Bethany College 2022 Commencement

May 25, 2022

LINDSBORG, KAN., May 25 - Bethany College is proud to announce the 122 students who earned a degree in Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Music Education during the 2021-2022 academic year. Summer, fall, interterm, and spring graduates were honored on May 21 during baccalaureate worship and commencement ceremonies in Presser Hall. 


Amy Truhe, Campus Pastor, presided over baccalaureate. Consistent with tradition, the baccalaureate procession started at Bethany Lutheran Church where ten students met in the church sacristy in October of 1881 for the first classes of Bethany Academy and ended at Presser Hall. 

Ms. Gabriela Hernandez, from Wichita, Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, was the senior speaker. Dr. Cheryl Rasmussen, Bethany College Board of Directors, special speaker, spoke about choosing grit, grace, and gratitude as part of the path to one’s purpose.  


Elise Nelson, from Lindsborg, Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education sang  “Schafe können sicher weiden” BWV 208 - J. S. Bach accompanied by Dr. Hentis van Rooyen, Assistant Professor of Sacred Music. 


Elizabeth Mauch, President of Bethany College, also addressed the graduates declaring, “Today is about getting to say one last time, ‘we trust you.’ We are not certain where you will go or what you will do, but we trust that you are worthwhile, responsible, and valuable to the world.” 



This year, faculty, staff, and members of the board of directors, celebrated the seniors with their invited family guests in a Senior Social at the Mabee Welcome Center.  Also, in conjunction with commencement celebration, an Honors Banquet was held to recognize the following seniors for academic excellence: Jacob Adams, Lindsborg, Kansas, Biology. Amanda Avila, San Gabriel, California, Elementary Education K-6. Logan Dawes, McPherson, Kansas, Psychology, Religion-Ministry of Service. Ryan Dye, Salina, Kansas, Psychology, Religion-Ministry of Service. Luis Carlos Fierro Cortes, Salina, Kansas, Biology, Chemistry, and Abigail Rishel-Barnett, Lindsborg, Kansas, Vocal Music Teaching PreK-12. The recipients of the Spencer Barlett Senior Respect Award, Julie Callan and Evan Crotinger, were also recognized at the Honors Banquet.  

 
Graduates, their majors, and hometowns are as follows: 

Zachary James Able, Management, Lindsborg, KS 

Jacob Efrain Adams, Biology, Lindsborg, KS 

Carla Aguilar, Mathematics, Salina, KS 

Frita Leinua Roberta Amor, Elementary Education teaching K-6, Makawao, HI 

Elijah Lee Anderson, Economics, Wake Forest, NC 

Kristin Lenore Anguiano, 3D Computer Animation, McPherson, KS 

Dylan Archuleta, Video Game Design, Lindsborg, KS 

Amanda Hailey Avila, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, San Gabriel, CA 

Cassandra Rose Baldino, Psychology, Vancouver, WA 

Daniel Beck, Business Administration, Keller, TX 

Tatiana Elise Bell, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Wichita, KS 

Samuel Brett Benstead, Exercise Science, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia 

Jaden Blansett, Business Administration, Holcomb, KS 

Hollie Marie Blomberg, Psychology, Lindsborg, KS 

Masen Wayne Bosworth, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Alma, KS 

Addison Nicole Botkin, Management, Topeka, KS 

Nicholas Brackney, Sports Management, Allen, TX 

Sean Brogdon, Management, Denton, TX 

Tanner Browne, 3D Computer Animation, Hesston, KS 

Kelsee Burks, Psychology, Spring, TX 

Hope Leah Burton, Mathematics, Bakersfield, CA 

Sydney Carrasco, Criminal Justice, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 

Dylan R. Carrier, Accounting, Hoisington, KS 

Rayleen Castro, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Redlands, CA 

Trevin Ashtenn Chandler, Exercise Science, Houston, TX 

Tannah Marie Colson, K-12 Health and Physical Education, Huntington, TX 

Sean P. Conklin, Biology, Salina, KS 

Chelsey Crawford-Cline, Social Science Teaching 6-12, Salina, KS 

Evan William Crotinger, Biology, Tribune, KS 

Samantha Ann Crowther, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Lindsborg, KS 

