Bethany Magazine - Winter 2025

REAL LIFE ROLES

8

from the PRESIDENT

BY GENE PFEIFER • PRESIDENT, BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE

Community collaborations are key

Bethany faculty and students are doing amazing things—together. I should not be surprised when I’m reminded of the different ways the Bethany community collaborates with each other, and with others off the campus, to enhance the students’ educational experiences. In this issue of the Bethany Magazine, we’re highlighting a number of stories that demonstrate how Bethany collaborates to impact the world around us.

Take the case of our students extending a helping hand while packing meals for families in need. Or, learn about our student-athletes collecting food for the Echo Food Shelf in Mankato. You’ll also read about psychology students mentoring at risk youth in our community. And for the last several years our students have been helping young children to improve their reading fluency and comprehension skills through our Bethany Literacy Clinic. These are tremendous services Bethany students provide for the Greater Mankato community and beyond.

You’ll also read about how our music students are filling the teaching gaps in local music programs for elementary youth. Can you imagine stepping into a group of 50 young band students as a college student, and then inspiring these children to become the best musicians they can be?

I am always pleased to learn of the wonderful things happening in our classrooms and wherever Bethany students and their campus mentors and professors are doing work that helps others.

And beyond these service opportunities, our professional graduates from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program are making a big difference in the lives of their clients in cities across the country. What an impact they are having in just a few short years since the program’s beginning, and what a blessing they are to the communities and regions they are serving.

Also in this issue, you’ll read about how students from across the campus are working together to help train the next generation of nursing graduates. Who would have thought a general education course in theatre would help to make our nursing program a model for real world training?

I am always pleased to learn of the wonderful things happening in our classrooms and wherever Bethany students and their campus mentors and professors are doing work that helps others, and thank God for these opportunities and the outcomes they are providing.

While our aim is always focused on the mission of The One Thing Needful, it’s out of hearts reflecting Christ’s love for us that these special programs and collaborations are happening at Bethany. And it’s through your prayers and support, blessed by our God, that all of this can take place.

Photo by David Norris

Photo by David Norris

From our Faculty & Staff

Mark DeGarmeaux (Music, Religion) attended the Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music at Concordia University, Nebraska in July 2024. BLC alumni Tim Frank, Jonathan Mayer, Davis Smith, and Jacob Weber were presenters. DeGarmeaux was also a plenary speaker for the Consortium on Classical Lutheran Education (CCLE) also at Concordia University, Nebraska. His presentation was on “Hymns as Declaration, Doctrine, and Doxology.”

Benjamin Faugstad (Music) and BLC student Nick Schmid traveled to Glencoe-Silver Lake (Minnesota) High School (GSL) to perform with the concert band. Faugstad was featured on drum set for the selection, “Sticks and Stones,” and Schmid performed on accordion for “Swords Against The Sea.” Faugstad also served as a judge at the GSL middle school solo/ ensemble contest. Faugstad also was a guest conductor and performer at the Carroll (Iowa) Summer Band Festival. The July 5th concert featured a percussion ensemble and five band selections. Faugstad’s daughters, Noelle and Julia, also performed with the band at the festival.

Ann Fredrickson (Music) was appointed as ProMusica Minnesota Executive Director in July 2024. The appointment by the Board of Directors cited her extensive background in classical music, performance, and music education at Bethany Lutheran College, Bethel University, and as a member of the boards of ProMusica Minnesota and Mankato Symphony Orchestra.

Rachel Kerkow (International Student Coordinator) took a Port of Entry tour to understand what international students experience upon entry to the USA through the MSP airport. Bethany is among the nation’s leaders in international student enrollment. Bethany welcomed 38 new international students to campus in fall 2024, and in total 134 students from 30 different countries. The incoming class is not a record, but the overall group of international students speaks to good retention and a cross-campus effort to serve international students well. There is an increase in students from Congo, Ethiopia, and Vietnam and these will all be countries of focus in the coming year, along with Nigeria.

Chad Heins (Biology) conducted fieldwork in the summer of 2024 where he discovered two new species of spiders that have never been recorded in Minnesota. Emblyna decaprini, a small meshweaver was collected at Lake Benton in western Lincoln County. The closest record to Minnesota of this species was western Michigan, so this was a significant expansion of its known range in North America. Microdipoena guttata, a dwarf cobweb weaver was collected at Staples in southern Wadena County. The closest record to Minnesota of this species was northeastern Illinois, so it also was a significant expansion of its known range in North America. Heins also assisted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by confirming the presence of Commelina erecta, Slender Dayflower at a Waterfowl Production Area in Blue Earth County. This is an endangered native species in Minnesota and was previously known to Wabasha County only.

The BLC Music Department instructed the Lutheran Youth Honor Choir on campus in June 2024. Dennis Marzolf conducted the choir, David Paulson the handbells, Mark DeGarmeaux (organ) and Michael Harting (BLC IT) accompanied the choir. Benjamin Faugstad taught a series of masterclasses. The camp saw a large increase in participants compared to previous years, and the closing recital brought in over 200 audience members.

On Sunday, October 6, President Gene Pfeifer had the opportunity to be in Casper, Wyoming, to represent Bethany at a couple of events. In the morning, he worshipped with the congregation at Lord of Lords Lutheran Church (WELS) and had the opportunity to give a Bethany update and visit with several families in the congregation. In the afternoon and evening, he represented Bethany by participating in the inauguration of the first president of Luther Classical College (LCC), Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau. During the reception, he greeted and visited with a number of individuals and families with connections to Bethany. God-willing,

David Paulson

Ben Faugstad

Ann Fredrickson

Rachel Kerkow

Chad Heins

Michael Harting

Mark DeGarmeaux

Dennis Marzolf

LCC anticipates beginning their first academic year in Fall 2025.

Shawn Stafford (Religion, Interdisciplinary Studies) served as chaplain for the 107th annual convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) held at Bethany from June 16-19, 2024. He was liturgist for the Synod Sunday and Memorial/Communion services, preached for the Monday morning service, led other devotions and prayers, chose preachers and speakers, and designed the worship plan for the convention. He also co-directed the ELS Youth Camp held at Lutheran Island Camp near Henning, Minnesota, in July.

p Eric (Chemistry) and Denice Woller (Studio Art), along with their four children (Rylee, Olivia, Claire, and Bridger), conducted their Divine Nature Adventure (DNA) Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Christ Lutheran Church in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in early June and at Bethany Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, Washington, in early August. The purpose of the VBS is to learn more about creation and how science is used to study all the wonderful things God has designed. The three themes are: God Created Us, God Changed Us, and God Preserves Us. During the two sessions, nearly 200 pre-K to 6th-grade students attended.

New faculty, staff installed

We welcome the following new faculty and staff who were installed at the 2024 Opening Service. We wish all of them God’s richest blessings as they use their gifts and talents in service to Him and the mission of the College. Pictured above from left:

Stephanie Heidorn – Assistant Professor, Media Arts

Mitchell DeKruif – Head Coach, Golf

Michael Janes – Head Coach, Tennis

Lucas Seehafer – Assistant Professor, Exercise Science

Angela Dabu – Head Coach, Softball

Ryan Nichols – Head Coach, Women’s Soccer

Leanne Stob – Assistant Professor, Physics/STEM

Faculty emeriti recognized

Faculty of Bethany who have fully retired and served a minimum of ten years on the campus in a full time role are eligible to receive the title of Professor Emeritus/a. The process of awarding the title includes being nominated by the academic division from which the professor retired, and then approved by the College President and Board of Regents. An emeritus/a faculty member is entitled to a variety of benefits from the College including things such as serving as ex officio members of their academic discipline and full access to many campus services, and represent the College in publications, presentations, and other public venues. This is a title of distinction in academia recognizing the many years of service to students and the institution. Those who’ve served on the faculty at Bethany and have been named emeriti include:

Silas Born

John Boubel

Pres. Dan Bruss

William Bukowski

Arlene Hilding

Calvin Johnson

William Kessel

Thomas Kuster

Sigurd Lee

Pres. Marvin Meyer

Steven Reagles

Dean Shoop

Erling Teigen

Cynthia Weberg

Mark Wiechmann

Ronald Younge

In 2024, Dennis Marzolf and Adrian Lo have been recognized as Faculty Emeriti. We congratulate them on this special honor.

Shawn Stafford

Department News

Master's program accreditation submitted

The faculty of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program has submitted an application and self-study to the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

CACREP is the specialized accrediting body for counseling programs. The CMHC program has been designed to meet the CACREP standards from the inception of the program, but this submission is the culmination of the intensive self-study process that the faculty and staff completed over the past year.

