Bethany Magazine - August 2021 by Bethany Lutheran College

AUGUST 2021

TIME TO CELEBRATE! Page 10

A Homecoming Weekend October 1–3, 2021 We're making plans for the return of the Bethany Fall Festival–A Homecoming Weekend. This event includes activities for all ages and alumni reunions. All alumni and friends are invited to be part of the weekend. Enjoy athletic contests, live music, and more!

blc.edu/fall-festival

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 4

Challenge accepted

Bethany esports team competes in national collegiate tournament

FROM THE PRESIDENT

ESPORTS GOES NATIONAL

UPDATES AND NEWS

RIGHT ON TARGET

Faculty and staff briefs

Latest co-curricular addition will be first in region

NEW CHAIR ANNOUNCED

Polly Browne Distinguished Chair started for Education Department

GO VIKINGS

Athletic season results and awards

TEIGEN HONORED

Three ceremonies held in May

Listing of gifts given by alumni

ALUMNI NEWS, DEATHS, AND OBITUARIES

Professor Emeritus Erling Teigen awarded honorary doctorate

COMMENCEMENT

ANNUAL REPORT OF GIFTS

Seminary celebrates anniversary

Time for a little break

PREPARING SHEPHERDS

RETROSPECT

ALUMNUS AWARDED

Jacob Weber receives award for musical composition

ON THE COVER: From left: Professor Peter Bloedel celebrated with recent graduate Audrey (Rundgren) Schilling and Assistant Professor Emily Kimball. Photo by David Norris

zine

Maga ISSUE: 149

All contents © COPYRIGHT 2021 Bethany Lutheran College. Articles, images or photographs may not be reproduced without written permission. The Bethany Magazine is published three times yearly by the Bethany Lutheran College Office of Institutional Communication and distributed free of charge.

SCRIPTURE IN ART Jason Jaspersen shares insights on his artistic process

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

Mission: Bethany Lutheran College is a Christian

liberal arts college owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and committed to the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the statements of faith known as the Lutheran Confessions. Bethany Lutheran College provides Christian higher education in a challenging academic environment where personal mentoring guides students to pursue knowledge, truth, and discernment for productive and fulfilling lives.

from the

PRESIDENT BY G E NE PFE IFE R • PRESIDENT, B E THANY LUTHERAN COLLEG E

Challenge accepted By the time you receive this edition of the Bethany Magazine, we'll be busy welcoming students back to campus for the 2021-22 academic year. It will indeed be a special time as we open our academic buildings and residence halls to new and returning students. God willing, there will be far fewer restrictions when compared to the 2020-21 year with the myriad regulations in place during the COVID pandemic. To be sure, Bethany won't be completely back to normal this fall, but I'm certain campus life will be more enjoyable for our students and employees than during the height of the outbreak. The 2020-21 academic year was unlike anything we've experienced in recent times. The pandemic caused the College to closely follow hundreds of instances of students being tested, isolating, or quarantining on campus. At times, it seemed as though the rules for safe campus operations were changing every day. No sooner would a decision be made about how to address a concern or operational strategy, and the plan would seemingly need to be adjusted moments later.

Records indicate that 142 known students, faculty, and staff contracted COVID-19 during the 2020-21 academic year. Our Student Affairs Department was among the busiest on campus adapting to the changing landscape. A team of six employees called the COVID Campus Response Team handled most of the work related to COVID protocol on campus. This group was headed by Vice President Ted Manthe. The COVID Response Team assisted students and employees who contracted the virus, and provided guidance to those exposed to it. Services included helping students to get settled into isolation and quarantine facilities, and delivering meals to those 4

who were holed up in their rooms during the mandatory seclusion period. Records indicate that 142 known students, faculty, and staff contracted COVID19 during the 2020-21 academic year. That equated to about 20% of our on-campus population. During one particularly busy week, there were 74 Bethany students either isolating or quarantining. This is just one indicator as to how monumental of a logistical challenge this was for the College. Of course, Bethany was not alone in dealing with these types of problems, but it was certainly a trying time. The primary team managing isolation, quarantine, and contact tracing included our Sports Information Coordinator KatieJo Svenson, International Student Coordinator Paula Torres, Athletic Trainer Paul Osterman, Residential Life Director Renee Tatge, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Brandon Polesky, and Manthe. Many thanks also must be given to our maintenance, housekeeping, residential life, and dining services employees who often had to pivot quickly and adapt services. Much admiration goes out to these employees for their tireless work. Another area that was feeling the effects of the pandemic was our Athletic Department. All of our fall varsity programs—men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball were forced to cancel their traditional seasons. It was a gut-wrenching decision for these athletes and their dedicated coaches. As the fall semester dragged on, it became apparent that the winter and spring sports also would not be able to begin their seasons on time. But after the Christmas break, our affiliated collegiate athletic conference— the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference made the decision to give the green light for all sports (fall, winter, and spring) to begin. Basketball and indoor track and field were allowed to start just after the first of the year. The postponed fall sports began their seasons in March with abbreviated, conference-only

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Photos by David Norris

It was a challenging year for activities, but a socially-distanced Christmas at Bethany (left) was recorded and posted for viewing, and athletic contests were able to take place in the spring with athletes being frequently tested for COVID.

competitive seasons and no post-season events. Spring sports such as baseball and softball also took up competition in March. Throughout the sporting campaigns, Bethany athletes were tested up to three times per week for COVID. Through a partnership with Hy-Vee Pharmacy, over 7,200 COVID-19 tests were administered on campus since January 2021, the bulk of which were in conjunction with athletics. Countless additional students were transported to, or received testing at, community testing centers. Even with the extensive testing, numerous athletic contests throughout the spring were postponed and re-scheduled due to COVID protocol. Our athletic director Don Westphal and his staff handled the busy schedule very well, and the extra effort they gave allowed our athletes the ability to move forward with their respective sport seasons in modified fashion. All of our coaches and athletes were thankful for the opportunity to compete. All of these modifications by our employees and students were made possible by our faculty's willingness to adjust and adapt to new learning scenarios during the pandemic. This included their shifting of classes to a "HyFlex" model that enabled students to attend classes either in-person or synchronously online via live-stream technology. Of note, nearly 100 full-time students each semester unable to return to campus took their classes completely online via this live-stream technology. While it's true that the vast majority of our classes were held in-person in 2020-21, there were a variety

of occasions where class sizes needed to be modified or class sessions had to be held in alternate locations. For example, our concert band directed by Benjamin Faugstad held several concerts outdoors, and our concert choir under the direction of Dennis Marzolf recorded a socially-distanced Christmas at Bethany performance which was (and still is) available for viewing on Bethany's YouTube channel. And our Theatre Department held several short, socially-distanced productions throughout the year. Just like the athletic department, events still happened and our students received the best possible experience. When I sat down to write this article, the intense planning for student housing, dining services, and campus activities for the new year was well underway. There are still a number of unknown variables, such as how vaccination percentages of students and staff will influence operations and a return to normalcy. But this past year our Lord blessed the efforts of those who helped tirelessly to manage the pandemic. Not only did Bethany "survive" the worst of the pandemic, but by God's grace and blessings we thrived and excelled in 2020-21. These successes are noted in the fact the College attained a record enrollment and record student retention, achieved record financial support from among our constituency for the Bethany annual fund, and launched our first master's degree program this summer. By God's grace and through our prayers, we are hopeful that the worst of the COVID storm is now over. Indeed, it was a year like no other on the Bethany campus. Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers for the College as we look forward to seeing how God continues to bless Bethany's mission in this new academic year. Serving in His name.

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From our faculty & staff Mark DeGarmeaux ('85) (Languages, Music, Religion) virtually attended the North American Luther Forum on April 17, 2021. Prominent topics included humanism and Mark DeGarmeaux the early Reformation, Luther's final foes, as well as sectionals on various topics. Dr. Carrie Pfeifer (Education) was elected to serve on the Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Educators (MACTE) Executive Council as a representative of the private college caucus. The mission of MACTE is Carrie Pfeifer to bring together schools, colleges, and departments of education across the state to provide leadership in the preparation of highly-qualified professional educators. She also serves on the Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) as a member of the program review panel. This panel meets several times a year to review the education preparation programs of colleges across the state and provides feedback to the PELSB Board on these programs. Dr. Pfeifer continues to work with other teacher educators from across the state, along with Minnesota Department of Education Dyslexia Specialist Amy Schulting to provide education, training, and support for teachers in the area of literacy instruction. This summer, Pfeifer will complete the second phase of Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training. LETRS focuses on delivering literacy instruction that is based on the science of reading. Dr. Pfeifer works with teachers and schools in the ELS, WELS, and Mankato area as they seek to improve literacy instruction for their students.

Business

Nursing

Kris Bruckerhoff will begin this Fall 2021 as the fourth professor in Bethany's business major. Bruckerhoff comes to Bethany from Helena College in Kris Bruckerhoff Helena, Montana. He has served in both Montana and at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, working in a number of various business areas, but primarily in the area of finance.

Cheryl Clendenin will be moving from a part time to full time role in the nursing program beginning with the Fall 2021 semester. Clendenin has served Cheryl Clendenin the nursing program in an adjunct and part-time capacity for the past three years. Emily Goetzke ('75) will move to a part-time capacity starting in the 2021-22 academic year. Emily Goetzke She has served in a fulltime capacity in the nursing program for four years, and the College looks forward to her continued contributions to the program in her new role.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Dr. Karina (Harstad) Clennon ('07) is now the second professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program. Clennon is a Bethany graduate, and Karina Clennon has spent a number of years serving in the Career Development Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In December 2019 she received her doctoral degree in counselor education and superJami DeVos vision at Minnesota State, Mankato. Also joining the CMHC team as the Office and Enrollment Manager is Jami (Brockman) DeVos ('07). Jami has served at Christian Family Solutions, and most recently at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Mankato. She will oversee Bethany's inquiry to enrollment initiatives in the CMHC program.

Religious Studies Rev. Shawn Stafford ('94) has accepted a call to serve full time at Bethany as Assistant Professor of Religious Studies.

