Living Out a Different Story
June 4, 2020
A message from Pres. Elizabeth Mauch on the current state of the country, June 4th, 2020, 10:15 a.m.
Editors Note: With an outpouring of support from Bethany College Alumni and Friends a special fund has been created to support our BASS (Black Association of Student Scholars) student organization and collaborative educational activities facilitating diversity and inclusion training for students, faculty, and staff beginning with the 20/21 academic year.
You can donate here.
Dear Campus Community
With many of you, I have watched in horror as the murder of George Floyd and the response to this act have unfolded. I am sorry to say that I have not watched in disbelief. This violence has happened over and over in our country. We see George Floyd, but we also remember acts of fear and hatred against Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and many others, still fresh in our national consciousness. And, of course we can all point to events farther back in our history as well. What came to my mind was the MOVE bombing in Philadelphia 35 years ago: when American civilians in a Black liberation group were aerially bombed. There is a clear trajectory we can see in connecting these events of racist violence that we must recognize as a devastating part of our story as a nation. We are the ones who can ensure that, in Lindsborg, we will live out a different story.
In an open letter with the ELCA Conference of Bishops, our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton condemned “the white supremacy that has led to the deaths of so many unarmed Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color in our country.” These leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are united in calling on all of us to “grieve with, pray for and stand in solidarity with the families and friends of all whose loved ones have been and continue to be victims of injustices run amok, racist violence and the insidious venom of white supremacy.”
As an institution of higher education affiliated with the ELCA, Bethany College is constantly striving to determine how we live into this complex calling. In our mission, we strive to help students lead lives of service; and in our values, we are committed to advocating for the dignity of everyone in our community as a child of God. It is this dedication to our mission and values that makes us keenly aware that knowledge is not morally neutral and that institutional silence in the face of the continuing murder of black Americans is a tacit consent of our national status quo.
I am proud to be the president of Bethany College where we really do believe in these ideals rooted in our Lutheran heritage. We must strive together, as one community, to achieve them each and every day. Since coming to Bethany, I have been proud to work closely with our local police department, local administrators and our campus community to ensure that students are safe and welcome in Lindsborg. Forming these sorts of relationships is paramount to ensuring the continued health and welfare of our entire Bethany College family. Our best hope for preventing and overcoming the violence faced by directly-affected people and communities is to learn and work together in broader partnerships.
I have always been a person who believes in action. We must respond to this moment with a thoughtful and informed evaluation of the kind of true and lasting change necessary for Bethany College to be a place where our students, faculty, and staff become servant leaders for a more just and equitable future. I am calling for volunteers to sit on a task force focused on examining diversity and inclusion on our campus that Dr. Adam Pryor will help facilitate. We must foster study and discourse that equips all of us in the Bethany community to recognize and resist ideologies of hatred. We need to support learning and take action at the intersection of politics and human dignity. If we cannot have these sorts of interactions here, wherein our society do we hope they will fruitfully occur? This is our calling as a college.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mauch
Bethany College is proud to announce the appointment of Christie Denniston as Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Engagement. Denniston brings more than three decades of experience in marketing, strategic communications, and higher education engagement to her new role at Bethany College.