Studio holds pumpkin carving event

The Bethany Production Studio held a pumpkin carving event in October. Director of International Partnerships Nick Cook secured a small truck load of pumpkins for the event through a family member. For many of the international students at Bethany, it was their first time carving a pumpkin! The Studio plans to make this an annual event.

Library starts 'Heritage' collection

The Memorial Library has started a collection called “Heritage.” These books are older items that do not get used much anymore. In the process, the staff discovered that they had some recognizable names from the College’s past written inside. These include S.C. Ylvisaker, J.A. Ottesen, B.W. Teigen, Rudy Honsey, and others. The books are housed in the lower level rare books area and are still available for checkout, but are not available for interlibrary loan any longer.

Reformation Lectures cover 50th Anniversary of Seminex

The 2024 Reformation Lectures were held in Trinity Chapel on October 31–November 1, 2024. The topic of the lectures was the fiftieth anniversary of Seminex. Seminex is the widely used abbreviation for Concordia Seminary in exile (later Christ Seminary-Seminex), which existed from 1974 to 1987 after a schism in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). The seminary in exile was formed due to the ongoing Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy that was dividing Protestant churches in the United States.

Essayists were Pres. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS Perspective), Dr. Mark Braun, Wisconsin Lutheran College (WELS Perspective), and Pres. Glenn Obenberger, Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS Perspective).

Grant awarded to Education Dept.

The Bethany Education Department was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Sauer Family Foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota. The grant will fund the continued operation of the Bethany Literacy Clinic which provides local elementary school students with supplemental reading instruction free of charge. The Literacy Clinic was launched in June 2022 through a $93,500 grant from the Sauer Family Foundation. That initial grant funded the Clinic throughout its first two years of operation. The new grant will provide the Clinic with funding for another three-year time frame. The Clinic operates on the Bethany campus where Bethany students facilitate one-on-one meetings with young readers seeking help. The meetings are arranged at a time that works for both the Bethany student tutor and the family of the young reader. The Bethany Literacy Clinic assisted over 100 students with reading skills training during the 2023-24 school year.

Submitted Photos

Submitted Photo

Photo by David Norris

From left: Pres. Matthew Harrison, Dr. Mark Braun, and Pres. Glenn Obenberger in Trinity Chapel at Bethany Lutheran College.

Hanna celebrates teaching anniversary with new publication

Dr. Robert Hanna (English) has just completed his fortieth year in the teaching profession and is now in his twentieth year at Bethany.

“My publisher has presented me with quite the anniversary present,” he states, referring to the 2024 publication of his two-volume reference book Charles Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby: An Annotated Bibliography (Edward Everett Root, Brighton, England).

Hanna’s research for this book began in 2012, when he was asked by the book’s series editor, Dr. Duane DeVries of Polytechnic Institute of New York University, to prepare the thirteenth of fifteen volumes of individual reference books for each of Dickens’s fifteen novels. Hanna readily accepted, as Nicholas Nickleby is one of Dickens’s earliest novels (1838-39), and Hanna had already edited two collections of the novelist’s earliest writings: “Before Boz: The Juvenilia and Early Writings of Charles Dickens, 1820-1833 ” for Dickens Studies Annual (2009) and Dickens’s Uncollected Magazine and Newspaper Sketches, as Originally Composed and Published 1833-1836 (AMS Press, New York, 2012).

“I had an invaluable grounding in his earliest writings, which proved essential to my examinations of his 1838 and 1839 manuscripts and my ability to locate rare and lesser-known publications about Dickens,” Hanna explains.

For instance, the sole surviving copy of a “Scrap Sheet” of original illustrations of Nickleby characters is found in the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, New Zealand, while Samuel Clemens’s (American novelist Mark Twain) handwritten comments on Nickleby are found in the margins of his personal copy of the novel, held by Elmira College’s GannettTripp Library in New York. (Similarly, British novelist Charlotte Brontë recorded her own comments on the reverse of one of her manuscript pages.) The unpublished manuscript of William T. Moncreiff’s 1839 play Nicholas Nickleby and Poor Smike; or, The Victim of the Yorkshire School is in the Department of Manuscripts of the British Library in London.

Hanna conducted his research and its resulting writing primarily during summer breaks, with travel to examine fragile documents, manuscripts, and non-circulating items not only during the summer months but also during some Spring and Christmas Breaks. He also applied for a sabbatical leave, which Bethany Lutheran College reviewed and approved for the Fall 2016 semester (see the April 2017 issue of Bethany Magazine).

In the upper division course “British Literature: Romantics and Victorians,” Hanna teaches and has his students practice compiling and preparing, as if for publication, sample annotated bibliographic entries for novels by Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, using only authoritative sources. For example, they locate and report on manuscripts, contemporary and later reviews, illustrations, and adaptations. However, an examination of Hanna’s table of contents reveals the breadth necessitated by a Dickens novel. Topics include the Nickleby manuscript, its serialization, its illustrations, contemporary British and American newspaper commentary, editions published during Dickens’s lifetime (both authorized and unauthorized, in all languages), public readings from the novel by Dickens, speeches in which Dickens mentioned the novel, all formats of adaptations of the novel, audio books, prototypes of characters, topography, simplified editions for children and schools, plagiarisms, critical commentary 1838-2018, and dissertations. According to Hanna, “This is the first two-volume annotated bibliography in the series for one of Dickens’s novels. Each entry is numbered, for a total of 2955 entries.” Bethany’s Memorial Library has added this work to its collection.

Dr. Robert Hanna with his newly published reference books.

Photo by David Norris

Real Life Roles

BY LANCE SCHWARTZ ’86 • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Theatre, nursing collaborate for

For the students in Acting One, a Bethany theatre course, the task was not unlike a normal class assigned role, but in this case the audience and stage would be a bit different. The stage was in the Nursing Department’s clinical lab in Honsey Hall. The scene was a room at a hospital or clinic. The task for the actors was to portray, in a convincing manner, a host of real world health complication scenarios.

The Nursing Department at Bethany recognized the advantages of this cross-discipline exercise and approached the Theatre Department with the unique idea.

Cheryl Clendenin is a Professor of Nursing at Bethany, “This collaboration was born of my interest in providing our nursing students with a more interactive experience while also meeting the newly revised curricular standards for nursing education. I’ve been working on the simulated patient experience for a while and with the change in our Department’s leadership, I again proposed the idea of collaborating with Bethany’s Theatre Department. They are specialists in creating characters, and that is exactly what we are doing in these simulations, creating live, accurate, portrayals of sick patients for our nursing students. It was a win-win situation.”

Bethany’s nursing students participate in a number of simulations within each clinical course during their junior year. These live-actor simulations with the theatre students are currently implemented during the nursing students’ senior year course called Issues and Trends in

simulation

Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing.

Emily Kimball teaches the Theatre Department’s Acting One course every other year, with Peter Bloedel also serving as the professor. She confirmed, “The Nursing Department reached out to us about this interesting collaboration. They were seeking ways for their students to have truer to life patient interaction. An articulated mannequin can’t say “ow” or fight back, or refuse treatment like a real human being might, and while the nursing faculty could also serve as patients, they wouldn’t be free to observe students. They had originally wondered if theatre students would volunteer for the simulations or perhaps make it a work-study position. I suggested that I could make it an assignment for the acting class.”

To prepare for the lab acting roles, Kimball and her students receive patient profiles from the Nursing Department professors. For the assignment, the student actor reads the profile and writes a brief character analysis including aspects of the character that might inform their performance. They apply analysis skills that Kimball reviews in class. This is different than most roles where they would have a full script,

Nursing students attend to actors posing as patients in the nursing lab. From left: Lydia Weverka, Elyse Vannieuwenhoven, Elizabeth Cizek, and Elsa Johannson.

Photos by David Norris

so there’s some guess work and creative filling-in of gaps to round out character profiles. On the day of performances, the student actors arrive and are prepped and coached by the nursing faculty as they change into hospital gowns and are plugged into IVs or other medical equipment. The actors usually have clarifying questions about their character or ask for definitions on terms that are unfamiliar to them. After the prep, the nursing students arrive, are split into teams, briefed, and the scenes commence.

It’s a good sized group of acting students participating in the lab acting events. From the beginning of the semester, every two weeks a pair of students takes part in the simulations. After midterms, three students became the “patients” every two weeks. All told, the lab replications occurred eight times over the course of seventeen weeks.

