Bethany Magazine - December 2016

DECEMBER 2016

EXCITING EDUCATORS

Page 12

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table of

contents 4 FROM THE PRESIDENT

STUDENT ACTIVITIES ____________________________

Sending a message of hope

17 LIBRARY GAME NIGHT

SPIRITUAL LIFE ____________________________

Students mingle with staff and others during fun monthly events

5 ONE THING NEEDFUL Broadcasting God's Word

ATHLETICS ____________________________

FACULTY & STAFF ____________________________

18 HALL OF FAME

Four alumni inducted along with this year's Team of Distinction

6 FROM OUR FACULTY & STAFF

Recent accomplishments of individuals employed at Bethany

19 NEW FACES

ON CAMPUS ____________________________

ALUMNI ____________________________

8 MAKING THE MOVE

24 FROM OUR ALUMNI

Three new coaches join athletics

News and notes from our Bethany family

Official move-in day pictures

9 ACROSS THE GLOBE

International student population grows

10 NURSING GETS BOOST

State Board approves nursing program

15 LEGACY OF ART

Donor leaves sculptures for campus

16 A SAFE CAMPUS

See how BLC ranks nationally for safety

23 WRITING RESOURCE

Help with writing is a few steps away ON THE COVER: See where senior Abigail Wegner taught during the summer—Page 12.

Photo by David Norris

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BEHIND THE SCENES

27 RETROSPECT

Promotional video series for Bethany produced by alumnus

Technology has changed rapidly since the 80s. Do you know these programmers?

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All contents © COPYRIGHT 2016 Bethany Lutheran College. Articles, images or photographs may not be reproduced without written permission. The Bethany

Magazine is published three times yearly by the Bethany Lutheran College Office of Institutional Communication and distributed free of charge.

editor, writer | Lance Schwartz designer, photographer | David Norris

Please direct all correspondence, letters, news, corrections, and comments to: Bethany Lutheran College Bethany Magazine 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001-6163 Email: editor@blc.edu Phone: 507.344.7000 | 800.944.3066

Mission: Bethany Lutheran College is a Christian

liberal arts college owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and committed to the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the statements of faith known as the Lutheran Confessions.

Bethany Lutheran College provides Christian higher education in a challenging academic environment where personal mentoring guides students to pursue knowledge, truth, and discernment for productive and fulfilling lives.

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from the

president

BY G E N E PFE I FE R • PR E SI D ENT, B E TH A N Y LU TH ER A N CO LLEG E

Sending a message of hope While it’s been just over a year since I arrived at Bethany, in that time I’ve noticed firsthand an incredible level of affinity for the College among its alumni and constituents. It is, indeed, truly impressive. During my first year as president, I’ve had the enjoyable opportunity to visit with supporters in their homes, at their places of business, in their churches and communities, and during events at Bethany. Each time I’ve had these opportunities to meet, I’ve come away knowing that the love so many have for Bethany Lutheran College is profound. The College sincerely appreciates the remarkable support we receive from so many.

Bethany Lutheran College is now in its 90th academic year since its founding. In 1927, a small group of churches (The Norwegian Synod) agreed to take on ownership of a tiny women’s college in Mankato. Their vision was to open a school where students could receive a two-year college education that prepared them for lives in a variety of vocations in an environment focused on the Gospel message of a Savior who died for the sins of all. And although the school has grown, programs have been added, and the degree offered its graduates is now a baccalaureate, the institution’s focus has never wavered from its commitment to the One Thing Needful.

For many of our nation’s private colleges, this focus on Christ was also part of their original founding and purpose. But for so many of those colleges, the commitment to the Gospel is no longer part of their mission.

As our society drifts away from its long-held moorings in the Bible and its teachings as the source of absolute truth, it’s that assurance in our Savior as the sure and only hope for eternal life that is needed now more than ever. This is why your support for Bethany’s unique mission is needed and appreciated.

This issue of the Bethany Magazine features a few stories about donors who have made a difference through their gifts to Bethany. One story is about a gift of artwork and a sizable estate. Another is about a gift that provides funding for a writing resource center on the Bethany campus. While some may be “turned off” about the topic of giving, we “give” following the example of our heavenly Father who first GAVE of Himself for US. In John 3: 16 we remember the Gospel promise, “For God so loved the world that He GAVE His one and only Son …” And in Ephesians 5: 1-2 we’re reminded, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and GAVE Himself up for us …”

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There are many ways supporters of Bethany can give. From estate gifts and donations for special projects on the campus, to gifts of testimony and prayers, Bethany benefits from the support of so many. It’s also not just the monetary gifts that help support Bethany’s mission, you also support that mission when you recommend the College to a prospective student, or when you help a current student with an internship or finding that first job. You are supporting Bethany by your attendance at a College event. And, most importantly, you are supporting Bethany when you pray to God for His continued blessings upon our mission, its faculty and staff, and its students. Pray earnestly in support of our mission that it prosper so that the next generation of college students may continue to hear, and that they may continue to believe and to grow in their faith in the One Thing Needful­—the Gospel message of the Savior, Jesus, who suffered and died to pay the debt for our sins that we deserved. This will provide Bethany graduates, through faith, the best gift of all—the gift of eternal life in heaven.

I humbly ask for your continued prayers, support, and gifts for Bethany Lutheran College. It’s these gifts of time, talent, testimony, and treasure that help Bethany graduates to become productive citizens living in the light of true Christian vocation. This is the message of hope your support and prayers brings to Bethany Lutheran College. I couldn’t be more thankful for it.

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one thing

Broadcasting God's Word all over the world A few years ago, I was talking with a couple visiting our campus from Austria. Their daughter was a student attending Bethany. They expressed how thankful they were for the broadcasting of our daily chapel service. They were able to listen in to our morning chapel services live on the Internet at the end of their workday, due to the difference in time zones. This let them feel more connected to their daughter, despite being so far away. It also gave them a sense of Christian fellowship while living in a land where very few confess their same faith. I sent them home with one of our hymnbooks so they could follow along with the hymns and prayers as well.

We live in a wonderful time when technology allows us to communicate with one another instantly, and permits us to participate in things taking place far away. At Bethany we have been blessed with a tremendous department in communications and also an excellent information technology staff. Due to these blessings, we now provide both an audio recording and video streaming of daily chapel and audio recording of our Wednesday evening Vespers, which typically includes music from our choir.

needful

BY D O N MO LD S TA D • B E T H A N Y LU T H ER A N CO LLEG E CH A PL A I N

In addition, the chapel services are also archived and filed so that you can go back and find previous services. If you look them up on our Bethany website, you will see they are cataloged either by the entire service, or only the sermon.