Brandie L Cruz, Psychology, Garden City, KS 

Bailey Cumberland, Exercise Science, Salina, KS 

Michael Davis, Exercise Science, Las Vegas, NV 

Logan Mae Dawes, Psychology, McPherson, KS 

João Façanha De Menezes Neto, Business Administration, Caucaia, Brazil 

Mason Steven Dyck, Criminal Justice, Moundridge, KS 

Ryan R Dye, Psychology, Salina, KS 

Matthew Alexander Eades, Music Liberal Arts, Great Bend, KS 

Leah Eddings, Finance, Gypsum, KS 

Carlos Lorenzo Escobar, History-Political Science, San Juan Capistrano, CA 

Hannah Marie Ferguson, Business Administration, Clay Center, KS 

Luis Carlos Fierro Cortes, Biology, Salina, KS 

Derell Ray Finch, Finance, Brookville, KS 

Maria Flores, Biology, Salina, KS 

Lindsey Marie Gack, Psychology, Salina, KS 

Brandon Garza, Business Administration, Lyford, TX 

Halle Giddings, Studio Art, McPherson, KS 

Taylor Jade Goff, Video Game Design, Manhattan, KS 

Keyvan A. Grenald Hernandez, Sports Management, Cleveland, OH 

Wyatt Guthrie, Accounting, Dryden, WA 

Daniela Gutierrez-Holguin, Pre-Engineering, El Paso, TX 

R.J. Haberer, Business Administration, Luray, KS 

Brooke McKenzie Harrison, Communication & Theatre Arts, Santa Clarita, CA 

Ben Harvey, Exercise Science, Liverpool, UK 

Alyssa Hedges, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Salina, KS 

Gabriela Anna Hernandez, Communication & Theatre Arts, Wichita, KS 

Randall Hernandez Garcia, Psychology, Lynwood, CA 

John Robert Johnson, Psychology, Salina, KS 

Paige Joyce, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Castle Rock, CO 

Keith Klassen, Business Administration, Salina, KS 

Kyle J. Kronmiller, Management, Salina, KS 

Noah C Lackey, Business Administration, Lindsborg, KS 

Keagan D. Larson, Business Administration, Wichita, KS 

Akhiri Breanna Lester, Psychology, Bastrop, TX 

Millenni Ann Lucero, Mathematics Pre-Engineering, Denver, CO 

Zackary Luttrell-Fields, Biology, Olathe, KS 

Jose Francisco Madrid, Management with International Mngt, Caracas, Venezuela 

DeLaynee Higgins Malone, Elementary Education teaching K-6, Clute, TX 

Marcelle Simone Rose Manatrey, Elementary Education teaching K-6, Valparaiso, IN 

Andres Mata, History-Political Science, Salina, KS 

Brena Mitchell, Finance, Long Beach, CA 

Joep Mokkink, Business Administration, Voorburg, Netherlands 

KayLa-Shahnee Moore, Psychology, New Bern, NC 

Daniel Morgan, Exercise Science, Bloomington, IN 

Tyesha Nauslar, Criminal Justice, Salina, KS 

Pearl Nydile Navarro, Exercise Science, Glendale, CA 

Kaetlyn Newell, Biology, Salina, KS 

Kenneth O'Farrill, Exercise Science, Loiza, PR 

Dominique Niamh Palmer, Psychology, Canyonleigh, NSW, Australia 

Mauricio A. Palomino Mendoza, Exercise Science, Mexico City, Mexico 

Rebecca Peregrino, Business Administration, Hooper, CO 

Ryan Michael Pierce, Marketing, Colorado Springs, CO 

Victoria Quintana, Biology, Westminster, CO 

