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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY COLLEGE MAKES CHANGES TO HOMECOMING WEEKEND
Aug 31, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., August 26, 2020 - The health and safety of the Bethany community is the top priority for Bethany College this year. Due to the current pandemic, President Mauch, in consultation with the Cabinet, has decided that Homecoming events this year be conducted virtually when possible, or postponed if adopting to a virtual format is not possible.
“This was not an easy decision to make and I am very disappointed that we will not be able to experience a typical Homecoming weekend. While I am saddened by this, it seems to be the best option for keeping the Bethany community and Lindsborg safe. On a brighter note, our Alumni and Student Development Offices are planning many virtual events to let folks experience Homecoming from afar,” said Dr. Elizabeth Mauch, President of Bethany College.
Many events are affected by this change. The planned celebration of Dr. Joyce Pigge’s 50th year at Bethany College, which was planned for October 2nd, has been postponed. The October 4th class of 2020 commencement ceremony has been postponed. The rescheduled Messiah performance that was to take place Homecoming weekend has also been postponed. Other events that can be held virtually will be communicated at a later date.
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.