Bethel College Collegian, March 2022, Vol. 110, Issue 9

THE

COLLEGIAN Friday, March 4, 2022 | Volume 110, Issue 9 | North Newton, KS

Groups of siblings, friends and partners participate in the game show themed SAC event, “So you think you know me?” Photo by Lindsey Pfannenstiel

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URICA grant open for applicants

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Editorial: Reflecting on a “Christian” college

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Bright Star cast preps for production

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Track and field conclude indoor season

Recitals performed by upperclassmen

2 NEWS

URICA committee prepares to accept applicants LOGAN DEMOND Staff Writer

URICA grant applications are open until April 12, 2022 and members of the specially appointed URICA committee will soon be sending out more information on application requirements.

First, however, after an entirely online symposium last year, students may be unaware of the opportunities presented by the grant.

First and foremost, it is important to understand what URICA stands for: the Undergraduate Research Internships and Creative Activity.

URICA is a grant that provides students with funds to complete their research projects usually of a significance size and scope.

In the past, URICA grants have been used primarily for senior research projects, but they are not specifically set aside for such projects.

Students who receive the grant are given $1,000 to help cover the costs of equipment, reading materials, travel expenses, monetary compensation in place of a summer job and other researchrelated needs.

While several past recipients have conducted STEM-related research, all majors are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Students are not the only ones who benefit from URICA grants.

The department for which the student is conducting research receives $300 for each winning researcher, offering an incentive for department chairs to

encourage their students to apply.

Sandy Dao, senior from Salina and a 2021 recipient, highlighted her URICA experience.

“I’m very thankful for URICA’s help in my research as well as the money it contributed to the biology department. I encourage other students, of all majors, to apply to help with finances. Research takes up a lot of time, and this is just one less thing to worry about during the school year,” Dao said.

While the application process can be stressful, students are encouraged to speak with an advisor who can guide them through the process prior to completing their application.

Annie Carlson, senior from Freeman, S.D., offered a pro-tip while applying for this prestigious grant.

“The application is fairly easy to complete. I would advise applicants to figure the costs necessary to complete their research ahead of time and discuss that in their application. This will give you a leg up in the selection process,” Carlson said.

Carlson also appreciated the pivotal role her advisor, Francisca MendezHarclerode, professor of biology, played in this process.

“Working with my advisor was Fran-tastic. Fran was always helpful, encouraging me to come up with ideas of my own but offering help when needed,” Carlson said.

Applications should be sent to Professor Sarah Masem, interim chair of the nursing department. While Masem’s comments were brief, she assured

The Collegian that more information regarding this year’s URICA grant is on its way.

While the URICA grant is highly competitive, it is awarded to a handful of students each year. Recipients are then expected to present at the URICA Symposium in the spring, as well as the

special URICA Convocation in the fall, to discuss their research.

For students completing or looking to complete research projects and are interested in applying, be on the lookout for future emails from the committee.

Cassie Voth and Elizabeth Ratzlaff, 2019 Bethel graduates, were both recipients of the URICA grant and presented alongside each other at the last in-person URICA Symposium in April of 2019. They are pictured above with their Thresher Awards, to which their URICA projects contributed Photo courtesy of The Thresher

SGA met on Sunday, February 20 in the chapel. The Senate of the Student Government Association voted on the following: • Bill to Approve the Formation of the Bethel Barbecue Club - Approved • Bill to Appoint Sebastian Formento to the Position of At Large Senator - Approved The next meeting will be held on Sunday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel and students are invited and encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns or ideas regarding anything you think SGA should address, please feel free to reach out to any SGA member or send comments to sga@bethelks.edu or through the website, bethelsga.wordpress.com

NEWS 3

EAC’s president Loganbill reflects, updates the club

BRETT ESCH Staff Writer

Mia Loganbill, senior from Hesston, has served as the president of Bethel’s Environmental Action Club (EAC) since her sophomore year.

In that time, the EAC has transformed the Thresher experience. Even as Loganbill departs and leadership changes hands for the first time since 2019, there’s still plenty of work to be done.

“I was a member of EAC my freshman year, then took over as president my sophomore year and have served in that position since then,” Loganbill said.

She listed the projects EAC has undertaken since she stepped into the role of president, including hosting the Earth Day Celebration, the annual Plant Sale and the Clothing Swap, which consisted of students ‘thrifting’ clothes from one another as opposed to buying all new garments.

“Providing the Caf with eco-friendly products … is probably what I’m most proud of during my time as president. Last year, when to-go meals became popular, and at times mandatory, the school went through lots of styrofoam boxes and plastic utensils. I worked with the SGA to write a bill to pay for the upcharge the Caf would need to switch from the cheaper, styrofoam/plastic items to eco-friendly, biodegradable items,” Loganbill said.

At the moment, EAC is still undergoing a number of projects to further assist Bethel’s campus in its pursuit of being eco-friendly, even as changes in leadership begin to take place.

“One project I am excited about is headed by [club] member Tanner Wallace,” Loganbill said.

Much of what EAC accomplishes is due to the work of other members within the organization, outside of leadership.

“He has an initiative to begin planting more trees on campus. He created a map

of campus and marked many spots where trees could be planted, with the goal of planting a few every year. This project will hopefully start this spring,” Loganbill said.

Loganbill also acknowledges the longstanding attention to Bethel’s recycling system. That is another area where she’s hoping EAC can leave its everlasting mark.

“We’re … working on ways to improve recycling on campus,” Loganbill said.

However, as with any project, EAC has run into a few roadblocks.

“It’s proved to be pretty difficult so far, because the main problem is students not using the systems correctly – such as throwing trash in recycling bins and not sorting it correctly. So the first step needs to be making the recycling systems more accessible and teaching students how to utilize the resource correctly,” Loganbill said.

