Bethany College Welcomes Eric Doering, Dr. Rachel Kohman, and Derek Lee to Board of Directors

August 7, 2026

Distinguished alumni bring decades of leadership, governance, and higher education experience to 

support Bethany College’s future 

LINDSBORG, Kan. Aug., 7, 2026 - Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of

Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished alumni, Eric Doering ’77, 

Dr. Rachel Kohman ’10, and community member, Derek Lee, to its Board of Directors. Collectively, 

they bring decades of leadership experience in higher education, public service, nonprofit governance, 

and community engagement that will help guide the College as it advances its mission and strategic 

vision.


“Bethany College is strengthened by leaders who are deeply committed to our mission and understand 

the transformative power of a Bethany education,” said President Laura Crawley. “Eric, Rachel, and 

Derek each bring exceptional leadership experience, a passion for service, and a profound love for 

Bethany. We are honored to welcome them to the Board of Directors and look forward to the insight and 

guidance they will provide as we continue building a strong future for the College.”


Doering, a 1977 Bethany College graduate, has dedicated his career to public service, nonprofit 

leadership, church administration, and municipal government. He earned a Master of Public 

Administration from the University of Colorado and has served in leadership roles ranging from church 

administration and mediation consulting to District Manager of the St. Vrain Sanitation District in 

Colorado.


A longtime civic leader, Doering served on the Longmont City Council, as Mayor of Frederick, 

Colorado, and on numerous state and regional commissions by appointment of the Governor of 

Colorado. His extensive volunteer service includes leadership within the Evangelical Lutheran Church 

in America, school foundation boards, and organizations focused on serving vulnerable populations. He 

previously served on the Bethany College Board of Directors, including as Board Secretary, and now 

returns to continue supporting the institution that helped shape his lifelong commitment to leadership 

and service.


“I am grateful for the opportunity to once again serve Bethany College," said Doering. "Bethany has 

played an important role in my life, and I look forward to helping ensure that future generations of 

students experience the same life-changing education and sense of purpose that I did.”


Joining Doering on the Board is Dr. Rachel Kohman, a 2010 Bethany College graduate whose career has 

focused on student success, leadership development, entrepreneurship education, and higher education 

administration.


Currently serving as Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship Education at Missouri University of Science 

and Technology, Kohman leads innovative student success initiatives, develops entrepreneurial 

programming, and works across campus to strengthen student engagement and retention. Her career has 

included leadership positions at Emporia State University, Gillette College, Kansas State University, and 

Missouri S&T, where she has built nationally recognized student leadership and retention programs. 


Kohman earned her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of 

Wyoming, where her research focused on adaptive leadership and empowering women in higher 

education. She also holds a master's degree in Counseling and College Student Development from 

Kansas State University and bachelor's degrees in Business and Economics from Bethany College. 


Throughout her career, Kohman has demonstrated a commitment to student success by creating 

innovative scholarship and leadership programs, improving retention outcomes, teaching collegiate 

leadership courses, and mentoring future leaders. 


“Bethany College gave me the foundation to pursue a career dedicated to helping students discover their 

potential,” said Kohman. “It is an incredible honor to return and serve the College as a member of the 

Board of Directors. I look forward to helping Bethany continue to innovate while remaining true to its 

mission and values.”


Also joining the Bethany College Board of Directors is Derek Lee, a dedicated and longtime supporter 

of the College. Lee brings valuable experience in leadership, strategic planning, and philanthropy, along 

with a deep commitment to Bethany's mission of preparing students for lives of leadership, service, and 

purpose. His passion for strengthening opportunities for future generations of Swedes and his continued

dedication to leading community support for the College make him a welcome addition to the Board as 

Bethany advances its strategic priorities.


“Bethany College has long been a cornerstone of the Lindsborg community, and its success is deeply 

connected to the success of our region. Through the Viking Field project, I've had the privilege of seeing 

firsthand what can be accomplished when the College, the Smoky Valley School District, local leaders, 

and community members come together around a shared vision. That spirit of collaboration has been 

inspiring, and I'm honored to continue serving Bethany in this new capacity. I look forward to helping 

ensure the College remains a vibrant educational and cultural asset for generations to come.”


The appointments of Doering, Kohman, and Lee reflect Bethany College's commitment to engaging 

accomplished alumni whose diverse professional experiences will help advance the College's strategic 

priorities and prepare students for lives of leadership, service, and purpose.


For more information about Bethany College’s fine arts programs, visit www.bethanylb.edu.


