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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY COLLEGE HONORS OUTGOING BOARD CHAIR
Jun 06, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., May 29, 2019- During the May Board of Directors meeting, Bethany College honored outgoing board chair, Corey Peterson, for his exemplary three-year term.
“It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Bethany College Board of Directors. Working with fellow board members, President Jones and his team on campus, experiencing their commitment and loyalty to Bethany and our students, has been inspiring. While there is still much to accomplish, with the combined board and campus leadership teams assembled, the future shines bright as Bethany continues to arise,” stated Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Peterson was on the board during the presidential search in 2015 that brought President Will Jones to Bethany College. Soon after, Mr. Peterson became chair. During Mr. Peterson’s term as chair, the board adopted a strategic plan, known as Bethany, Arise!, saw back-to-back years of the largest freshman enrollment in history, received the largest single gift in the history of the college, achieved reaffirmation of college accreditation, and closed on a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture to purchase New Hall and refinance existing debt.
Presenting Mr. Peterson with a gavel, President Jones thanked him for conscientious and dedicated leadership stating, “Corey served wonderfully as the board chair. I am grateful for his dedicated, humble, conscientious leadership as the board chair. He is someone to be admired both professionally and personally.”
During the strategic planning process, Bethany College identified its Swedish identity as one of the distinguishing characteristics of the college to be strengthened over the next five years. Bethany College has enjoyed a special relationship with Sweden since beginning in 1881. Many of those involved in the founding of Bethany College, and have served the college through the years, have sustained strong identifications with Sweden. The college benefits from this rich heritage long celebrated in Lindsborg, known as Little Sweden, USA. Bethany students participate in festivals such as Svensk Hyllningsfest, Midsummer’s Day, and the St. Lucia Festival. One significant initiative developed under Mr. Peterson’s guidance is the sophomore class trip to Sweden, known as Swedes to Sweden. This effort is made possible thanks to the generous philanthropic support of alumni and friends and stronger net revenue.
Mr. Peterson owns the local Swedish gift store, the Hemslojd, and also serves on the Lindsborg City Council.
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.
“It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Bethany College Board of Directors. Working with fellow board members, President Jones and his team on campus, experiencing their commitment and loyalty to Bethany and our students, has been inspiring. While there is still much to accomplish, with the combined board and campus leadership teams assembled, the future shines bright as Bethany continues to arise,” stated Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Peterson was on the board during the presidential search in 2015 that brought President Will Jones to Bethany College. Soon after, Mr. Peterson became chair. During Mr. Peterson’s term as chair, the board adopted a strategic plan, known as Bethany, Arise!, saw back-to-back years of the largest freshman enrollment in history, received the largest single gift in the history of the college, achieved reaffirmation of college accreditation, and closed on a loan from the United States Department of Agriculture to purchase New Hall and refinance existing debt.
Presenting Mr. Peterson with a gavel, President Jones thanked him for conscientious and dedicated leadership stating, “Corey served wonderfully as the board chair. I am grateful for his dedicated, humble, conscientious leadership as the board chair. He is someone to be admired both professionally and personally.”
During the strategic planning process, Bethany College identified its Swedish identity as one of the distinguishing characteristics of the college to be strengthened over the next five years. Bethany College has enjoyed a special relationship with Sweden since beginning in 1881. Many of those involved in the founding of Bethany College, and have served the college through the years, have sustained strong identifications with Sweden. The college benefits from this rich heritage long celebrated in Lindsborg, known as Little Sweden, USA. Bethany students participate in festivals such as Svensk Hyllningsfest, Midsummer’s Day, and the St. Lucia Festival. One significant initiative developed under Mr. Peterson’s guidance is the sophomore class trip to Sweden, known as Swedes to Sweden. This effort is made possible thanks to the generous philanthropic support of alumni and friends and stronger net revenue.
Mr. Peterson owns the local Swedish gift store, the Hemslojd, and also serves on the Lindsborg City Council.
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.