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The Path to Your Purpose
BETHANY RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES FOR YEARS OF SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE
Jun 06, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., May 28 2019-Bethany College held an employee recognition luncheon on May 16 to celebrate the academic year and employee years of service. President Will Jones and Board of Directors Chair, Corey Peterson, thanked faculty and staff for their dedication and commitment to excellence. Faculty and staff celebrating an anniversary received a certificate and a blue Dala horse. Faculty recognized were Denise Carson, Chair of Wallerstedt Learning Center, and Director of Archives and Heritage Center (35 yrs); Ed Pogue, Chair of Digital Media Arts, and Professor of Art (20 yrs); Andrea Ring, Chair of Department of Psychology, and Associate Professor of Psychology (10 yrs); Marcus Hensel, Assistant Professor of English (5 yrs); Tyler Atkinson, Assistant Professor of Religion (5 yrs); Heather Morris, Assistant Professor Biology (5 yrs); and Duke Rogers, Associate Professor of Business and Economics (5 yrs).
Staff celebrated include, Clair Oleen, Director of Development (40 yrs); Frank Ballew, Director of Publications (20 yrs); Joshua Bieber, Director of Information Technology (5 yrs); Alisa Jones, Assistant to the President, and Donor Relations Coordinator (5 yrs); Shane Taylor, Head Men’s Soccer Coach (5 yrs); Amanda McLaughlin, Associate Director of Financial Aid, and Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official (5 yrs); and Melissa Blake, Admissions Counselor (5 yrs).
The Mortvedt Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award was also given. Robert Mortvedt, president of Bethany College from 1953 to 1958, had a very distinguished career as a, English teacher, scholar, and an administrator. His family endowed this award to emphasize quality of teaching, to encourage faculty in their pursuit of excellence, and to assist Bethany in nurturing an academic climate that fosters teaching at its best and enhances teaching as a profession. The 2019 Mortvedt Award was given to Ed Pogue, Chair of Digital Media Arts and Professor of Art.
The Elbow Grease Award, a newer tradition, to recognize those who use extra “elbow grease” was passed on from previous recipient John Mullen, Chair of Religion and Philosophy; to Matt Pfannenstiel, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid.
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.
Staff celebrated include, Clair Oleen, Director of Development (40 yrs); Frank Ballew, Director of Publications (20 yrs); Joshua Bieber, Director of Information Technology (5 yrs); Alisa Jones, Assistant to the President, and Donor Relations Coordinator (5 yrs); Shane Taylor, Head Men’s Soccer Coach (5 yrs); Amanda McLaughlin, Associate Director of Financial Aid, and Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official (5 yrs); and Melissa Blake, Admissions Counselor (5 yrs).
The Mortvedt Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award was also given. Robert Mortvedt, president of Bethany College from 1953 to 1958, had a very distinguished career as a, English teacher, scholar, and an administrator. His family endowed this award to emphasize quality of teaching, to encourage faculty in their pursuit of excellence, and to assist Bethany in nurturing an academic climate that fosters teaching at its best and enhances teaching as a profession. The 2019 Mortvedt Award was given to Ed Pogue, Chair of Digital Media Arts and Professor of Art.
The Elbow Grease Award, a newer tradition, to recognize those who use extra “elbow grease” was passed on from previous recipient John Mullen, Chair of Religion and Philosophy; to Matt Pfannenstiel, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid.
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.
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.