While Kimball initially expressed a little uncertainty about the pairing between nursing and theatre, after observing the tangible benefits to both programs, she is quick to cite the benefits for each.

“I’ve been so pleased with the student’s enthusiasm. The performance is a bit like an improv scene. They have some loose character description, some suggested lines, a medical condition, and a scenario, but then they get to listen and react to what the nurse is doing or saying. It’s a lot of ‘if this is done, then say this’ or ‘if this is not done, react this way,’” explained Kimball.

In some cases, the actor will receive additional instruction and guidance from the nursing faculty who observe each situation with the intent to teach and advise the nursing students. This allows the nursing faculty members to accelerate the actor’s presumed medical condition and heighten their reactions. The process is directed by the nursing faculty

through pantomime so as to not tip off the nursing student. Some likely situations include “keep on vomiting” or “continue shouting to be sent home.” It’s very much a flexible scene that provides the nursing students with the opportunity to make the critical decisions needed in each situation.

And while the acting students, in some cases, are gaining experience in their craft, the vast majority of them are students from a wide area of majors at Bethany who are participating to earn general education art credit requirements.

Kimball said, “Nearly every single student in the class is a unique major pursuing something different than their classmates. It’s helpful for the students to see that there are many opportunities to use their training or interests in ways that are unknown or unexpected. For the actor, there are many paths and types of performances that might not be on a stage in front of a crowd. Through this collaboration, I hope that they can see that acting gigs can be found in job fields they might have never considered, and that theatre skills are transferable into every field.”

Clendenin says that the experience is equally valuable for nursing students. “All of our students have demonstrated improvement in the areas of communication, prioritization, and delegation as preparation for entry level nursing practice. We have also seen the student’s self-confidence improve in managing high-acuity, multiple patient assignments.”

And, for Bethany Lutheran College, this collaboration is quite unique among nursing programs.

Clendenin noted, “Simulated patients are typically paid medical actors used in simulation centers for graduate level preparation. I am unaware of any undergraduate nursing programs who are collaborating with their theatre departments to provide this kind of educational opportunity that benefits both nursing and theatre students.”

A hallmark of a liberal arts education at Bethany is exactly this type of cross departmental collaboration. The advantage for students is tremendous, and ultimately the combined effort benefits the next generation of nursing graduates as well as the students learning the overarching value of the arts.

Nursing students Merobe Gari (left) and Sasha Gittsovich discuss their game plan before visiting their simulation patients under the watchful eye of Professor Cheryl Clendenin..

Nursing professor Cheryl Clendenin briefed the nursing students before the live-actor simulation.

Lana Ko/Shutterstock.com

Grace-fueled Grads

Counseling from a Christian perspective

BY EMELINE GULLIXSON ’21 • CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Despite coming from a young, recently established program, Bethany’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) graduates are thriving in their chosen fields. The program celebrated its first graduating cohort in spring of 2023. Since then, CMHC graduates have been serving their clients and communities through effective, Christian counseling.

“We’re preparing people for a broad range of working environments and populations that they could serve,” said Dr. Benjamin Kohls, Director of Graduate Studies for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Some of these environments include outpatient practices, private practices, group practices, and schools. Graduates counsel clients working through anxiety, seeking marriage counseling, and suffering from severe and persistent mental illness, to name a few specialties.

The program is Bethany’s first entirely online graduate program, save for a few in-person residencies throughout the years. Though the program is primarily online, it still has a high level of engagement with

faculty and between peers. “The program results in a very tangible job at the end of it, but you still have a lot of autonomy and flexibility as to what setting you want to work in. Students coming in can be confident that there’s work at the end of this,” said Kohls.

Mark Krause (‘23) has certainly found fulfilling work upon graduating. After completing his graduate internship at Christian Family Solutions (CFS) in Appleton, Wisconsin, he was offered full time work there as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Krause specializes in adults with severe mood disorders or persistent mental illnesses—namely depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other borderline personality disorders. While those can be particularly challenging diagnostics, Krause finds the work interesting and rewarding. He emphasized that the program’s residencies

particularly helped him develop a professional yet empathetic presence in the counseling room.

“The residencies have been so enduringly useful. It’s the intense interpersonal experience that really makes a difference—seeing other people’s humanity, their value, and their authentic experience of you,” said Krause, who also noted that the professors’ prior experience as clinicians was invaluable. Their anecdotes from the counseling room conveyed topics or practices in ways a textbook could not.

Though he has already graduated, Bethany’s rigorous program has inspired Krause to continue his education in whatever form that may take—for now, to learn more about current therapy practices, mental illness, psychology, and other relevant topics. “I think what Bethany’s program does so well is that you get all of this stuff you’re supposed to do, but the faculty know that you need to do that little bit more.” This effort and curiosity are traits that his clients no doubt pick up on.

Margaret (Degner '23) Petersen was also among the program’s first graduates. Since then, she has worked at Gather Behavioral Health in association with the Emily Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, as an LPC, she specializes in adolescents with eating disorders. Petersen practiced there until having her son in summer of 2024, and has since returned to work part time, which she finds to be a good balance. She is currently working towards her Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) certification.

Adolescents can be an intimidating population to work with, as many teenage clients don’t want to be in therapy, but Petersen embraces the challenge. “It’s such a pivotal age range that not a lot of professionals like to work with, but when you’re able to make that connection with a teenager who doesn’t want to be there… it makes it all the more meaningful to me.”

She also noted the importance of Bethany’s

"The residencies have been so enduringly useful. It’s the intense interpersonal experience that really makes a difference— seeing other people’s humanity, their value, and their authentic experience of you."

- MARK KRAUSE (‘23)

Christian integration, not just for the clients, but for the therapists. “We cover a lot of difficult topics. Having that foundation in my education was very important to me, in making sure my faith was grounded.”

The robust faith integration is a major factor that sets the program apart. “[The Christian faith] is really infused throughout the learning process, from their coursework, content in lectures from faculty, advising, and a class that specifically focuses on Christian integration,” said Kohls.

Katie Martin (‘24), a more recent graduate, currently works at CFS in Hartford, Wisconsin, as an LPC in training, while also practicing schoolbased counseling and telehealth. Her demographic focus is children and adolescents dealing with depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

Martin believes in taking a holistic approach to her clients’ mental health, and emphasized the importance of Law and Gospel in the counseling room. “A lot of my clients are distressed when they think that everything in their life should be smooth. Having that recognition that we live in a sinful world, that they’re not alone, but that they can find peace and comfort in the Gospel of Jesus is always amazing.” This unique Lutheran perspective is perhaps the counselor’s greatest asset, especially as it relates to questions of identity, self-esteem, grace, and forgiveness.

Mark Krause ('23)

Margaret (Degner) Petersen (‘23)

Photos by David Norris

Kohls reiterated, “[The counselors] are very well equipped to address spiritual concerns that clients are dealing with, whether in a secular agency or in a Christian setting. When folks come into counseling, typically they’re already experiencing the burden of the Law. A faith integrated setting provides an opportunity for the counselor to communicate the truth of God’s love for them. There’s a lot of freedom in the Gospel to be able to live in grace rather than under the burden of the pain of the Law, and it provides a pathway to healing, and reconciliation at times for folks.”

This Christian integration focus proved to be exactly the kind of work Michael Helwig (‘23) wanted to pursue. Helwig works as the Director of Ministry and Faith Integration at CFS in a congregational partnership setting, as well as a Clinician of Outpatient Services at Living Word Lutheran Church and Ministry Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He guides other clinicians in understanding and implementing faith integration—an understanding he honed through Bethany.

Similar to many program graduates, Helwig began his work at CFS as an intern during graduate school, and has worked there since graduating. His typical client load includes men suffering from depression and anxiety, teens dealing with self-harm, and children experiencing conflict in the home or trauma. He’s also had experience serving called church workers with less severe mental conflict.

Along with a clear understanding of faith integration, Helwig noted the importance of the therapeutic relationship with the client, which was taught and modeled by his professors. He credits much of his own

"A lot of my clients are distressed when they think that everything in their life should be smooth. Having that recognition that we live in a sinful world, that they’re not alone, but that they can find peace and comfort in the Gospel of Jesus is always amazing."

- KATIE MARTIN (‘24)

skill development to the in-person residencies, which enhanced the online learning through mock clients, practice situations, and group therapy sessions.

Therapy can be emotionally taxing work, but Helwig believes the people he helps are worth it. “When you are in the room, and really cool things happen, and God made them happen through you—that’s really rewarding. The days when I get done with work and I think, ‘I really helped that person,’... It can be overwhelming some days.”