Shawn Stafford

Studio Art Jason Jaspersen ('97) is now serving in a full-time capacity in the Studio Art Department. Jaspersen's role at Bethany has increased over the Jason Jaspersen past three years, and the department will benefit from his talent as an artist and dedication and skill as a teacher and mentor for Bethany students. He will also serve as a resource to prospective students as he takes strides to meet students interested in art at Area Lutheran High Schools next year. (see related story on page 12)

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Announcing the Polly Browne Distinguished Chair In a previous edition of the Bethany Magazine, we reported the passing of Dr. Polly Browne in December 2020. Polly was instrumental in helping to establish the Education Department at Bethany, where she also taught courses in classroom management, fine arts, health and PE, linguistics, literacy, mathematics, and social studies. Over the course of Polly's thirty-five-year career as a teacher and professor, many students were touched by her passion for teaching and sharing the gospel. Polly's enthusiasm for serving her Lord and Savior, while helping her students discover that same joy in serving God's Kingdom, recently moved a group of friends and supporters to establish the Polly Browne Distinguished Chair in the College's Education Department. The Distinguished Chair provides funding for a professorship with the secondary goal that Bethany education students will have opportunities to work directly with elementary through high school students enhancing their reading skills—a lifelong passion for Polly. The Chair is supported through an endowment created by this generous donation. Bethany and these

friends of Polly are now encouraging others who've been touched by Polly's life as an educator to help support the fund. The group's original gift provides up to $200,000 in matching funds to encourage others to support the fund. Anyone contributing to the Polly Browne Distinguished Chair will have their gift matched dollar-for-dollar until the funds have been used.

If you would like to contribute to the Polly Browne Distinguished Chair Fund at Bethany Lutheran College, please call the Advancement Office at 507-344-7749 or visit blc.edu/WaysToGive.

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Honoring an Inspiration Photo by David Norris

BY L ANCE SCHWARTZ • DIREC TOR OF INSTITUTIONAL COM MUNICATION

Professor Emeritus Erling Teigen in his beloved Bethany archives.

Teigen receives honorary doctorate degree Bethany Professor Emeritus Erling Teigen was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on May 21, 2021. Information from Concordia Seminary noted that Professor Teigen was chosen for his years of faithful service in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) and to the wider Church. Teigen is the son and grandson of ELS pastors. He earned an associate in arts from Bethany, a bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from the University of Minnesota, and a master of divinity from Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary. From 1966 to 1977 he served ELS congregations in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Apple Valley, Minnesota, before accepting a call to teach at Bethany Lutheran College. President of the ELS Rev. Glenn Obenberger shared these words for the occasion. "We in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod are pleased to have one of our favorite sons receive this well-deserved honor from Concordia Theological Seminary. By having the degree of Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa conferred upon him, Erling is being publicly recognized for what so many of his students and colleagues have long appreciated. His contributions to our theological discussions in the ELS have not only guided us through some difficult conflicts with stalwart confessional integrity, but his willingness to serve our Lord as a humble 8

theologian of the cross professionally as well as in his personal life has been an inspiration to all in our synod and beyond." Teigen taught at Bethany College and Seminary from 1977 to his retirement in 2015 in the areas of philosophy, religion, and theology. His sense of humor and wit were appreciated by his students. Professor Teigen also was affectionately known to many of his students by the moniker "E.T." which he was dubbed after the popular movie in the 1980s with a similar name. In addition to teaching, he has served in many roles at Bethany, including: College Chaplain, Chairman of the Religious Studies Department, Executive Secretary for the annual Reformation Lectures, Director of the Paul Ylivsaker Center for Personal and Public Responsibility, President of the Faculty, and Director of the Liberal Arts Major. In retirement, he is also the Archivist for the College.. Teigen is a past editor of the ELS monthly magazine the Lutheran Sentinel, and past coordinating editor of Logia: A Journal of Theology and is currently editor of

B E TH A N Y Magazine

Erling Teigen during his awarding ceremony at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Oak Leaves, a quarterly publication of the ELS Historical Society. He is the author of several books, numerous journal articles and essays, and translations from Norwegian and Swedish. Having served on numerous synodical committees in the ELS and been involved in their mission work in Latvia and the Ukraine, he is presently secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod Doctrine Committee. He has lectured extensively in the ELS, but also at both seminaries of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He has several articles that have been published in Lutheran Synod Quarterly, Concordia Theological Quarterly, Confessional Lutheran Research Society Newsletter, and Logia, as well as contributions to various festschriften. In 2000, the Association of Confessional Lutherans honored him as the "Dr. Robert D. Preus Confessional Lutheran of the Year." Friends and former students of Dr. Teigen recently published and presented to him a festschrift on the occasion of his 80th birthday. In academia, a festschrift is a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, and presented during their lifetime. It generally takes the form of an edited volume, containing contributions from the honoree's colleagues, former students, and friends. The book is available in the Bethany Bookstore. Dr. Teigen was married to Linda (née Sheriff), who was called to her heavenly home in 2019 following a long illness.

Friends and former students of Teigen recently published and presented to him a festschrift, a book honoring a respected person, especially an academic, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

"...his willingness to serve our Lord as a humble theologian of the cross professionally as well as in his personal life has been an inspiration to all in our synod and beyond." - R E V. G LE N N O B E N B E R G E R , PR E S I D ENT O F TH E E VA N G ELI C A L LU TH ER A N SY N O D

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Commencement was

TWICE AS NICE

Photos by David Norris

BY LANCE SCHWARTZ • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Graduates exited the Sports and Fitness Center to congratulations from faculty lining their way to the campus green.

Commencement Day 2021 was a time of celebration for not only one, but two Bethany Lutheran College graduating classes. For the senior class of 2021, the event put an end to a year of adjusted learning situations, mandatory COVID testing, and quarantining while placing a new focus on a bright future. And for the class of 2020 it was a day to celebrate together after several months of mandatory online learning culminated in a virtual graduation in May 2020. The special ceremonies recognized the achievements of both classes, and the momentous occasion was celebrated the in the Younge Gymnasium. The historic event featured many of the pre-COVID-19 traditions and customs. Three identical graduation ceremonies were held in order to keep attendance within the state-mandated crowd sizes. Graduates and their families attending the in-person ceremony adhered to health and safety protocol with face coverings required indoors along with social distancing guidelines still in place. Each graduate attending in person could bring a maximum of two guests to the ceremony. Despite the restrictions, it was a special experience for all. 10

Dominic Flunker celebrated with classmates after the ceremony.

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The class of 2021's ceremony occurred on Friday, May 7 with two events. The class of 2020 walked across the stage Robert Reagles David Thompson on Saturday, May 8. Each ceremony followed a traditional May commencement format including a devotional message, an address from President Gene Pfeifer, and remarks from both a graduation speaker and the distinguished alumni award recipient. Bethany Josh Birkholz alumnus Major Robert Reagles (USMC) '06 delivered the address at both Friday events, and alumnus Rev. David Thompson (‘75) served as the speaker for Saturday's ceremony. Reagles and Thompson were joined on stage by several other speakers during the ceremonies including Vice President Jason Lowrey who conferred the degrees to the new Bethany alumni. Additional stage guests and speakers were Josh Birkholz, who was presented with the 2021 Bethany Lutheran College Distinguished Alumni Award, Rev. Herb Huhnerkoch, Chair of the Bethany Lutheran College Board of Regents (Friday afternoon), College Chaplain Don Moldstad (Friday morning), President Gene Pfeifer, and Professor Tom Rank (Saturday). While the focus and joy of the day was on the graduates, the ceremonies were also a marker of sorts for Bethany as it also signaled the return to some normalcy of pre-COVID life. In fact, had the ceremony occurred just three weeks later, all restrictions for the event would have been lifted and the ceremony would have looked even more like a traditional graduation event. Birkholz, the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, spoke about the real and lasting importance of a Bethany education and how graduating from Bethany is much more than just an academic accomplishment, but rather a part of a higher calling. Birkholz said, "As I reflect today, I can't help but notice that God placed us in the most prosperous and generous country in history. And the same God that placed us here gave us the most precious gift of salvation. I often wonder why did He do this for us? The One who gave us a gift more precious than gold or silver just might have put us in a place and time to

Photos by David Norris

Clockwise from top: Graduates Madelynn Thompson, Allyson Lauer, and Jean-Marc Lubiba.

reflect His generosity, and take the countless gifts He gave us and in turn give to His work. Remember what you learned on this campus to pursue "The One Thing Needful." In all our pursuits, our significance is found in God's word, in giving of what we have to others, and in showing true Christian love. No matter your income, your success in the world's eyes, or in your trials, remember to give and give generously. It will never be as hard or sacrificial as what Jesus did for you. You'll look back not on your success, but on your significance as a child of God. These riches, cares, and pleasures will fade into the background and the King of Grace will shine through." For all of the new 2021 Bethany graduates, and the members of the Class of 2020 who now had the opportunity to celebrate their achievements in person, the event marked the end of their Bethany experiences, and the many months of COVID-related restrictions. The world these graduates entered is perhaps very different than any other time in history. But certainly, it was exciting and encouraging that these new alumni could experience a traditional ceremony while celebrating both the end of their academic career and a bright outlook for a new chapter in their lives. VIEW VIDEO AND PHOTOS FROM COMMENCEMENT: BLC.EDU/COMMENCEMENT 11

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Photos courtesy of Jason Jaspersen

BY GABRIELLA BLAUERT • FORWARD IN CHRIST MAGAZINE

Artist and Bethany professor Jason Jaspersen at his home studio.

Highlighting the Scriptures Through Art "You can be on the right path and completely frustrated, but you need to keep going. God has a purpose to this process." - JA S O N JA S PE R S E N

An artist highlights the Scriptures in new ways through his art. Many would say that our truest passions in life emerge in childhood. But as we move into adolescence and adulthood, these interests might be set aside or forgotten. Not for artist Jason Jaspersen ('97). He grew up in a household that was filled with creativity, and from a young age, he loved and appreciated art. As Jason grew up, his love for art didn't wane. And today, he has a portfolio filled with impressive projects that range from public monuments, painted murals, sand animation—and everything in between. Through his work, Jason not only does what he loves, but he's also able to glorify God and discover more about the Scriptures through the process.