Zackary James Reddin Jr, Criminal Justice, Tampa, FL 

Zephra Eden Rice, Studio Art, McPherson, KS 

Abigail Kate Rishel-Barnett, Vocal Music Teaching Pre-K-12, Lindsborg, KS 

Marissa Roberts, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Salina, KS 

Gabriela Rodriguez, Mathematics, San Diego, CA 

Manuel David Rodriguez Talavera, Biology, Anasco, PR 

Matthew D. Rodriguez, Business Administration, New Rochelle, NY 

Luis Esteban Rodriguez Gorritz, Exercise Science, Cidra, PR 

Madison Ann Scholl, Biology, Lindsborg, KS 

Julie Alanys Schwindt, Exercise Science, Lubbock, TX 

Madison Marie Kahealani Scott, Biology, Granbury, TX 

Trace Samuel Scott, Biology, La Crosse, KS 

Hannah Nicole Seals, Sports Management, Oklahoma City, OK 

Sarah A. Sheppard, Studio Art, Rigby, ID 

Kevin Sithole, Accounting, Marondera, Zimbabwe 

Nicolas T. Slavin, Management, Olathe, KS 

Dalton Allen Smyres, Finance, Hutchinson, KS 

Rayan Sousa Silva, Exercise Science, Fortazela, Brazil 

Holly Yvonne Stanley, Exercise Science, Clydebank, Scotland 

Kayla Arianna Starkweather, Exercise Science, Redlands, CA 

Shelbey Paige Talbott, Management, Ellsworth, KS 

Maya Lorena Telles, Exercise Science, Garland, TX 

Jackson Thaemert, Health & Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, DeSoto, KS 

Rayna Lynne Thomason, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Blanchard, OK 

Makayla Thull, Criminal Justice, Salina, KS 

Jordan Valentine, Health & Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, Colorado Springs, CO 

Logan Vessar, Biology, Coeur d'Alene, ID 

Elaina Kristin Wald, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Newton, KS 

Jalen Jamal Washington, Management, Norwalk, CA 

Michael Earl Wick, Jr., Finance, Conroe, TX 

Jennessa Wickersham, Exercise Science, Clay Center, KS 

Ambreenique Da'Shanae Williams, Exercise Science, Longview, TX 

Tanner Williams, Biology, Rose Hill, KS 

Noah Wineteer, Finance, Euless, TX 

Kailey Wolf, Biology, Peyton, CO 

Hannah Danielle Wolting, Exercise Science, Sylvan Grove, KS 

Timothy Ray Yoder, Management, Phoenix, AZ 

Bryant M. Young, Exercise Science, Keller, TX 

Bryce T. Young, Business Economics, Keller, TX 


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. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is online at bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state. 


Bethany College Welcomes Christie Denniston as Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement

Bethany College Welcomes Christie Denniston as Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement

June 11, 2025
Bethany College is proud to announce the appointment of Christie Denniston as Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement. Denniston brings more than three decades of experience in marketing, strategic communications, and higher education engagement to her new role at Bethany College.

