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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY COLLEGE COVID-19 UPDATE
Oct 06, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., September 23, 2020 - In preparation for maintaining the health and safety of the Bethany College community, Bethany College administration implemented a strenuous contact tracing protocol to stop the potential spread of COVID-19 in the event of a positive case on campus. If an individual reports having symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they are immediately asked to quarantine. Students asked to move to a designated quarantine location are those exhibiting symptoms. All potential contacts are identified at this point and all contacts are asked to self-isolate in their current room. Please note, this all occurs prior to an individual receiving a positive test result. At times, this results in many students being asked to quarantine, or self-isolate. At this point, all testing must be ordered by a medical provider. If an individual is tested, it can take anywhere from five to eight days to receive the result.
Since students have returned to campus, there have been incidents in which entire teams have been asked to quarantine, or self-isolate. This is done out of an abundance of caution and reflects the College’s commitment to the health and safety of campus and the local community. Thus far, the safety procedures that have been implemented appear to be successful and there is hope to continue to move forward with the same results. With that being said, the College will continue to adapt and make changes as necessary.
The College continues to follow local health guidelines and communicate regularly with local health officials who provide a wealth of information and advice on how to best manage a college campus in the midst of a pandemic. Please know, if there were to be an outbreak of COVID-19 that posed a threat, the Bethany College community will be notified. You can read the College COVID-19 plan at bethanylb.edu/coronavirus.
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.