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Developing his craft Jason's first vivid memory of art happened when he was just five years old. His maternal grandmother had given him a Japanese landscape painting that she had created. Painting was an important part of her life. It became an outlet when all her children were gone from the house. She wanted to pass on this love of painting to her grandson. "That painting hung in my room," Jason recalls. "That was a strong example for me that someone I knew could make such beautiful images." As Jason moved into high school, there were no art classes available at that time at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School (MVL), New Ulm, Minn. He found other ways, though, to foster his art education. His grandmother gave him weekly lessons in her art studio, and he attended a summer art camp at Bethany Lutheran College throughout his high school years. There Jason learned about art history and painting; he also found mentors. "That lit a fire in me. Big time," he says. When it came time for Jason to decide on his plans for college, he was determined to become an artist. He ignored the suggestions of those around him who said that art was not a career choice or warned that he was going to be a "starving artist." He believed strongly, at that time in his life, that he was going to

A life of Christ triptych Jason designed and created for St. Mark, Lincoln, Nebraska. Imagery includes Simeon holding baby Jesus, the crucifixion, and Jesus' ascension into heaven.

will his plan and his dreams into existence. "I see God's hand as I look back," he says. "He had much better ideas for me than I had for myself." Having known Bethany from his art camps, he chose to begin his college career there. At this time, Bethany was a two-year college. Jason remembers his time at Bethany as truly life changing. The people he met and experiences he had were something that no marketing pamphlet could ever portray. "God used these times to mold me and steer my life," he says. Jason transferred to Minnesota State University, Mankato, to finish his bachelor's degree in studio art. Shortly after graduating, he accepted a call to serve at MVL. It was an exciting moment to have this opportunity to bring art to his alma mater. He admits to suffering from "imposter syndrome" for a while, wondering if he was qualified enough to teach or if he was meeting all of the right criteria. But one day, a switch flipped. Jason realized that he had been given an amazing opportunity as an art teacher. He was given the chance to inspire students and impact them on a daily basis. It was not about scores and metrics; it was about meeting students where they were at in any given moment. "It would regularly happen where students were working and I was helping them. It would occur to me that they are working on their God-given skills," he notes, "and it may be their only chance to work on these particular skills."

Translating God's Word into art Knight’s Head - Wittenberg Collegiate Center at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota.

Jason taught at MVL for 17 years. Throughout that time, he continued to practice his craft. Japanese ink paintings, bronze sculptures, CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Photos courtesy of Jason Jaspersen

A two-page spread from an illustrated book called A Mighty Fortress is Our God, which depicts in pictures Martin Luther's famous hymn.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

"Christus Paradox." Says Jason about the piece, "A royal crown transitions to a crown of thorns, sunshine to darkness, King to criminal. The seeming contradictions in Jesus' dual nature threaten logic but soothe the soul."

illustrations, motion graphics, sketches . . . you name it, and Jason has probably created something in that medium. His commissions are primarily centered around Christian themes. As his website states, "He wrestles invisible qualities of the Christian faith into stimulating visuals for renewed contemplation." Jason intentionally chose this as his focus for his work. He digs into the Word and finds a way to translate it into his art pieces in a way that "sticks" in the viewer's mind. The process for each piece changes depending on the project, but his core philosophy stays the same. Jason begins by sketching whatever comes to mind before he even has a fully formed idea. "When I have a problem to solve, very rarely do I know how it's going to turn out," he says. "Activity spawns ideas. Not the other way around." Another part of the process is what Jason calls "the ugly duckling stage." He says he used to get frustrated by his first drafts, but he knows now that this is a part of the process and that it's necessary to get to the desired finished work of art. "I see an application here," Jason says. "Outside of the creative process, life can be like that. You can be really frustrated that things are not the way you thought they'd be. But that doesn't mean there isn't a design or idea. You can be on the right path and completely frustrated, but you need to keep going. God has a purpose to this process."

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Custom Bible cover created for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. It was intended as a statement about the congregation’s high regard for the Word of God. Distinctly Lutheran themes in cast bronze with 23-karat gold leaf.

Still image from sand art animation work for the worship band Koiné.

Creating new opportunities In 2018, it was time for something new for Jason. He transitioned from his role at MVL to become a fulltime artist with the worship band Koiné as well as an adjunct faculty member at Bethany. It was truly a full-circle moment. Jason had spent years impacting students at his former high school, and now he had the chance to teach at the place where he had spent many memorable summers at art camp and during his two years of undergraduate studies. Once again, Jason sees the hand of God through it all. "Getting [phone] calls from Bethany and from

A woodblock print commemorating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.

Koiné on the same day felt like a nudge from God," he says. "I knew that this wasn't a coincidence." Jason has helped to create numerous pieces to accompany Koiné's music. He also has created artwork for t-shirts as well as live sand animations during Koine's shows. Throughout the pandemic, Jason has continued to stay busy, working in his studio and moving into a full-time position in the Studio Art Department at Bethany. He has big goals for the future, praying that his work will continue to inspire and resonate with a world that is increasingly drawn to images and video. He hopes to reach a new generation with the gospel's message. "I'm going to keep on trying to make the invisible things of our faith visible," says Jason. "I truly believe this is the purpose of my life. So, I'm all in." Reprinted with permission from Forward In Christ magazine - June 2021 Volume 108, Number 6

SEE MORE OF JASON JASPERSEN'S ART AT: JJJASPERSEN.COM

Rev. Gaylin Schmeling, pictured in Good Shepherd Chapel, has been President of the Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary since 1997. Photo by David Norris

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Preparing Shepherds for 75 Years BY GAYLIN SCHMELING WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM LANCE SCHWARTZ

Tucked away on the Minnesota River bluff about a block from the Bethany College campus is a beautiful building that some close to Bethany might be surprised to know exists. The absence of awareness is not for a lack of activity at the building; however, the facility is situated on a dead end cul de sac on the edge of campus that sees little traffic which might explain its anonymity. The offices for the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) - the church body that owns and operates Bethany are housed in the facility, and the primary tenant of the building is the Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary (BLTS). This is the seminary of the ELS which has been preparing pastors for seventy-five years and continues to provide graduate-level theological education today. In this anniversary year for Bethany Theological Seminary, we take a look at the history of the institution.

Seminary Leaders and Professors When the Seminary first opened in 1946, it was a department of the College, and the College president oversaw the operations of the school. The 1974 convention of the ELS resolved that the Seminary presidency be separated from the College presidency, and the seminary then became a separate institution. Until this time, the College presidents, S. C. Ylvisaker, B. W. Teigen, and Raymond Branstad also served as president of the Seminary. As a department of the College, the President certainly had input regarding the Seminary's business, but the Seminary daily operation was overseen by the "Dean of the Seminary."

These deans included Norman A. Madson and Milton Otto. The first president of the newly-separated Seminary was Theodore A. Aaberg who was forced to resign due to health issues a few years later. Professor Glenn Reichwald served as acting president for the 197980 school year until Wilhelm W. Petersen was installed as the new president. Upon his retirement in 1997 the current president, Gaylin Schmeling, was called to serve. Over the years several men served as professors in the Seminary including Adolph Harstad, Rudolph Honsey, Brian Klebig, Thomas Kuster, Juul Madson, John Moldstad, Nicholas Proksch, Glenn Reichwald, Timothy Schmeling, Michael Smith, and Erling Teigen. Until 1978, the Seminary had no permanent home on the campus; it was provided quarters by the CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

A book documenting the history of the Seminary is available through the Bethany Bookstore.

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College. The 1976 ELS Convention adopted a recommendation from the Board of Regents to authorize a special thank offering known as "Gratitude for Grace" for the purpose of higher education. It set a goal of $600,000, two-fifths of which was to be allocated to the Seminary. Pledges quickly exceeded that goal and at the next convention, groundbreaking occurred for the Seminary building just across the street from the College at 447 North Division Street (the present College building named Milton Tweit Hall). The Seminary building was dedicated on Synod Sunday, June 18, 1978. The building was a sturdy, one-story brick and stone structure containing two classrooms, a library, five offices, and additional work and storage space. On June 15, 1997, a new Seminary building was dedicated to the Glory of God. The building provided ample space for the synodical offices and archives. A beautiful worship space inside the building is named

Bethany Archives Photos

Above: Seminary students in class from the 1950s. Below: Classroom in 2019.

Current Seminary and ELS Offices building.

the Good Shepherd Chapel because of the stained-glass window that predominates the worship area. BLTS awards two different degrees. First and foremost, BLTS exists to train Lutheran pastors for parish ministry in the ELS and affiliated synods. Therefore, it offers a four-year course of study culminating in the master of divinity (M.Div.) which is the basic degree for most clergy in North America. Secondly, BLTS offers a master of arts (M.A.) in Lutheran Theological Studies for people who do not wish to enter the public ministry but are interested in a deeper study of Lutheran history and theology. The curriculum centers on the four basic divisions of theology: biblical theology, a study of the Bible in its original languages; systematic theology, a study of the doctrines gleaned from the Bible; historical theology, the study of the history of the Church in relation to the collected doctrines thereof; and practical theology, the study of everyday functions of the pastoral office like preaching, teaching, and counseling. The Seminary desires to instill in each student a love for God's Word and a love for souls. Having reached this important milestone of seventy-five years, the Seminary, by God's grace, intends to continue this vital work of preparing shepherds to proclaim salvation in Christ the crucified.

Above: Original Seminary building dedicated in 1978.

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Weber receives award for composition Jacob Weber was a featured organist at Bethany's recent 30th anniversary of the reinstallment of the Trinty Chapel Dobson Organ. BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Bethany Lutheran College alumnus Jacob Weber ('07) is the 2021 recipient of the Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition presented by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Weber received the award for his choral composition "Festival Gloria." The Raabe Prize is awarded every two years for a single musical work, published or unpublished and written within the last five years, that reflects a larger history of excellence on the part of the composer. Dr. William and Rev. Nancy Raabe of Madison, Wisconsin, endowed this prize to recognize and encourage significant accomplishments in composition contributing to the body of sacred music for the church in the Lutheran heritage. The winner of the annual prize is able to direct a monetary award of $1,000 to the musical or ecclesiastical organization chosen by the composer. Weber chose to direct his award to the Bethany Lutheran College Music Department. Weber is the associate editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House (CPH). At CPH, he assists with the editing and development of all handbell, keyboard, and choral publications, as well as other worship resources, including CPH's children's hymnal, One and All Rejoice (2020), of which he was the editor. Prior to this, he was the kantor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School (LCMS) in Dearborn, Michigan, where he oversaw and directed the church and school music programs and served as organist. Weber earned a bachelor of arts degree in church music from Bethany. After graduating from Bethany he continued his studies at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan; and a earned a master of church music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin.