Bethany College Honors Faculty and Staff for Service and Achievement

May 9, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAY 9, 2025 — Bethany College held an employee recognition dinner on May 6 to celebrate the end of the academic year. Faculty and staff celebrating service anniversaries included Denise Carson, Director of the Wallerstedt Library (40 years); Frank Ballew, Director of Publications (25 years); Andrea Ring, Chair of the Department of Psychology and Associate Professor of Psychology (15 years); Marcus Hensel, Assistant Professor of English (10 years); and Kelley Menke, Thomas DeWitt, Adam Long, Dala Roberts, Brian Powers, and Jenni Snider (5 years). These dedicated individuals exemplify the lasting commitment that helps define the Bethany experience. We’re proud to celebrate their continued service and the strength they bring to our campus community. The Donna Meredith Humphreys Award for Teaching was presented to Dr. Rob Habiger , Class of 1969, in recognition of his exceptional mentorship and dedication to his students. The award, established by Don and Alice Humphreys of Great Bend, Kansas, honors the memory of their daughter, Meredy, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bethany in 1991. It is given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding teaching ability, inspires intellectual curiosity in both students and colleagues, and takes a genuine interest in students’ personal growth. The recipient must also encourage leadership and the development of strong character. Dr. Habiger, who recently moved back to Colorado with his wife Celeste, played a significant role in leading the Presidential Search Committee and teaching physics during his time in Lindsborg. Over the past year, Rob and Celeste became deeply involved in the Bethany College community, attending nearly every event, founding a scholarship, hosting gatherings, mentoring students, and generously volunteering their time throughout the town. In addition to the Meredy Humphreys Award, Rob and Celeste were honored with the special TTT (Time, Talent, Treasure) Award for their exceptional contributions to the campus. Bethany College is deeply grateful for their dedication and service. Dr. Marcus Hensel , Associate Professor of English, was named the recipient of the Mortvedt Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award . Established in honor of former Bethany President Robert Mortvedt, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding teaching, distinctive leadership, and a commitment to strengthening the college’s academic and campus life. Dr. Hensel was selected for his engaging classroom approach, commitment to student success, and meaningful contributions to the academic life of the college. Crystal Houp , Admissions Operations Manager, received the Ken Sjogren Annual Staff Service Award , which recognizes a full-time staff member who exemplifies hospitality, servant leadership, collaboration, and steadfast support for the mission of Bethany College. Crystal has served Bethany College for nearly two decades, consistently demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and care in her work. Her impact on the campus community, particularly within the Admissions Office, has been both broad and lasting. Colleagues and nominators described her as dependable, detail-oriented, and a true steward of hospitality. “Over the many years that Crystal has been at Bethany, she has served hundreds of families along with our faculty and staff,” one nomination read. “Her work may go unnoticed to many, but to the team she works with and those she serves, it’s something you can’t miss.” The Ken Sjogren Annual Staff Service Award honors the legacy of Kenneth “Ken” Edward Sjogren ’57, who served Bethany College for 23 years in various leadership roles. The award celebrates the vital role staff play in the life of the college and their partnership in supporting students and faculty. Bethany College is grateful for Crystal’s outstanding contributions and is proud to recognize her with this year’s award. Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

A Degree 55 Years in the Making

May 6, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAY 6, 2025 — As Bethany College celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2025, one graduate's walk across the stage represents an unfinished dream now fulfilled more than five decades later. In 1970, Marilyn Allen Peterson was just one class away from earning her degree in elementary education from Bethany College. But when her husband, Dr. Thomas Peterson (Bethany Class of 1968), was called into military service during the Vietnam War, the couple relocated to Arizona with little notice. In the midst of the move, Marilyn was unable to complete her final requirement: a single science elective. Earlier this year, Dr. Peterson contacted Bethany College to share his wife’s story and asked a simple question: Could she still finish what she started? Thanks to the efforts of faculty and staff who dug into old catalogs, found the transcripts stored on microfilm, and brainstormed creative solutions for completing that final requirement, we are proud to say: yes, she could—and she did. With her final credit completed, Marilyn became eligible to receive her degree. At age 76, Marilyn Allen Peterson officially joins the Bethany College Class of 2025. During Commencement, she was recognized with heartfelt applause from the entire Bethany community. "Marilyn, on behalf of Bethany College, we celebrate your dedication, your patience, and your enduring Swede spirit," said Dr. Laura Crawley, President of Bethany College. "Let this moment remind us all that it’s never too late to finish what we start, and that some of the most meaningful victories are the ones that take a little longer to reach." Marilyn’s story is not only a tribute to personal perseverance, but also a testament to the lifelong bonds formed at Bethany College and the value of returning to one’s roots to complete the journey. The full Commencement Ceremony is available to view online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Dee6oUH3k Photos from the event can be found at: https://jimturner.zenfolio.com/bethanygraduation2025 Learn more about our Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers here: https://www.bethanylb.edu/bethany-college-baccalaureate-and-commencement-speakers The full graduation press release can also be found on our website at: https://www.bethanylb.edu/congratulations-2025-graduates Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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