Bethany College Receives a Substantial Gift from the Gaeddert Estate

May 26, 2022

LINDSBORG, KAN., May 24, 2022 – Bethany College will benefit from the extreme generosity of William and Barbara Gaeddert. William Kenneth Gaeddert graduated from Bethany College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. He was the historian for the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and a Carl Aaron Swensson Heritage Society member. He received his Master of Music in Voice Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1964, a Master of Fine Arts in Voice Performance at the University of Iowa in 1973, and a Ph.D. in Music Literature from The University of Iowa in 1976. Dr. Gaeddert co-authored “Art-Song in the United States” and retired as Professor of Music Emeritus from Baker University in 2001. 



William Gaeddert married Barbara Knisely in 1967 and the couple had no children, subsequently gifting their estate to their alma mater colleges. The gift, including proceeds of investment and retirement accounts along with partial proceeds of farmland in Thomas County, Kansas is expected to exceed three million dollars. For the Thomas County farm ground, the Gaeddert family was just shy of receiving the Century Farm designation, a program that recognizes farms in which a current owner is related to an owner in 1918 or before. Bethany College wishes to recognize and acknowledge such an inspiring legacy.  

 

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 is online at bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state. 

Congratulations 2024 Graduates

03 May, 2024
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.
Assistant Professor Danielle Loder teaches students in Nelsons Science Center Classroom

Bethany College Receives Grant from McPherson County Community Foundation to Launch Cadaver Dissection Program

03 May, 2024
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."

Bethany College Announces Selection of Presidential Search Committee Members

30 Apr, 2024
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.
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