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The Path to Your Purpose
Bethany College Names Hanifin Vice President for Finance and Operations and Chief Financial Officer
Apr 10, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., April 9, 2019 – Bethany College has selected Marty Hanifin as the college’s new Vice President for Finance and Operations and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Hanifin brings years of senior higher education and government service and joins Bethany from Olivet College in Michigan.
“Bethany College is rising! Adding a professional of Mr. Hanifin’s caliber to our team is proof of that,” said President Will Jones. “Marty is a talented professional with deep personal integrity. He will join a talented team of faculty, staff, and coaches at Bethany striving to assist more of our students in achieving success and in helping our local community to be as great as it can possibly be.”
Marty has significant experience in higher education finance and administration. He has held cabinet-level positions in both public and private colleges and universities. He started his career in higher education as an assistant vice president and director at the University of Oregon and went on to serve institutions in Colorado, Wisconsin, New York, and Michigan before joining Bethany College earlier this month.
Prior to his work in higher education, Hanifin enjoyed a career in state and legislative government. He was on the personal staffs of two Vermont governors and served the Oklahoma state senate appropriates committee. In addition, he was chief financial and administrative officer for two state agencies. Hanifin is a veteran and served as an attorney in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Army.
“I am delighted to join President Jones at this exciting time for Bethany College. With a strong identity across its long history and mix of career-focused academic programs, Bethany represents all that is good about values-based education. The vibrant and charming community of Lindsborg only adds to my joy at being here,” Hanifin stated.
In addition to his education and professional roles, Marty brings years of experience as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, a role in which he visits and reviews other institutions to see if they meet the Commission’s standards of accreditation. Bethany College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association.
Hanifin is an attorney licensed in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Vermont. He earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he also earned a graduate degree in government and foreign affairs. He holds a graduate degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma, where he held the Carl Albert Fellowship. His undergraduate education was received at Norwich University. Marty served for six years on the Norwich University Board of Fellows.
In addition to keeping up with friends and family around the country, Marty’s hobbies include swimming, piano, old movies, and a willingness to watch just about any sport on television.
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 is rising! Adding a professional of Mr. Hanifin’s caliber to our team is proof of that,” said President Will Jones. “Marty is a talented professional with deep personal integrity. He will join a talented team of faculty, staff, and coaches at Bethany striving to assist more of our students in achieving success and in helping our local community to be as great as it can possibly be.”
Marty has significant experience in higher education finance and administration. He has held cabinet-level positions in both public and private colleges and universities. He started his career in higher education as an assistant vice president and director at the University of Oregon and went on to serve institutions in Colorado, Wisconsin, New York, and Michigan before joining Bethany College earlier this month.
Prior to his work in higher education, Hanifin enjoyed a career in state and legislative government. He was on the personal staffs of two Vermont governors and served the Oklahoma state senate appropriates committee. In addition, he was chief financial and administrative officer for two state agencies. Hanifin is a veteran and served as an attorney in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Army.
“I am delighted to join President Jones at this exciting time for Bethany College. With a strong identity across its long history and mix of career-focused academic programs, Bethany represents all that is good about values-based education. The vibrant and charming community of Lindsborg only adds to my joy at being here,” Hanifin stated.
In addition to his education and professional roles, Marty brings years of experience as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, a role in which he visits and reviews other institutions to see if they meet the Commission’s standards of accreditation. Bethany College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association.
Hanifin is an attorney licensed in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Vermont. He earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Virginia School of Law, where he also earned a graduate degree in government and foreign affairs. He holds a graduate degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma, where he held the Carl Albert Fellowship. His undergraduate education was received at Norwich University. Marty served for six years on the Norwich University Board of Fellows.
In addition to keeping up with friends and family around the country, Marty’s hobbies include swimming, piano, old movies, and a willingness to watch just about any sport on television.
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.