BETHANY COLLEGE TO HOST COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON THE PROMISES AND CHALLENGES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Exploring Innovation, Ethics, and the Future Impact of AI in Education and Society
LINDSBORG, KS. February 5, 2025 — Bethany College will host a public panel and Q&A, “AI’s Promises and Challenges,” on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Lindquist Hall in the Bethany College Wallerstedt Library. The event is free and open to the Lindsborg community.
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes education, work, creativity, and daily life, Bethany College is creating space for thoughtful and accessible conversation about what AI means for individuals and communities. This panel explores the opportunities AI presents and the ethical, social, and practical challenges it raises. The discussion will focus on how small communities and rural institutions can engage with emerging technologies intentionally rather than out of fear.
“Artificial intelligence represents both opportunity and responsibility for us all,” said Dr. Laura Crawley, President of Bethany College. “By grounding AI within the liberal arts, we are investing in graduates and communities who can adapt wisely to change while remaining deeply human.”
The discussion will feature Bethany College faculty from across the liberal arts, reflecting the College’s interdisciplinary approach to artificial intelligence.
Panelists include:
- James Baker, M.Ed., MAEL, Assistant Professor of Education
- Sheryl Beers-Kasper, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology
- Rachel Finnell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science
- Mark McDonald, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
- Angie Martin, M.P.A.c., Associate Professor of Accounting
The panel will be moderated by Brittany Torres, M.L.S., Director of Learning Systems and AI Initiatives, who leads Bethany’s campus-wide efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into teaching, learning, and student success.
“AI is most powerful when it supports learning rather than replaces it,” said Torres. “At Bethany, our approach has been to focus on access, responsible use, and helping students, faculty, and staff build confidence with emerging tools. This event reflects our belief that meaningful progress happens when institutions invite both campus and community into the conversation.”
Bethany College’s approach to AI reflects its identity as a small, residential liberal arts college with a long history of innovation. Through expanded AI access and training for students, faculty, and staff, along with initiatives focused on ethical and rural applications, the College is positioning itself as a thoughtful leader in how AI can support learning rather than replace it.
Panelists will address questions about how AI is changing higher education and the workplace. They will also discuss the skills students will need in an AI-shaped world and how institutions can balance innovation with ethics, creativity, and human judgment.
Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in the Q&A portion of the evening. No prior technical knowledge is required.
Event Details
What: AI’s Promises and Challenges, Bethany College Panel and Community Q&A
When: Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 6 to 7 p.m.
Where: Lindquist Hall, Bethany College Wallerstedt Library
Who: Open to the Lindsborg community and the public
Cost: Free
About Bethany College
Founded in 1881, Bethany College is Kansas’ first institution of higher learning. Located in Lindsborg, Bethany offers a rigorous liberal arts education rooted in the values of leadership, service, and academic excellence. For more information about Bethany College, visit www.bethanylb.edu.
CONTACT: Christie Denniston
Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement
dennistoncl@bethanylb.edu
785-227-3380 x. 8105
Bethany College
335 East Swensson Street
Lindsborg, KS 67456
