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
Opening Session '21
Aug 27, 2021
Opening session is a time set aside to prepare for the future plan for Bethany College. Faculty members, staff and Credo (Credo serves independent higher education in enrollment, strategic planning, retention, branding and marketing, campus planning, architecture, and research ) teamed up (Virtually) once again to gather information and brainstorm. Credo’s Mission is to help higher education thrive in order to impact the success of students. The broad scope of topics were hinged on the fact that the idea of college has changed and will continue to change. There was mention of singing the Bethany Fight song or Rockar Stockar then President Mauch led by saying “This is not my plan, this is Bethany's Plan.”
The initial conversation began with topics regarding the shift in education, the change of demographics for college campuses as well as the perception of value of higher education. Due to the evolution of technology institutions have access to data which can help improve the students' experience. Lastly there was discussion of potential partnerships and improvement of our campus.
For the next two hours faculty and staff broke into smaller groups to brainstorm. The following topics were discussed:
- Prioritize Success
- Elevating Learning
- Connect to Community
- What’s missing
We will continue to work with Credo to tailor the plan to the mission and goals of Bethany College.
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.