Besides the rewarding experiences from the counselors themselves, perhaps the best testament to the quality of Bethany’s program is the direct feedback from these graduates’ counseling sites.

“They want more of our graduates!” said Kohls. Interns are commonly offered jobs upon completing their internships, and many sites have asked the program’s professors when new cohorts of students will be ready for internships.

“To date, every one of our graduates has been employed at the level they want to be employed at within two or three months of graduation, and the vast majority of them already have a job lined up before they walk across the stage and get their diploma. The need is great for quality, ethical, competent mental health counselors across the country,” said Kohls. “It’s very clear that our graduates are going to have as much work as they want to do when they graduate. This side of heaven, there’s going to be plenty of work to do. They can offer something special and unique in their communities because they have really solid training as professionals, but they also have this training and understanding of grace, God’s love for people.”

Katie Martin (‘24)

Michael Helwig (‘23)

BY DR. JEFF LEMKE • V.P. OF ADMISSIONS AND MARKETING

Top 20% Top Third Competing with colleges at the national level

For almost 100 years, Bethany Lutheran College has helped students from of a variety of academic levels to make best use of their God-given talents. A few college ranking systems now try to measure just what Bethany’s been doing all these years using a limited metric and giving it a fancy term called “social mobility.” Bethany has been ranked at or near the top for social mobility at times, and in other years the results change a little when other universities learn how to jump to the top of the list. While it’s not a ranking we actively strive for, we are happy for the recognition. Bethany families can be assured that while the ranking statistics can change from year to year, students will consistently receive a high quality, valuable Christian education for a reasonable investment.

Bethany is also a top-ranked Christian college because of our safe campus combined with our excellent location nestled on a beautiful hilltop between the two main commercial hubs of Mankato. Students want to experience college life—go out and have fun and not have to look over their shoulder worried about personal safety. Bethany students take advantage of useful local internships, enjoy considerable freedoms, and are at the center of Mankato in the heart of southern Minnesota.

Indeed, Bethany does receive some favorable rankings, but you might ask, “Why doesn’t Bethany do even better in the rankings?” While Bethany has had to be more selective in enrollment decisions in recent years, our mission remains to provide an education with a Biblical foundation that is accessible to as many as possible and from a wide variety of backgrounds. At Bethany, students test their perspectives in the classroom, void of the fear of “being canceled” or shouted down, elevating diverse viewpoints. Also, at times, ranking systems lower Bethany’s score in dubious categories such as the “party atmosphere.” For some, maybe that’s an important metric, but we’d suggest a visit to campus during Homecoming Saturday and see for yourself the fun we have! If we lose a

Bethany National College Rankings

Christian Colleges, Best Dorms, Safe Colleges, Small Colleges

Academics, Location, Value, Diversity, Overall Best

few students based on the lack of a party scene, we happily accept! All colleges and universities report statistical data to a government organization called Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System commonly referred to as IPEDS. Various corporate sources pull information from IPEDS data. Because some college ranking systems highlight insignificant categories such as “student luxury in housing” or will place a singular focus on financial outcomes of a career; Bethany chooses not to participate in many of the schemes. Rather, we invite you to learn more about Bethany’s mission and purpose for young souls by visiting our campus and taking a look at our facts web page which provides a good start to the process.

Recent Top Rankings for Bethany

Bethany Lutheran College has been ranked 25th in the nation for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report in their 2025 college rankings edition. Social mobility refers to the ability of a person to move upward in income and social class. The high ranking indicates that Bethany continues to do a good job educating students from a variety of academic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Bethany President Dr. Gene Pfeifer remarked, “Bethany Lutheran College strives to offer a student-focused education. We’ve always centered our education on personal mentoring for our students, and now for several years, Bethany has maintained a high national ranking for the social mobility of our graduates, and we’re certainly proud of this recognition.”

U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities.

Band Aid

BY EMELINE GULLIXSON ’21 • CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Music majors assist programs in area schools

"Being able to apply what they’re learning in the classroom, with their lessons, and ensembles… It makes it very real for them when they’re sharing that gift and enthusiasm of music with all ages."

- BEN FAUGSTAD MUSIC PROFESSOR

Bethany’s Music program enriches the Mankato community in a variety of ways. The Concert Band, Chamber Orchestra, Drumline, Choir, and other ensembles frequently perform throughout the year, Christmas at Bethany remains a beloved tradition, and Bethany hosts many community music events. This fall semester, music students had the opportunity to put their gifts into practice for the benefit of local schools, and for their own growth as musicians.

Prior to the fall semester, two Mankato schools, Mount Olive Lutheran School and Risen Savior Lutheran School, reached out to Professor Benjamin Faugstad, saying that they did not have enough music teachers and conductors for private lessons and ensembles. Faugstad went to work to find interested Bethany music students to fill in the teaching gaps at these schools. For their effort, the music students would certainly benefit from the teaching experience.

Teaching and conducting experience is not necessarily new to Bethany’s music major, but the current volume of student teachers is. There are twenty music majors in the 2024-25 cohort, freshmen through seniors—the largest cohort since 2010.

Bethany senior Daryan Rosenthal during a music lesson at Mount Olive Lutheran School.

Photos by David Norris

“Half of them are currently teaching music, getting experience, and getting paid for it. What could be better?” said Faugstad, who serves as the Music Department Chair and an Associate Music Professor. Five music majors were able to teach private lessons and conduct at Mount Olive, and two music majors taught and conducted at Risen Savior.

“Being able to apply what they’re learning in the classroom, with their lessons, and ensembles… It makes it very real for them when they’re sharing that gift and enthusiasm of music with all ages,” said Faugstad, adding that quality musical experiences, even at the grade school level, are incredibly formative. And, teaching experience could potentially introduce job opportunities for these Bethany students in the future, many of whom wish to pursue careers in music.

Daryan Rosenthal, a senior music major with a conducting emphasis, hopes for exactly that. Rosenthal taught private instrument lessons and conducted band at Mount Olive. He credits much of his foundational knowledge to the music classes he took at Bethany, such as Instrumental Conducting and Instrumental Pedagogy. “These classes helped me, not only in developing my own skills, but also gave me a better understanding of how to pass knowledge on to the students that I’m now teaching.”

Of course, classes could only prepare him so much for the teaching experience itself, which comes with many variables–namely, the students themselves.

"As much as you want everyone to be the same and everyone’s progress to be the same, that’s not going to happen. Every student works at their own pace."

- DARYAN ROSENTHAL SENIOR MUSIC MAJOR

“As much as you want everyone to be the same and everyone’s progress to be the same, that’s not going to happen. Every student works at their own pace,” said Rosenthal.

Adapting to young students was a common learning curve for other student teachers. Hannah Caauwe, a junior music major with a church music emphasis, also conducted band and taught private instrument lessons at Mount Olive.

“Being flexible and being able to work with whatever the kids are bringing from week to week, and not have rigid expectations was important. There’s no way to learn that in a classroom,” said Caauwe, who was initially hesitant to conduct a band, but ultimately thought it would be a good challenge for herself. She has certainly grown into the role, and found it fulfilling to see her students putting in effort to get better. “I love seeing the growth and progress on the pieces we’re working on.”

Rosenthal had prior experience conducting at Bethany and in the community, but noted that conducting in a grade school was a different ballgame. “With younger kids, there’s classroom management you have

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Bethany junior Hannah Caauwe conducted band practice at Mount Olive Lutheran School.

to do. Getting them to play more helped them learn a lot better than me telling them what I want or explaining some of these bigger ideas.” The experience has been validating for Rosenthal, as he plans on pursuing a career in conducting.

Though teaching and conducting present unique challenges for student teachers, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.

For Renee Geving, a junior music major, this fall was her first time teaching private lessons and conducting at Risen Savior. Though there was a learning curve, she gained expertise and confidence in her own teaching ability. “It’s really beneficial to put it into practice and do it myself,” she said.

Geving especially wanted to make an effort to connect with her students, and it seems that effort has paid off. “It’s so fun to get to know these kids, plus getting to know what I’m like with them as a teacher.”

“It gives you quite a lot of confidence. It eliminates the unknown of, ‘Can I actually get a band to sound good? Can I manage that classroom? Do I know how to work with students week after week?’” added Faugstad, who met with the student teachers once a week to offer encouragement and advice about their struggles, wins, and to help troubleshoot.