While at Bethany, Weber participated in the annual All-Student Organ Recital sponsored by the Sioux Trails Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He also competed in the American Guild of Organists/Twin Cities Chapter Student Scholarship Competition. He was a featured organist at Bethany's recent celebration of the 30th anniversary of the reinstallation of the Chapel Dobson Organ. Weber said of his time at Bethany, "At Bethany, your professors aren't just your teachers, they're your friends. How incredibly unique a Bethany education is! The music degree prepares you for many areas of the music field, whether you're interested in theory, history, composition, performance, or pursuing higher education via masters and PhD. Bethany has the resources and the professors that will give you valuable information for your future to come which will ultimately allow you to succeed and accomplish great things. "What I remember most about Bethany was the worship life. Chapel on a daily basis just could not be beat. What incredible opportunities for a school body to come together for worship each day and hear God's Word and soak in the essential nutrients us as Christians need on a daily basis. I was certainly blessed by this at Bethany, as the Holy Spirit worked faith in my heart during a very strong, yet a very weak time of my life." Weber and his wife, Rachael, reside in St. Louis, Missouri, with their children. Together, they authored and composed a resource for children entitled Songs of the Church Year, a songbook and CD published by CPH that is designed to teach children the concepts of the Church Year through music. "My goal is to inspire and teach young children to grow and become faithful musicians in their churches and communities. As I teach children the joy of music and hymnody in the lives of God's people, it is my hope that they will grab ahold of what they learn and take it with them throughout their lives and one day, teach their own children or classroom." TO PREVIEW THE ARRANGEMENT AND PURCHASE COPIES VISIT: BIT.LY/WEBERMUSIC21

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final four in nation Esports League of Legends team competes among 450 other teams BY LANCE SCHWARTZ • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

When Bethany established its esports program in 2019, it's safe to say no one saw the team's rise to national prominence coming just two years later. But that's exactly what happened when the Bethany Vikings Esports team reached the final four of the North American 2021 College League of Legends (CLoL) Championship Tournament in May 2021. League of Legends is the world's most popular video game and competitive esport. There are roughly 450 colleges and universities competing in the League of Legends arena. Bethany made its entry into the world of competitive team electronic gaming on April 23, 2019, with a kick off event for the new varsity esports team. The goal was to establish a top-tier program. The effort saw Bethany taking the new esports program to the highest level possible by joining the premier collegiate sanctioning organization – the National Association of Collegiate eSports (NACE). To head up the effort, Bethany appointed Lucas Fricke, who also teaches in the languages (German, Spanish) as the director of the program while Seth Grabow, Production Studio Specialist at the College, would serve as the team's coach and media director. 20

At the kickoff event, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Ted Manthe explained that the team would share the same structure as other varsity team sports at the College. "Just like any student athlete, [esport competitors] will be mindful of their academic success." Bethany President Gene Pfeifer also participated in the kick-off event and noted that the addition of esports could prove to be a catalyst to broaden Bethany's already successful media and broadcast programs. Pfeifer explained, "In launching an esports program [our intent] is to link Bethany's unique niche in media arts broadcasting such as our Maverick hockey broadcasts with esports." The first step in making Bethany esports a success in the world of broadcast happened when alumnus Eric Lonnquist was hired to give a boost to the team's online presence. Lonnquist is one of the top world-wide broadcast figures in esports gaming. Lonnquist is a 2006 Bethany graduate, and is a professional commentator for the internationally

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popular Overwatch League. Lonnquist commented, "Bethany is uniquely positioned to become a leader in training future esports broadcasting talent and crew because of their ability to let students get ‘hands on' with sports production through their live broadcast capabilities and their excellent facilities." Prior to the start of the 2020-21 season, the Bethany Vikings Esports team earned its first-ever number one ranking. The rankings are scored by the Collegiate Star League (CSL) which is self-described as "the largest esports platform for competitive leagues across a multitude of games and stages for collegiate players of all skill levels." The ratings are based on input from collegiate esports coaches and individuals with significant knowledge and experience in the esports community. The recognition came in the League of Legends team power rankings category. The initial ranking proved to be reality for the Viking gamers. Fricke said the rankings systems is, "…very similar to other collegiate coaches' polls." in legacy sports such as football and basketball. The College League of Legends Championship Tournament is formed from teams across North America with each competing in a conference during a regular season. The College Championship is comprised of twenty-eight teams that qualify through their conference playoffs, as well as four teams that are selected by the tournament committee. Bethany Esports was one of the four at-large selections. These

thirty-two best esports teams in North America compete in a single elimination tournament to claim the College Championship trophy. Collegiate esports teams and players must be associated with an accredited higher learning institution in the United States or Canada, including four-year colleges, two-year colleges, universities, and graduate schools. Players must be currently enrolled in a degree program lasting at least two years and in academic good standing at the school they are competing for as either a full-time student, or part time student that is a former full-time student within one academic year of their expected graduation. Players must additionally be eligible to participate in school-sanctioned club or competitive sports, as defined by the respective institution. In the first two rounds of competition, Bethany promptly eliminated the University of California Berkeley on May 2 in round one, and then defeated Western University (London, Ontario) on May 9 in the second round. Bethany Esports dominated both best of three matches, notching decisive 2-0 victories. The Bethany Lutheran College Vikings Esports team continued its dominating ways in the 2021 Tournament quarterfinal round. The Viking gamers defeated The University of Toronto on May 27 in the elite eight round of the Collegiate League Championship Series. The Vikings' amazing run finally ended against perennial powerhouse Maryville University in the Final Four. The team continues to add top-caliber players and looks to make another run beginning in the fall focusing on the game Overwatch.

Photo courtesy of Lucas Fricke

The Bethany Esports team was invited to play in the Gateway Legends Collegiate Invitational, which took place at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis. This national esports tournament featured the top collegiate teams across the country, and was an expenses-paid trip for our team sponsored by The Centene Charitable Foundation. Pictured is Bethany playing against the University of Miami in Ballpark Village, which they defeated. BLC was the top seed in their bracket and placed fifth in the tournament of 16 teams.

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Right on Target Photo by David Norris

BY LANCE SCHWARTZ • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Bethany senior Tyler Stolt.

Latest co-curricular addition will be first in region Bethany is set to make history as the first four-year college in Southern Minnesota to add the sport of clay target to its co-curricular program. Clay target involves shooting a firearm at cylindrical flying objects known as clay targets. Hitting the target requires skill, timing, and hand-eye coordination. Clay target competition is conducted through high school programs, at local clubs, national and international competitions, and all the way through to the Olympics where it's known as skeet shooting. The sport is safe, exciting, challenging, and fun. Competitive clay target participants generally obtain their state's hunter education certificate and complete the Student Athlete Firearm Education (SAFE) Certification program. Minnesota is known as the national leader regarding youth involvement in clay target sports (Gregory, Time Magazine, 2019). In 2008, the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League (MNSHSCTL) was started with three teams and thirty student athletes, and it's grown quickly. Recent numbers show over 12,000 high school students and 450 schools participating. The MNSHSCTL Championship is regarded as the largest sport shooting event in the world. With the Minnesota league's popularity, neighboring states inquired about joining. As a result, the USA High School Clay Target League (USAHSCTL) was 22

incorporated in 2012 as a non-profit organization geared towards duplicating Minnesota's remarkable success in the sport. By the end of 2018, nearly 26,000 students on over 800 teams in twenty states were participating in USAHSCTL programs. Also

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in 2018, the League began to expand its offering to post-secondary institutions beginning with the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) which features competitive shooting sports at thirteen technical and community colleges. While four-year colleges and universities in neighboring states are already competing, the Bethany clay target program is groundbreaking in Southern Minnesota collegiate ranks. Bethany's Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Ted Manthe will oversee the development of the start-up program and he is welcoming the new activity. "Observing the growth of clay target and trap at high schools throughout Minnesota, Bethany is excited to form a collegiate clay target team. We're eager for what collegiate clay target sports will bring to our campus and to our community here in Southern Minnesota. The sport provides competitive opportunities for both men and women alike to participate on the same team while continuing to enjoy and compete in a life-long activity," said Manthe. The Bethany Clay Target Team will be a competitive sport team and will consist of a co-ed roster of 20-30 participants, and will likely grow into two squads (Varsity/JV). Competitors are eligible to earn up to $2,000 in activity scholarships depending on individual qualifications. Bethany will look to join a competitive college league such as the USA Clay Target Association (USACTA). The clay target season will be a 19-week season (nine weeks in the fall and ten weeks in the spring) with the top varsity competitors traveling and participating in live clay target events. The entire team will likely take part in virtual competitions, meaning

Photo by David Norris

Bethany's Clay Target team will be coached by Kenn Mueller, a ten-year clay and trap coach at Minnesota's Sibley East High School.

the participants will run an event at their home club while competing against other teams in a virtual situation. Bethany has reached an agreement with the Caribou Gun Club and Hunting Preserve in rural Le Sueur County to use the facility as its home practice and competition site. The club was founded in 1953 by Earl Voss and is owned today by his son, Randy Voss, an international trap competitor. The Caribou Club features skeet, sporting clay, and trap stations on its 750-acre site. Caribou is considered to be one of the premier shooting competition destinations in North America. The facility hosted the 2012 U.S. Open Sporting Clays Competition and the 2015 World Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse' (FITASC) competition. FITASC is an international form of sporting clays and enjoys a following the world over. The Club most recently hosted the 2017 National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) North Central Regional Championship in 2017. Manthe mentioned, "We're thrilled to be able to compete at a world class facility. It's exciting to call the Caribou Club our home field and range." The Bethany Clay Target Team will conduct weekly practices during the season at the Caribou Club and will also hold virtual practices in an on-campus team facility that will feature a virtual simulation space to augment range time. The space will have a virtual simulator, study area, social area, and team lockers. Kenn Mueller, a ten-year clay and trap coach at Minnesota's Sibley East High School, will lead the team.

VIEW SCHOLARSHIP AND CONTACT Courtesy of Caribou Gun Club

INFORMATION AT: BLC.EDU/CLAY-TARGET

The Caribou Gun Club in nearby Le Sueur County will be the home practice and competition site for the Bethany Clay Target team.

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BY K ATIE JO SVE NSON • COORDINATOR OF SPORTS INFORM ATION

CROSS COUNTRY Due to COVID restrictions the cross country season in 2020 was cancelled.

BASEBALL Record: 16-15 overall, 12-4 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Three Vikings earned First Team All-Conference honors: Ross Beumer (Northfield, Minn), Dallas McBroom (Elysian, Minn.) and Logan Nissen (Olivia, Minn.). Honorable Mention honors went to Alec Gratz (North Mankato, Minn.) and Brody Curtiss (Belle Plaine, Minn.) Beumer was also an All-Region selection.

