First recipients honored with Exceptional Service to Bethany Award

BY LANCE SCHWARTZ ’86 • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

The first recipients of the Exceptional Service to Bethany Award were recognized at a ceremony held during the 2022 Fall Festival and Homecoming Weekend. A group of family and friends of Bethany President Emeritus Norman Holte and Ms. Eleanor Wilson gathered in Honsey Hall as the inaugural inductees were acknowledged for their contributions to the College. Bethany President Dr. Gene Pfeifer shared remarks at the event, as well as Dr. Thomas Kuster who spoke on behalf of Eleanor Wilson, and Mr. Ron Younge on behalf of Norman Holte.

This Exceptional Service Award was created to recognize faculty or staff members, administrators, volunteers, or a specific class or group who has contributed substantially to the well-being of Bethany Lutheran High School or College by furthering its purposes and programs. The award is selected annually by the Bethany Alumni Board.

Norman Holte graduated from Bethany Lutheran College, then worked for two years in the shipyards in Richmond, California. He returned to college in 1944 and graduated with a bachelor of science and later a master’s degree in social studies — both from the University of Minnesota. He began his 41-year career at Bethany in 1945 teaching history, economics, political science, psychology, and social science. He also served as Dean of Students, Principal of the high school, Registrar, Academic Dean, and President of the College. Holte was known for his gentle and humble servant demeanor, and most importantly he was committed to bringing the “One Thing Needful” to Bethany students throughout his many years on campus. Wherever the College needed him, Holte was willing to faithfully serve. As a result he made a wonderful impact on so many who studied and worked at Bethany. Holte passed away in 2011.

Eleanor Wilson received her bachelor of science degree in Latin from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and her master of science degree in Latin and teaching Latin and English from Columbia University, New York City. She taught English and Latin at Bethany Lutheran High School and Junior College from 1952-1961, and was also an advisor to the Service Club, Latin Club, and The Scroll newspaper. The Service Club she started at Bethany supported many projects such as making visits to mentally ill patients of the State Hospital in St. Peter, Minnesota, and to residents of the Kasota Home for Aged to visit, read, write, and sing. This group also collected funds to support mission work and items for children in need. Wilson resigned from her beloved teaching position at Bethany in order to care for her two older sisters. In retirement, she would tutor students in Latin, was active at her church by teaching Sunday School, and also continued to support Bethany by being an active member of the Madison Area Bethany Auxiliary. In 1990 after her passing, through her estate she endowed the Eleanor Wilson Chair of Speech/English Communication. This chair supports the teaching of communication courses, the continuation of intercollegiate speech competition, and instruction of seminary students in communication skills.