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The Path to Your Purpose
Dr. Mary Beth Harris recipient of the 2020-2021 Mortvedt Award
Oct 04, 2021
Robert Mortvedt was the President of Bethany College from 1953 to 1958. He was regarded as a distinguished teacher, scholar, and administrator. His family has established the Mortvedt Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award to emphasize quality of teaching, encourage faculty in their pursuit of excellence, and to assist Bethany in nurturing an academic climate which fosters teaching at its best and enhances teaching as a profession
Congratulations to Dr. Mary Beth Harris on being the recipient of the Mortvedt Award for 2020-2021 academic year. COVID delayed but did not stop our recognition of Dr. Harris’s successes. An example of what makes her such a perfect candidate for this award is what she loves most about teaching at Bethany College. Dr. Mary Beth Harris shares, “ I love teaching literature because playing with ideas and characters often gives students permission to ask and explore the big questions they have about life and its meaning, but in a way that relieves some of the tension or challenge of discussing difficult or sensitive topics. Talking about a character or how an author presents a story feels safer than talking about themselves. I also love teaching writing and showing students that it isn't some magical ability some people are born with, but a set of tangible, meaningful skills that they can get access to and utilize to empower themselves. At Bethany, I also appreciate the ways my teaching connects to the wider mission and service to the college, how interdisciplinarity supports our liberal arts mission or how developing programming like the Ascension Program allows us to support our students and show them they are capable of excellence.”
The most recent Mortvedt recipient will serve as the chairperson for the selection committee. Along with the honor of receiving this award, the selected faculty member is given a $1,000 personal grant, and his/her department receives $500 to be used for library materials or other enhancements to the department's program. The name of the recipient will be announced before Commencement (usually at the end-of-year employee dinner, although the format of the presentation has been disrupted due to COVID), and a nameplate added to the plaque in the Presser Hall lobby.
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.