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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY COLLEGE WELCOMES FIRST-TIME AND RETURNING STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS
Aug 31, 2019
Bethany College welcomed 252 first-time freshman, class of 2023, to campus on Friday, August 16, and returning students on Sunday, August 19. This is the third largest freshman class in school history.
“Fall offers new beginnings and I look forward to experiencing new beginnings and new programs such as the Student Success Center with students at Bethany College stated,” Interim President Beth Mauch.
Upon arrival for check-in Friday morning new students were greeted by student orientation leaders, alumni and staff. They also took advantage of photo opportunities with Sven the Swede, and popsicles from the interim president. Evening classes began on Monday, August 19, and all other classes began on August 20. On Friday, the Opening Convocation was held and Dr. Adam Pryor, Associate professor of Religion and Dean of Academic Affairs, spoke to the student body, faculty, staff and community members.
Students in the freshman class come from 10 different countries, 22 states across the country, with 46 percent coming from Kansas. Official headcount numbers will be released after the 20th day of classes which is September 16, 2019.
Bethany also welcomed four new faculty members this academic year: Chris Schroeder, Ph.D, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics; Lori McKinney, MME, of Lindsborg, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music; Rebecca Schneller, M.F.A., is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Art from Nacogdoches, Texas and Brian Powers, DBA, is an Assistant Professor of Business from Wichita, Kansas.
Bethany’s core values—integrity, hospitality, community, servant leadership, sustainability and excellence—unite students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends. Previously, Bethany has chosen a core value as a focus for the year and the core value of integrity will be the focus for 2019-2020. For the college, integrity is both personal and communal as we seek knowledge, strive for understanding, aspire to excellence in all that we do, and remain faithful to Bethany’s calling to inspired learning and informed faith as we carry out Bethany’s mission.
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. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
photo by Jim Turner ’68
“Fall offers new beginnings and I look forward to experiencing new beginnings and new programs such as the Student Success Center with students at Bethany College stated,” Interim President Beth Mauch.
Upon arrival for check-in Friday morning new students were greeted by student orientation leaders, alumni and staff. They also took advantage of photo opportunities with Sven the Swede, and popsicles from the interim president. Evening classes began on Monday, August 19, and all other classes began on August 20. On Friday, the Opening Convocation was held and Dr. Adam Pryor, Associate professor of Religion and Dean of Academic Affairs, spoke to the student body, faculty, staff and community members.
Students in the freshman class come from 10 different countries, 22 states across the country, with 46 percent coming from Kansas. Official headcount numbers will be released after the 20th day of classes which is September 16, 2019.
Bethany also welcomed four new faculty members this academic year: Chris Schroeder, Ph.D, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics; Lori McKinney, MME, of Lindsborg, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music; Rebecca Schneller, M.F.A., is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Art from Nacogdoches, Texas and Brian Powers, DBA, is an Assistant Professor of Business from Wichita, Kansas.
Bethany’s core values—integrity, hospitality, community, servant leadership, sustainability and excellence—unite students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends. Previously, Bethany has chosen a core value as a focus for the year and the core value of integrity will be the focus for 2019-2020. For the college, integrity is both personal and communal as we seek knowledge, strive for understanding, aspire to excellence in all that we do, and remain faithful to Bethany’s calling to inspired learning and informed faith as we carry out Bethany’s mission.
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. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
photo by Jim Turner ’68
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.
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."
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.