BETHANY COLLEGE TO HOST AUTISM AWARENESS FUNDRAISING FOOTBALL GAME

Sep 02, 2022

Lindsborg, Kan., Sept 5, 2022 – The Bethany College Department of Athletics and the Swedes Football Team is hosting an Autism Awareness fundraising game on Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2022, against the Bethel College Threshers. 


Spectators are encouraged to wear Bethany blue to the game, or any variant of blue, as blue is the commonly known color for autism awareness.  

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Typically passed on genetically, approximately 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism in the United States alone. Autism affects children of all ethnic and social groups and may be diagnosed as early as age two. 


Heartspring, a non-profit organization in Wichita, Kansas, has partnered with Bethany College for the first Light It Up Blue game against Bethel College. Heartspring strives to be a leader and innovator in providing clinically supported service through education and therapies for children with special needs to empower them to grow and learn on a path to a more independent life.  


The Light It Up Blue Autism Awareness game on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, will serve as a fundraiser and donation opportunity with half of the proceeds going to Heartspring. Those unable to attend the game, may donate through the Bethany College website at bethanylb.edu/autism and writing 'Light It Up Blue' in the donation purpose. 


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. 

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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.
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