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BETHANY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES INSTALLATION OF DIGITAL ORGAN IN PEARSON CHAPEL
Oct 21, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., October 21, 2020 - Bethany College is pleased to announce that a new Rodgers Artist Series 599T digital organ will be installed in Pearson Chapel. The purchase of this instrument, from Rankin Organs 150, was made possible by a generous grant from the Rouback Family Foundation. Dr. Hentus van Rooyen, Sacred Music Coordinator and College Organist, is elated about this acquisition, and would like to thank College President Dr. Mauch for her support and encouragement, and Alumni Director Jodi While for her contribution in writing the grant. Installation will begin on October 29th and will be completed by November 15th.
From the conception of the new Pearson Chapel, it was envisioned that Pearson Chapel be equipped with a pipe organ to continue Bethany College’s tradition of organ and sacred music. As a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bethany has maintained and nurtured the use of traditional organ music in worship since its earliest days. Faculty, students, and the community have continuously encouraged, created, presented, and elevated inspiring worship and concert experiences with the use of the organ. “The addition of the organ will be an enhancement to our worship, both weekly and on special occasions,” said Campus Pastor Amy Truhe. “It is exciting to see this vision come to life!”
While a digital organ is by no means the equivalent to a real pipe organ, the 21st century has provided us with many excellent alternatives. A digital organ such as the Rodgers Artist Series 599T will be able to fulfill the needs and objectives of the Sacred Music program and Campus Ministry at Bethany at a more affordable cost, and with almost no long-term maintenance costs. This organ provides a digital organ sound of the highest quality that is very close to that of a real pipe organ. It has several voice pallets making it possible for students to play repertoire spanning four centuries with accurate sounds. The organ will be installed by David Rankin of RankinOrgans150.
The addition of an organ to Pearson Chapel will fulfill the original vision of the building: to complete a worship space in which traditional music can be used alongside more contemporary styles for chapel services, to provide additional space for students to practice and study a wide range or repertory, to enhance Pearson Chapel as a performance venue that can be used for organ recitals and in collaboration with other forces such as the choir, and to be a venue that can be used for hymn festivals and sacred music conferences. Dr. Dan Masterson, Co-chair of the Music Department, is glad to see this addition. "It will be a wonderful addition to the Chapel to have an organ of this magnitude; a real benefit to future organ students, and will greatly enhance the experience for regular Chapel, other worship services, and for concerts and recitals as well!" An official dedication is being planned for the Spring.
The organ will be heard publicly for the first time on Sunday, November 15th at 4:00pm during a livestreamed Hymn Festival entitled: Advent at Bethany: Journey of the Magi. This Hymn Festival will feature the new organ, played by Dr. van Rooyen, the Bethany College Handbell Ensemble, and reflections by Campus Pastor Amy Truhe. While the event will be only be offered in a livestream format, viewers will have access to an online program by which to follow and sing along.
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 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.