Students have told me that they have gone online to find, and then send, a particular sermon to relatives or friends because it contained things that were so applicable to someone’s situation in life. This summer a truck driver told me that she and her husband make use of these archived messages for their daily devotions while on the road all over the United States. A current student sent me a note while on summer break that said, “I can’t wait to get back to daily chapel.”

Ever since our humble beginnings here at Bethany, our chapel program has been central to all that we do. We pray that the One Thing Needful—sitting at the feet of Christ and hearing about the marvelous grace of God that comes through His powerful Word—may continue to be a central gathering place on our campus… and even beyond our campus.

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From our faculty & staff Peter Bloedel (Theatre) and Doyle Holbird (Biology) both presented at the Kettle Moraine Lutheran Educators Conference in June 2016. Bloedel’s presentation was titled “Creativity and the Dumb Question!” Bloedel discussed the importance of asking impractical questions, how to use these questions as creative stepping stones, and how to take play seriously. Holbird presented “Evolution in the Lutheran Schools: Some Approaches to a Vexing Subject.”

Holbird emphasized teaching about evolution from a Biblical approach in our Lutheran Schools, and gave insights into the problems with evolutionary thinking, as well as some practical approaches for teachers.

William Bukowski (Art) was invited to show in the exhibition “Ode to Water” at the Twin Rivers Center for the Arts in June 2016. He and his wife Sherri traveled to Vienna, Austria, for the month of June 2016. Bukowski’s painting Birdbath will be included in an invitational show at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul called, “The Home as a Sacred Space” from September 7 - December 31, 2016. The show is in the O’Shaughnessey Educational Center Lobby Gallery. Finally, Bukowski was recently commissioned by Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville, Minnesota, to paint The Last Supper for their sanctuary.

Mark DeGarmeaux (Languages and Religion) continues his publication of U. V. Koren’s Works. Volume 3 was published in June 2016.

Koren was the first Norwegian Lutheran pastor to live west of the Mississippi, arriving 6

in Iowa in 1853. Volume 1 is sermons, Volume 2 is addresses and speeches, and Volume 3 contains journal articles. Volume 4 will feature memoirs, letters, poems, etc., and is scheduled for completion and release in June 2017. The Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) is the church body that owns and operates Bethany. The ELS continues in the heritage of Koren’s theology. The books are available through the Bethany Bookstore or the Ottesen Museum.

Alyssa Inniger (Library) graduated from the University of Alabama with a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS). Inniger is now serving Bethany as Director of Library Services.

Besides being a library professional, Inniger is an accomplished musician. On August 28, 2016, Inniger hosted a musical recital of old and new works at Peace Lutheran Church, North Mankato, Minnesota.

The recital featured a viola quartet, which included Inniger and Bethany graduate Robyn Ladd.

The quartet performed three pieces, including a new piece by Benji Inniger (Theatre). Other performers included soprano Jenny Haugen (Music), who performed three pieces accompanied by Elisabeth Urtel. Finally, Alyssa Inniger performed a viola premiere by musician Paul Tarabek.

Three faculty members were readers for Advanced Placement (AP) exams in June: Lars Johnson (English) read for AP English literature, Ashley Covell (Mathematics) read for AP statistics, and Jonathan Stadler (Psychology) read for AP psychology.

They spent seven days during the summer grading the written responses for their respective discipline exams, in Kansas City, Missouri, (Covell) and Louisville, Kentucky, (Johnson, Stadler). This was the first year of AP reading for Covell and Johnson, while it was the tenth year for Stadler.

Kyle Jore (Mathematics) attended the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) North Central Section summer seminar from June 22-24, 2016, titled Big Data on the Great Plains. He also spent two weeks at the end of July in Norway visiting family and friends around Setesdal and Sørlandet.

Andy Krueger’s (Business) sports and entertainment marketing class will be partnering with the Mankato Sports Commission to do an active marketing campaign for the 2017 Anthony Ford Pond Hockey Classic event, which is held in North Mankato at Spring Lake Park.

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Ted Manthe (Student Affairs) attended the National Small Colleges Enrollment Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, in July 2016. The conference focused on student retention and success.

Carrie Pfeifer (Education) taught a graduate course for Martin Luther College titled Diversity Issues in Education. In addition, Pfeifer offered a series of webinars on brain-based strategies for supporting students with autism and ADHD as well as a webinar series on differentiated instruction.

This school year, Pfeifer will be providing monthly in-service training on differentiated instruction to the faculty of Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm. This past June, Pfeifer was appointed by the Office of the Secretary of State to serve a three-year term on the Minnesota Special Education Advisory Panel.

President Gene Pfeifer taught the online course Improving Instructional Methodology to fifteen graduate students in the Curriculum and Instruction emphasis on behalf of the Martin Luther College (MLC) master’s program. President Pfeifer has been

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teaching that three-credit course since MLC began its Master of Science in Education program in 2003. He also taught a two-day, one-credit course for in-service teachers through MLC titled Designing Instruction Using Authentic Assessment. The course was taught at Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton, Wisconsin. Pfeifer’s doctoral dissertation examined students’ attitudes toward teacher use of authentic assessment tasks and authentic instruction.

David Reagles (History) is the recipient of the John R. Mulder Prize at Drew University, which is awarded to the PhD candidate who has written the best comprehensive examinations.

Steven Reagles (English, Communication, Religion) was recently published in Lexington Books (an imprint of Rowman and Littlefield Publishing). His selection is titled “The Equivocal Tao of ‘Nature’” and was included in the book titled Communication and the Global Landscape of Faith.

Matt Riehl (Chemistry) participated in a weeklong National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored workshop by IONiC VIPEr at the University of Michigan in June 2016.

Timothy Schmeling (History, Religion) was recently interviewed by Concordia Publishing House (CPH). The interview focused on a book he edited for CPH titled Lives and Writings of the Great Fathers of the Lutheran Church. The book is available today through the Bethany Lutheran College Bookstore.

Sara Traylor (Nursing) successfully defended her dissertation titled “Multiculturalism in Nursing Education: A Study of Associate Degree Faculty Experiences Incorporating Multiculturalism Within Didactic Nursing Courses” and earned her PhD in Nursing Education in April 2016 from Capella University.

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MAKING THE MOVE Official Move-In Day 2016

Photos by David Norris

A number of faculty, staff, and students helped those arriving move into their rooms.

Ariel Ngongo (second from left) met with new roomate Skylor McClellan (right) as Skylor moved his belongings in.

ACCESS BETHANY MEDIA, INCLUDING PHOTOS, VIDEOS, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND WEBCAST LINKS, AT BLC.EDU/MEDIA-GALLERY

Emily Houle hung up lights to decorate her room.

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Students coming from

ACROSS THE GLOBE

Photo by David Norris

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

From left: Josiah Mamo, Guanrong Chen, and Nadiya Borshch, are part of the growing international student body at Bethany.