LINDSBORG, KS. MAY 9, 2025 — Bethany College held an employee recognition dinner on May 6 to celebrate the end of the academic year. Faculty and staff celebrating service anniversaries included Denise Carson, Director of the Wallerstedt Library (40 years); Frank Ballew, Director of Publications (25 years); Andrea Ring, Chair of the Department of Psychology and Associate Professor of Psychology (15 years); Marcus Hensel, Assistant Professor of English (10 years); and Kelley Menke, Thomas DeWitt, Adam Long, Dala Roberts, Brian Powers, and Jenni Snider (5 years). These dedicated individuals exemplify the lasting commitment that helps define the Bethany experience. We’re proud to celebrate their continued service and the strength they bring to our campus community. The Donna Meredith Humphreys Award for Teaching was presented to Dr. Rob Habiger , Class of 1969, in recognition of his exceptional mentorship and dedication to his students. The award, established by Don and Alice Humphreys of Great Bend, Kansas, honors the memory of their daughter, Meredy, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bethany in 1991. It is given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding teaching ability, inspires intellectual curiosity in both students and colleagues, and takes a genuine interest in students’ personal growth. The recipient must also encourage leadership and the development of strong character. Dr. Habiger, who recently moved back to Colorado with his wife Celeste, played a significant role in leading the Presidential Search Committee and teaching physics during his time in Lindsborg. Over the past year, Rob and Celeste became deeply involved in the Bethany College community, attending nearly every event, founding a scholarship, hosting gatherings, mentoring students, and generously volunteering their time throughout the town. In addition to the Meredy Humphreys Award, Rob and Celeste were honored with the special TTT (Time, Talent, Treasure) Award for their exceptional contributions to the campus. Bethany College is deeply grateful for their dedication and service. Dr. Marcus Hensel , Associate Professor of English, was named the recipient of the Mortvedt Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award . Established in honor of former Bethany President Robert Mortvedt, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding teaching, distinctive leadership, and a commitment to strengthening the college’s academic and campus life. Dr. Hensel was selected for his engaging classroom approach, commitment to student success, and meaningful contributions to the academic life of the college. Crystal Houp , Admissions Operations Manager, received the Ken Sjogren Annual Staff Service Award , which recognizes a full-time staff member who exemplifies hospitality, servant leadership, collaboration, and steadfast support for the mission of Bethany College. Crystal has served Bethany College for nearly two decades, consistently demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and care in her work. Her impact on the campus community, particularly within the Admissions Office, has been both broad and lasting. Colleagues and nominators described her as dependable, detail-oriented, and a true steward of hospitality. “Over the many years that Crystal has been at Bethany, she has served hundreds of families along with our faculty and staff,” one nomination read. “Her work may go unnoticed to many, but to the team she works with and those she serves, it’s something you can’t miss.” The Ken Sjogren Annual Staff Service Award honors the legacy of Kenneth “Ken” Edward Sjogren ’57, who served Bethany College for 23 years in various leadership roles. The award celebrates the vital role staff play in the life of the college and their partnership in supporting students and faculty. Bethany College is grateful for Crystal’s outstanding contributions and is proud to recognize her with this year’s award. Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, 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.
LINDSBORG, KS. MAY 6, 2025 — As Bethany College celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2025, one graduate's walk across the stage represents an unfinished dream now fulfilled more than five decades later. In 1970, Marilyn Allen Peterson was just one class away from earning her degree in elementary education from Bethany College. But when her husband, Dr. Thomas Peterson (Bethany Class of 1968), was called into military service during the Vietnam War, the couple relocated to Arizona with little notice. In the midst of the move, Marilyn was unable to complete her final requirement: a single science elective. Earlier this year, Dr. Peterson contacted Bethany College to share his wife’s story and asked a simple question: Could she still finish what she started? Thanks to the efforts of faculty and staff who dug into old catalogs, found the transcripts stored on microfilm, and brainstormed creative solutions for completing that final requirement, we are proud to say: yes, she could—and she did. With her final credit completed, Marilyn became eligible to receive her degree. At age 76, Marilyn Allen Peterson officially joins the Bethany College Class of 2025. During Commencement, she was recognized with heartfelt applause from the entire Bethany community. "Marilyn, on behalf of Bethany College, we celebrate your dedication, your patience, and your enduring Swede spirit," said Dr. Laura Crawley, President of Bethany College. "Let this moment remind us all that it’s never too late to finish what we start, and that some of the most meaningful victories are the ones that take a little longer to reach." Marilyn’s story is not only a tribute to personal perseverance, but also a testament to the lifelong bonds formed at Bethany College and the value of returning to one’s roots to complete the journey. The full Commencement Ceremony is available to view online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Dee6oUH3k Photos from the event can be found at: https://jimturner.zenfolio.com/bethanygraduation2025 Learn more about our Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers here: https://www.bethanylb.edu/bethany-college-baccalaureate-and-commencement-speakers The full graduation press release can also be found on our website at: https://www.bethanylb.edu/congratulations-2025-graduates Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, 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.