The students credited much of their success and enjoyment to Faugstad’s oversight—working with the schools, coordinating lessons, and pairing teachers and students so that they could focus on teaching the lessons themselves. Faugstad’s enthusiasm and forward thinking has no doubt fueled the music program’s momentum. That, and his obvious care for his students.

“They have just been available to help. They help us out a lot, sometimes more than we realize,” said Rosenthal. “It’s something I love about Bethany—the connections that you make with the professors, and one of the reasons why I chose to come to Bethany. They feel like people who are genuinely trying to help me, lift me up, and support me so that

"Being flexible and being able to work with whatever the kids are bringing from week to week, and not have rigid expectations was important. There’s no way to learn that in a classroom."

- HANNAH CAAUWE JUNIOR MUSIC MAJOR

I can go out and be successful.”

Judging by school faculty and parents’ assessment of Bethany’s student teachers, they have certainly been successful in their teaching endeavors. Faugstad remarked that people have pulled him aside to commend the music majors’ work.

“It’s fun to be approached, and, without prompting, to have them say that they’re doing a fantastic job,” said Faugstad, about staff and faculty at Mount Olive. At Risen Savior, student teachers were offered to teach and conduct the following semester.

There isn’t much more of a ringing endorsement than that.

Editors note: If you wish to inquire about a Bethany student helping at your church or school, please contact Ben Faugstad at Ben.Faugstad@blc.edu.

Bethany junior Renee Geving at band practice for Risen Savior Lutheran School.

Social Media Recap

@BETHANYLUTHERANCOLLEGE 11/24/24

CONTENT ADVISORY: Watching this video may cause you to smile a lot! Thanks to Bethany's Director of International Partnerships Nick Cook for the extra fun tour of Bethany with his adorable kids! #FutureBethanyViking #ForeverBLC

@BETHANYLUTHERANCOLLEGE 12/10/24

Spreading some Christmas cheer and adding a little fun to finals week. We will miss you all over break. Safe travels!! #ForeverBLC #ChristmasBreak #BethanyFamily

Stay connected with your fellow vikings!

@BETHANYLUTHERANCOLLEGE 8/23/24

Best Week Ever events continue as our S.T.O.R.M. group helped coordinate an event for packing "Birthday Bags." The event was sponsored by our Student Senate, and the bags are donated to the ECHO food shelf in Mankato for children in need. Thanks to everyone who helped! #BLCBestWeekEver #BethanyValues

@BETHANYINTERNATIONAL 10/30/24

Bethany international students discuss what is the hardest English word to pronounce. #internationalstudents #ForeverBLC

@BLCVIKINGS 9/4/24

Cavalcanti's goal is play #3 on ESPN SportsCenter Top Ten!

@BLCFINEARTS 10/22/24

The Jazz Band performed their fall concert Sunday and Monday afternoons on the lawn of the YFAC. The weather was fine and the music was lively and fun! Thanks to Evan Beier and the Jazz Band for sharing your talents and entertaining us!

Search Bethany Lutheran College on your favorite social media apps, hit follow, and stay in the loop!

the importance of

BY LANCE SCHWARTZ ’86 • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

For many students at Bethany Lutheran College, volunteering is part of their regular routine. Students take part in a variety of service oriented projects both on campus and off. These opportunities build both experience and character while ultimately providing great benefits to worthwhile organizations throughout the region surrounding Mankato and well beyond.

One of the most visible service organizations is S.T.O.R.M. (Serving Through Outreach, Relief, and Missions). The group’s goal is to increase campus awareness of mission efforts, to support mission work of organizations affiliated with Bethany, and to better equip Bethany students to share the Gospel in their day-to-day lives ultimately developing Christian servant-leaders.

Among the projects that S.T.O.R.M. has facilitated recently includes providing volunteers for the New2You thrift store in North Mankato (New2You supports Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School), making

blankets for Project Linus (an organization that provides handmade blankets to children in the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need), fundraisers to support Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, and various other fundraising events throughout the school year. When it comes to S.T.O.R.M. events, typical participation for a group activity depends on how many spots are available (some activities have limited spots), but the usual range is 20–40 students taking part.

Another Bethany Lutheran College student group making a difference in the Mankato community is the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). SAAC represents the Division III student-athletes by reviewing legislation; identifying significant student-athlete issues; implementing national student-athlete based initiatives; encouraging community outreach; and enhancing Division III student-athlete involvement in and understanding of Division III in general. SAAC is also the committee that is primarily responsible for maintaining and coordinating the division’s nationwide partnership with Special Olympics.

At Bethany, SAAC helps with community outreach in various ways, most recently they coordinated The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) food drive at Bethany. Each UMAC institution’s SAAC Committee orchestrates the event where the schools are collecting non-perishable food items, toiletries, and money. Bethany’s donations are donated to ECHO Food Shelf in Mankato which provides emergency food assistance to people in the city and the surrounding area.

To assist in the food collection effort, some members of the Bethany SAAC group went trickor-canning to help gather items. This annual event happens every fall at Bethany, with Viking student-athletes going door-to-door and collecting non-perishable food items.

“SAAC President, senior Steph Witbrod, along with other board members and SAAC reps did an incredible job promoting trick-or-canning and getting out in

S.T.O.R.M. volunteered to pack meals at Feed My Starving Children.

group collected 2,713 total pounds of food and $221 for

Psychology Professional Development volunteers and officials from YMCA and MY Place with Professor Jen Kom.

the community to collect non-perishable food items for our local food shelf,” said SAAC Advisor and head volleyball coach Laura Evans.

“The amount of food is a blessing and we’re thankful for community members willing to participate and for their generous donations.”

This year, Bethany student-athletes collected 2,713 pounds of non-perishable food items to donate to the Echo Food Shelf, while also collecting 221 dollars in cash that is donated to the food shelf to help the organization.

Another successful student volunteering effort involved students in the Psychology Professional Development classes led by Dr. Jennifer

Kom. Their work also made a significant impact in the Mankato community. The program saw 26 students give over 380 hours of their time at Mankato Youth Place (MY Place), equivalent to roughly 9.5 full-time work weeks. Every time they worked, the students were proudly wearing their red BLC t-shirts.

MY Place began as a Boys and Girls Club in 2018 to fill a growing need in the community serving youth in the Mankato area by providing care free of charge to students during non-school hours. Their program offers youth additional help with academics in areas such as STEM, art, music, and healthy lifestyle programs. It’s a safe and fun environment where kids spend time and participate in positive programs, an alternative to the streets or being home alone. The ultimate goal is to offer a place that reinforces a sense of belonging, empowerment, personal accountability, civility, and civic responsibility.

In addition to the work at MY Place, six of these same students also participated in the Mankato Family YMCA’s Brother/Sister mentoring program. This program involves a weekly engagement of two-three hours, where mentors are paired with children to provide guidance and support. Both MY Place and the YMCA provided a rewarding experience for the mentors and the mentees, fostering meaningful relationships, enhancing social skills, and promoting effective communication.

Kom noted that the students are looking forward to continuing their service in the spring, further solidifying their dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of local youth. One of the students who volunteered at MY Place will be taking on a fulltime position after graduation, and another will be interning.

Erin Simmons, Director of MY Place, said in a prepared video for the students who volunteer, “We could not do what we do without you. There are kids [in Mankato] that have a place to go because of you, and your partnership…we are so fortunate to have your support."

The students’ participation in such community service activities reflects the BLC psychology program’s strong emphasis on community service and personal development, aligning with principles of Christian vocational service and active community engagement.

The College is proud of all of our students for their community outreach efforts while allowing a light to shine on the mission of Bethany Lutheran College.

SAAC

Echo Food Shelf in Mankato!

fall festival

Give to Bethany Day a success

Thanks to over 500 alumni and friends who donated, Give to Bethany Day 2024 was an overwhelming success. We are so appreciative for the many alumni and friends who chose to support our students and the central mission of the “One Thing Needful.”

Through your gifts, and blessed by God’s grace: $156,460 from 510 alumni and friends was donated.

The $70K Challenge Grant was unlocked and all told, $226,460 was placed into The Bethany Fund.

Director of the Bethany Fund Don Westphal noted, “Your decision to donate on Give to Bethany Day is truly appreciated by our faculty and staff who daily have the privilege to interact with our students. Please know that your partnership is very important to everyone at Bethany and makes it possible for us to provide the vital, Christian collegiate education we aspire to offer.”

We can’t say it enough—Thank you for your supporting Give to Bethany Day and your continued dedication to creating an important impact for our students.