International student population growing on campus Bethany Lutheran College has seen significant growth during the past year in our international student numbers. From last year’s numbers, the international group has grown from fourteen to thirty-eight. These students bring with them a variety of terrific ideas and perspectives.

To better meet the needs of our growing international student body, Bethany now also offers an English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

One of the key contributors to the international program is Nicholas Cook. Cook is Bethany’s International Student Recruiter and also teaches Bethany’s ESL courses. Cook answered a few questions about Bethany’s growing international population.

How have international student numbers at Bethany grown in recent years? "Last fall we had 14 F-1 visa students and this fall we have 29. In addition, there are a few students who are non F-1 also studying at Bethany." (An F1 visa is a non-immigration visa for those wishing to study in the U.S.)

What countries are these students from? "Our F-1 visa international students are from Ukraine, Sweden, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, China, Korea, Czech Republic, Latvia, Canada, and Peru. Also, we have students from Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Columbia."

What are some of the unique needs of, and things we do to accommodate, these students? "Getting through the culture shock stage is usually hard on students, and our American students who have studied abroad know what this feels like. They are thrust into a situation with a brand new everything—people, values, worship styles, food, language, concept of time, and class expectations, just to name a few things. One thing we do to help them with this is host a three-week orientation in August before school starts where these topics are all discussed in depth in class and they are also able to form strong bonds within their group to support each other. I have noticed many strong, lasting friendships that began in that class."

Where are we actively recruiting international students? "All over the world, actually, but some countries have better potential than others, based on factors like the economy and whether or not the country provides free higher education through their tax system. China is the country where we actually go to in person for recruitment."

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It's official

NURSING NOW LATEST MAJOR Photos by David Norris

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Director of Nursing Sara Traylor (left) gave tours of the new applied learning laboratory in Honsey Hall to guests at the Open House on September 13, 2016.

Open house held and State of Minnesota approves program Perhaps no one on the Bethany campus was more anxious on August 4, 2016, than Dr. Sara Traylor. That’s because Traylor has been the driving force behind Bethany’s efforts to secure State of Minnesota approval for Bethany’s new nursing program. August 4 was the day the State Board of Nursing met to consider the request for approval.

The request for approval was the culmination of nearly two years of work on the part of Traylor and several others at Bethany. There are two phases to the approval process. Phase One involves creating a document of intent to develop a proposed bachelor of science in nursing program. That first step was approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing in October 2015.

Traylor credits Mankato resident Annette McBeth, whom she described as a “retired” nurse leader in the community, for her tremendous help during the process. “She was my right-hand woman during phase one and orchestrated many meetings with nurse leaders and clinical site contacts,” explained Traylor.

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"We pledge to provide you with a clinical experience that will broaden your horizons and allow you to know the joys of nursing care."

M A R I A N N W I E S B U S CH , V I CE PR E SI D ENT FO R O PER ATI O N S AT TH E LU TH ER A N H OM E A SS O CI ATI O N

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Phase Two involved constructing the actual lab and securing learning equipment as well as creating a curriculum plan with courses, program outcomes, course objectives, and course syllabi; writing a program student handbook; establishing clinical sites, contracts, and schedules; and developing a plan to create a core nursing collection in the College library.

The hard work paid off and prayers were answered when the Minnesota Board of Nursing officially approved Bethany’s bachelor of science in nursing program on Aug 4, 2016.

A celebration of the milestone and an official kick off to the new program was held on September 14, 2016, in the very building where the nursing lab is located and the first nursing classes will be held—Honsey Hall.

Two important community partners in the nursing program at Bethany were present at the event and sent representatives to speak about the future for the program and for potential graduates. One of the speakers was Mariann Wiesbusch, Vice President for Operations at the Lutheran Home Association, Belle Plaine, Minnesota. The Lutheran Home Association will be Bethany’s clinical partner for aging and memory care and developmental disability nursing training.

Wiebusch stated, “We pledge our support to the students who appreciate the chance to learn more and experience the joys of caring for seniors and those with developmental disabilities. We will welcome the Bethany nursing students with open arms. We pledge to provide you with a clinical experience that will broaden your horizons and allow you to know the joys of nursing care.”

Laurie Dahl, Director of Clinical Operations for the Mankato Clinic, also spoke to the attendees at the event. Mankato Clinic is another clinical partner for the nursing program. “Bethany Lutheran College and the Mankato Clinic have historically enjoyed a strong partnership in the Mankato community and we look forward to continuing that tradition, working together through the BSN program. Bethany Lutheran College is an outstanding institution and a pillar in our community that will soon be offering what we are confident will be an exemplary nursing program. The Mankato Clinic is pleased and proud to be partnering with Bethany Lutheran College to not only assist in educating and training their BSN nursing students, but to also employ the future outstanding Bethany registered nursing graduates.“

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Above: Mariann Wiesbusch, Vice President for Operations at the Lutheran Home Association, Belle Plaine, Minnesota.

Left: Laurie Dahl, Director of Clinical Operations for the Mankato Clinic, Mankato, Minnesota.

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ON EDUCATION

Photos by David Norris

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Bethany senior Abigail Wegner taught at Atonement Lutheran School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the summer of 2016 as part of the Center for Urban Teaching.

Center for Urban Teaching helps both students and teachers There is something special happening inside elementary school classrooms throughout inner city Milwaukee during the summertime.

Yes, during the summertime. That’s because grade-school-aged children are learning to succeed academically through work being done by the Center for Urban Teaching. Bethany Lutheran College students participated in the growing program for the first time in 2016.

The Center for Urban Teaching trains prospective teachers to be successful in urban classrooms—a scenario where love for the students is combined with strong classroom management skills.

The Center’s summer program started in 2001 with just three teachers. In 2016 there were 220 teachers-in-training participating in the life-changing experience. Four Bethany Lutheran College students took part in the Center’s summer program in 2016: Ashley Martinson (senior), Kayla Norris (junior), Cassie Schroer (senior), and Abigail Wegner (senior).

Before the student teachers begin in the classroom, they spend two weeks at St. Marcus Lutheran School on Milwaukee’s North Side learning how to succeed in the classroom. After the extensive training, they are assigned to classrooms at other schools in the urban core of 12

Milwaukee. The student teachers instruct both math and reading for four weeks to children in grades K-8.

Dr. Ray Dusseau, a retired professor of education, began The Center for Urban Teaching while he was still teaching at Wisconsin Lutheran Dr. Ray Dusseau College (WLC). Dusseau was motivated to help young teachers succeed after graduation, and to help improve the landscape of urban education in Milwaukee.

“How could we stand by when tens of thousands of students could not read or do math at a proficient level? Schools were majoring in dropouts. We believed then and know now that the teacher is the number one variable in student success,” explained Dusseau.

