BETHANY COLLEGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT
August 12, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., August 12, 2020 – The Bethany College Board of Directors announced today, that by unanimous decision, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch has been appointed to lead Bethany College as its 15th President. Dr. Mauch has served as the Interim President since July of 2019 and is the first woman to be appointed to serve at Bethany College as President. "Dr. Mauch's tenacious work ethic and her commitment to transparency and openness make her the obvious choice to lead us through these trying times and into a bright future,” said Roper DeGarmo, Chair of the Board of Directors. Plans for a formal celebration will be made at a later date.
Dr. Mauch came to Bethany College as the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Prior to that, she served as the Dean of the College of Education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania from 2012 to May of 2017 and before that was Professor of Mathematics and Interim dean from 2009 to 2012. In May of 2018, the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board selected Dr. Mauch for a Fulbright award to Poland. In June 2019, Dr. Mauch went to Lodz University of Technology in Lodz, Poland and taught STEM faculty techniques of flipped classrooms, how to use these techniques for the types of learners educated at Lodz University of Technology, and the best methods for assisting them in understanding STEM subjects.
The Fulbright award was an extension of her research interest in the recruitment and retention of students in STEM disciplines. Her research in this subject began as an undergraduate at Moravian College where she completed an honor’s project on Cooperative Learning in Mathematics Education under the direction of Dr. Robert Mayer. While at Bloomsburg University, she continued her study as she led the Math & Science Resource Center. She broadened the vision of the center and enhanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics educational experiences with STEM summer campus for local 5th through 12th grade students, and research-based training and development programs for local STEM subject teachers.
During her time as Dean of the College of Education at Bloomsburg University, she was able to work collaboratively with university faculty, regional school districts, superintendents, local politicians, and area business leaders to extend the initiatives she started as Director of the Math & Science Center. Starting as the STEM Magnet Program, her efforts led to what is now known as the Regional STEM Education Center. Dr. Mauch also customized a mathematics program with school districts and industry in the rural central Pennsylvania region, creating a successful rural STEM model.
One of her most significant responsibilities as Dean was to provide fiscal leadership in the on-going operations of the various programs. She worked to secure sustainable funding from regional businesses through a Pennsylvania tax program known as the Educational Incentive Tax Credit system, secured sustainable funding from Bloomsburg University and obtained grants for innovative new programming.
“I am humbled to have been asked to serve as the 15th President of Bethany College. Even though we are entering a semester with many unknowns, I am excited about the future of Bethany College.” Dr. Mauch is currently focused on the upcoming HLC visit that will happen in February of 2021 and maintaining a safe and healthy campus for the upcoming semester.
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.
Grant Provides Critical Resources to Enhance the Student Experience and Institutional Growth
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
Recipients Embody the Spirit of Bethany Through Lifelong Service, Generosity, Leadership, and Advocacy