As Loganbill’s time as EAC president

comes to a close in correlation with the spring semester, her work has not gone unnoticed.

“I think the EAC has done some wonderful work since I’ve been here at Bethel. Mia [has been] a great leader and has had a very clear vision for her organization,” Student Government Association President Thomas Kucera, senior from Wichita, said.

“I would like to see EAC continue to be an active, long-lasting club on campus for generations to come. The club is still relatively young, so I hope there can be enough motivated and passionate members to keep it going. I would love to come back for Fall Fest or a volleyball game in 15 years as an alumni and see EAC’s presence on campus,” Loganbill said.

For more information on the Environmental Action Club and how to join, talk to or contact Loganbill or another member of the club via email.

Conflict in Ukraine addressed by campus peacemakers JOSUE COY DICK Staff Writer

On Thursday, January 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, the most recent development in a long-standing conflict dating back to the Cold War, the breakup of the Soviet Union and earlier antagonisms.

People around the world are expressing their outrage and sympathy in various ways, including protests in Russia, the Polish and Czech national soccer teams’ refusal to play World Cup qualifying matches against Russia and the Red Cross organization’s increase in donations.

The event’s world-altering nature and far-reaching impacts have created unease among communities, even halfway across the world at Bethel.

Sheryl Wilson, director of the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR), located on Bethel’s campus, has a few tips for panicking community

members.

“Keep a cool head. There are ways that we can help, by drawing people to reach out in ways that feel safe, in order to have conversations around what they might be feeling,” Wilson said.

Michael Unruh, Bethel campus pastor, expressed that events like these are challenging for him as a Christian peacemaker.

“When you get on to the world stage, at least for someone like me, who grew up Mennonite, it is pretty easy to say, hey I’m against war in any form… but when you get into a situation like this, if you engage it, it really forces you to think, what is the response of a peacemaker in this situation? And it feels that there is a lot of gray area,” said Unruh.

Wilson believes conversations where people feel safe are essential while processing this situation.

“Many people struggle with what to do during times like this. [People don’t] always want to talk about it but I think

that is part of the challenge… A place like KIPCOR can offer space for people to have those [difficult] conversations in a safe space. As facilitators we are trained to be in community with people during times like these so that they have safe space to have conversation,” said Wilson.

Pastor Unruh hopes that through these conversations and prayers, there may be an opportunity for Bethel to join together on this issue as a campus.

“This feels like a big moment. Given all the religious diversity we have on campus, it could be easier to come to a consensus, that what is happening in Ukraine shouldn’t be happening. I think there could be a coming together of the community for a time of prayer, or a time of continuing to keep this on the minds of the community,” said Unruh.

Natalie Graber, a senior natural sciences and psychology major and a student chaplain from Divide, Colo., hopes this can be an opportunity for those at Bethel to educate themselves.

“The first step we at Bethel should take is to recognize these patterns of violence in the face of conflict… [and] bring attention to the cycles of conflict and sometimes violence that we experience even here,” Graber said.

Both Graber and Pastor Unruh articulated the importance of providing support to people caught in the crossfire, and of learning and practicing peacebuilding.

“We can start to practice more peaceful means of conflict resolution, send relief aid to those who may be displaced from the conflict, send verbal messages of support, and support them financially,” said Graber.

If students are interested in engaging with peacemaking on campus, both Campus Ministries and KIPCOR are available and can be contacted through Wilson and Unruh.

4 EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL As a “Christian” college, are we doing enough? ourselves a Christian college.

Last semester, during Convocation, we were presented with a Faith Formation series. While Dr. Gering and Dr. Milliman did a fine job of bringing folks in to speak, there was a lack of student buy-in and, quite frankly, not many cared about the presentations.

While this is just an observation, and I am sure some people did benefit from them in the moment (myself included), I don’t believe it changed any actions or behaviors on campus.

The other week, Woven and Open Road performed at a church where Hesston College’s president spoke during the service. He posed the question, “As a Christian college, a Mennonite college, are we doing enough?” Through his message he prompted questions like: What right does Hesston have to call itself a Mennonite college? What actions LIZ ALDERFER Opinions Editor set them apart? These questions can be directly applied to Bethel too.

What makes Bethel distinct from Here’s another way to think about it: other colleges? Is it because we are a Is claiming to be a Mennonite, Christian relatively small campus? The fact we are a college still accurate? liberal arts institution?

Now I recognize we Our athletic or fine are a college and there arts programs? will undoubtedly be Perhaps one behavior that isn’t reason Bethel stands reflective of a Christian “I urge you to think of out is because it lifestyle but I do think what we can do as a is perceived as a there are ways we could Christian college. community to bring each do better.

I wonder how COVID, for other closer to Christ many students came instance, has amplified rather than pushing to Bethel, or took it this by dividing believers away.” into consideration, the student body, because of its faculty, staff and the Mennonite heritage community through or because it guidelines on masks, is “Christian vaccines and everyone’s affiliated.” opinion toward such matters.

I’m curious if we, as a community, I also want to highlight the fact there could do better to hold ourselves to a are professors, and students, out there who higher standard if we are going to call strongly believe Bethel is a school founded

on Mennonite and Christian standards. consider ways you could incorporate So, if that is the case, why don’t we hear Christian values into the classroom, not about it in more classes than required just “social justice” ideals.

If you are a student, religion courses and the you may consider repertoire of choir volunteering at a music we perform.

Summer camp, It appears regardless of the Bethel is more “My main point is to bring denomination you focused on being an awareness to the fact adhere to. Or maybe inclusive campus that if Bethel is going to it means just going than incorporating to church on Sunday elements like sharing have an umbrella clause or joining a Bible the Gospel or sharing and label themselves study on campus or testimonies with one Christian to prospective at a local church. It another. and attending students, doesn’t take much to On the main show Christ’s love to website it claims to then they need to live up others. We can all be provide a “Progressive to it.” friendly and love our Christian liberal arts neighbors through education” and lists kindness and the “conflict resolution integrity of everyday and peace and social interactions. justice, skills necessary My main point is to bring awareness to succeed in today’s global climate” as to the fact that if Bethel is going to have main attributes of the college.