Dusseau never imagined that urban teaching would have been part of his future while he was growing

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"How could we stand by when tens of thousands of students could not read or do math at a proficient level? Schools were majoring in dropouts. We believed then and know now that the teacher is the number one variable in student success."

D R . R AY D U SS E AU, FO U N D I N G D I R EC TO R CENTER FO R U R BA N TE ACH I N G

Junior Kayla Norris helped a student with a counting project where she taught at Cross Trainers Academy.

up in Nebraska, or even while he was earning his undergraduate degree at Dr. Martin Luther College, or at his first call to a suburban Milwaukee Lutheran elementary school. The outlook changed in 1973 when he moved to an inner city Milwaukee Lutheran elementary school.

“I served as 8th grade teacher and principal in an urban setting. During that time I completed advanced degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University. But God was also putting me through school as I experienced the civil rights struggles that swept across urban America during the seventies. I was totally unaware of how God was getting me ready for future opportunities to serve in the city.”

Dusseau was a professor of education at Wisconsin Lutheran College from 1992 until 2012; it was during this time that the genesis of the Center for Urban Teaching took place.

He explained his vision for the Center, “As a college professor I knew that we were blessed with smart students and the college provided an exemplary program of preparation that was held in high regard by accrediting teams. Nevertheless I could tell that something was missing. Many of our students were from middle class families and they generally came with little or no experience in an urban setting.

Determined to be part of the solution, I launched the Center’s program with the intent to transform education in the city of Milwaukee.”

Dusseau continued, “In 2006, I was granted a semester sabbatical to examine the elements of high performance which led to month-long CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Senior Cassie Schroer greeted a student at St. Marcus Lutheran School. This was a morning routine with each student before they would enter the classroom.

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observations in places like the Bronx in New York City. The time spent in that research resulted in many of the beliefs and strategies that the Center uses today.”

Today, official chapters for the Center for Urban Teaching are found at Bethany Lutheran College, Cardinal Stritch University, Concordia University Wisconsin, Martin Luther College, Marquette University, and Wisconsin Lutheran College. Many of the aspiring teachers come from these schools, but there are participants from dozens of colleges and universities.

“Growth has been an amazing part of the miracle. We are truly blessed.

Remember that in 2001 we started with three students. Remember that in 2009 our first summer school plan involved nine college students that were all from the same college. Now compare that to this past summer when we operated ten summer schools in Milwaukee and hired 220 college students drawn from 41 colleges and universities. That was roughly a 40% growth rate over the year before. Next summer (2017) we have a target of involving 300 college students. And with all of that growth there is a core value that is unchanging, we operate with a spiritual focus that keeps Christ at the center of our purpose and practice. To God be the glory!”

And the program has become a blessing for both the students in the classroom as well as the student teachers. Dusseau says he hears quite often from students who participated in the Center’s program.

“They tell us, ‘I knew that I wanted to teach. Now I have the strategies necessary to move my students to 100% success.’”

“Among the takeaways for our college students who enter urban teaching you will find courage, competence, caring, and consistently high expectations. One principal remarked that all first year teachers get knocked down. Teachers prepared by the Center just get up faster.

Through the experiences that the Center provides, students have a clear vision of what a high performing classroom looks like.”

VIEW AN INTERVIEW WITH THREE BETHANY STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CFUT PROGRAM AT BLC.EDU/CFUT2016 14

A sign in St. Marcus Lutheran School displayed one of many key acronyms emphasized in the different classrooms.

The Bethany Lutheran College students who took part last summer echo similar sentiments. Abigail Wegner explained, “It’s teaching us how to deal with intense situations and be in the moment all the time, making us better teachers and with excellent classroom management.”

Kayla Norris said, “I didn’t know it was going to be this intense… but it’s absolutely amazing and I love it.”

And Cassie Schroer said, “The experience is going to last throughout your entire time teaching, and I feel so much stronger in how I teach.”

When asked how people can support the Center for Urban Teaching, Dr. Dusseau said, “Believing that this outreach ministry is a gift from God will move us first to pray that we remain faithful in our effort and confident that God will bless our urban ministry. We are building a network of support. We need supporters who will share our story, encourage students to consider applying for a summer teaching position, and in some cases assist in connecting us to foundations, corporations and even individuals who would enjoy including this outreach project in their personal gifting program.”

Donor leaves

THE GIFT OF ART Photos by David Norris

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Lester Goetzke had large sculpture collection When Art Westphal (Vice President for Advancement) first met Lester Goetzke nearly fifteen years ago he had no idea of the unique gift that Goetzke would some day leave to Bethany.

Goetzke was the owner of a design and fabrication company that contracted with other companies to produce components and items for a variety of finished products. This position allowed Goetzke to travel the world, and while doing so he was able to build a sizable art collection. He amassed a collection of bronze sculptures, original paintings, and limited edition prints that adorned his modest home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Westphal and Goetzke met often and talked about Bethany Lutheran College, and over the course of those meetings Goetzke came to the decision that the College should some day be the owner of his collection.

When Goetzke passed away in 2012, the process to catalogue the works of art and eventually move them to Mankato began. The task was finally completed in the summer of 2016. The Bethany Lutheran College Art Department planned an exhibit to feature these pieces and show them to the public. The show was the first of the year, and drew curious interest from the campus and the Mankato community.

Just how sizable is the collection? There were 55

bronze sculptures and over 500 paintings and statuettes in the collection, which include works by Marc Chagall and Salvador Dali. There is Western art by Remington and Russell as well as many pieces by Minnesota artists. Many of the larger bronze pieces are now on permanent display on the Bethany Lutheran College campus.

According to an article published in the Maple Grove Magazine in 2011, Goetzke’s favorite piece in the collection was a life-sized bronze titled The Good Book, in which a grandmother reads to her grandchildren from the Bible. Inside the book is a relief of Noah’s Ark with the animals coming two by two.

It was sculpted by Colorado A few of the gifted sculptures during the art artist Mark Lundeen. Today it show held in the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center. sits near the entrance to Bethany’s Memorial Library and Chapel and almost seems as though it was sculpted and planned just for that exact spot.

The author of the article in the Maple Grove Magazine also asked Goetzke why he planned to give the collection away after his passing; his answer explains just exactly why the artwork now has a place on Bethany’s campus.

“We have to get more art into our communities,” said Goetzke. “We have to learn how to relax. There’s so much anger out there. Good art should distract you from your thoughts.”

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Behind the scenes of an interview with senior Joseph Kinstler (right). The series of videos were produced by Bethany alumnus Marcus Taplin (left).

NEW VIDEOS CREATED TO HELP PROMOTE COLLEGE If a picture is worth a thousand words, then perhaps a video is worth ten thousand. Bethany Lutheran College recently produced six new informational/recruitment videos with the intent to tell our unique higher education story to the world.

