OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
J.E. and L.E. Mabee Welcome Center
800.826.2281 x 8113
785.227.3380 x 8113
admissions@bethanylb.edu
The Path to Your Purpose
JACOB SPILKER JOINS BETHANY COLLEGE ADVANCEMENT TEAM
Dec 14, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., December 14, 2020 - Bethany College has appointed Jacob Spilker, a 2015 graduate, as a part-time Development Specialist. Spilker will continue in his role as the Executive Director at Camp Tomah Shinga. His focus at Bethany will be to strengthen the partnership with the congregations of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America through focused outreach with the pastors, churches and their members, as well as the youth of the Synod and with Camp Tomah Shinga.
“We are very pleased to have Jacob Spilker join our team. Through his work with Camp Tomah Shinga, Jacob is the perfect person to help grow the exciting partnership between Bethany College, the congregations of the CSS, and Camp Tomah Shinga,” said Clair Oleen, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
“I am very excited to be a part of the growth that is happening at Bethany College and getting the chance to further connections to Camp Tomah Shinga, the Central States Synod, and Bethany College. It has been wonderful to see the partnership that has developed over the past few years from Bethany students on the Tomah Shinga summer ministry team, to the addition of “Bethany Gardens” at camp. I look forward to swapping stories from time spent at our dear ole Bethany and to grow lifelong relationships,” said Spilker.
Spilker and his wife Megan reside in Manhattan, KS.
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 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.