About Bethany College

Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. 

Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, 

Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue 

truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, students join 

a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, 

and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 

America.



CONTACT: 

Christie Denniston, APR

Vice President of Strategic Engagement

303-827-5164 

Bethany College

335 East Swensson Street

Lindsborg, KS 67456

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Lindsborg, Kan. – Bethany College is proud to announce the 2026 Hall of Honor award recipients, recognizing eight individuals whose achievements and service have made a lasting impact on Swede Athletics. "The Athletics Hall of Honor celebrates those who exemplify excellence, leadership, and commitment in sport,” shared Laura Moreno, Dean of Athletics. The 2026 class embodies those attributes and much more. From memorable performances in five different sports, to remarkable coaching careers in nearby communities, to local business owners who support our current Swedes students and staff, this entire group has elevated our programs and department and embodied the very best of our institution. We look forward to honoring and celebrating their extraordinary achievements this October.” The annual Bethany College Hall of Honor Award Ceremony celebrates former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters whose excellence, leadership, and dedication have shaped Bethany College athletics. This year's honorees include four Hall of Honor inductees, two Coach of the Year recipients, and two Bethany Athletic Association (BAA) Award of Merit recipients. Bethany College Hall of Honor award winners include: • Sven Delin, a 2001 graduate, was a captain of the golf team that won four consecutive conference championships, leading to four national championship appearances. He won the conference tournament individually...twice! Delin was also a four-year all-conference academic athlete. • Vinny Butka, a 1982 graduate, was a three-time KCAC shot put champion, District 10 indoor shot put champion in 1981, ACCK champion in 1980 and 1982, three-time outdoor national qualifier, and ranks second in Bethany College history for shot put distance. • Tim Leaf, awarded posthumously, a 1981 graduate, was the KCAC Individual Champion in cross country in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, Leaf was the lead runner on Bethany College’s only KCAC championship team. He placed 33rd in the national cross country meet and remains the highest finishing individual in Bethany College history. In track, Leaf won the 1980 5,000-meter race and set the current school record with a time of 15:18.64. • Amy (Yonally) Wilson, a 1999 graduate, was a dual-sport athlete playing softball and volleyball. In volleyball, she was named to an all-conference volleyball team. In softball, Wilson was a four-time all-conference softball player, all-region softball award winner, and made the All-American Farm Team. Bethany College Coach of the Year award winners include: • Kent Teeter, a 1987 graduate, has had many successes over the last 39 years from his time at Hays High School and his current position at Holcomb High School. While coaching football, Teeter has won two state championships and four league titles. He has also been named the Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year twice, KFBCA Coach of the Year in 2015, and KFBCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024. Along with coaching football, Teeter has also been successful in coaching track and field as he led his Holcomb boys' teams to three consecutive state titles (looking to make it four next year), seven league titles (currently on a four-year streak), and six top three finishes in the state track meet. He has coached over 25 different individual state titles in track and field as well. • Greg Maxwell, a 1997 graduate, coaches both volleyball and girls' basketball at Ellinwood High School. In volleyball, he has over 230 career wins and won the 2025 2A State Championship with a perfect 47-0 record. In girls' basketball, Maxwell led his team to the 2026 2A State Championship, finishing as the runner-up. These were the first ever state tournament wins for Ellinwood who were also the Central Prairie League champions. Maxwell holds a 2A state runner up finish in girls' golf as well. Bethany Athletic Association Award of Merit award winners include: • Danielle (DuMars) Greene and Spencer Greene. Danielle, a 2013 graduate, and her husband have made an immediate impact on Bethany College Athletics. They are a host family for Women’s Basketball, providing numerous meals for the team as well. The Greenes are also the owners of the Ol’ Stuga which hosts the Coaches Radio Show and is a valued partner for both Athletics and Bethany College as a whole. • Brandi Swenson, owner of the Crown & Rye, has also hosted the Coaches Radio Show while also hosting many Swedes Athletics celebrations and playoff sendoff events. In addition, Crown and Rye provided food for the 2026 All Swede Awards, the annual Athletic Department celebration for all teams and student-athletes. The Crown & Rye is a valued partner of Bethany College Athletics. All recipients will be honored during a special ceremony during Homecoming/Inauguration Weekend on Sunday, October 25. About Bethany College Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. CONTACT: Christie Denniston, APR Vice President of Strategic Engagement 303-827-5164 Bethany College 335 East Swensson Street Lindsborg, KS 67456
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