The response has already been tremendous. Perhaps you’ve already seen the videos somewhere. They’re playing on television, social media, and in movie theaters across southern Minnesota.

If you haven’t seen the videos yet, please take a few minutes to watch them on our website. Share them and help us tell our story about liberal arts college education in a Christian context to new friends and prospective students!

VIEW ALL THE BETHANY PROMOTIONAL VIDEOS ONLINE AT BLC.EDU/BETHANY-VIDEOS

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BLC rated one of the safest campuses in US Bethany Lutheran College has been recognized

by College Choice as one of the nation’s safest campuses. Bethany earned a spot in the top 25, coming in at number 21.

College Choice is an independent online publication dedicated to helping students and their families find the right college. College Choice publishes rankings and reviews that make choosing the best college easier, as well as resources to help students get into, pay for, and thrive at the college of their choice.

According to College Choice, Bethany is ranked highly because the College’s incidents of crime are only of the “non-violent nature.” The article also went on to cite Bethany’s commitment to “thoroughly training our security team, faculty and student staff (RAs, for example) in personal safety,” as well as the College’s efforts to maintain a residential life atmosphere with “responsible leadership and a welcoming atmosphere.”

Bethany’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Ted Manthe, said of the recognition, “We’re very happy to be recognized by College Choice for our efforts to make Bethany a safe and welcoming environment for our students.”

STU D E NT AC TI V ITI E S

OK TO MAKE NOISE ON LIBRARY

GAME NIGHT

Photo by David Norris

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Students and library staff gathered for a recent Game Night that featured a costume contest on October 21.

Library staff brings students together for evening fun Bethany Lutheran College students have a lot of options when it comes to enjoying free time on campus. One of the newer, and more popular events appreciated by BLC students is Game Night in Memorial Library.

The idea for Game Night came about through casual discussion with a library staff member who, with a group of friends, plays board games on a weekly basis. That conversation led to the initial Game Night at BLC. Bethany Director of Library Services, Alyssa Inniger, said, “We knew other academic libraries were featuring game nights as a means of marketing the lighter-hearted resources available through the library, and we thought it would also be a great way for students to interact with library staff in a more informal way. We hoped to combat the stereotypical perception of the stodgy librarian and become more approachable.”

Inniger explained that nearly all of the full-time Memorial Library staff members are part of the planning and execution of Game Night. The Memorial Library staff coordinates the event with the help of various student groups on campus. The student groups bring snacks and the staff provides drinks. It’s a win-win for the student groups and the Library, as it

becomes a good way to spread the word about each student organization and to invite students to the Library for the fun.

The Library also partners with The Dork Den, a local game business.

They contribute several games as well as the expertise to play those games. Inniger said, “It’s a great way to involve both the Bethany and Mankato communities.”

Game Nights are held after regular library hours, usually on Friday nights. This avoids conflicts with students who are studying in the Library.

Game Nights begin with a quick introduction by the library staff. The participating student organization gives a brief overview of their group, and The Dork Den also does a quick introduction for their business including the weekly events they host. After the brief presentations, the students pick out new or familiar games and play for about two hours.

Game Nights started last year with about twenty students each night.

For a recent Game Night, there were nearly forty students in attendance.

“We’re starting to see a group of regulars who just love to play games as well as new students who are looking for something fun and social to do on a Friday night,” said Inniger.

Inniger believes the Game Nights have led to other interactions with students as well. “We have our own collection of board games, and because of that our Game Nights have seen a significant increase in students using and requesting both fun and academic resources. We have been able to develop more personal relationships with students and have become a more diverse resource for them.”

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E M A F F n o O i t c L n i L t s i A D H f o C m I a T e T E L d an ATH

Members of the 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame (from left) were Donald Henderson, Amy Edmonds, George Davis, and Dan Prehn.

Four new individual members were added to the Bethany Lutheran College Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the second “Team of Distinction” at the annual Hall of Fame induction event held in September 2016.

George Davis played basketball from 1966-68 under coaches Bruno Wilinski and Ron Younge. Among his many Bethany highlights was a career-high 36-point game against Austin in December 1967. Davis also played baseball during the 1967 season. Throughout his 40-year high school basketball coaching career in Indiana at Kouts and Southmont High Schools (a Hall of Fame member at both), he was actively involved in Bethany Basketball Camps and helped recruit many players to Bethany. His high school coaching record was 247-68 (101-19 in conference play), twice earning Northwest Indiana Coach of the Year honors.

Amy (Sauter) Edmonds was a vital part of the Bethany volleyball, basketball, and softball teams from 1996-98.

Edmonds was named to the 1996 NJCAA All-Region XIII volleyball team as a setter and hitter for the Vikings. In basketball, she was selected to the 1997 Kodak All-American Honorable Mention team. After Bethany, Edmonds attended Huron University (South Dakota), where she was an NAIA Academic All-American in both volleyball and softball.

Donald Henderson was a member of the Bethany men’s basketball teams from 1981-83, playing both guard and forward for the Vikings. During his freshman season, he was a first-team All-MCCC and NJCAA All-Region XIII pick along with 18

being an NJCAA All-American selection leading the Vikings in scoring (25 ppg), assists, and steals per game while finishing second on the team in rebounds. He also led Bethany in all four categories as a sophomore, averaging 22 points per game.

Dan Prehn was a member of the Bethany baseball team from 1993-95. In both seasons, he was second-team NJCAA All-American, All-MCCC, and NJCAA All-Region XIII selection.

In addition, Prehn broke several Viking pitching records including single-season and career marks for strikeouts (66 and 67 for a total of 133), finishing in the top ten of the country for strikeouts per inning each campaign. Prehn went on to play at Iowa State after Bethany, and was the Cyclones’ Most Valuable Pitcher in 1996.

The 1973 Men’s Soccer team is the recipient of the 2016 Team of Distinction award. The squad, coached by Mike Butterfield, finished with a 15-1 record and placed third in the NJCAA National Tournament. The Vikings defeated Monroe Community College of Rochester, New York, in the third-place contest after falling to Florissant Valley of St. Louis in the national semifinals in Miami.

This group of four individual inductees joined 32 current members in the Hall of Fame. The Team of Distinction was honored at the same event as part of Bethany’s Fall Festival Weekend.

This year's Team of Distinction went to the 1973 Men's Soccer team, which placed third in the NJCAA National Tournament.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO FROM THE EVENT ONLINE AT BLCVIKINGS.COM/HOF

B E TH A N Y Magazine

ATH LE TI CS

FRESH FACES FOR ATHLETIC TEAMS THE BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

welcomed three new coaches for the 2016-17 academic year. Each of these coaches bring with them impressive resumes and a commitment to Division III athletics.

Jill Bailey joined the staff as the new men’s and women’s tennis coach.