BY

KRISTEN BUDAHN 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Kristen (Scislow'08) Budahn is the recipient of the 2024 Bethany Distinguished Alumni Award. She earned a bachelor of arts in biology and minors in chemistry and Spanish from Bethany. While on campus, she gave tours to prospective students, worked the annual Phone-a-thon raising funds for the College, taught Spanish labs, and studied abroad in Ecuador. She played soccer for the Vikings and was the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2008.

Dr. Budahn was Bethany’s first bachelor’s graduate to be accepted into medical school. She attended the University of Minnesota Medical School. While in medical school, she completed a nine-month Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP) in Glencoe, Minnesota, followed by rotations at many hospitals and clinics throughout the Twin Cities. She graduated from medical school in 2013, and then began her three-year family medicine residency through the University of Minnesota Park Nicollet/Methodist program in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

In September 2016, Budahn began working full time at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe, Minnesota, where she still practices today. She has a full scope family medicine practice. She is licensed to

practice medicine and surgery in the state of Minnesota and is double board-certified in family medicine through the American Board of Family Medicine and family medicine obstetrics with surgical qualification through the American Board of Physician Specialties. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Budahn has a passion to teach the next generation of physicians and health care providers. She works as a community faculty preceptor for both medical students as well as physician assistants and nurse practitioner students.

Budahn is married to Bryan and they enjoy traveling the world, hiking, rock climbing, mountain climbing, and cooking. Her many volunteer experiences include: presenting and volunteering for non-profit medical organizations, youth leader at her home church (NorthCross Lutheran in Lakeville, Minnesota), Bible camp volunteer, and youth soccer coach. The Budahns have established an endowment fund at Bethany that provides a cadaver for the students in gross anatomy and pre-medical classes to study from. She is a part of the Viking to Viking Mentor program and is a member of the Bethany President’s Advisory Council and Heritage Society.

Dr. Budahn is the granddaughter of 2013 Bethany Distinguished Alumnus, the late Dr. Peter Harstad, who was an accomplished and nationally known historian. She was officially recognized as the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient at the Bethany Fall Commencement Ceremony on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Dr. Kristen (Scislow '08) Budahn at the 2024 Fall Commencement Ceremony.

Photo by David Norris

LANCE SCHWARTZ ’86 • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Bukowski, Fremder recognized for Service to Bethany Award

BY LANCE SCHWARTZ ’86 • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

The Exceptional Service to Bethany Award recognizes faculty or staff members, administrators, volunteers, or a specific graduating class or group who have 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.

William Bukowski and Dr. Alfred Fremder are the 2024 recipients of the Exceptional Service to Bethany Award.

William (Bill) Bukowski led the Bethany Art Department for 40 years. During his four-decade career, he taught countless Bethany students, many of whom were introduced to art for the first time trying to earn their required general education by taking the art history course. In 1981, Bukowski started the Bethany Alumni Art Collection, which has grown and is on display in every building on campus. As a practicing artist, he completed two major art commissions on the Bethany campus: the Trinity Chapel Altarpiece in 1996 and the Creation Fresco in Meyer Hall of

Math and Science in 2002. His art tours to Minneapolis, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome became part of what students called the journey of “The Bukowski Art Army.” Bukowski influenced several generations of artists at Bethany from students in education to studio artists.

Bukowski earned a bachelor of fine arts degree (B.F.A) from Minnesota State University – Mankato in 1976 and his master of fine arts (M.F.A.) in painting from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1979. He retired from Bethany in 2020, but still lives in Mankato with his wife Sherri (Goetzke '74). They have three children who all attended Bethany: Jeffrey (’04), Julia Woldt (’05), Jenna Londgren (’09) and several grandchildren. He continues representing Bethany as Professor Emeritus in art exhibitions and lectures at the ELS Seminary, churches, and community groups.

Dr. Alfred Fremder graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1945 and then accepted a call to the Music Department at Bethany. He was a piano and theory professor, department chairman, and Bethany Concert Choir conductor until 1956. While serving at Bethany, he earned his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Fremder’s impact on the tradition and history of the storied Bethany Choir is known to all who sang under his direction and to those who were choir members after him. During his time at Bethany, he arranged the beloved eight-part setting of “On My Heart Imprint Thine Image,” and it was his idea to use this as the closing prayer for all performances of the Bethany Choir. By every account, Fremder was respected and beloved by all those who sang in the Bethany Choir under his tutelage.

Bukowski and Fremder were officially recognized as the 2024 Exceptional Service to Bethany Award recipients following the Fall Festival worship service in Trinity Chapel on Sunday, September 29, 2024. Bethany President Dr. Gene Pfeifer and Professor Andy Overn spoke at the event and Dr. Fremder’s daughters in law accepted the award on his behalf.

From left: Barbara Fremder and Laura Fremder (Dr. Alfred Fremder's daughters-in-law who received the award on his behalf) and William Bukowski.

Photo by David Norris

Class of 2024 Inductees

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

The Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame induction was held on September 27, 2024. Four new members were added as well as a new Team of Distinction.

member of the Mankato East Athletic Hall of Fame and The Minnesota State Softball Coaches Hall of Fame.

JOEL MEYER (wrestling 19801982) Meyer was the Co-Captain and voted Most Valuable Wrestler on the 1981-82 team—one of the most successful teams finishing with a 11-2 record. Eight of those 11 wins came down to the heavyweight class where he led the team to victory. That season, Meyer individually held a 21-10 record, placed fourth at state, third at the regional championships, and qualified for the national tournament. He served as an assistant wrestling coach at BLC from 1982-85. He went on to coach high school wrestling at Glenwood (Minn.) Senior High from 198587, and then Litchfield (Minn.) High School until 1999 where he was named Section 5A Coach of the Year in 1995 and brought over 15 individuals to the state tournament coaching two that became state champions.

LISA (PATTERSON) KROCAK (volleyball 19941995) Krocak was a star middle blocker for the Bethany volleyball team that appeared in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament, won the NJCAA Region XIII Championship and MCCC State Championship in both 1994 and 1995. She was a second team NJCAA All-American, All Region XIII, MCCC All-State, and MCCC All-Tournament selection in 1995. She was voted Most Valuable Defensive Player in both 1994 and 1995.

JOELLE

(PIPAL) JULIAN (soccer 2007-2011)

JOE MADSON (basketball and baseball 1984-1986) Madson was a two-sport athlete in basketball and baseball. In basketball, he averaged 16 points per game and was voted Defensive Player of the Year, named All-Minnesota Community College Conference (MCCC), and All-State his sophomore year. In baseball, he played for Bethany when the sport was reintroduced in 1985. He was a starting outfielder both his freshmen and sophomore year, batted .294, had an on base percentage of .394, and a .964 fielding percentage. After Bethany, Madson went on to play basketball at Minnesota State University-Mankato. He then came back to Bethany to be an assistant baseball coach for the 1987 season, and an assistant men’s basketball coach for the 1987-88 season. He was the head softball coach for the 1989 season. Madson has been the varsity softball coach for 30 years and varsity boys’ basketball coach for 22 years at Mankato East (Minn.) High School. His 2023 East softball team was state champions. He is a

Julian played in 86 games for the Vikings women’s soccer team. She tallied 95 career points scoring 37 goals along with 21 assists. She was a three-time team captain and a three-time team MVP. Her Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) honors include two-time first team All-Conference (2008, 2010), second team All-Conference (2011), and All-Conference honorable mention (2007). She was also a four-time UMAC Academic All-Conference (2007-10) selection, received the 2012 UMAC Scholar Athlete Leadership Award, and was named to the Capitol One Academic All-America Women’s Soccer second team in 2012.

TEAM OF DISTINCTION

The 2003 Bethany Volleyball Team is the newest Hall of Fame Team of Distinction. The team held a 39-1 record, were MCCC Southern Division Champions, XIII Regional Champions, and placed third at the NJCAA DII Volleyball National Championship.

FALL SPORTS

BY

CROSS COUNTRY

The Bethany Lutheran men’s cross country team was led by Josiah Hoppe who finished in 17th place at the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Championship. The women were led by first year Brooklyn Hart who finished second in the UMAC Championships while setting a new school record time for the women’s cross country program. Her second place finish was good for a spot on the first team All-Conference list with the top eight runners earning first team distinction. For her effort, Hart was named the UMAC Rookie of the Year.

GOLF

A pair of men earned All-Conference golf honors. Keaton Ginter earned All-Conference first team and Jake Swanson was named All-Conference honorable mention. Ginter had a stellar season for the Vikings, posting one of the lowest scoring averages in the conference at 76.0 in ten rounds. Swanson also had a great junior season for Bethany with a scoring average of 78.9 in ten rounds.

