BETHANY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES INSTALLATION OF DIGITAL ORGAN IN PEARSON CHAPEL
October 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.
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Lindsborg, Kan. – Bethany College is proud to announce the 2026 Hall of Honor award recipients, recognizing eight individuals whose achievements and service have made a lasting impact on Swede Athletics. "The Athletics Hall of Honor celebrates those who exemplify excellence, leadership, and commitment in sport,” shared Laura Moreno, Dean of Athletics. The 2026 class embodies those attributes and much more. From memorable performances in five different sports, to remarkable coaching careers in nearby communities, to local business owners who support our current Swedes students and staff, this entire group has elevated our programs and department and embodied the very best of our institution. We look forward to honoring and celebrating their extraordinary achievements this October.” The annual Bethany College Hall of Honor Award Ceremony celebrates former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters whose excellence, leadership, and dedication have shaped Bethany College athletics. This year's honorees include four Hall of Honor inductees, two Coach of the Year recipients, and two Bethany Athletic Association (BAA) Award of Merit recipients. Bethany College Hall of Honor award winners include: • Sven Delin, a 2001 graduate, was a captain of the golf team that won four consecutive conference championships, leading to four national championship appearances. He won the conference tournament individually...twice! Delin was also a four-year all-conference academic athlete. • Vinny Butka, a 1982 graduate, was a three-time KCAC shot put champion, District 10 indoor shot put champion in 1981, ACCK champion in 1980 and 1982, three-time outdoor national qualifier, and ranks second in Bethany College history for shot put distance. • Tim Leaf, awarded posthumously, a 1981 graduate, was the KCAC Individual Champion in cross country in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, Leaf was the lead runner on Bethany College’s only KCAC championship team. He placed 33rd in the national cross country meet and remains the highest finishing individual in Bethany College history. In track, Leaf won the 1980 5,000-meter race and set the current school record with a time of 15:18.64. • Amy (Yonally) Wilson, a 1999 graduate, was a dual-sport athlete playing softball and volleyball. In volleyball, she was named to an all-conference volleyball team. In softball, Wilson was a four-time all-conference softball player, all-region softball award winner, and made the All-American Farm Team. Bethany College Coach of the Year award winners include: • Kent Teeter, a 1987 graduate, has had many successes over the last 39 years from his time at Hays High School and his current position at Holcomb High School. While coaching football, Teeter has won two state championships and four league titles. He has also been named the Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year twice, KFBCA Coach of the Year in 2015, and KFBCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024. Along with coaching football, Teeter has also been successful in coaching track and field as he led his Holcomb boys' teams to three consecutive state titles (looking to make it four next year), seven league titles (currently on a four-year streak), and six top three finishes in the state track meet. He has coached over 25 different individual state titles in track and field as well. • Greg Maxwell, a 1997 graduate, coaches both volleyball and girls' basketball at Ellinwood High School. In volleyball, he has over 230 career wins and won the 2025 2A State Championship with a perfect 47-0 record. In girls' basketball, Maxwell led his team to the 2026 2A State Championship, finishing as the runner-up. These were the first ever state tournament wins for Ellinwood who were also the Central Prairie League champions. Maxwell holds a 2A state runner up finish in girls' golf as well. Bethany Athletic Association Award of Merit award winners include: • Danielle (DuMars) Greene and Spencer Greene. Danielle, a 2013 graduate, and her husband have made an immediate impact on Bethany College Athletics. They are a host family for Women’s Basketball, providing numerous meals for the team as well. The Greenes are also the owners of the Ol’ Stuga which hosts the Coaches Radio Show and is a valued partner for both Athletics and Bethany College as a whole. • Brandi Swenson, owner of the Crown & Rye, has also hosted the Coaches Radio Show while also hosting many Swedes Athletics celebrations and playoff sendoff events. In addition, Crown and Rye provided food for the 2026 All Swede Awards, the annual Athletic Department celebration for all teams and student-athletes. The Crown & Rye is a valued partner of Bethany College Athletics. All recipients will be honored during a special ceremony during Homecoming/Inauguration Weekend on Sunday, October 25. About Bethany College Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, 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. CONTACT: Christie Denniston, APR Vice President of Strategic Engagement 303-827-5164 Bethany College 335 East Swensson Street Lindsborg, KS 67456
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