BETHANY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES 2021 MESSIAH FESTIVAL EVENTS
January 26, 2021
Join us for Messiah Festival of the Arts 2021: Celebrating Women in the Arts!
LINDSBORG, KAN., January 26, 2021 - Bethany College is pleased to announce the events for the 2021 Messiah Festival. All events will have Covid mitigation protocols implemented to ensure the safety of participants. At this time there are not plans to include live audiences. Instead, each event that is normally ticketed, as well as many others, will be livestreamed. If it becomes possible to include a live audience, a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the event. Stay tuned to www.messiahfestival.org for updates.
Artistic Director, Dr. Mark Lucas, said, “At this time we are planning to perform Handel’s Messiah with full forces but masked and socially distanced. If the Covid situation does not improve we will pivot to a performance with a reduced number of performers. Also, this year’s rehearsal schedule will be drastically reduced from years past. Returning singers will only be required to attend 1 sectional rehearsal before the dress rehearsal on Sunday, March 21, and new singers will only have 1 extra rehearsal at which I will help give them instructions on how they can be learning the music on their own. We have yet to make a final decision as to whether or not we will perform Bach’s Passion according to St. Matthew.” According to Manda Deegan, Messiah Festival Coordinator, all singers will be provided with a special Resonance Singing Mask made of a very high thread-count cotton outer shell, with a wicking technical knit polyester on the inside, knit with bamboo charcoal that is naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. Each mask also has a disposable filter and a long double wire and silicone seal in the nose panel to keep aerosol and droplets contained.
See below for a full schedule of rehearsals for Handel’s Messiah as well as descriptions of each of the events of the festival. Please visit www.messiahfestival.org for even more details, and for information on the 2021 soloists.
Full schedule of rehearsals for Handel’s Messiah:
Sunday, February 14 – New singers only (those who have sung 1-3 years are invited to this rehearsal as well).
Sunday, February 21 - Sopranos only
Sunday, February 28 – Altos only
Sunday, March 7 – Tenors only
Sunday, March 14 – Basses only
Sunday, March 21 – Dress Rehearsal
*all rehearsals are in Presser Hall from 3-5 pm
Messiah Events:
March 5th – April 4th: Lindsborg Collects… Lindsborg Art in Downtown Lindsborg
The Lindsborg Collects Exhibition showcases the privately owned art collections of local residents with a focus on artists who have a Lindsborg or Bethany College connection. The show will be open at 105 N. Main Street in downtown Lindsborg from 1pm until 5pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
March 1st – May 23rd: 123rd Annual Midwest Art Exhibition at Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery
The 123rd annual Midwest Art Exhibition will feature works by Bethany College graduates Richard and Tom Klocke of Lawrence; mixed media woodcuts by Salina native Jim Sherraden of White Creeks, Tennessee; art by members of the Sandzén Gallery’s Show Committee (Cary Brinegar, Wayne Conyers, Maleta Forsberg, Michael Jilg, Elizabeth Liljegren, Ron Michael, Karla Prickett, and Rose Marie Wallen); and selections from the Dave Woolard Collection of Hays.
The gallery will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am until 5pm and on Sundays from 1pm until 5pm. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we will be unable to have an opening reception for the exhibition.
March 19th – April 4th: Juried Student Art Exhibition at Mingenback Art Center
The Department of Art and Digital Media at Bethany College will host a corridor exhibition at Mingenback Art Center of artwork created by local women art instructors alongside the traditional juried exhibition of artwork created by Bethany College students, judged by visual artist Ms. Ruth Moritz. An awards ceremony for the winning exhibiting art student work to be held after the A Celebration of Women in Leadership event ends on the Presser Auditorium stage on Palm Sunday, March 28, 2021 with a small reception to follow.
Sunday, March 21st at 3pm: Messiah Dress Rehearsal featuring Student Soloists at Presser Hall Auditorium
Student Soloists from the Bethany College Department of Music will sing the arias as part of the annual dress rehearsal of Handel’s Messiah. This event will be livestreamed, and if the Covid situation allows a limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event. Watch www.messiahfestival.org for details.
Palm Sunday, March 28th at 3pm: A Celebration of Women in Leadership at Presser Hall Auditorium
This special event will feature prominent women in leadership who have a connection to Bethany College and/or Lindsborg, Kansas including Lindsborg Mayor Becky Anderson, Bethany College President Dr. Elizabeth Mauch, longtime Bethany College professor and women’s athletics coach Joyce Pigge, Bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Susan Candea, and Kansas Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Zabel-Wilson. Also featured will be a special women’s chorus conducted by Mrs. Britney English, Vocal Music Teacher at Smoky Valley High School. Following the event there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the Alma Swensson Garden in Swensson Park just west of Presser Hall. This event will be livestreamed, and if the Covid situation allows a limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event. Watch http://www.MessiahFestival.org for details.
April 1st at 2:30pm: Student Honors Recital at Presser Hall Auditorium
The annual Messiah Festival of the Arts Student Honors Recital showcases the best music majors and minors of the Bethany College Music Department. This event will be livestreamed, and if the Covid situation allows a limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event. Watch www.messiahfestival.org for details.
Good Friday, April 2nd: To Be Determined
A decision has not yet been made whether to perform Bach’s Passion according to St. Matthew live or to rebroadcast an earlier performance. Watch www.MessiahFestival.org for a decision.
Easter Sunday, April 4th at 3pm: Handel’s Messiah at Presser Hall Auditorium
The Bethany Oratorio Society is planning a full performance of Handel’s Messiah on Easter Sunday with the full Oratorio Society Chorus and Orchestra. To facilitate social distancing the chorus and orchestra, who will all be wearing special singing masks, will be spread throughout the Presser Hall Auditorium. This event will be livestreamed, and if the Covid situation allows a limited number of tickets for balcony seating will be available at the door on the day of the event. Watch www.MessiahFestival.org for details.
Jazz Walk and Theatre Productions: Dates and Details to be determined
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 the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state. Find us online at www.bethanylb.edu.
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.
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.
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.