Campus News
First off-campus graduate cohort (M.Ed. in Special Education in North Branch, Minn.)
First off-campus undergraduate cohorts in Organizational Studies offered in Austin and Mankato, Minn., and San Diego
The first cohort in the Program in Adult College Education begins, serving 31 adult learners with a degreecompletion program in Organizational Studies (now Organizational Leadership). To date, this major has the highest number of graduates—1,152 and counting.
13 adult programs running M.A. in Counseling Psychology launches
M.A. degrees in Organizational Leadership and Communication begin; A.A. degree in General Studies starts
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Light the candles! The College of Adult & Professional Studies and Graduate School celebrates its 20th birthday and its growing number of learners—currently 2,500.
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CAPS/GS Turns 20
MBA program launches; as of October 2009, this is the largest program with 281 students currently enrolled. M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership K-12 in the Dominican Republic begins (the farthest face-to-face cohort); Doctor of Education degree program begins with primarily online format
The schools now boast 13 graduate degrees and seven undergraduate degrees, along with numerous licenses and certificates. Classes meet at the Bethel campus and in several Twin Cities metropolitan locations including the new Bloomington site.
New Degree for Healthcare Professionals The College of Adult & Professional Studies/Graduate School now has a B.A. in Healthcare Leadership program, combining course work in organizational leadership and courses specifically designed for the healthcare professional. Drawing from experience in the medical, public health, social services, and insurance industries, students explore leadership specific to the healthcare field,
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Fall 2009
including teamwork, communications, and principles of accounting and budgeting. “People are often promoted in healthcare regardless of interest or knowledge of management or leadership,” says Pete Erickson, one of the creators of the initiative, explaining the need for such a program. “Maybe they are technicians, first responders, EMTs, or nurses, but they
have never been trained in leadership. We need to develop them so they have the tools and skills to succeed.” Erickson, also one of the program’s lead instructors, has an M.A. in organizational leadership from Bethel and wrote his thesis on training healthcare leaders.
Fair Value A record 2009 Minnesota State Fair attendance of more than 1.7 million people August 27-September 7 made an impact on the Bethel University booth, too. Here are the goods that approximately 25,000 visitors took to learn about and remember Bethel:
New Seminary Leader
After serving as acting vice president and dean of Bethel Seminary for several 22,000 grocery totes 6,000 “Tell Me More” cards (including months, David Ridder was officially 300 filled out and left at the booth, confirmed as such by the Board of Trustees. 8,000 rulers indicating immediate interest) In this role, Ridder reports to Provost Clark and parallels 6,000 “Who Will You Become?” 27,000 wristbands imprinted with one of David the vice presidents and brochures describing typical Bethel Bethel’s seven core values deans of the College of students across all four schools Arts & Sciences and “People loved the wristbands,” says Senior Vice President for Communications and the College of Adult & Marketing Sherie Lindvall, noting the supply ran out most days. “It was amazing to Professional Studies and see them stop and ponder Graduate School. which value they identified “I think of Dave as a …It’s What’s with most,” choosing from persistent, mindful, collaborative leader,” for Dinner Christ-follower, charactersays Clark. “I’m deeply grateful to Dave Potato-crusted builder, truth-seeker, for his flexible spirit, his understanding walleye with sautéed learner, reconciler, salt and of the current world, his commitment to leeks, carrots, and light, and world-changer. the church, his leadership savvy, and his red peppers topped “Whether they’re people of consistent, godly heart. I feel confident with a balsamic honey faith or not,” Lindvall adds, that he is the right person to help lead the reduction. “there seems to be a value seminary during this critical time.” It’s what Bethel’s cook Brian Henning chose to with which everyone can From 1981 to 2007, Ridder who received make at the Minnesota State Fair, where he and 15 resonate.” his B.A. from Wheaton College, and other Minnesota chefs were featured at a sustainable About 80 student and M.Div. and D.Min. degrees from Trinity and local food event. They “created delicious fare staff volunteers kept the Evangelical Divinity School, was a pastor. with fresh ingredients” all grown by local farmers. booth staffed 12 hours a He joined Bethel in 1996 and has served Henning’s food selection was easy. After all, he day for 12 days. The effort in many different roles: a faculty associate says, Minnesota is the state of walleye. You can taste was coordinated by student in pastoral theology; dean and executive some of his other selections in Bethel’s own Monson employee Eva Rodelius ’10. officer for Bethel Seminary of the East Dining Center. He’s been part of the Sodexo Dining (2000-2002); two stints on the Bethel Service team for seven years. University Board of Trustees (1997-2000 and 2004-2007); dean of the Center for Transformational Leadership (2007-2008); and dean of Bethel Seminary St. Paul (since 2008). “It is a privilege to build on the legacy Bethel Seminary San Diego now has the only seminary program in the state of of Leland Eliason who was used by God California with an accredited master’s degree program in Marital and Family Therapy to put Bethel Seminary on the cutting (MFT). With accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and edge of theological education,” says Family Therapy Education, it also becomes one of only four seminary programs in the Ridder. “I covet the prayers of all who love nation to merit this accreditation. Other accreditations come from the Association of Theological Schools and the regional North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Bethel as we work to discern how best to Collectively, these accreditations assure prospective students that their academic and prepare the next generation of pastors and Christian leaders to advance the gospel of practical training will equip them for success in kingdom service as licensed marriage Jesus Christ in a rapidly changing world.” and family therapists. Started in 1997, the MFT program is expected to draw about 60 students in San Diego this fall.
Accredited in San Diego
Bethel University
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