5 minute read
FROM THE PRESIDENT
BY GENE PFEIFER • PRESIDENT, BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Growing opportunities
When I arrived at Bethany almost six years ago, I was already quite familiar with the College. One of Bethany's best known characteristics is the institution's reputation for its student-centered focus and helping students succeed. Bethany graduates take that solid foundation provided by caring and mentoring professors and move on to be committed and consistent contributors to their professions, families, churches, and communities. In recent years, national polling organizations such as U.S. News and Washington Monthly have started recognizing colleges and universities, like Bethany, that help their graduates achieve success beyond their time on campus. The term being using to measure this success is referred to as an individual's social mobility. We've published a few articles about this in recent years. Social mobility refers to the ability of a person to move upward in income and social class after earning a college degree. Bethany Lutheran College is ranked among the top colleges in the United States (by U.S. News) for its graduates' social mobility. The recognition tells the important story of colleges that are doing a great job educating students from a variety of academic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
We're pleased that national publications are seeing this and telling the impact of a college education. However, this concept of social mobility isn't new to us—internally it's something we've known about for years. We're proud that Bethany graduates are becoming contributors beyond what would have been predicted by college entrance scores or where they went to high school. Recently, some have debated the value of a college education, but when that talk arises, we'll gladly discuss how Bethany graduates are making a genuine difference in society.
But we also know that social mobility isn't the greatest benefit of a Bethany education. Usually, the benefits of attending a Christian college aren't measured by national rankings. Something else is happening at Bethany that has considerably more value, and perhaps it's not always obvious to the casual observer. The Bethany characteristic about which I'm most pleased is that the College provides graduates with something that has eternal value.
Some might ask, what exactly do you mean by providing graduates with eternal value? Are you referring to a legacy of some kind left to the world by Bethany graduates? Are Bethany alumni making such a profound mark on society that their contributions will endure for centuries? Perhaps these types of contributions to the world will be the result of a Bethany graduate's contribution to society. However, what I'm referring to here is the eternity of peace our God in heaven promises to those who put their trust in Him.
You might be thinking, Bethany has always been a Christian college focused on Christ's teachings, what's different today? In recent years, Bethany's student profile has changed in some ways, and shouldn't be surprising. Bethany was founded by descendants of Norwegian, Christian immigrants. Those early students were in many cases the next generations of these Euro-centric families. We're grateful some of those families are still encouraging new generations to attend Bethany, and while we continue to actively recruit students from our traditional backgrounds, those are not the backgrounds of many Bethany students today.
Today at Bethany, we see students looking for opportunity from other places both near and far. Among BLC students are those that come from large American inner cities, those from non-European backgrounds, and those from countries thousands
Photo by David Norris
Chaplain Don Moldstad recently conducted an adult instruction class using the hy-flex model of simultaneously teaching in-person and online in real time.
and thousands of miles from Minnesota. These students come to Bethany for a variety of reasons. Among them, they are seeking schools that can help them make a difference, and a place where they can explore, develop, and be mentored in using their God-given gifts and talents to their fullest. In some cases, these new Bethany students are seeking a life of opportunity beyond what their home country can offer. These instances provide opportunity for Bethany to make an impact, and in turn see those future graduates also make an impact. We like to say these students come to Bethany looking for "something they want"—a college education with all of the opportunities it provides—and while they are on the Bethany campus, we have the opportunity to give them "something they need"—that is the message of Christ's gospel.
As reported in the last issue of the Bethany Magazine, our enrollment for fall 2020 set an all-time high. Bethany's focused efforts on increasing international student enrollment have allowed a record 109 students from 29 countries beyond the United States to enroll at our college. In total, we are fortunate to be serving nearly 780 students at Bethany in 2021. This blessing of students from throughout the world presents Bethany with the opportunity to bring the precious Gospel message to more and more souls. And we're blessed to be able to share with them what our Savior, Jesus, has done for the eternal welfare of each by faith.
The opportunity to give students "something they need" is especially apparent in our religion courses. This year alone over 100 Bethany students are enrolled in our Essentials of Christianity course. It's an introductory course to Christianity. Many of our first-year students each year have never been exposed to the Gospel prior to attending Bethany and are now hearing about Jesus for the first time.
And the Holy Spirit is blessing the opportunity to bring the Gospel to these students. This spring, nearly a dozen students are taking an additional, volunteer class—adult instruction—both in person and online with our Director of Campus Spiritual Life Rev. Donald Moldstad, or from other Bethany faculty clergy. In addition, each year we're fortunate to witness a few Bethany students become Children of God through Holy Baptism. What an incredible blessing it is to be able to proclaim the Gospel and to see the Holy Spirit's work firsthand at Bethany.
Thank you for partnering with us. Thank you for praying for our college. And thank you for telling your friends and family about how God continues to use Bethany as His instrument for His purpose— perhaps in ways you didn't know about. All of the students at Bethany are training to use their God-given gifts and talents for productive and fulfilling lives in whatever future vocations they may be lead, and it's a blessing to be a part of this college changing lives for their eternity with Jesus in heaven.