Notice how God was not mentioned an umbrella clause and label themselves Christian to prospective and attending there at all?

Other colleges have chapel in place students, then they need to live up to it.

If they can’t do that, maybe we should of Convocation and require students sign agreements to hold themselves to a high think about what it truly means to us or standard and create accountability. When drop it all together.

As a student, it’s frustrating at times I hear of those things, I can’t help but think we can do better. We can help each to say I go to a Christian school and have other grow, not only academically, but so many examples of how it doesn’t meet that standard. I can also say I have seen spiritually.

How, you may ask? There are so many friends go into college at Bethel with strong opportunities. We all participate in Service faith and leave questioning it or without Day in the fall. How about we add another faith at all. With that said, I urge you to one in the spring semester and continue to think of what we can do as a community serve those around us. There are volunteer to bring each other closer to Christ rather opportunities at the MCC center, the Et than pushing believers away.

Cetera shop and opportunities to plug into other Mennonite organizations around town. Since we claim to be Mennonite, Liz Alderfer is a junior elementary education let’s support those organizations as best major. She is also the Opinion Editor for the Bethel Collegian. we can.

If you are a professor reading this,

THRESHPECTIVE 5

THRESPECTIVES Should the enrollment process be reformed?

Advisory roles and standards are critical February is arguably the most stressful time of the semester for Bethel College students, excluding finals week. Not only is LOGAN DEMOND it time to figure Staff Writer out who to live with the following year in preparation for the Housing Lottery— which is always a bungled process—but it’s time to think about classes for the following year, as well.

I can’t speak for everyone, but at this point in the semester I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing now, let alone the next year. Swimming in deadlines and preparing for midterm exams, February has crept up on me every year.

Enrollment is serious stuff. With Bethel offering many courses just every other year, choosing the right course can be the difference between graduating on time and not. And with one Registrar working for all the students, things can be easily overlooked on degree checks.

Although resources for enrollment are made readily available, this is nothing to mess around with. I firmly believe the advising and enrollment process needs an overhaul.

Perhaps the college is working to instill independency in us, but shouldn’t professors play a larger role in advising?

As a double major, I’ve had the privilege of working with two advisors who both take very different approaches to the job. While one offers more counsel and support throughout the year, the other invests time and energy into working out my schedule with me, even going so far as preparing beforehand.

Put both together and I have the ideal advisor.

I must admit, however, these struggles are not the case for everyone on campus.

Having spoken with several teammates, it seems their advisors routinely set their entire schedule for them. Whether or not this is a nod to their dependency and irresponsibility is up for debate, but nothing remotely similar has ever been the case for me. And while the meetings with your advisor prior to the enrollment period are required, this assistance should be offered to every student, not left entirely up to us.

The scariest part is students are forced to figure this out as freshmen.

When recruiting prospective students, an instrumental pitch is the low student-faculty ratio. When we arrive on campus, we are sold on the idea that our professors will be our biggest benefactor.

Yet nothing prepares freshmen for the shock of having to navigate enrollment alone online if their advisor is of little help.

I still remember the panic of sorting through course catalogs with no direction as to what to take or when, and my freshman roommate and I setting an alarm to sign up for classes, the blind leading the blind, neither of us quite sure we had all we needed course-wise.

It ultimately comes down to advising and to what level that is actually being done. While some advisors prefer a laissez-faire approach, others tackle their job more hands on. Whatever the approach may be, it is time for the Academic Dean to set an advising standard among his employees.

Logan DeMond is a junior history and politcal science and communication arts double major. He is also a staff writer for the Bethel Collegian.

Self-enrollment is intimating for first-years Receiving the email informing us, as students, that we would have to enroll ourselves shocked me. It overviewed how JENNA MAHONEY we would have to Staff Writer pick out our classes and then bring them to our adviser to get approved before we could enroll ourselves. I was confused and also scared.

As a first-year student, I had no idea even where to start when trying to figure out classes I needed to take for my major.

Prior to my first semester at Bethel, when I enrolled for my classes it was such a big deal. I had to come to campus to enroll on a specific day and my first year adviser walked me through everything. I remember that she outlined exactly which classes I should take and did most of the work for me. She laid it all out and I didn’t have to do much except tell her what I was interested in.

This time around was different.

I printed off the schedule sheets and the form you have to get approved by your adviser. I had the course catalogs for the summer classes as well as both semesters next year pulled up on my laptop, flipping back and forth trying to find the classes I needed. Sticky notes covered my wall by my desk telling me which classes I thought I needed to take in hopes to make it easier. Getting a degree check from the Registrar helped me gain some clarity of what courses to enroll in although I was still very stressed.

When I eventually had a rough sketch of the classes I thought I should

take, I met with my adviser. Some of the classes I had thought I needed to take I actually didn’t even need. She helped me adjust it to classes I needed rather than just random classes that I picked out just to get the number of credits I needed to take to be classified a “full-time student.”

In all honesty, I’m really nervous to enroll myself on ThresherConnect. I’m anxious I won’t be able to get the right classes in time or might enroll myself into the wrong classes altogether.

So when the question of “are the advisers helpful or not?” came up, I think my adviser was extremely helpful. She helped me tweak my already sketched out schedule to make it more relevant. However, I think it depends greatly on who your adviser is.

On the other hand, I think the whole process could definitely be changed. It is extremely hard going from your first year with someone doing it all for you to being told you need to map it all out on your own.

