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
VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT FOR CONFERRAL OF DEGREES PLANNED FOR MAY 16 AND FACE TO FACE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY PLANNED FOR OCTOBER!
Apr 23, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., April 23, 2020-Bethany College announces two celebrations for the class of 2020. Bethany will confer degrees to graduating seniors on May 16 at 2pm as scheduled, but in a virtual format, accessible from our website homepage at www.bethanylb.edu. Conferring degrees, on May 16, although virtual, means students will have graduated for purposes of transcript notation, entry into graduate programs, etc. In addition, a formal face-to-face commencement ceremony will be held the first weekend in October, coinciding with Bethany’s homecoming and supported by input from graduating seniors.
Although the class of 2020 didn’t finish their last semester of college in a traditional way, Bethany wants to ensure that graduates experience the tradition of crossing the Presser stage in front of classmates, the college community, friends and family. More details of the in-person October commencement festivities will be shared soon.
“Honoring the accomplishments of the class of 2020 in conjunction with homecoming will be a way to unite, past, present and future Swedes,” stated Dr. Mauch, Interim President.
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 Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and 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.