SOCCER

Seven Viking men’s soccer players earned UMAC post season accolades with Guilherme Gancho being named Rookie of the Year to headline the awards. Daniel Almeida earned first team honors for the Vikings while Gancho, Jamie van Wijland, Mike van der Horst, and Gijs van Eldik were named

second team. Diogo Cavalcanti and Nick Lundberg were each named honorable mention.

For the women’s soccer team, seven Bethany Lutheran student-athletes earned All-Conference honors. Olaitz Azkue Muguruza and Elena Luján Rubio were first team recipients, Ashley Casper and Emma Rowen earned second team, while Mia Johnson, Riley Ping, and Arayah Baker were named honorable mention.

In addition to the Conference accolades, the national organization College Sport Communicators announced its Academic All-District teams for men’s and women’s soccer and eight student athletes earned the honor. To be eligible for Academic All-District, student-athletes must

LANCE SCHWARTZ ’86 • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Brooklyn Hart

Jake Swanson

Daniel Almeida

Mike van der Horst

Elena Luján Rubio

Jamie van Wijland

Olaitz Azkue Muguruza

Josiah Hoppe

Keaton Ginter

Guilherme Gancho

Gijs van Eldik

Ashley Casper

Diogo Cavalcanti

Nick Lundberg

VOLLEYBALL

be a sophomore or above with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and have played in 90 percent of the team’s matches during the season. Athletes who received the honor on the men’s side include Liam Gosch, Nick Lundberg, Oscar Peraza, and Gijs van Eldik. On the women’s side, Bethany was represented by Ashley Casper, Mia Johnson,  and Emma Rowen.

Three Viking volleyball players earned post season awards. Maddie Meyer earned her first career All-Conference honor and was the first Viking since 2019 to be named first team. Abby Distad and Lilly Mehrkens team.

2nd Annual Fundraising Gala

MARCH 13 2025

Held at the Bethany Activity Center 905 Marsh Street, Mankato

This year’s theme is Illuminate A Star, which will highlight and provide support for student scholarships. Meet with current scholarship recipients to hear about how you can help make a difference in the lives of students for years to come. Join us to learn what Bethany has in store for students and the Mankato community.

Meyer had an extremely efficient year, that saw her tally 252 kills on the season and was one of just six players in the UMAC that hit above .300 this season. Distad led the UMAC this season in assists with 871 total, which is also the most assists in a single year by a Bethany player since 2008. Mehrkens was one of just three players in the UMAC this season with 300 total kills as she led Bethany with 303 on the year.

To reserve your ticket and meal choice, please go to blc.edu/celebratebethany, scan the QR code, or call Shannon at 507-344-7313.

Other sponsorship opportunities are available. Call Chris Kind 507-344-7862 or Bruce Gratz 507-344-7367

More information and registration at:

Mia Johnson

Liam Gosch

Abby Distad

Emma Rowen

Arayah Baker

Maddie Meyer

Riley Ping

Oscar Peraza

Lilly Mehrkens

Mark Wiechmann called to heavenly home

Bethany Lutheran College Professor Emeritus Mark Wiechmann passed away on May 27, 2024, after a seven-week battle with cancer.

Wiechmann earned an associate in arts degree from Bethany Lutheran College and a bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in biology from Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska. He went on to earn a master’s degree in counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and then taught at Bethany for 40 years in the discipline of psychology. In the earliest days of Bethany’s transition to a baccalaureate campus, he helped to create and set the direction for a solid, Christ-focused psychology program at Bethany. His colleagues daily witnessed his charisma and love for the Lord that was evident in all his interactions with students. Mark was a kind teacher with a wry sense of humor that so many students and his colleagues greatly appreciated. While he will be remembered fondly for his engaging classroom, Mark will be remembered equally for the yearly winter trips he led to the Boundary Waters; which were highlights in the lives of students and alumni alike.

Mark's obituary simply stated, “He so dearly loved Bethany Lutheran College,” and explained how he taught his students different ways to view the world and others while helping them to identify their purpose in his quirky, creative, flexible, generous, welcoming, and Christ-centered way. He would remind others who were struggling for direction of these four things 1) God loves you unconditionally, 2) you must obey Him faithfully, 3) you must trust His loyalty, and 4) know that God has a plan for you.

Mark’s survivors include his wife Nancy, as well as their three sons and their wives and children: Matt and Carol; Daniel and Tristan; Michael and Kristy and eleven grandchildren, along with his mother Trudy and five siblings as well as Nancy’s extended family and his many nieces and nephews and their children.

He was preceded in death by his father, Reverend Glenn Wiechmann. Mark died in the presence of his mother and wife, with his nephew Reverend Ben Wiechmann reading Psalm 23 and singing the hymn “Lord Thee I Love With All My Heart.”

On Wednesday, August 28, Bethany alumni, parents, and friends gathered at a Sioux Falls Canaries baseball game! There was good food served, a fun atmosphere, and great a great time was had with the Bethany Family!

Alumni event held in Sioux Falls

from our ALUMNI

1940s

p Eileen (Trygstad ' 49) Anderson celebrated her 95th birthday on July 1, 2024, with family and friends. Pictured is Eileen with her son, Steve, who planned a wonderful celebration for her. At her party, she reminisced about all the blessings in her life and in particular, her time and memories while attending Bethany. She recalled living off campus one semester and having to walk-up the Bethany steps every day, writing for the Scroll newspaper, and interactions with the Ylvisaker Family, George and Ruth Orvick, Norm Werner, the Kretzmann twins, and Lois Westcott to name a few. It certainly was a very special day for Eileen.

1950s

p After several years of playing in the annual Bethany Sports Classic Golf Tournament every August, the Meyer Family was the 2024 champions! The team shot a 57 to take home the title. They were coached by Lon Meyer (‘53), and the team was made up of his son’s Bruce (‘70), Steve (80), Steve’s son-in-law, Kyle Winter, and grandsons Josh Meyer and Caleb Meyer. As always, the team had a lot of fun at the tournament and are looking forward to next year!

1960s

p In July 2024, Vivian (Unseth ‘60) and Larry Weseloh celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They are pictured with their three children: Matthew Weseloh (‘85); Kirsten/Kiki (Weseloh ‘87) Schnackenberg; and Christian Weseloh.

Marcia (Diercks '63) Matthees passed away on September 20, 2024. Upon graduation, she taught several years at Jefferson, Wisconsin.  After her marriage to Raymond Matthees and the last of her four children entered preschool, she taught preschool at St. John’s Lutheran School, Goodhue, Minnesota, for more than 30 years.  She was gifted in music, and taught many students piano, organ, and even the accordion. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.

1970s

p Larry Schaeffer (’78) said, “In September, we were blessed with our eleventh grandchild. Enough to form our own soccer team. Hopefully a bench will not be the next step. I retired from teaching and coaching in April of 2011 from Texas public schools after 30 years. I coached women’s soccer at Texas Lutheran University the next 10 years and fully retired in December of 2021. Joy and I keep different grandkids during the week, going out on boat or jet ski and play a lot of golf when we get some free time. To think that all this started at Bethany in 1976 when Mike Butterfield offered me a scholarship to come play soccer and attend school at Bethany. At that time, it was a junior college and we had less then 400

students on campus. Things at Bethany have changed a lot since I was there, but the morals and values, along with a great education are still the same. God Bless!

1980s

p Jon (Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary ‘95) and Kristine (Schweim ‘87) Bruss have had a busy 2024. In May, Jon was elected to serve as the seventeenth president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), becoming the second graduate of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary to serve in that role (the first being Dr. Robert Preus). He was installed as president September 8, two weeks after daughter Ingrid’s wedding to Peter Funk in Evansville, Indiana. “Since our move to Fort Wayne, we’ve had quite a few opportunities to talk about Bethany and the good things that are happening there,” said Kris, who serves as CTSFW’s chief communications officer. “We’re grateful for our Bethany years, both as students and as part of the faculty.”

p Greg Walter (‘88) has been a professor of art for over 25 years and is currently at Dickinson State in North Dakota. Most of his artwork is landscape painting. Since becoming a grandfather, he has directed his creative efforts into another direction and written, illustrated, and self-published two children’s books. The first is an ABC book, and the second, which is currently in the editing process and should be ready for Christmas 2024, is counting 1-10. His ABC book has sold almost 300 copies.

