Bethany College Raises $11 million in Fundraising and Announces New Strategic Initiatives

LINDSBORG, KS., AUG. 24, 2022 – Bethany College topped $11 million in gifts and pledges, as it ended its fiscal year on June 30, 2022. Rebounding after the pandemic, Bethany College is committed to reconnecting with its core values of integrity, hospitality, community, servant leadership, sustainability, and excellence after challenging times. President Elizabeth Mauch unveiled the new Path to Your Purpose five-year strategic plan last week at an all-campus gathering of faculty, staff, and board of trustee members. This plan will focus on all future fundraising and student experience efforts in three major areas. These include prioritizing the success of a diverse student population, elevating high-impact practices for every student, and strengthening community relationships by connecting with business and industry partners. A core component of the Path to Your Purpose initiative will be to have 100% of Bethany College students participate in a service-learning experience by the year 2026. 

As Bethany College continues to rebuild after several financially fragile years, there are many significant financial improvements. The Bethany College Trust Fund has grown 16% over the same time last year, the college established a new quasi-endowment allowing for short-term projects to be financed and finished the fourth quarter of 2022 with a 25% increase over the previous year’s fourth quarter fundraising efforts. 

Because of these efforts, several buildings and spaces have undergone significant renovations during the previous year. Both Warner and Gregory Resident Halls were renovated, by a special gift from Roy and Donice ‘73 Applequist, the Nelson Science Center, and the Athletics Complex also received updates and improvements. 

Bethany College programs also transformed during the year. The Path to Your Purpose initiative was implemented to connect Bethany students with pathways to career successes by providing experiential internship opportunities in new areas. A bridge program was expanded to further support rural areas in summer school programs and a task force was formed to explore ways to better support first-generation students at Bethany College. 

Bethany College developed and strengthened areas of tradition this past year. Thanks to an anonymous gift to the Campus Chaplaincy, Bethany College launched a search for a full-time campus pastor to ensure our growth in purpose and faith. The Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley (COSV) and the Messiah Festival and their successes further enriched Bethany College's musical heritage. 

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. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College can be found online at bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.