A native of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, Bailey has been either a head or assistant coach for both boys and girls high school tennis teams in southern Minnesota for the past nine years in addition to teaching at the middle school level. Bailey played collegiate tennis at Gustavus Adolphus College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She also earned a master’s in teaching and learning from St. Mary’s University.

“Jill’s enthusiasm and passion for tennis is immediately evident and she is excited to bring that to the collegiate level as a coach in competition and practice,” noted Westphal.

Matt Fletcher is the new head men’s basketball coach. Fletcher comes to Bethany after spending the last three seasons at Upper Iowa University (NCAA II) as the associate head coach (2015-16) and an assistant for two seasons (2013-15).

Prior to his time at Upper Iowa, Fletcher was an assistant at Kentucky Wesleyan College, helping the Panthers to a 23-8 record overall and an appearance in the NCAA II Midwest Region Championship game.

He started his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at NCAA III

JILL BAILEY

MATT FLETCHER

DAN NESSLER

Concordia College (Moorhead, Minn.) and has also coached at the high school level.

“We are excited that Matt Fletcher has joined our staff to lead the men’s basketball program,” said Don Westphal, Director of Athletics. “Matt comes to Bethany with high accolades from numerous college coaches representing many Division II and III conferences in the Upper Midwest. He is a motivated coach and diligent recruiter. We look forward to his leadership of the Viking men’s basketball team for years to come.”

Dan Nessler is the new women’s softball coach.

Nessler comes to the Vikings with a decorated resume as a fastpitch player and coach over the past thirty-plus years.

A 2009 inductee in the International Softball Congress (ISC) Hall of Fame, Nessler has played on three ISC World Championship teams with Penn Corp., while being named to the All-World Tournament team four times. Nessler also played in four United States Olympic Festivals. Locally, the St. James, Minnesota, native was a mainstay with Happy Chef fastpitch softball teams for 14 years in the 1980s and 90s.

Nessler is an Amateur Softball Association (ASA) ACE certified coach; he has lead both Mankato Peppers and Mints girls teams for many seasons. His 2013 and 2015 ASA 18U Boys teams won a national championship, and he’s been an assistant coach for the 2015 and ‘16 ASA/USA men’s 19U softball teams that have played internationally.

“Dan Nessler’s name has been associated with an exceptionally high quality of softball for many years on both a local and national level. He brings not only a vast knowledge of softball to our program, but his passion for the game is even more engaging,” said Westphal.

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SERVICE THAT'S

All About Learning Photo courtesy of Agnesian HealthCare

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Dr. Darold Treffert by the entrance to Treffert Center, a service of Agnesian HealthCare.

“The challenge is how to tap into the potential and hidden talent within all of us. This is what we are trying to do at the Treffert Center by taking a strength-based approach to child care, as well as our assessments and treatments.”

DA R O LD TR E FFE R T, M D ( AG N E SI A N H E A LTH C A R E N E W S)

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Dr. Darold Treffert, the 2012 recipient of the Bethany Lutheran College Distinguished Alumnus Award, was recently honored with the naming of the Treffert Center in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, which is a destination for families of autistic children and individuals with savant syndrome.

Treffert earned his associate in arts degree in 1953 from Bethany where he focused on pre-medical courses. He received his medical doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1958.

The Treffert Center is a facility of Agnesian HealthCare in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Dr. Treffert has worked closely with Agnesian for more than forty years. He is a world-renowned autism and savant syndrome expert and has been studying savant syndrome for more than fifty years. Treffert has authored several well-known books and over fifty journal articles about savant syndrome and lectures internationally on the subject. He has made appearances on numerous television and news programs and interviewed for various news publications. Dr. Treffert was a consultant to the movie Rain Man, in which Dustin Hoffman portrays an autistic savant.

The Treffert Center’s objective is to be a place to share information and materials with other researchers worldwide.

The Treffert Center features the Treffert Library, Treffert Academy, and Agnesian Autism, Behavior and Communication Center (AABCC). The Center is expected to attract patients from across the Midwest and beyond.

B E TH A N Y Magazine

According to Agnesian HealthCare, “The Treffert Library features the life works of Dr. Treffert, helping to foster research and knowledge across the autism and savant syndrome spectrum and other forms of exceptional brain performance. The library offers a unique worldwide collection of past research materials on autism, savant syndrome, and hyperlexia and related conditions, and a present day center to continue ongoing research projects.”

Treffert Academy is a preschool designed to “teach to the talent and strengths” of those children who attend. The Academy provides a preschool and afterschool experience designed to provide a foundation for a strong mind, body, and spirit based on early education focused on play, movement, self-regulation and social understanding. It gives children ages three to twelve the opportunity to gain the skills and experience to reach their full potential and enter school ready to learn.

The Agnesian Autism, Behavior and Communication Center (AABCC) provides state-of the-art comprehensive, multidisciplinary diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of behavior and communication disorders, including autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adults.

Dr. Treffert’s interest in the subject arose as a result of establishing a children’s unit at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he was superintendent for fifteen years. It was during this experience that three patients caught his attention. Fascinated by these children’s capabilities, he found a life calling researching and helping the world understand autistic savants.

Dr. Treffert is the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions and is the Past-President and Chairman of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Marian University.

When he was selected as the Bethany Lutheran College Distinguished Alumnus in 2012, Treffert credited his Bethany education for a great deal of his successes. He specifically notes that he is appreciative of receiving a Christ-centered education.

He considers it a blessing to be able to utilize his God-given talents to help autistic savants. Additionally, Dr. Treffert is thankful to have met his wife of sixty-one years, Dorothy, in the cafeteria line in Bethany’s Old Main. The Trefferts have four children and seven grandchildren.

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Jean and Richard Wiechmann

WIECHMANN HONORED AS OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZEN OF LESUEUR COUNTY Reverend Richard Wiechmann, who once worked both in the admissions and advancement offices at Bethany Lutheran College, was recently named the Outstanding Senior Citizen of Le Sueur County (Minnesota). Wiechmann, who spent twenty years on the Bethany Lutheran College campus, received the special honor at the Le Sueur County Fair on Sunday, August 21, 2016.

Wiechmann is active in a variety of community service endeavors. He serves in a voluntary capacity as the Vice President of the Le Sueur County Chapter of Thrivent Financial. He also held a similar position in Mankato for several years. His work with Thrivent allows him to help others through monetary grants provided by Thrivent Financial. Wiechmann helps Thrivent to determine need and to distribute funding for a variety of situations from personal tragedies to needs in local communities.

Thrivent describes themselves as an organization which “Creates financial strategies that help Christians be wise with money and live generously.”

In addition to his work with Thrivent, Wiechmann volunteers his time at the Elysian Area Library and Heritage Center, where he works on the landscape and beautification projects, writes grants, and organizes the annual book sale. He also helps take care of the Elysian community gardens. And finally, he finds time to set space assignments and distribute excess produce to the local food shelf.