When the time comes to enroll, instead of trying to have students figure it all out on their own before going to their adviser, getting approved by their adviser and then having the students enroll on their own, I think that the adviser should be there to at least give guidance when enrolling on ThresherConnect, because it is quite intimidating.

By reforming the role advisors play in the enrollment process, much of what is stressful and intimidating about the process could be avoided altogether.

Jenna Mahoney is a first-year communication arts major. She is also a staff writer for the Bethel Collegian.

6 COMMUNITY

Word on the Street

How are you planning on spending your Spring Break?

SENIOR

Jessica schumann

“I’m planning on flying home to California to spend the week with my family. One of my close family friends is getting married on the first Saturday of break and on Sunday I’m helping my best friend pick out a wedding dress.”

SOPHOMORE

ernest Ferrier

JUNIOR

Kendall hiebert

“I plan to try to relax and step away from school work for a few days. It will be nice to be able to focus more on myself and not on the task of always having to finish a quick assignment the night before because of the heavy workload put on the students here at the college. I also plan on getting some work hours in so I am able to make some money so I can be able to spoil myself every so often in order to keep the idea of self care alive in my daily life.”

FIRST-YEAR

rylie baKer

“I plan on going back home to see family. I also plan on going to the football field and hitting the gym to workout and stay in shape.”

“For spring break my friends and I are going down to Daytona Beach, Florida! We didn’t know of it at the time of scheduling flights and booking a place to stay, but there is supposedly a HUGE spring break festival going on. I’m excited to get on the beach and get out of this cold weather for a while!”

Letters to the Editor The Bethel Collegian will accept letters of up to 250 words. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit letters for purposes of clarity, good taste and accuracy and to prevent libel. Letters attacking a private individual will not be permitted. Anonymous letters also will not be accepted. Letters must include a signature, address and phone number.

EMAIL: collegian@bethelks.edu

THE

COLLEGIAN

The Bethel College Collegian is a student-run newspaper published bi-weekly during the fall and spring semesters. The Collegian is funded by advertisement revenue and student fees. The Collegian will be digitally available to Bethel faculty, staff, students and community members for the 2021-2022 academic year. Feedback may be sent to:

collegian@bethelks.edu The Collegian, Bethel College, North Newton, KS, 67117

STAFF

BETHANY POWLS

ALLISON WEAVER

NATHAN GARBER

CHRISTINE CROUSE-DICK

LIZ ALDERFER

CHAR EHRMANN

CHARLES WALKER

JULIANNA SCHRAG

MIKI HARKINS

CAPRI STEVENSON-BISOM

SCHYLER ENTZ

EMILY BRANDT

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FACULTY ADVISER

BUSINESS MANAGER

DESIGN/LAYOUT EDITOR

NEWS EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

FEATURES EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR COPY EDITOR

WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR

FEATURES 7

Kauffman Museum debuts new celebratory exhibition TRISTAN ENGLAND Staff Writer

“5 continents, 25 centuries, 125 years of collecting.” This is the only way to describe the new “The Magic of Things” exhibit at Kauffman Museum, created in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the museum. The exhibit is designed as both a celebration of how far Kauffman Museum has come since it’s opening in 1896, as well as a recap of the historical artifacts that have not seen the light of day in years, possibly even decades.

“The exhibits were chosen by current and former curators of the museum… artifacts that have slumbered in the storage wing for years with wonderful stories to tell,” said Reinhild K. Janzen, lead curator.

These artifacts have their stories told by way of six different themes in the exhibit. The first theme, “The Art of Communication,” expresses these

stories Janzen discussed in words or pictures from several different cultures and languages, including clay cuneiform tablets and seals from the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia, dating back as far as 700 B.C.E. A statuette of the Egyptian god of death Osiris, which was dated to be from around 1600 B.C.E. (nearly 3700 years old) is also on display.

The next exhibit theme is based on “The Power of Ritual,” and features a full dance suit, mask and lance from the Republic of Congo, gifted to a Kauffman donor from the mid 1960’s.

“More Speed,” the next theme, shows off Kauffman’s collection of transportation artifacts, including a motorcycle from the early 1900’s.

“Nature Study,” a section dedicated to the wonderful world of natural beauty, and “Making a Home,” based around artifacts from homes from around the world, follow suit.

The last theme, “Stepping Out in

“Stepping Out in Style” showcases apparel from Kauffman Museum’s collection. Photo by April Powls

Style,” sums up the evolution of culture, featuring outfits from across a wide variety of time periods and countries from around the globe.

This exhibit, a collection of some of Kauffman’s stored artifacts, is a compilation of cultural and historical significance with a variety of intriguing items on display from its many years as an institution.

“This is the oldest Mennonite museum in the Americas; 125 years at Bethel College,” Janzen said.

Bethel is also featured on the forefront of the exhibits displayed for the 125th anniversary event. A 1986 Macintosh computer and a 1920 Californian job case, both items used by Bethel College over the years, each have their own place in the exhibit, celebrating the accomplishments of not just the museum but also of its neighboring campus.

A historical project, the anniversary of Kauffman Museum is unlike any of

Rachel Geyer, junior from Kalona, Iowa, visits “The Magic of Things” opening reception. Photo by Capri Stevenson-Bisom

their recent exhibits and is an entirely visual experience. Artifacts from Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Asia all make an appearance after being in storage for years.

The exhibit will remain open through the remainder of the spring semester, closing on May 22, 2022.

There will be three free-to-the-public Sunday afternoon programs where talks about specific aspects of the exhibit will take place. On March 6, Reinhild K. Janzen will speak on the “Ritual Markers of Life and Death in Uganda and Taiwan.”

On April 3, John M. Janzen will present his program titled “Drums or Organ: Contesting Musical Styles in African Christianity” and on May 22, “Collecting for College and Community: Past, Present and Future” will be presented by Rachel Pannabecker and David Kreider.

