended the efforts of the faculty and staff in securing the grant, stating, "We are immensely grateful to the McPherson County Community Foundation for their incredible generosity. This grant will benefit our students and enrich the educational experiences available in the Smoky Valley community."
The newly appointed Presidential Search Committee will commence their work immediately, aiming to recommend a candidate for Bethany College's 16th president to the board by the April 2025 board meeting.