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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY COLLEGE FACULTY COMPLETE YEAR-LONG LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Jul 29, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., July 29, 2019- Bethany College faculty, Eleanor Heimbaugh and Gretchen Norland, completed the 2nd Aspiring Campus Leaders Academy, a year-long program of the Kansas Independent College Association designed to strengthen future leaders of academic departments. Dr. Norland is an Associate Professor of Education and the current chair of the education department. Eleanor Heimbaugh, is an Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Sculpture and the Director of Swedish Crafts. Dr. Duke Rogers, Associate Professor of Business and Economics represented Bethany College the first year of the academy.
The Aspiring Campus Leaders Academy is the result of discussions among the presidents and provosts of small private colleges about the need for an affordable high-quality campus leader training. Moreover, while there were multiple programs for those interested in becoming provosts and/or presidents, there were few programs focused on the department heads and deans.
The academy focuses on developing four core capacities for future leaders, the four “Cs”: context, competence, confidence, and connectedness. In summary, the four capacities focus on the challenge and environments of small non-private colleges, identify the skills necessary for leaders to act immediately and continually, build confidence and recognition of the integral role as part of a campus team and develop relationships for external support among KICA campuses. KICA again partnered with Credo to develop and deliver a significant portion of the content for the Academy. KICA’s work is now a model for several other states.
Each KICA campus was permitted to nominate up to three (3) individuals. Participants were expected to attend four separate in-person workshops, three webinars, and engage in one hour of mentoring each month. In addition, participants were to interview a campus leader in a different functional area and complete two campus tours (one of their own campus and one of another KICA campus).
Dr. Mauch described the academy as a “fantastic opportunity for junior and senior faculty to focus on leadership and looks forward to watching participants blossom.”
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 Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and 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.
The Aspiring Campus Leaders Academy is the result of discussions among the presidents and provosts of small private colleges about the need for an affordable high-quality campus leader training. Moreover, while there were multiple programs for those interested in becoming provosts and/or presidents, there were few programs focused on the department heads and deans.
The academy focuses on developing four core capacities for future leaders, the four “Cs”: context, competence, confidence, and connectedness. In summary, the four capacities focus on the challenge and environments of small non-private colleges, identify the skills necessary for leaders to act immediately and continually, build confidence and recognition of the integral role as part of a campus team and develop relationships for external support among KICA campuses. KICA again partnered with Credo to develop and deliver a significant portion of the content for the Academy. KICA’s work is now a model for several other states.
Each KICA campus was permitted to nominate up to three (3) individuals. Participants were expected to attend four separate in-person workshops, three webinars, and engage in one hour of mentoring each month. In addition, participants were to interview a campus leader in a different functional area and complete two campus tours (one of their own campus and one of another KICA campus).
Dr. Mauch described the academy as a “fantastic opportunity for junior and senior faculty to focus on leadership and looks forward to watching participants blossom.”
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 Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and 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.