1990s

Paul Meitner (‘96) published his first novel this summer - PÈRE. From the jacket, “In the stifling August heat of the summer of 1661, an aged French priest vanishes without a trace in the wilds of Wisconsin. In the present, two hunters discover his remains perfectly preserved in a peat bog near Medford, Wisconsin. As Le Père’s journey unfolds from the cathedral of Rouen to the wilds of Huronia, the present-day investigation forces those who discovered him to wrestle with the meaning of his life and their discovery. What is the legacy of Le Père? Was he a martyr or villain? A saint bringing spiritual freedom or an oppressor bringing tyranny? Père is a spiritual meditation wrapped in historical fiction and a modern-day crime procedural. It asks the question: "What is the place of Christian faith in a world hostile to its message?" The novel is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble booksellers.

2000s

p Becky (Breitbarth '08) Rogness and husband, Noah, welcomed their sixth child, Ruth Marie, on Sept. 24, 2024. Becky continues to run her business, Rogness Communications LLC, from their home in Warrens, Wisconsin.

p Joseph (‘14) and Olivia (Lippert ‘19) Lundsten welcomed their first son, Roy Emmanuel, on December 23, 2023. The Lundsten family resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

p Benj (‘06) and Leah (Rider '08) Matzkeand their five children: Natalie, Gordon, Marion, Sue Ellen and Lucille are excited to share their family farm with fellow alumni. They are overjoyed to provide pastured meat and other farm grown foods and would love to invite you and your family out to the farm (Winthrop, Minnesota) to meet the animals and take a tour. Creatures to meet include cows, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, ponies, alpacas and a llama! Their farm name is GREAT HERITAGE FARM, inspired by the beloved hymn that is continuously singing in our lives, “God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage.” Learn more at GreatHeritageFarm.com

p Philip (‘09) and Holly (Marquardt '24) Wels were married at Peace Lutheran Church in North Mankato on May 25, 2024.

2010s

p Alex Nelson (‘12), his wife Suzie, and children Eilidh and Thea came to Mankato for a visit from their home in Scotland. Classmate and Alumni Board Chair, Alyssa (Wiechmann '12) Messner, husband Landon (‘15), and children Gavin, Ella, and Reggie took them on a tour of campus. A great time was had by all seeing facilities that were here while they were students and all the new buildings that have been added over the years.

p Marie (Rose '14) Arnst and her sister Renae Swanson wrote and illustrated their first book “Pip Goes To The Farm.” The characters and storylines were manifested through their own family experiences at their family farm in Southern Minnesota. “We had never taken on the task of completing a project like this before, so it felt like we were learning something new with each phase of the book. There were many things we learned and know how to do differently in the future, but overall, the experience is something that we both enjoyed. Being able to do it together was particularly important to us and it made us glad we were able to see it through from start to finish,” said Marie. Their book is available online only at Barnes and Noble.

p Julio (‘15) and Britleigh (Menk '15) Garcia welcomed their second daughter, Delta, in June 2024. Their oldest daughter, Petra, is three years old. They reside in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where Julio is an account manager at Palmer Printing and Britleigh is a physician assistant at Nice Healthcare.

p Carl ('16) and Danielle (Marzinske '16) Wold welcomed Lewis Wold to their family May 19, 2024.

p Ryan (‘17) and Dani (Vetter '16) Kastenschmidt are proud to announce the birth of their son, Isaiah. Isaiah was born on August 20, 2024, and is so loved.

p Joseph Kinstler ('17) and his wife Lauren were blessed with the birth of their son Bryce Daniel on May 17, 2024.

p Megan Sauer (‘17) completed her fourth marathon major in Berlin on September 29, 2024, with a personal record time. She traveled across the pond with her parents (Barry and Kerry), Alissa (‘15), and Morgan (‘19). Megan finished the marathon running through the Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag. The family spent the week after the marathon taking in the sights of Berlin. They went on a guided walking tour and a day tour of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. The family visited the T4 Memorial, East Side Gallery, the Nues Museum (and saw the bust of Nefertiti!), Bode Museum, toured the Berliner Dome and climbed the dome, toured Charlottenburg Palace, Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin Natural History Museum (lots of dinosaurs), Jewish Museum Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Kaiser Wilhem Memorial Church, and even took in an art market near the Berliner Dome. Megan plans on getting her six stars by competing in Tokyo and New York in the future.

p Elizabeth (Austin ‘18) Brohaugh and her husband Sam have recently purchased their first home. They will be living there with their two cats, Hemingway and Katie. They are so thankful to be blessed with such a beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood and look forward to all the memories they will make.

p Rebekka (Olsen '18) and her husband, Rev. Dan Wessel, welcomed their second child, Caleb Jonathan, on August 1, 2024. Their daughter Norah is excited to be a big sister. They recently bought a home in Fort Atkinson, Wiscsonsin, where Dan serves as an associate WELS pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church and campus pastor at Crown Life Christian Academy. Rebekka continues serving as a nurse part-time at the local hospital.

p Hayes (‘18) and Tessa (MacPherson‘19) Schneider were married on May 4, 2024, in St. Pete Beach, Florida. They celebrated with Elsie Abrahamson (‘19), Hayli (Mathe ‘19) Littlehead, and Alyssa Shields (‘19).

p Rev. Gabriel (‘19) and Jennifer (Hopp '19) Strawn were married on February 29, 2020, and have two children, Aurora Kay and Kirby Elroy. Gabriel graduated from Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne and is serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Gorham, Maine.

p Morgan Sauer (‘19) recently published her first novel in print format and is available worldwide. She completed her book with the skills of two other Bethany Alumni Alissa Sauer (‘15) as the cover artist and Kirsten Elyea (‘18) as the interior layout designer. The book ‘The Hero Dies in the End’ is a young/new adult fiction book featuring a Christian college student as she struggles with challenges to her morality as the newest member of a crime syndicate. Look for or order it online at your local bookstore or visit www.themesswrites. com

2020s

p Antonino (20’) and Mariah (Munsen '21) Guerrero are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Elliana Mary Guerrero on August 6, 2024.

Silas (‘20) and Margaret (Degner '19) Petersen are proud to announce the birth of their son, Otto Keith Petersen, born August 29, 2024.

Julia Abreu Siufi (‘22) was selected as the Editor-in-Chief of the St. Thomas School of Law Law Journal for the academic year of 2024-25. She will hold the position until she graduates from the Law School on May 2025.

p Alec (‘23) and Rea (Kuske '23) Mueller were united in marriage on August 4, 2024, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They have since relocated to Doral, Florida, where they both work at Divine Savior Academy: Alec as a videographer and Rea as an administrative assistant and social media manager.

p Nathaniel (‘23) and Elisabeth (Masrud '23) Stay were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota, on July 27, 2024.

Deaths – Alumni, Regents, Faculty and Staff

June (Whitham '49) Kendall passed away on June 26, 2024

Harvey Lange (’50) passed away on May 21, 2024

Lois (Gallman '50) Overn passed away on July 9, 2024

David Geisler (’55) passed away on May 17, 2024

Miriam (Gutekunst '55) Matthews passed away on October 15, 2024

Kaylan Abel (’56) passed away on November 10, 2024

Earl Brassow (‘56) passed away on October 13, 2024

Delores (Rambler ’56) Cassadore passed away on August 23, 2024

Ione (Sundbom ’57) Lillegard passed away on July 9, 2024

Ellen (Bobholz ’58) Wolfrath passed away on August 21, 2024

Margaret (Schindeldecker ’59) Brown passed away on March 12, 2024

Norma (Dodge ’59) Horn passed away on June 28, 2024

Phyllis (Halverson ’60) Kruger passed away on April 1, 2024

Galen Moses (’60) passed away on October 7, 2024

Thomas Hoyord (’61) passed away on May 7, 2024

Bruce Neumann (’61) passed away on July 23, 2024

Rhoda (Bartling ’61) Wobeck passed away on July 7, 2024

James Krause (’72) passed away on April 20, 2024

Connie (Warrant ’76) Gullixson passed away on July 14, 2024

Professor Mark Wiechmann (’76) passed away on May 27, 2024

Marjorie Renneke (’80) passed away on April 27, 2025

Matthew Nesheim (’01) passed away on January 12, 2024

Alexander Klug (’14) passed away on May 27, 2024

Bethany RETROSPECT

Remembering a campus moment from years gone by.

STOCKING UP: The Bethany Bookstore has had different locations throughout the years. Here we see manager Stan Ingebritson with some students in the 1950s. Do you remember this location for the bookstore?

Send your reactions to editor@blc.edu Find more photos from years past on archives.blc.edu