Wiechmann, and his wife Jean, who was Bethany’s registrar for many years, are both retired and spend time both at their home in Elysian, Minnesota, and a winter residence in Florida.

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GRADUATING IN FOUR YEARS

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

D ECE M B ER 20 1 6

Another way to consider what happens at colleges and the odds of earning a degree is by looking at the actual graduation rate. This measure looks at a group or cohort of entering students and considers how many of them have stayed at that institution and earned their degree. (Unlike with the completion rate for graduates, students who leave a college either to transfer or to stop being in school would lower the four-year graduation rate.)

Jeff Younge, Bethany’s Director of Financial Aid, explained, “When I’m visiting with prospective students and parents, the graduation rate question comes up frequently. What is more applicable, and perhaps the better question to consider, is the completion rate, which I think is really what parents are looking for, and is a good indicator that if a student comes to Bethany with a plan, they most certainly can complete their degree in four years or less.”

Completing a program in four years allows students to move on sooner to begin careers and go on to earn additional degrees. But finishing in four years also matters because it helps families control their costs. The consequences of taking longer aren’t just about the extra tuition. You have to consider the so-called “opportunity cost” too; that’s the income a student doesn’t have a chance to earn while they’re still working on that degree.

CO N T R I B U TO R S: J E FF YO U N G E , D I R EC TO R O F FI N A N CI A L A I D, A N D J O H N M A N N I N G , M I N N E S OTA PR I VAT E CO LLEG E CO U N CI L

Earning a bachelor’s degree in four years is the goal for students and their families. But that timeframe is often not met, with consequences in terms of extra costs and lost earnings. New data analysis highlights how enrolling at a private college in Minnesota, including Bethany Lutheran College, increases the odds of meeting the four-year goal.

Start with all the people who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Minnesota and consider those who did so in four years at the same institution. That’s what we’re measuring with the four-year completion rate for graduates.

A study released in early 2016 looked at degree earners at the seventeen private colleges that are members of the Minnesota Private College Council. The share who graduated in four years was 87%.

Bethany’s four-year completion rate was slightly lower than the MPCC average but still stood at 79% for our 2015-16 graduates, and it was 81% for 2014-15 graduates.

So why do graduates from private colleges such as Bethany do so well at actually completing their degrees in four years? With smaller enrollments and a focus on smaller classes, students receive more personal attention at private colleges.

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TIPS FOR GRADUATING IN FOUR YEARS: 1 Take some courses in high school that can be used

for credit in college. (AP, Dual Enrollment, PSEO, etc.) Bethany now offers this option for high school students through our Dual Credit program.

2 Enroll in 16 credits or more per semester while in

college. BLC encourages this by offering banded tuition, in which a student is charged the same tuition in the 12-18 credit range.

3 Decide on a field of study prior to sophomore year of college, to ensure you’re enrolled in the courses required for your degree.

4 Work closely with your Bethany Academic Advisor and the Registrar when deciding on a major and choosing courses to ensure a straight path to graduation.

B E TH A N Y Magazine

CA M PU S N E WS

PASSING ON THE

Write stuff Photo by David Norris

BY A N G I E J O H N S O N • EN G LI S H

Ada (Stokes) Jeppeson during a visit to the Writing Center in Honsey Hall named after her.

Writing Center was important addition for Jeppeson Ada (Stokes) Jeppeson left the Midwest for sunny California decades ago. She and her late husband, Paul, both taught in California public schools until their retirements. Ada enjoyed a productive and satisfying career as a teacher and was recognized as the Los Angeles County teacher of the year.

Jeppeson graduated from Bethany Lutheran College at the top of her class. During her time at the College, she wrote for The Scroll, served on the student activities committee, served as the student body secretary, and worked as the editor-in-chief for the Fidelis yearbook.

For Jeppeson, writing was a way of life. While she was a student at Bethany, in order to generate ideas, she and her friends met on the campus lawn, in the library, and in the dining hall. Together, they helped one another become better writers and thinkers.

Jeppeson remembers thinking to herself how nice it would have been to have a space set aside to talk about writing. Six decades later, after a successful

career as an educator, Jeppeson took it upon herself to give the students at Bethany what she and her friends didn’t have: a writing center. What a blessing! Thanks to her generosity, the tutors at the Center help Bethany students take their writing to the next level.

During the academic year, the Ada Stokes Writing Center is open Monday through Thursday from 7–10 p.m. It is located in Honsey Hall, Room 217, where students can find support during any part of the writing process: understanding writing assignments, prewriting, drafting, revising, and learning techniques for self-editing.

Despite what some may think, the Center isn’t restricted to English majors. Students who visit the Center come from a variety of departments, such as history, math, business, and science. Student tutors in the Center have the pleasure of reading academic essays and provide help with short stories, resumes, cover letters, scholarship essays, and graduate applications. And they’re hungry for more!

The Ada Stokes Writing Resource Center is a wonderful blessing and gift to the campus. Other rooms and centers also require funding to become fully operational. If you are interested in helping strengthen the academic experience at Bethany Lutheran College please contact Art Westphal in the Advancement Office at 507-344-7375.

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A LUM N I

from our

alumni 1960s

p On May 17, 2016, Donna (Fredrickson ‘60) Fowler of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Evelyn (Schlomer ’60) Taus of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Vivian (Unseth ’60) Weseloh of Watertown, South Dakota, met for lunch at the home of Kären and Tom Luecke (’63) in West Bend, Wisconsin. Kären and Tom were gracious luncheon hosts, and the four alumnae had an enjoyable visit.

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1980s

2000s

Sarah M. Garcia (’81) continues as principal at St. James Lutheran School in Northrop, Minnesota. The school received smoke and water damage from a fire on March 30 that completely destroyed the sanctuary. Sarah would like to thank those of you that reached out and donated to the rebuilding of the church and school.

Marty Matthews (’81) is the new business manager for S. Abraham Sons, Inc, in charge of Milwaukee and Chicago areas.

Mark Davidson (’01) graduated Summa Cum Laude with his master’s degree in accounting and auditing from Kaplan University-Chicago, Illinois, on June 25, 2016. He is now the corporate controller with Medico Mart, a pharmaceutical company in Waukesha, Wisconsin, leaving his current position as accountant for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod after 13 years. Mark continues his music ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church ( WELS), Waukesha, Wisconsin, serving as Minister of Music. He is also a member of the Hymnody Committee that is in charge of helping determine the hymnody that will be included in the new WELS Hymnal, due to be finished sometime in 2021.

p John (’84) and Kari (Paap ’84) Sehloff traveled to Alaska in the summer of 2016 with their family. This completed a visit to all 50 states for Kari. Pictured from left are Kari, John, Johanna (’13), Jonathan (currently enrolled at BLC), Katie (currently enrolled at BLC), and Jason (’12).

