DR. LUCAS PROVIDES UPDATE REGARDING BETHANY ORATORIO’S PERFORMANCE OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH
May 28, 2020
LINDSBORG, KS. Greetings. I want to update you on our plans to perform Handel’s Messiah. For multiple reasons, I feel it would be irresponsible to move forward at this time with our planned June 19 performance. I had hoped we would be at a place where everyone would feel comfortable gathering together to celebrate and perform this great work. Due to many factors, we are just not in that place right now.
I recently had an opportunity to attend a webinar put on by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the American Choral Directors Association. The webinar featured medical doctors who are also singers, and outlined what we could expect in the near future in terms of singing together. One thing that struck me was the case of a 120-member community choir that rehearsed Bach’s Passion according to St. John on a Tuesday and a Saturday, then performed it that Sunday. 101 of the 120 members contracted Covid-19. That is an extreme example, but if even 1 person becomes gravely ill it is too much.
It is our current plan to perform Messiah on Sunday, October 4 at 3 pm in conjunction with Bethany College’s Homecoming Weekend. I am unsure exactly how it will look, because much will be learned in the next few months, but this is our plan.
When it comes to dealing with Covid-19 it seems we are all, in a sense, “building the airplane while in flight.” We learn more every day about the best way to deal with it. I have been in close contact with the administration at Bethany College and we do have other, “backup” plans in the works in case Oct. 4 does not work out. I am very happy that President Mauch is as dedicated as I am to making sure there is a performance of Handel’s Messiah in the 2020 calendar year by the Bethany Oratorio Society. I hope you will trust us to make sure that performance will be safe for both our performers and our audience. I will keep you updated as we move forward.
Finally, I would ask that you consider supporting the festival financially. Even though we were unable to collect the money from ticket sales for this past Holy Week, there were still some expenses we must cover. I have considered it one of my great achievements to always balance the budget during my 7 years at Bethany and I would like that to be the case this year as well. If you choose, you may donate by following this link OR going to www.bethanylb.edu and scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking on “donate now.” MAKE SURE TO PUT “MESSIAH” WHERE IT ASKS FOR A DESCRIPTION.
Thank you to each of you. You are the backbone of our festival and, indeed, the backbone of this college and community. You make me proud to be the Director of the Bethany Oratorio Society.
Sincerely,
Mark Lucas, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
Director of the Bethany Oratorio Society
335 East Swensson Street
Lindsborg, KS 67456
Office: (785) 227-3380, Ext. 8348
Cell: (785) 212-1362
lucas@bethanylb.edu
www.bethanylb.edu
www.messiahfestival.org
Grant Provides Critical Resources to Enhance the Student Experience and Institutional Growth
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
Recipients Embody the Spirit of Bethany Through Lifelong Service, Generosity, Leadership, and Advocacy
