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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES RESIDENCE HALL RENOVATION
Feb 05, 2021
LINDSBORG, KAN., Feb. 5, 2021 – Bethany College is excited to announce the renovation of Warner Hall, which sits on the north edge of campus, on the corner of Normal and Kansas. Warner Hall was built in 1970 and on average houses over 100 students every year. The building will receive a major overhaul. The $3,000,000 renovation will focus on upgrades to both the interior and exterior infrastructure. This will include a new roof, exterior concrete work, new windows, new flooring and fixtures, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and a new HVAC system. Bethany plans to begin the renovation in May of 2021 with a projected completion date prior to students arriving on campus in fall of 2022. The Warner renovation project is being funded by a gift from Roy and Donice Applequist of Salina, Kansas.
The Warner upgrade is part of a three-year capital plan of Bethany College. In addition to Warner Hall, Bethany has plans to upgrade both the Gregory Hall and Wallerstedt Social Science. Bethany has applied for a number of grants in order to achieve the renovations to Gregory Residence Hall and Social Science Hall. Bethany College prioritized the renovation of these living learning spaces as they are launching the Path to Your Purpose. Path to Your Purpose is an initiative designed for all students to develop meaningful skills through a wide range of programming and experiences that result in a meaningful job after graduation. The new initiative takes current programming and adds new programming into a structured, predictable system for all students.
“We are so grateful for the continued support from the Applequist family. Their donation has helped launch a long overdue project on this campus. Warner Hall is a facility that many students have called home over the years. With the new renovations, we hope to make Warner a residence hall that meets all of the needs of our students,” said President Elizabeth Mauch.
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 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.