MEN'S BASKETBALL Record: 6-4 overall, 4-3 UMAC (Conference Only Schedule in 2021) Brian Smith (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) was named First Team All-Conference and Hunter Nielsen (New Prague, Minn.) earned Honorable Mention. Jared Milinkovich (New Prague, Minn.) was also named Honorable Mention and earned a spot on the All-Defensive team.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL UMAC Champions (Conference Only Schedule in 2021) Record: 9-1 overall, 6-1 UMAC The Bethany women's basketball team claimed the second-consecutive regular season Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) championship, and also won its third-straight UMAC Tournament Championship in 2021. This means the Vikings qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, though unfortunately, those championships were cancelled. Hanna Geistfeld (Truman, Minn.) was named First Team All-Conference and was the UMAC MVP. Abby Olson (Montevideo, Minn.) was also a First Team All-Conference 24

Selection. Sara Kottke (Buffalo Lake, Minn.) was named UMAC Rookie of the Year and was Honorable Mention Hanna Geistfeld Sara Kottke All-Conference. Geistfeld became the program's first All American in the Division III era as she was named Second Team All American by D3hoops.com.

MEN'S GOLF Third place at the UMAC Championships Gabe Stoesz (Waseca, Minn.) was named First Team All-Conference. This marks the third straight season a Viking golfer has been named All-Conference.

WOMEN'S GOLF Sixth place at the UMAC Championships Hayley Thompson (Victoria, Minn.) was named First Team All-Conference. This marks the fifth straight season a Viking golfer has been named All-Conference.

MEN'S SOCCER Record: 7-2 overall, 6-1 UMAC (Conference Only Schedule in 2021) Max Busch (Odenthal, Germany) was named the UMAC MVP and head coach Derek Lyngholm was named UMAC Coach of the Year. Busch also

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Photo by David Norris

The women's basketball team defeated North Central on March 8 to take the UMAC Tournament Championship for the third straight year.

earned Second Team Academic All-America honors as selected by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association Max Busch Derek Lyngholm (CoSIDA). He is the first selection in Bethany men's soccer program history since transitioning to NCAA DIII. Also named to the First Team All-Conference were Thijs Middeldorp (Landgraaf, The Netherlands), Vincent Ayodi (Nairobi, Kenya), and Benjamin Phillips (Kingston, Jamaica). Second Team honors went to Cameron Brookfield (Cheshire, England) and Domingos Vital (Estonil, Portugal). Julio Castanon (Ciudad Victoria, Mexico) received Honorable Mention.

(Pasadena, Cal.), and Juana Quevado (Bogata, Colombia) all earned Honorable Mention accolades.

SOFTBALL Record: 21-17 overall; 12-4 UMAC Zoe Kinakin (Victoria, British Columbia) was named First Team All-Conference. This was the eleventh straight year a Viking received First Team honors. Honorable Mention went to Ana Christofferson (Mankato, Minn.), Alyssa Kosta (Redding, Cal.), and Kassidy Cunningham (Portage La Prairie, Manitoba).

MEN'S TENNIS Record: 1-8 overall, 1-5 UMAC (Conference Only Schedule in 2021) Marcos Borobia Arias (Zaragoza, Spain) was named All-Conference. This is the seventh straight year a Vikings men's tennis player has received this honor.

WOMEN'S TENNIS Record: 2-6 overall, 1-4 UMAC (Conference Only Schedule in 2021)

WOMEN'S SOCCER Record: 4-4 overall, 3-4 UMAC (Conference Only Schedule in 2021) Maddie Perry (Anoka, Minn.) and Sadie Sandersfeld (Fairmont, Minn.) were named Second Team All-Conference and Brooke Wolanin (Littleton, Col.), Asia Jota

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

MEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Bethany Lutheran has earned Rookie of the Year honors in women's outdoor track and field program history.

Fifth Place at UMAC Championships Jake Marzinske (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) was named the UMAC MVP (field events) and UMAC Rookie of the Year.

VOLLEYBALL

Jake Marzinske Third Place at the UMAC Championships Jake Marzinske was a repeat winner of the UMAC MVP award (field events) and UMAC Rookie of the Year for the outdoor season.

Record: 4-6 overall, 3-5 UMAC (Conference Only Schedule in 2021) Kasidy Cacka (Brownton, Minn.) was named Second Team All-Conference. This marks the fifth straight year and sixteenth overall season a Viking has received All-Conference accolades.

WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE

MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Eighty-Five Bethany student-athletes were named to the UMAC Academic All-Conference list. Individuals who earn a 3.5 or better grade point average (GPA) during their respective semesters of competition are recognized with the prestigious honor.

Fifth Place at UMAC Championships Kayla Tobin (Watertown, Wis.) earned All-Conference for her win in the 3,000m run and the Distance Medley Relay team of Tobin, Cianna Hoppe, Chloe Kuhlman, Jordan Merwin captured All-Conference honors.

WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD Sixth Place at UMAC Championships Megan McCue (Mountain Lake, Minn.) was named the UMAC Rookie of the Year. This is the first time

Megan McCue

from our

2000s

ALUMNI 1960s

Michael Sponberg (‘61) is well and still living in North Mankato, Minn. He sends greetings to all his Bethany classmates and looks forward to seeing many of them when they gather together this October for Fall Festival/ Homecoming Weekend. Former Bethany Admissions Director and Soccer Coach Michael Butterfield (‘66) visited the Bethany campus in April 2021. During his visit, Mike was presented with a painting from the 1973 soccer team that placed third in the nation. The painting was done by alumnus Scott Eckberg (‘75) - a member of the ‘73 team. The painting was completed in memory of Mike's wife, the sainted Vicki (‘67 Hougan) Butterfield. She passed away in 2020. Within the landscape piece, there are some hidden 26

images with special meaning for Bethany and the ‘73 soccer team. The team had hoped to gather together to present the painting to Mike in person, but COVID restrictions did not allow for such a meeting. Bethany's Manager of Alumni Relations Jake Krier made the presentation to Butterfield on behalf of the team.

1970s Rev. Ken Mellon ('78, '84 Seminary) retired after serving 36 years as an Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS pastor). He, and his wife Carol, have moved back to Mankato.

Keith (‘09) and Monica (‘08 Bowerman) Peterson are celebrating their thirteenth wedding anniversary in August 2021. Monica received her degree in English and Keith in sociology from Bethany. The couple have lived in Walker, Minnesota, near Leech Lake for the past three years. Monica is the office receptionist and circulation manager for the Pilot Independent Newspaper. Keith is a licensed social worker for Cass County Health, Human, and Veteran Services. Both Monica and Keith are active at their church, Immanuel Lutheran (LCMS), in Walker. Monica is a member of the Immanuel Lutheran LWML group, and Keith is chairman of the Board of Education for Immanuel Lutheran School and on the tech committee. The couple enjoy the small-town setting and activities in Walker and the surrounding areas of Bemidji, Brainerd, and Duluth.

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John (’09) and DeeDee Dvorak welcomed Ada Grace into the world on June 24, 2021. Ada joins her big brother Mason (nearly two and a half years). Last summer 2020, John left his sales role at the Minnesota Vikings and is now serving at St. Croix Lutheran Academy (West St. Paul, Minnesota) as Assistant Director of Mission Advancement.

A LUM N I

Jonah (‘16) and Sarah (‘16 Rehbein) Menough are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Amelia Rose. Amelia was born on March 5, 2021, in Mankato weighing in at 6 lbs. 2 oz.

p Ryan Kastenschmidt (‘17) and Danielle Vetter (‘16) were united in marriage on August 8, 2020.

2010s

Kristina Carpenter (‘17) graduated from her graduate program at Hamline University in May 2021 with a master's in fine arts (MFA) in creative writing with an emphasis on fiction.

p Alannah (‘19 Menk) and Mike (‘15) Lendt welcomed their first child, Nathan to the world in January 2021.

Deaths – Alumni, Regents, Faculty and Staff Donald Anderson ('49) passed away on May 16, 2021 Donald Bauer ('50) passed away on March 25, 2021 Marjory Koenen (Pralle '53) passed away on May 18, 2021 Norman Theiste ('53) passed away on June 27, 2021 Melvin Fadness ('58) passed away on February 27, 2021 Loren Clobes ('66) passed away on March 12, 2021

p Katherine (Caflisch '16) and Douglas Totten praise God for the gift of one another as they were united in marriage on May 1, 2021. The newlyweds will make their home in Indianapolis where Doug is a medical resident and Katherine is pursuing a career in microbiology.

Bernard Koskovich ('67) passed away on May 25, 2021 Cynthia Stubenvoll (Beise '72) passed away on February 2, 2021 Jerrold Dalke ('75) passed away on May 10, 2021 Timothy Reuter ('76) passed away on March 13, 2021 Kris Lecy ('79) passed away on March 31, 2021 Wendy Folven (Schumacher ‘79) passed away on April, 20, 2021 Gail Blilie (Lillo Curran '89) passed away on May 28, 2021

Allison Jentges (‘19) began a new position as a distribution supervisor for nVent Hoffman, an electrical enclosures company based in Anoka, Minn.

Mark Speerschneider ('99) passed away on June 21, 2020 Amun Bordain ('08) passed away on June 4, 2021 Correction: The May 2021 issue of Bethany Magazine listed an alumna's passing incorrectly. The listing should have stated, Maren Marie Ring (‘54 Preus) passed away on November 5, 2020.

JOIN THE

BETHANY COFFEE CLUB!

For an annual membership fee you'll receive: • A collectible Bethany coffee mug • A bag of Viking Blend coffee (choice of whole bean or ground) • Plus other goodies, all packaged inside a custom-made Bethany box There also will be special events, held both virtually and in-person throughout the year exclusively for coffee club members. All dollars raised through the Coffee Club will go into the Bethany Fund to support the work that is being done at the College for students.

Visit blc.edu/CoffeeClub to sign up and learn more. 28

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All the Vikings, All Together! From all of us at Bethany Lutheran College, we want to truly thank you for both your prayers on behalf of Bethany, and also your gifts of support for the All The Vikings Campaign during the 2020-21 fiscal year! Whether you supported Give to Bethany Day in November, during the annual phone drive with Bethany students, in response to our many mailings, emails, or social media posts, or perhaps while working with an advancement team member—words cannot express how thankful we are for your support! This campaign is a wonderful example of the many Bethany Vikings who truly believe in the College’s mission and want to ensure students now, and in the future, receive the best Christ-centered college education that is, and always will be, offered here at Bethany Lutheran College. Please know how much We Appreciate You! Your contributions are making a lasting difference in the lives of Bethany students now and as we row the Bethany Viking Ship into the future.

A campaign supporting students through the Bethany Fund The All the Vikings, All Together Campaign was a huge success with your generous help. We are very humbled and thankful to say that because of your gifts throughout the 2020-21 Academic Year the goal of $625,000 was surpassed in dramatic fashion. We are so thankful for this tremendous generosity from our Bethany Viking Family!