Be sure to visit the Kauffman Museum, and experience the full glory of “The Magic of Things.”

The “Making a Home” section features furniture, paintings and tools. Photo by April Powls

THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN

8 FEATURES

Bethel theater to feature Bright Star, a musical on growth ARTHUR MAHRER Staff Writer

The combination of music and theater represents a concoction of art which embodies the qualities of the visual and auditory senses, serving the purpose of storytelling.

As a non-musician, and poor connoisseur of the theatrical arts, one thing remains clear; good musicals create an immersive experience in which the audience follows the quest of the protagonist conveyed in song.

In this sense, the immersive quality of a musical, achieved through set design, lighting, musical accompaniment and the characters themselves, creates a hypnotic blend of emotions synonymous to a live film.

The Bethel community will soon have the opportunity to partake in the performing arts with the upcoming Bethel adaptation of the musical Bright Star, written by Edie Brickel and Steven Martin.

Karen Robu, assistant professor of communication arts and director of theater, takes on the intricacies of managing the musical, including oversight of the sets, lighting, arranging scripts and directing actors.

Dr. William Eash, professor and chair of music and director of choral activities, has authority over the musical aspects of the production, including the vocals and the instrumentation.

The musical will incorporate “Southern Appalachian folk sounds, with an ensemble composed of the mandolin, the guitar, the fiddle, the banjo, the double bass and two keyboards,” said Eash.

The country folk feel of the musical is meant to effectively encapsulate the emotional tension of the themes illustrated in the musical, as well as help establish a distinct setting.

Bright Star is initially set in 1923 and follows the growth of the main

characters over the span of thirty years in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

Themes of the musical include “redemption, love, finding one’s way in a world of small town values, [and] a controlled youth by adults,” said Eash.

While the themes of the musical incorporate elements of a coming-ofage story, audiences can expect to witness character growth by following the protagonists’ youthful flaws and how such flaws impact their later adult lives.

Reputation and success in a small community are also key determinants of the characters’ development.

“First of all, I am one of the two male leads, Jerod Kaufman being the other. I play the role of Jimmy Ray, a boy who goes through some unique hardships early in his life. Jimmy is a hopeless romantic. He is cunning, smooth, yet stubborn and a little rebellious. This has been a fun musical to block and I’m very much looking forward to packing out the house come opening night, ” said Seth Rudeen, junior from Osage City.

Rudeen is joined by another fellow lead in the production, Jerod Kaufman, senior from Moundridge.

“My character is Billy. He’s a younger guy that’s trying to make it big in the writing industry. He runs into some problems at work and in his romantic life, but overall he’s a happy and optimistic guy who’s trying to grab the world by the tail,” said Kaufman.

Audiences will have a chance to observe the dilemma faced between youthful love and career aspirations.

In addition to its storytelling and auditory aspects, theater production for the musical will draw viewers into the world of Appalachian folk culture.

This will be accomplished not only through the visual contributions of set design, but also through the real-time support of stage managers, who will be operating behind the scenes.

“This musical takes place a while

ago so a lot of that time period will go into the set design, costumes, props and furniture. As stage managers, our job is to keep track of all the aspects of this show going on behind the scenes… when set pieces will be moved on and off, sound and light cues, taking notes of stage directions and choreography.

During the show, we will be offstage calling cues and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so that our cast looks great on stage,” said Emily Guldner, first-year from Independence, Mo., assistant stage manager.

Stage management, the backbone of any production, will enable the audience to truly internalize the impact of the themes presented.

Finally, while teasers of the musical are given by cast and crew, true appreciation for Bethel’s adaptation

Lead actress Julianna Schrag, junior from Hillsboro, rehearses a song. Photo by Emily Guldner

of Bright Star emerges from the actual performance itself.

The goal of any musical production is to create a sense of intimacy between the audience and the performance, utilizing music as a way of reinforcing themes.

The entire cast rehearse a scene in which they all must square dance. Photo by Emily Guldner

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022

FEATURES 9

While theater has the power of connecting an audience to a historical or fictional setting, the individuals involved in the production are responsible for making the story accessible to audiences.

The musical will show on three dates: Friday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 27, at 2:00 p.m.

Cast members, Angelica Donaldson, Lizzie Schmucker, and Ally Weaver work choreography. Photo by Emily Guldner

Hayden Honomichl stands within the makeshift set constructed by the Theater Practicum class. Photo by Emily Guldner

The vocal ensemble preps for future memorization of music. Photo by Emily Guldner

The cast gathers around Robu as she walks them through some blocking sequences. Photo by Emily Guldner

The trio performs some fancy footwork. Photo by Emily Guldner

Eash directs musical numbers from his spot behind the piano.

Photo by Emily Guldner

10 SPORTS

Track and field take on KCAC Championships

Meyer finishes her triple jump with a flourish. Photo courtesy of Stephany Meyer ARRAN KEARNEY Staff Writer

The conference meet for the indoor track season took place between February 18-19, and saw Bethel women finish ninth overall, while the men finished sixth.

“I’m really pleased – competed really well as a group, and this was reaffirmed by opposing coaches,” said Mark Nelson, head coach of Bethel track and field, in reference to a number of excellent individual and team performances.

This season has witnessed a number of such performances from Bethel athletes, but Nelson

believes that the team saved its best for the final weekend of competition, noting that “over the course of the season there were thirteen occasions where we broke a school record, and six were at the conference meet.”

These successes, Nelson also noted “came from all over the place, over the course of the whole two days.”

