OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
J.E. and L.E. Mabee Welcome Center
800.826.2281 x 8113
785.227.3380 x 8113
admissions@bethanylb.edu
The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES SWEDISH CROWN LEASE AGREEMENT
Sep 04, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., August 31, 2020 – Bethany College is excited to announce that the Swedish Crown has been leased by Brandi Swenson and Bryson Lundy. Brandi and Bryson have worked as a team in restaurant management for almost four years. Brandi attended Bethany College for two years before leaving to receive a Le Cordon Bleu Culinary degree from Scottsdale Culinary Institute as well as a Business degree with an emphasis in Human Resources from Fort Hays State University. Brandi has worked as a restaurant manager in Lindsborg and Salina for the last twelve years and has worked in the restaurant industry for over twenty years. Bryson has a degree in Marketing from Kansas State University. Bryson has 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry in addition to expertise in current bar trends and a vast knowledge of beer and whiskey.
They plan to keep some of the Swedish environment patrons of the Swedish Crown are used to, without it being the main visual. The menu will have a large breadth of selections with many simple, home style options to satisfy the “everyday” while having unique entrees and specials that will be appealing to those who might want something a little different. There will be a separate catering/banquet menu that will include a few menu options, as well as a Swedish prix fixe variety. The catering/banquet menu will be available as an option for both the banquet room onsite and for offsite events. Timing on these options will be dependent on current and future COVID guidelines. The new offerings will also include a selection of fresh baked goods, some Swedish, in addition to their regular dessert menu. Sundays will either have a separate limited brunch menu, or will have a few brunch/breakfast options to offer with regular options. The bar menu is currently in development.
Bethany College was gifted the Swedish Crown in April 2019 from Roy and Donice Applequist. The restaurant opened that summer and was managed by Sodexo. Once students were sent home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Swedish Crown closed as the restaurant lost most of its student staff. Once dine-in services became an option, Bethany College chose to focus on bringing students safely back to campus and started seeking out individuals who would be interested in entering a triple net lease agreement. “We are very happy to have two people as experienced as Brandi and Bryson reach out to us and greatly anticipate seeing the vision they have for the Swedish Crown come to life,” said Dr. Elizabeth Mauch, President of Bethany College.
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.