$681,481 raised through 2,847 gifts Go to blc.edu/AllTheVikings for more information and to see a list of campaign contributors.

2020-21 Annual Report of Alumni Gifts

Bethany Lutheran College truly appreciates the support and prayers from many alumni. The individuals listed in this 2020-21 annual report of alumni donors made gifts to the College between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of these lists, occasionally an error occurs. Please accept our apologies for any errors.

1940

1949

Ask, Ellinore (Busness)

Anderson, Eileen (Trygstad) Gehm, Evelyn (Kressman) Hansen, Gerald Heidorn, Paul Kietzer, Betty (Mau) Larson, Marilyn (Lee) Lee, Sigurd Melcher, Eleanor (Kressman) Pieper, Lois (Iverson) Tagatz, Waldo Vierck, Carl

Class Participation 50%

1942

Class Participation 50%

Hecht, Virginia (Aamodt)

1946

Class Participation 13%

Burgdorf, Theodore

1947

Class Participation 33%

Burgdorf, Lois (Gosewisch) Meier, Lois (Harmon) Tschirhart, Arlene (Ewert)

1948

Class Participation 32%

Bramer, John Gruenewald, Elsie (Busch) Orvick, Ruth (Hoel) Overn, Robert Overvold, Fern (Landswerk) Swenson, Howard Werner, Norman

Class Participation 58%

1950

Class Participation 16%

Kenyon, David Maxfield, Alice (Lillegard) Overn, Lois (Gallman) Panning, Dorothy (Wohlrabe) Werner, Paul

1951

Class Participation 38%

Anderson, Eunice (Johnson) Behne, Charlene

Bode, Richard Closs, Joan (Teuchert) Faugstad, Esther (Petersen) Homan, Ruth (Langenhahn) McLean, Irma (Paap) Rients, June (Anderson) Schmitt, Valeria (Buehner) Schweiger, Hazel (Knutson) Sternitzky, Catherine (Golisch) Streufert, Eunice (Cordes) Tillotson, Kathleen (Iverson) Wermedahl, Boyd

1952

Rector, Lorene (Meyer) Schoer, Corinne (Hoefker)

1953

Class Participation 32%

Bostelmann, Allan Hartley, Renata (Boniek) Henke, Betty (Mumme) Maginnis, Richard Meyer, Lon Nordlie, Lila Mae (Mickelson) Schol, Jeannine (Mattison) Vosbeck, Claudia

Class Participation 45%

1954

Berg, Hope (Williams) Burgdorf, Harold Kain, Dale Koschmann, Dorothy (Heintz) Koschmann, Mark Madson, Norman Martin, Loretta (Zahorka) Meyer, Eunice (Huseby) Meyer, Miriam (Jungemann) Newgard, Hazel (Johnson) Radke, Kenneth

Arndt, Ruby (Herbst) Borgwardt, Wayne Ebert, Dorothy (Dorr) Fickel, Elvyna (Herbst) Going, Adrienne (Welch) Going, Thomas Leiding, Geneva (Houg) Matzke, Margaret (Harstad) Meyer, Leroy Nibbe, Janice (Roschen)

Class Participation 42%

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Theiste, Arlene (Eichhorst) Treffert, Dorothy (Sorgatz) Werner, Elizabeth (Preus)

1955

Class Participation 32%

Geisler, David Griggas, Robert Holt, Lorraine (Johnson) Madson, Andrew Matthews, Miriam (Gutekunst) Neidhold, Eunice (Rolf) Pogatchnik, Carol (Lieske)

1956

Class Participation 54%

Abel, Kaylan Balcer, Dorcas (Pederson) Brassow, Earl Brouse, Judith (Nelson) Cassadore, Delores (Rambler) Geistfeld, Ernest Hybl, Richard Letts, Marlys (Albus) Lightfuss, Fay (Buss) Myers, Janelle (Jungemann) Nelson, Inez (Schmidt) Otten, Grace (Anderson) Putz, Merlin Schroeder, Howard Schultz, John

1957

Class Participation 32%

Burley, Louise (Halverson) Dickinson, Mildred (Christenson-Sickmann) Hanel, Caroline (Rabenhorst) Koester, A.K. Kuster, Theodore Levorson, Irwin Odegaard, Karen (Johnson) Radway, John Thomforde, Phyllis (Buchholtz) Wolfrath, Dalton

1958

Class Participation 33%

Anthony, Willis Hoepner, Darrell Jungemann, Neil Karlsrud, Wayne Mehrkens, Glen Natvig, Dennis Radway, Karen (Swenson) Swenumson, Paul Unseth, Allan Wolfrath, Ellen (Bobholz)

1959

Class Participation 41%

Brudwick, Dean Buck, Donnell Faugstad, Adela (Halverson) Fittshur, Marlene (Corbisier) Furholmen, David Geistfeld, Ione (Sorenson) Hanna, Karolyn (Klammer) 30

Krause, Carol (Smith) Leverenz, Edith (Nelson) Lillo, JoAnn (Storlie) Meyer, Marvin Meyer, Patricia (Salomon) Modene, Judith (Wold) Natvig, Harold Smith, Robert Teigen, David Waters, Jerry Wilking, Ingeborg (Johnson) Younge, Gary

1960

Class Participation 43%

Beck, Darwin Busse, Frank Fauk, Ruth (Hamann) Fowler, Donna (Fredrickson) Helland, Judy (Anderson) Hoepner, Karen (Iverson) Julson, Dennis Kain, Elaine (Dunteman) Kison, Alan Kuster, Helga (Teigen) Litfin, Dennis Loe, Ellen (Weseloh) Moses, Galen Nelson, Leslie (Anderson) Quist, Steven Taus, Evelyn (Schlomer) Teigen, Erling Urban, Richard Weseloh, Vivian (Unseth)

1961

Class Participation 26%

Cutsforth, Jean (Roberson) Dale, Rodger Diersen, Mary (Ingebretson) Halvorson, Wayne Kackmann, Marlene (Zimmerman) Kramer, Caroline (Karnopp) Lillo, Ernest Lillo, James Meyer, James Peterson, John Sponberg, Michael

1962

Class Participation 50%

Berke, Larry Bly, Frankie Burns, Naomi (Geistfeld) Daley, Evelyn Dorr, Luther Harstad, John Heidenreich, Robert Kuster, Judith (Maginnis) Maske, JoAnn (Malenke) Mathison, Ronald Menke, James Natvig, Allan Schwertfeger, John Smith, John Teigen, Norman

Tweit, Mary Jane (Anderson) Widvey, John

1963

Class Participation 40%

Anderson, Patricia (Busacker) Biesterfeld, Kenneth Binder, Jerald Edwards, James Green, Allen Green, Vivian (Helland) Lillo, Margaret (Otto) Luecke, Karen (Unseth) Magnuson, Joel Natvig, Lee Nelson, Larry Parker, Melvin Quist, Ruth (Jordahl) Schlomer, John Schmidt, Alice Skaaland, Diane (Natvig) Smith, Ruth (Tweit) Smith, Sandra (Erickson) Spaude, Nancy (Bunting) Tweit, Paul Younge, Ronald

1964

Class Participation 41%

Anderson, Dale Anton, Rebecca (Kimble) Harstad, Herman Heidenreich, Ruth (Oesleby) Hermanson, Ross Hinrichs, Joyce (Rohda) Johnson, Gary Knowlton, Jean (Olson) Mickelson, Ruthann (Kuster) Noethe, Louise (Dahle) Quist, Allen Reinholtz, Gary Solheim, Dianne (Tasa) Strusz, Marie (Matthees) Theiste, Frederick Wiley, Charlotte (Scharf) Younge, Mary (Smith)

1965

Class Participation 36%

Ball, Joan (Harstad) Chamberlain, Myrna (Dodge) Davis, Pamela (Scheitel) Ellison, Nancy (Nodland) Hackbarth, Richard Healy, Lynn Kroon, Michael Parker, Gary Paus, Carol (Feil) Steffen, Elaine (Voth) Theiste, Theodore Unseth, Linda (Maxwell) Wenger, Kathy (Hagen) Younge, Barbara

1966

Class Participation 39%

Anderson, Carol (Solli) Anderson, David

Birkholz, Marcus Butterfield, Michael Goede, Jeffrey Hermanson, Elizabeth (Otto) Holsten, Sheryl (Zimmerman) Holz, Michael Johnson, Laura (Teigen) Klindworth, Martha (Paasch) Otto, Ellen (Schlomer) Parker, Darlene (Smith) Peterson, Bruce Reul, Thomas Roberson, Thomas Schneider, Paul Silverstein, Elizabeth (Tweit) Spaeth, John Strand, Ronald Streed, Stephen Teigen, Judy (Tostenson) Teigen, Martin Turvold, Marcia (Levorson) Weimer, Hope (Boomer)

1967

Class Participation 30%

Argabrite, Nancy (Heurich Pershinger) Davis, Marsha (Butzow) Ebert, Kenneth Fenger, Michael Finster, James Gullixson, Theodore Hansen, Jon Keat, Kenneth Lemke, Lorna (Schlomer) Lillo, Gary Lindemann, Carl Linn, David Luckstein, Donald Malenke, Sandra (Narges) Marozick, Linda (Thesenvitz) Marozick, Mark Neyhart, Dale Olm, James O’Neill, Ronald Shep, Naomi (Vangen) Spaeth, Esther Trier, Patty (Soule) Trier, Robert

1968

Class Participation 34%

Browning, Daniel Browning, Linda (Madson) Dashcund, Camilla Davis, George Fredrickson, Susan (Kimble) Frost, JoAnn (Schulze) Grosnick, Roger Harstad, Cheryl (Paakkonen) Hartigan, Cheryl (McCafferty) Hartigan, Norman Hlavacek, Dona (Stenning) Horrisberger, Paul Just, Dale Keat, Kathleen (Skaaland) Klockziem, Gloria (Rupprecht) Lindemann, Betty (Merseth)

B E TH A N Y Magazine

Lorenz, Frederick Luedeke, Arthur Malenke, Dennis Minkel, Dianne (Sampson) O’Neill, Marlene (Morrow) Paasch, Sarah Pemble, John Petersen, Kathleen (Solli) Quasius, Larry Schumacher, Linda (Remmele) Stueck, Thomas Swenson, Anne (Kroll) Tyler, Lawrence Voss, Kathryn (Lee) Wezler, Dorothy