The highlight of the meet came from Trey Palmer, junior of Pearland, Texas, who became Bethel’s solitary KCAC Champion over 60 meters with a time of 6.88 seconds. His sister, Laiya Palmer, sophomore from Pearland, Texas, placed fourth in the women’s race with a time

SOFTBALL MAR. 5 . . . . 11:30 AM . . . . . HOME

of 7.96 seconds. Another notable performance in the sprinting contingent came from Aubry Grame, junior from Kalispell Mont., who broke the college record twice in the heats and final of the 60 meter hurdles to finish fifth.

Another fifth placed finish came from jumper Karsen Dunham, freshman from Douglas, who posted a mark of 10.65 meters to secure that position in triple jump. Her compatriot, Stephany Meyer, junior from Goessel, also finished all-conference in eighth.

Dunham then broke the school record in the long jump to finish seventh with 5.21 meters. Kalyn Corley, junior from Ark City, finished sixth in the women’s weight throw with an effort of 14.39 meters.

Nelson acknowledged that, “there’s always going to be some disappointments, but even those people were able to find other successes.”

One such disappointment came in the men’s 4x800, who had hoped to join Palmer in qualifying for the NAIA Championships, but fell short of the required time by 0.03 of a second. Its participants found individual success, however, with Arran Kearney, sophomore from Birkenhead, England and Mauro Arancibia, senior from Talca, Chile, finishing sixth and eighth

Grame begins a round of hurdles. Photo courtesy of Aubry Grame

in the 3000 meters respectively.

Isaiah Bartel, sophomore from Wichita, finished fourth in the 1000 meters, with a time of 2.37.22, and Luke Schmidt, first year from Newton, finished eighth in the 800 meters.

The distance group, now headed by the newly appointed Assistant Coach Kameron Blanding, saw other notable performances, with Natalie Graber, senior from Divide, Colo., who broke her own record for the women’s 3000, to sit alongside the record she claimed in the 5000 a few weeks prior.

The men’s distance medley relays, which combined distances of 400, 800, 1200 and 1600

UPCOMING EVENTS

meters, was also good enough to claim bronze.

Overall, Bethel recorded a top 10 finish in 17 different events between the men’s and women’s competitions, and the team is seeking to replicate these positive results in the outdoor season.

“This is going to be launching point into the outdoor season... The teams that I’ve coached in the past have a history of being better on the outdoor – we’re going to try and beat our placements at conference in the Spring, “chase school records and gain individual qualifying ranks” Nelson said.

MEN’S TENNIS MAR. 11. . . . . 2:00 PM . . . . . AWAY

vs MIDAMERICAN CHRISTAN

SOCCER

WOMEN’S TENNIS

MAR. 5 . . . . . 4:30 PM . . . . . HOME

MAR. 26 . . . . 1:00 PM . . . . HOME

MAR. 5. . . . . 3:00 PM . . . . . . HOME

MAR. 12. . . . . 9:45 AM . . . . . HOME

vs USAO

vs GARDEN CITY

vs TEXAS A&M TEXARKANA

vs MISSOURI BAPTIST

MAR. 11 . . . . . TBD . . . . . . . AWAY

MAR. 26 . . . . 3:00 PM . . . . HOME

MAR. 19. . . 10:00 AM . . . . . . HOME

MAR. 12 . . . . 3:00 PM . . . . . AWAY

at McPHERSON

vs GARDEN CITY

vs KANSAS WESLEYAN

at UHSP ST LOUIS

at WILLIAM WOODS

Tennis begins season with high expectations LAUREN MCCREARY Staff Writer

Men’s and women’s tennis began their official season as of February 15 when they competed against Emporia State. Both teams are continuing to grow in numbers and talent. The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference selected the women’s team sixth in the conference and the men’s team tied for third in pre-season polls.

The men’s team made it to the semifinals of the 2021 KCAC Men’s Tennis Championship last season and have made it a goal to make it to the finals and battle for a conference title.

The men’s team currently has a relatively young team that consists of two seniors, seven sophomores, and three first-years.

The team looks up to their two seniors, Nolan Schrader from

McPherson, and Jordan Singh from Newton, for leadership.

The women’s team is also a young and developing team with two sophomores and six firstyears.

“I’m excited for the season because I think it’s the strongest that the men’s and women’s teams have been in a while. We have great players on both teams and I think we have an opportunity to solidify Bethel as a perennial power in the conference,” said Schrader.

The tennis program as a whole has been working hard in their off-season to bring their best when it comes to the tough competition that they will face.

“As a team we have been doing a lot of conditioning and lifting. Many people from the tennis team also lift or run in their free time. Putting extra work outside of the tennis court

is really important for the team because this can help us to clinch some important and tough matches onto our side,” said Michael Cech, sophomore from Modlany, Czech Republic.

The community can expect both teams to put maximum effort into every practice as well as working hard to accomplish the goals they have set for themselves.

Both the men’s and women’s teams have a positive attitude toward what they want to achieve this season in order to be the best in the conference.

“I expect the girls to have a great season. I think they have the potential to have a level of success that the women’s team hasn’t seen in a long time. There’s definitely a lot of talent on that team so I’m excited to watch them this season,” said Schrader.

Daniela Herrara, first-year

from Juarez, Mexico, is a key player in helping the girls team have a better chance at conference this season.

As for the men’s team, players Cech and Milan Bucek, sophomore from Pelhrimov, Czech Republic, are both ranked players in the region. Cech is currently ranked 19 for singles and Cech and Bucek are ranked fifth in doubles in the Central Region. Both teams are ready for this season and are determined to be the best.

“I’m excited to compete with my teammates. I love playing in important matches and cheering on my teammates. I’m excited to get to spend time with the team. We are pretty tight knit and enjoy each other’s company which makes for entertaining van rides and great memories,” said Schrader.

Athlete injuries increase, trainers to the rescue MIKI HARKINS Web/Social Media Editor

Every day of the week I see Chris for rehab and the clinic is as packed as the highway during 5 o’clock traffic.