1990s p Members of the high school class of ‘61 enjoyed a nice dinner on campus Saturday, September 17, during Fall Festival weekend while they celebrated their 55th reunion. Plans are already being made for their 60th in 2021.

Pictured from left: Ernie Lillo, Marge (Otto) Lillo, Fran (McCarthy) Schultz, Mel Parker, Marlene (Zimmerman) Kackmann, Dennis Minor, Ruth (Tweit) Smith, Mike Sponberg, and Dale Anderson.

From Michael Shep ('69): "My wife Cindy and I recently made a trip to the Galapagos Islands where we met another couple. About the second day while having dinner with Jeff and Becky, we started talking about where we went to school and when I mentioned Bethany, his jaw dropped because he went to Bethany a year after I did. Talk about a small world. A great couple Jeff Obrecht and Becky Parrish, and new friends."

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Beth (Griffin '92) Riesinger recently moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where her husband Ryan is the executive director at the Grand Forks International Airport. Ryan moved to North Dakota in January while she stayed in Michigan so the kids could finish school. They are happy to be reunited as a family after living apart for six months. Beth continues to enjoy being a full-time mom to Brandon, 12, and Anna, 9, and also looks forward to exploring the beauty of the Dakotas.

Missy (Westphal ‘96) and Tom Heisenfelt had a baby boy on May 25, 2016. William Henry weighed 6 lbs. 9 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. Proud grandparents are Art (‘70) and Terri (Severson ‘71) Westphal. Proud aunties and uncle are Liz (Westphal ‘01) Harrison and Juli (Westphal ‘95) and Ryan Freeberg (‘96).

p Aaron (’02) and Djemelyn Ferkenstad welcomed their daughter Charlotte to their family on June 2, 2016. Their son Adam turned four in June and is a big help with his new baby sister. In July, the family moved to Frankenmuth, Michigan, where Aaron will serve as a vicar at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They are very excited for their move and for exploring a fantastic new town.

p Becky (Breitbarth ‘08) Rogness and her husband, Noah, celebrated the birth of their

B E TH A N Y Magazine

son, Samson Ray Rogness, on January 7. In July, they moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, for Noah to became Associate Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Fergus Falls. Becky continues to run Rogness Communications LLC. John Dvorak (’09) and DeeDee Arnold were married on May 7, 2016, at Bloomington Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. John enters his sixth season at the Minnesota Vikings in ticket sales, and DeeDee is in her final year of the DPT program at Concordia University, St. Paul. They reside in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Rev. P aul (‘09) and Marta (Krause ‘13) Webber of West Jordan, Ut ah, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, James. Pastor and Mrs. Webber are pictured with James and their other children, John (4) and Helen (1).

Lindsey (Kahle '09) and Mike Trahms announce the birth of their twin sons, Caden Michael and Mason Michael born August 2 2 , 201 6 . C a d e n weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and Mason weighed 7 lbs. 6oz. They reside in Janesville, Minnesota.

2010s Elyce Darcy (Jaeger ‘11) and her husband, Brandon, celebrated the birth of their daughter Eleanora Marie Elizabeth Darcy.

She was born September 16, 2015, measuring at 8 pounds 1 ounce and 22 inches long.

A LUM N I

Kristin Matzke (’11) now works for Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, Minnesota, as the Mission Advancement Assistant.

Alyssa Gratz (‘14) recently married Foster Graif in Mankato on Friday, June 10, 2016. Alyssa and Foster have moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota, where Alyssa is currently working as an account executive at Bridgewater Bank and acting in the local theatre scene. Foster is working on his PhD in mathematics education at the University of Minnesota.

Paige Taylor (‘14) and Garrett Benson (‘13) were married on the Mississippi River on September 5, 2015, in Fridley, Minnesota.

They currently live in Rochester, Minnesota, where Garrett is a financial representative for the Mayo medical lab and Paige works at the Zumbro Valley Health Center.

Joel Ulrich ('15) and Lindsey Kamleiter ('16) were m ar r ie d on September 17, 2016, at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, Minnesota. Joel is employed by STEELE Fitness in Wayzata and Lindsey is employed by Health Source Solutions in the West Metro area. Joel and Lindsey live in Burnsville, Minnesota.

In Memoriam

Dr. Lowell A. Schoer, 85, of Iowa City went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 21, 2016. He graduated from Bethany Lutheran

College with a 3-year teaching certificate in 1952 and met his wife of 62 years, Corinne L. Hoefker, on campus. Lowell was a talented musician who played in the college band and sang in the choir, and was an exceptional athlete playing basketball and baseball at Bethany. He is survived by his wife, Corinne, four adult children, and eight grandchildren.

David J. Modene, 81, of Perrysburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 27, 2015, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Per r ysburg. David earned an associate’s degree at Bethany Lutheran College in 1957, and continued his education to receive bachelor’s degrees in history and economics from the University of Minnesota. He married Judith A. Wold on February 2, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. David was a general agent for Aid Association for Lutherans, where he received numerous awards. He retired in 1999 after over 30 years of service. Memorial contributions were directed to Bethany Lutheran College.

James Arthur Holte (‘68) was born on November 30, 1948, in Mankato, Minnesota.

He attended Bethany Lutheran College where he met his wife Karen (Thomsen ’69 – pictured together). In their 46 years of marriage they raised three children: Rebecca, Zachary, and Anna, welcomed two through marriage, and loved on five grandchildren. He worked for many years at Carlson Craft as a printer. Jim recently retired and was enjoying spending time with his family, gardening, woodworking, boating, and working part time at Gander Mountain. He was an active member at Peace Lutheran Church of North Mankato. His last week was spent loving on his newest granddaughter and enjoying time with her family in Ecuador. He died peacefully on Sunday, July 31, 2016.

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A LUM N I

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Bethany mug shot A group of alumnae got together in Mankato the weekend October 21-23 and sported their new Bethany mugs. Pictured are (from left): Emily (Trier '76) Faugstad, Connie (Warrant '76) Gullixson, Connie (Kjenslee '77) Meyer, Annette (Carlson '76) Swedberg, Julie (Sorenson '77) Faugstad, Terry (Giese '76) Alberts, and Kate (Overn '76) Taylor.

Passing the time At her 20-year Bethany reunion in 2004, Diane Krszjaniek took a photo of her daughters, Emma and Kiana, in front of Meyer Hall. Some twelve years later, she asked them to pose in virtually the same spot on move-in day 2016, as they are both now attending Bethany.

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B E TH A N Y Magazine

Bethany

retrospect

Remembering a campus moment from years gone by.

Computer programming in fall of 1982.

Do you recognize anyone from this photo (or what kind of computers these were)?

Send your response to editor@blc.edu.

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