1969

Class Participation 44%

Abel, Mary Aljadah, Monah Birkholz, Daniel Boche, Ruth (Guldberg) Brekken, Marcia (Schleusener) Burmeister, Fay (Grossman) Costello, James Cramer, Gary Fenger, Robert Glienke, Gerhardt Gullixson, Norman Hanson, Patricia Heiliger, Cheryl (Edwards) Hildebrandt, Ruth (Otto) Hilgert, David Holte, Karen (Thomsen) Jaeger, Mark Klaus, Glenn Klinkel, Marlene (Hass) Krentz, Janet (Weseloh) Krentz, Timothy Kunkel, Dennis Lepak, Susan (Dorr) Levorson, Gail (O’Brien) Luckstein, Rebecca (Faugstad) Luttman, Nancy (Branstad) Mack, David Madson, Karen (Hougan) Merseth, Juel Muehring, Gerald Muehring, Pamela (Anderson) Narges, Charles Neipert, Kenneth Nelson, Harland Oesleby, Esther Raleigh, Karen (Horrisberger) Remmele, Paul Rick, Dennis Runeberg, Lloyd Schmidt, Dennis Schultz, Duane Schuster, Gail (Harstad) Tellier, Arno Voth, Althea (Matthees) Walker, Sharon (Dendtler)

1970

Class Participation 21%

Birkholz, Jane (Baumann)

Birkholz, Sherilyn (Nelson) Christenson, Eric Fleming, Diane (Long) Gillette, Thomas Haaland, Olaf Johnson, Allan Levorson, Ronald Maas, Daniel Merseth, Lynn (Schurke) Merseth, Nile Natvig, Roland Ordal, Douglas Otto, Carolyn (Anderson) Otto, Paul Petersen, Steven Remmele, Gary Runeberg, Jeanne (Bakken) Seitzer, Renata (Voth) Tolzman, Alan Westphal, Arthur

1971

Class Participation 30%

Cherry, Mary (Lloyd) Erickson, Timothy Firle, Lynette (Thompson) Fischer-Quick, Christine (Fischer Dubrowski) Flantz, Kathryn (Holte) Haaland, Judith (Honsey) Henderson, Mary (Hovel) Hopp, Lynette (Farnum) Jaeger, Lois (Olson) Johnson, Gayl (Edwards) Krebsbach, Linda (Narges) Lindwurm, Susan (Bly) Longmire, Karen (Gutsch) Otto, Lois Reitan, Cheryl (Hempel) Schaefer, Daniel Skaaland, Samuel Skaaland, Tosten Westphal, Terri (Severson) Williams, Richard Wixom, Katherine (Schlomer)

1972

Class Participation 24%

Bartsh, Richard Bergquist, Inez (Schey) Falconer, Carole (Honsey) Fischer, Wayne Gullixson, Margaret Harstad, Peggy (Sorenson) Jaeger, Steven Klute, Susan Ligman, Richard Luttman, Matthew Madson, David Meissner, Dennis Miller, Dallas Morales, Elizabeth (Petersen) Scott, Kristie (Rodning) Tyler, Aline (Schey) Van Norstrand, Michael

1973

Trapp, Carol (Huffman) White, Heidi (Humburg)

Bernau, Julie (Bjelland) Blado, Ronald Bro, Randal Bruss, Dan Carlson, Janice (Esterly) Crabb, Allen Dale, Janice (Behrens) Dale, Lowell Faugstad, Daniel Krause, Judith (Guldberg) Laulainen, John Lehrkamp, Diane (Beiswenger) Madson, Jan (Larson) Morales, Christian Paterson, Kristi (Hougan) Paterson, Richard Peterson, Lois (Narges) Skaaland, Irene (Heyen) Swanson, Lance Tollefson, Janet Wiederhoeft, Keith

1976

Class Participation 26%

1974

Class Participation 17%

Bachman, Julie (Feil) Bartel, Barbara (Stuebs) Becker, Barbara (Bloedel) Chervestad, Kim Ferkenstad, Craig Jordahl, David Laulainen, Marilyn (Ausen) Lehrkamp, Robert Rude, Nicholas Ruzek, Teresa (Soule) Stresman, Kathy (Baerman) Valen, Mark Walker, Mark West, Richard

1975

Class Participation 25%

Abrahamson, Larry Arneson, Ronald Bloedel, Karl Borslien, Paul Goetzke, Emily (Orvick) Gunn, Dean Hagen, Carol (Kjenslee Metcalfe) Hansen, Glen Hanson, Paul Homan, Bradley Howard, Carole (Schiller) Johnson, Joyce (Lillegard Rude) Kracht, James Krentz, Wallace Kruse, Ronald Lecy, Rebecca (Browning) Naatz, Deborah (Sundby) Nass, Thomas Ray, Robert Shoop, Dean Shoop, LuAnn (Larson) Swanson, Barbara (Lee) Thompson, David

Class Participation 27%

Alberts, Terry (Giese) Bedet, Jane (Rusche) Burgstiner, Dawn (Hildebrand) Burk, Sharon (Natvig) Christensen, Emily (Trier Faugstad) Costello, Gregory Dancer, Kim (Erickson) Dietsche, Rodney Drager, David Gullixson, Connie (Warrant) Haugen, Gregory Helbling, Audrey (Kletscher) Huffman, Karen (McCreary) Lukens, Joyce (Beckman) Madson, Jonathan Meyer, Joe Nass, Janice (Dale) Noerenberg, Diane Preus, Peter Ryan, Dorothy (Von Haden) Ryan, Robert Stavig, Jennifer (Tobias) Stresman, Gary Taylor, Kathleen (Overn) Van Norstrand, Jane (Overn)

1977

Class Participation 27%

Anderson, Marla (Brock) Anderson, Stuart Bartsch, Mark Costello, Cynthia (Hall) Costello, John Faugstad, Julie (Sorenson) Gullixson, James Homan, Julie (Koenen) Huffman, Roger Jahn, Curtis Kenyon, Thomas Lecy, Gregory Lussky, Steven Magnan, Harold Merriman, Warren Meyer, Connie (Kjenslee) Moldstad, Timothy Morrison, Donna (Rixe) Obenberger, Glenn Orvick, Mark Petersen, John Rank, Sonja (Kulseth) Rank, Thomas Schey, Bernard Skoog, Karen (Asmus) Slaker, Margaret (Tonn) Thompson, Alice (Lam) Zastrow, Michelle (Moeller)

1978

Class Participation 24%

Carlson, Gary Davis, Elizabeth (Theiste) Dekker, Carol (Kenyon) 31

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Ferkenstad, Teresa (Kletscher) Fleischmann, Robert Hansen, Anita (Hill) Jaeger, Michael Kelton, Susan (Mauland) Kessel, William Kock, Elizabeth (Dale) Kopperud, Sheryl (Cohrs) Madson, Timothy Main, Cheryl (Koskiniemi) Main, Donald Mellon, Kenneth Meythaler, DeAnn (Gannon) Moldstad, Donald Olson, Ruth (Norell) Schultz, Nathan Schultz, Shelly (Hein) Slaker, Ralph Snyder, Scott Sorenson, Paul Van Dyke, Elaine (Buhr) Werner, Ann Wiederhoeft, Joni (Baarts)

1979

Class Participation 19%

Aastrup, Jay Bartels, Mark Bruss, Kathryn (Moldstad) Darge, Joel Dvorak, Amy (Kopacek) Jaeger, Kristine (Baerman) Kopacek, Carolyn (Tonn) Lee, Tammy (Warrant) Londgren, Elisa (Boniek) Madson, Susan (Olson) Meyer, Timothy Ollrich, August Ollrich, Susan (Lawson) Rabe, Kathryn (Buer) Riewe, Brenda Swain, Ann (Hougan) Westphal, Patricia (Holzhueter) Woods, Mark

1980

Class Participation 14%

Blomgren, Cynthia (Pudewell) Breitenfeldt, Laurie (Rigstad) Diehl, Frederick Farquhar, Mary (Theiste) Gernander, Susan (Rank) Hartmann, Dari Hellwig, Glen Huseby, Jeffrey Ihns, Delbert Jones, Lyle Moldstad, Gina (Hassler) Nelson, Linda (Nelson) Price, Joseph Tragasz, Cynthia (Strackbein)

1981

Class Participation 18%

Andersland, Debra (Klessig) Andreasen, Janine (Steinke) Blumer, Deborah (Lillegard) 32

Costello, Janet (Nelson) Folven, James Gehl, Robin Geistfeld, Jon Henke-Caflisch, Donna (Henke) Johnson, Lois (Gullixson) Kohn, Constance (Lieske) Krueger, Deborah Olson, Roger Perez, Becky (Manteufel) Pless, Linda (Siewert) Schoeneck, Mark Scislow, James Scislow, Karen (Harstad) Vinz, James Wiechmann, Ann (Monson) Wiechmann, David Wiltzius, Christine (Leverenz)

Tudahl, Julie Widmer, Rachel (Doepel) Wold, Paul

1982

Class Participation 11%

Class Participation 9%

Blaschko, Cheryl (Kroehler) Cleveland, Christine (Eichmann) Cleveland, Edward Cooper, Karin (Theiste) Knutson, Laurie (Engelkens) Langr, Andrew Meyer, Joel Palmer, Deanna (Lillegard) Shelvik, Jane (Spieker) Stevensen, Kim (Grunst)

1983

Class Participation 12%

Bartels, Sherri (Griffin) Cepek, Gary Ernst, Micah Fick, Lois (Moldstad) Heidorn, Kenneth Madson, Douglas Maxfield, John Ring, Mary (Schultz McBryde) Trueblood, Lisa (Golisch) Weingartz, Pamela (Stordahl) Wold, John

1984

Class Participation 19%

Anthony, David Anthony, Karrie (Zak) Basel, Daniel Beatty, Michael Browne-Krosch, Crista (MeyerBrowne) Christiansen, Craig Gratz, Bruce Handberg, Channing Heidorn, Susan (Geistfeld) Johnson, Peter Krszjzaniek, Diane (Meder) Krumsieg, Cynthia (Lieder) Natvig, Jon Overn, Andrew Ring, Caroline (Langr) Schroeder, Daniel Sehloff, John Sehloff, Kari (Paap)

1985

Class Participation 12%

Abrahamson, Harvey Dallenbach, William Erickson, Steven Faugstad, Mark Faugstad, Marlene (Heller) Gottschalk, Kay (Guse) Julson, David Montreal, Peggy (Schultz) Natvig, Cynthia (Griffin) Radatz, Andrew Soule, Erik