This school year here features a whopping 24 surgical injuries across athletes, with 17 of them knee-related, and 590 evaluations have been performed by the athletic training team. With numbers like these, it’s almost as if injuries are contagious. If a teammate is injured, you better sprint to quarantine!

Every week, it seems a new brace or set of crutches is spotted on campus. I’m beginning to think that school is taking a greater toll on us... Campus has turned into more of a rehab center with everyone limping to class, suffering the effort it takes to get out of bed and complaining about aching backs and hips.

I have come to the conclusion that there are only two good reasons for the number of injuries on campus.

The first reason is the possibility that our bodies cannot handle the back to back seasons we all played due to COVID. We all love our sport, but apparently our sport does not love us back. Maybe the demand for continuous training was too much for our bodies to handle. It was definitely too much for women’s soccer coach Alex Hagan, who tore his ACL because he could not handle competing with the girls.

My second reason is simply that we all enjoy visiting the athletic trainer and want an excuse to see him more often.

Honestly, this makes a lot of sense to me, because Chris is a great guy! There are lots of benefits to seeing Chris, ranging from a fully stocked candy bowl, to seeing

Winny (who just wants cuddles), to skipping sprint days. And who doesn’t love French Toast Fridays or Throwback Thursdays??

While spending time with Chris can definitely be a good thing, I know those of you who plotted your downfall so that you might see him more often soon regretted it. Chris does not take flexion or extension lightly.

To the other 23 injured folks out there, I know you feel my pain on this one. For anyone who hears screaming while passing through the basement of Mem Hall… mind your business.

Another thing you intentionally injured athletes didn’t consider is the time it takes to recover for your sport. Months will pass and you’ll find yourself wishing you could run. Never have I been so jealous of a track athlete in my life.

To those who have managed to remain healthy and intact this

year, I encourage you to disregard the benefits mentioned above and understand that, as much as we all love Chris, we really do not want to get to know him that well.

To all the broken and crippled knees and hips out there, I would like to offer these parting words: Thank you for all the years you have literally carried us through. Thank you for all the field goals scored, all the rebounds snatched, all the flips flipped, all the spikes spiked, all the bases run, all the scissors done and so much more. It was nice of you to stick around for as long as you did, I guess. We are counting on you to get better, so please don’t fail us a second time.

RIP to the joints of our injured athletes, and may you soon get stronger so that we may return to the field/court as a proud Thresher athlete.

SPORTS 11

The Sideline LAUREN MCCREARY Staff Writer

TAYLOR SANFILLIPPO SOPHOMORE SOFTBALL What are your personal and team goals for this season?

Some goals we have as a team include making it to conference... Some personal goals I have include keeping my batting average up and being aggressive on the bases.

What did you do in the offseason to prepare for your success?

A large group of us would go to the YMCA and lift, do some sprint drills, and drills for footwork, agility, and mechanics. We also had two-adays, which consisted of lifting at 6am and field practice at 4pm.

What do you look forward to the most being a part of the softball team?

I look forward to winning conference this year with my team! I am also super excited and blessed to begin nursing classes in the fall.

12 ENTERTAINMENT

Capstone recitals showcase student musicians APRIL POWLS Staff Writer

As the spring semester picks up, many clubs, departments, and extracurriculars have started prepping for events and activities.

In the music department, the time has come for junior and senior recitals.

What is a recital at Bethel College?

At Bethel, juniors and seniors who are majoring in music or taking private music lessons will perform to showcase their progress over the year on their instrument of choice.

Through the tireless assistance of accompanists, friends, family, and the music department faculty, students are able to display their talents.

For senior music majors, a recital is required and will serve as their version of a senior seminar or project. Senior recitals are roughly an hour long in contrast to junior recitals, which are optional and half as long.

No matter the instrument or the year, putting together a recital takes a lot of time and preparation.

Bryce Wilson is a junior music major from Sterling preparing for his own recital.

“It is a lot of work to put together a recital. Between general practice,

repertoire selection, practicing selected pieces, meeting with the accompanist, and more, there’s a lot that needs to be done. Fortunately this work can be started right when you begin taking lessons, so it doesn’t have to be overwhelming as the recital nears,” Wilson said.

Trae Gehring, senior music education major from Pretty Prairie, performed his senior tuba recital on February 20, 2022, featuring a wide range of music that he had been collecting since as early as junior high.

“I began working on some of the material periodically freshman year already. I did not begin practicing most of it consistently until the beginning of my senior year,” said Gehring When it comes to repertoire or the music performed, the choice is usually influenced heavily by the student’s private music instructor.

In the case of Julianna Schrag, junior communication arts major from Hillsboro, the music she performed last Sunday was music Schrag had learned recently. Most of it she added to her repertoire over three years through weekly lessons with adjunct Assistant Professor of Music Soyoun Chun, her vocal instructor.

“Soyoun often makes choices and gives recommendations that she feels

Schrag performs in the Chapel alongside accompanist, Karen Unruh, at her junior recital.

Photo by Chase Dempsey

would fit my voice. She knows my voice and range very well and typically chooses pieces that I end up enjoying very much and connect to well! In fact, she, herself, has performed much, if not all, of the repertoire…” said Schrag.

However, some students like Gehring are given the liberty to choose what they want to perform and personalize their audience’s experience.

“I designed it for my audience to really enjoy, and I wanted my recital to be somewhat memorable, if not just simply unique..I wanted to educate people on the repertoire and abilities of the tuba so that they may have a better understanding of music and the instrument in general as well as ultimately to entertain them,” said Gehring.

For a lot of seniors, their recital will be the last performance they do on Bethel campus.

Students, faculty and staff are all invited to attend said recitals, so be on the lookout for more recitals to come through the rest of the semester. “...if one of your friends is having a recital, please do not miss it! For some of them, especially non-music majors and music majors that are planning to be teachers, it may be the only time that they perform solo and they will want you to be there.” Wilson said.

Gehring has been supported enthusiastic by his family and friends during his long career as a tuba player. Photo courtesy of Trae Gehring

ENTERTAINMENT 13

Steals and deals: Newton area shopping hacks

JENNA MAHONEY Staff Writer

Here in Newton, the shops and stores to explore are pretty limited. Walmart is a highway away where you can get almost all essentials for your room and for yourself.

You can go downtown to Et Cetera and many other little shops. There are two Dillon’s in Newton, or you can stop by Meridian Grocery to get your grocery fix.

To go to more popular stores like Target, you have to drive to Wichita, which might be the case for some people who don’t want to shop at the little local.

In Wichita there is also a popular shopping mall called Towne East Square, where there are many shops as well as stores and restaurants.

“My go to place is Dillon’s here [in Newton], but I went shopping at the Towne East Square mall in Wichita and I enjoyed that, so I will be going back,” Caden

Mason, sophomore from Hoisington, said.

Et Cetera, a thrift store in Newton on Main Street, had a big showing of students for College Night back in August, where they gave away free t-shirts and discounts, maybe in hopes of getting more shoppers from Bethel and gaining more support from the town.

“College Night is a ton of fun for us to put on! It’s been great to see it grow beyond our shop, so that other downtown shops are part of it now. Every Thursday evening we stay open late, and students with a high school or college ID get a 25% discount between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. We are also excited that Bethel students have joined us in sewing and using Boomerang Bags as part of the new Harvey County chapter. We loved reading about it and seeing pics in your latest issue of The Collegian! We’ve wondered if college students leaving campus every May might become donors to the shop, too, as they

Anderson’s on Main Street just North of Et Cetera is a good place where students can go and buy office supplies from a local business. Photo by Liz Alderfer

leave behind things they no longer need.

We’d love to hear from students who want to donate their furniture, home goods and clothing that are still in good condition but can’t be left on campus over the summer,” Store Manager Sara Dick said.

Students love shopping at Et Cetera for their thrift needs.

“I love going to Et Cetera for thrifting!

Not only am I supporting small, local businesses, but I’m also finding really cute clothes for cheap,” Emil Benavides, firstyear from Stockton, said.

Et Cetera also takes volunteers to come in and work throughout the day to clerk, hang and price clothing, price housewares, check donated electronics and help to prepare materials for their hand-loomed rugs.

“We love having college students shop here! College students style their thrifty purchases so creatively, which is super fun to see! They’re also often on a tight budget, so purchasing thrifted clothing and decor works well for them--and for us.

We also enjoy having college students work here as employees and volunteers! We don’t currently have any Bethel students employed here, but we do have a couple of students who volunteer periodically-and many who’ve volunteered here on a fall service day and as service learning scholarship recipients,” Dick said.

One store students may not be familiar with would be Cato Fashions, which is a women’s clothing store in Newton near Walmart.

“My favorite place to shop is Cato. I like to shop for deals, as any woman does.

Saving money is always a good thing,” Amethyst Meskill, senior from Wichita, said.

Another popular local shop is called Prairie Harvest Market and Deli. This shop is on the corner of Main St. and 6th St. in downtown Newton. They not only have a market and deli, they also have a mezzanine event space where events can be held as well.

They sell healthier food in the market and are known for their Prairie Bites and Prairie Provisions. Also in the market, they have fresh local produce, local meat, bulk snacks, grains and spice, as well as Salted Creamery Ice Cream Prairie Blend Coffee.

“I also love Prairie Harvest. Their coffee cans are so good!” Benavides said.

With a few local shops that students love to go to in addition to some bigger stores in Newton, it makes the town feel more like home and gives students something to do without having to drive all the way to Wichita.

Et Cetera is a thrift store just south of Broadway on Main Street where customers can go and buy all sorts of items for cheap, which is perfect for college students. Photo by Liz Alderfer

14 GAMES

Cloud of Worry

Jessie Thomas is a senior from Halstead. Her major is English secondary education. She has a passion for art, with a love of digital media and creating characters like Amos.

This comic, featuring Amos, was inspired by the pressure from others to be a successful adult after graduating. Also the stress of entering a world on fire alone.

If you would like to contribute a piece of artwork to a future issue of The Bethel Collegian, email us at collegian@bethelks.edu!

ADVERTISEMENTS 15

THRESHER CLASSIFIED Direct all inquires to Megan Kershner in WAC 215 or check out Handshake to learn more about these job opportunities On-Campus Jobs

Off-Campus Jobs

- Mojo’s Team Member

- YMCA Lifeguard

- Student Custodian

- NMC Heath Nurse Tech

- AV Student Assistant

- Dillion’s Associate

- Community Assistant

- Goodwill Associate

- Orientation Leader

- Seasonal Worker for Newton

- Student Chaplain

- Aflac Summer Internship

YOUR AD HERE email charlesrwalker@bethelks.edu for inquires

Sunday y School @ 9:30, Worship p @ 10:45

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peacemakers, teachers engineers, administrators agriculturists, leaders support staff, nutritionists community workers and more ...

Find current opportunities

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Mennonite Central Committee

THE BETHEL COLLEGE COLLEGIAN

So you think you know me?

As spring break approaches, students are flooded with long essays and midterm exams. However, there was one test where the stakes were not quite as high, especially if students were lucky enough to take the test with someone who knew them well. On February 27, to close out their Valentine’s Day events, SAC hosted a game called “So you think you know me?” Students chose a partner they knew well to compete with.

Pairs sat back to back and answered questions about each other to see who knew each other best. Photos by Lindsey Pfannenstiel

PHOTO FEATURE 16