1986

Halvorson, Loren Krauss, Mitchell Lawson, Robert Marzinske, Michael Meunier, Myrna (Reed) Pederson, Jennifer (Madson) Ring, Alexander Schwartz, Lance Sjoberg, John Smith, Channing Sweere, Penny (Bertram) Tangen, ReNae (Kaelberer)

1987

Class Participation 19%

Alfred, Carolee (Schwartz) Aurand, Eric Bodjanac, Deborah (Wosje) Boecker, Mark Bruss, Kristine (Schweim) Cook, Rebecca (Schmidt) Erickson, Kari (Amundson) Fyffe, Richard Goede, Michael Hoem, Steve Johnson, Emily (Quist) Langerud, Debra (Matthees) Lehne, Donald Marzinske, Naomi (Lillegard) Marzolf, Corwin Meyer, Peter Neath, Robert Nitardy, Elisabeth (Madson) Olsen, Todd Radloff, Timothy Rysavy, Michele (Johnson) Vikla, Mark Westphal, Donald

1988

Class Participation 14%

Anders-Ous, Sheila (Anders) Bloedel, Peter Duesterhoeft, Jane (Zimmerman) Galaudet, Leah (Whitney) Hallman, Matthew Halvorson, Susan (Heidenreich) Humann, Jon

Kuball, Jodi (Johnson) Kuster-Overn, Laurie (Kuster) Love, Jodi (Sladek) Lyman, Heidi (Sip) Olsen, Ruth (Moldstad) Patterson, Donald Studanski, Kimberly (Patterson) Suhr, Kristin Thomforde, Paul

1989

Class Participation 14%

Bollinger, Paul Gengenbach, Mark Grossman, RaeAnn (Wiechmann) Hallman, Stephanie (Potter) Horner, Sandra (Long) Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Tyler Merchlewitz, Shelly (Sornberger) Richert, Timothy Scamehorn, Lisa (Willems) Schmidt, Sarah (Post) Schmidt, Stephen Sonnenburg, Cami (Smith) Tragasz, Richard Vikla, Carol (Fuller) Younge, Joseph

1990

Class Participation 14%

Augustine, John Boettcher, Cassandra (Weigel) Born, John Buckley, David Bute, Jolene (Ignaszewski) Dale, Chandra (Schnell) Dale, Michael Griffin, David Heling, Rhonda (Steffel) Krengel, Paul Kuckhahn, Beth (Kramer) LeMay, Jennifer (Hazelett) Marzinske, Todd Mielke, Angela (Tweit) Wegner, Jennifer (Mattson) Woller, Kevin Younge, Nathan

1991

Class Participation 10%

Antonio, Domineque (Prinzing) Augustine, Kimberly (Klaustermeier) Bierman, Lori (Brammeier) Bohler, Lisa (Janssen) Kind, Christopher Kuster, Matthew Norris, David Norris, Tanya (Steffen) Patterson, Lara (Lemke) Snustad, Peggy (Schmidtke) Younge, Angela (Paulson)

1992

Class Participation 12%

Brase, Heidi (Richert) Dirkes, Krista (Christenson) Drake, Laurie

B E TH A N Y Magazine

Fowler, Christopher Hennen, Thomas Holmstrom, Eric Kleszczynski, Renee Schwartz, Jennifer (Brassow) Tweit, Bernt Tweit, Jason Woller, Eric Younge, Jeffrey

1993

Class Participation 13%

Anderson, Kristen (Gasau) Brooks, Matthew Ericksen, Shawn Fritz, Craig Gernander, Jerome Ketel, Brian Lawson, Robert Lowrey, Rachel (Schneider) Melvin, Michael Novotny-Hoffman, Anna (Novotny) Olseth, Jennifer Rich, Elizabeth (Staab)

1994

Class Participation 8%

Birkholz, Joshua Bloedel, Sarah (Raabe) Fahning, Bonnie (Raddant) Fahning, Mark Freske, Michael Graf, Wendy (Wurster) Griffin, Nedra (Tweit) Soost, Michael Stafford, Shawn Tweit, Katie (Longendyke)

1995

Class Participation 11%

Apps, Sara (Becker) Birkholz, Tracy (Gray) Brech, Randy Fries, Paul Hoeft, Erich Hoeft, Gerilynn (Nelson) Lepak, Phillip MacPherson, Ryan Neff, Daniel Otten, James Schumpe, Philip Stafford, Amy (Rasmussen) Thompson, Jenna (Stege) Wurster, Kathryn (Heins) Younge, Paul

1996

Class Participation 10%

Dibbini, Michael Donev, Gwen (Kamrath) Hartzell, Nathan Kerkow, Rachel (Westphal) Kom, Joel Lawson, Kristen (Beckmann) Marozick, Jonathan Meitner, Paul Nolte, Melissa (Townswick) Olson, Benjamin

Schewe, Cory Schmeling, Annette (Habben) Traylor, Sara (Merseth) Valleau, Michael Van Dyken, Crystal (Anderson) Wurster, Miles

1997

Class Participation 9%

Brockman, Cory Grimm, William Ketel Opheim, Carrie (Ketel) Loge, Eric Lyngholm, Derick Moeller, Peter Olson, Sara (Knudson) Schmeling, Timothy Schmidt, Benjamin Severson, Tristan Snyder, Sara Thomas, Blaine Wencl, Nicole (Schmugge) Woller, Denice (Fetzer)

2002

Class Participation 9%

Anderson, Matthew Basel, Roberta (Schmidt) Cantu, Sarah (Lams) Ferkenstad, Aaron Jacob, Jennifer (Laue) Klebig, Dawn (Erickson) Kovaciny, Rachel (Ohlendorf) Moldstad, Matthew Petzel, Krista (Merseth) Schwichtenberg, Jay Wempen, Kristi (Krenz)

2003

Class Participation 14%

Baumann, John Bruns, Elizabeth (Reagles) Jacobsen, Jesse Krueger, Johanna (Martens) Rutschow, Annette

Bode, Isaac Costello Peter Gullixson, Samuel Kovaciny, Lawrence Krier, Gretta (Nelson) Lane, Anthony Lienig, Alanna (Preuss) Marozick, Abigail (Proeber) Mears, Laura (Hougan) Merseth, Jeffery Merseth, Megan (Armbrecht) Merten, Benjamin Schmidt, Andrew Ziemke, Kristin (Born)

1999

2004

Belinski, Marian (Meyer) Bloedel, Talia (Malenke) Braun, Andrew Eastvold, Todd Hackett, Hannah Hahnke, Cory Lukasek, Matthew Marzinske, Darci (Faith) Merseth, John Pedersen, Stephanie (Walker) Schmidt, Daniel

Bastinelli, Rachel (Blum) Fehr, Nathan Gieseke, Eric Gunderson, Jessica (Pieper) Hoffman, Elizabeth (Bode) Klebig, Brian Lin, Aleta (Mueller) Muehlenhardt, Michael Schoen, Ashley (Soule) Vlieger, Estelle (Tesch) Wanous, Cassi (Schwichtenberg)

2000

2005

Elliott, January (Peterson) Hardinger, Crystal (Graf) Lukasek, Kristen (Tyrrell) Mellon, Patricia (Larabell) Pedersen, Scott Skogen, Joshua

Carmichael Braun, Charis (Carmichael) Faugstad, Peter Larson, Andrew Mears, Joshua Merten, Jill (Merseth) Moldstad, Joni (Dukleth) Paulsen, Kurt Schultz, Brooke (Kriewall) Ulrich, Luke Vandermause, Melissa (Grams)

1998

Class Participation 4%

Class Participation 9%

Class Participation 6%

2001

Class Participation 9%

Basel, Dustin Bloedel, Chad Kovaciny, Jon Kovaciny, Raelene (Miller) Loging, Jonathan Mellon, Paul Tillman, Scott Tweit, Seth Vaubel, Rachael Wendinger, Jessica (Krumwiede)

Class Participation 14%

Class Participation 19%

2006

Class Participation 13%

Anderson, Emily (Tews) Bateman, Ashley Fehr, Elisabeth (Bruss) Gullixson, Anna (Norman) Gunderson, Douglas Hartwig, Daniel Hartwig, Sarah (Wright)

Jacob, Jeremy Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Julie (Quist) Krier, Jacob Metzger, Thomas Ringen, Joshua Vandermause, Greg Vig, Andrew

2007

Class Participation 16%

Bartelt, Brian Cascione, Jerusha (Londgren) Clennon, Karina (Harstad) Faugstad, Ashley (Curtis-Wollney) Faugstad, Benjamin Faugstad, Kristin (Lussky) Gehrke, Jessica Gunderson, Paul Halverson, Andrew Harstad, Nathan Hendricks, Regina (Langhorst) Hueckman, Seth Langhorst, Keri (Ploog) MacPherson, Marie (Holtz) Merseth, Jessica Metzger, Melissa (Ausen) Nelson, Ashley (LaBeau) Ohlendorf, Erika (Christensen) Ohlendorf, John Ryan, Karla (Kromschroeder) Schroeder, John Schultz, Nikolaus Skogen, Katie (Wiechmann) Woller, Amanda

2008

Class Participation 15%

Abrahamson, Nathanael Budahn, Kristen (Scislow) Covell, Ashley (Rand) Fairbanks, Scott Gunderson, Meredith (Browne) Hendricks, Lucas Homan, Jonathan Homan, Tanya (Niemuth) Kaminsky, Nicholas Lange, Angela (Moldstad) Lange, Dustin Latterman, Ryan Nelson, Jason Peterson, Eric Pieper, Zachary Proksch, Rebekah (Tecken) Rogness, Rebekah (Breitbarth) Smith, Thomas Sulzle, Elizabeth (Bloedel) Sulzle, Matthew Ulrich, Rachel (Enderle)

2009

Class Participation 7%

Abrahamson, Stella (Georgas) Datwyler, Thomas Dvorak, John Fassett, Brent Loehrs, Justin 33

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Lukasek, Karyn (Lussky) Lukasek, Michael Quist, Daniel Shrader, Rose (Krueger) Webber, Paul

2010

Class Participation 9%

Behmer, Elizabeth (Boche) Frederick, Stephone Green, Kody Green, Kristin (Becker) Gullixson, Briana (Bode) Gullixson, David Ollrich, Nicklaus Quist, Amanda (Scharlemann) Rassier, Elizabeth (Kopacek) Schaffer, Brittany (Schlomer) Schaffer, Matthew Shrader, Kurt Smith, Christine (Lubenow) Weber, Jacob

2011

Class Participation 6%

Cook, Nicholas Emory, Jace Halverson, Emily (Peterson) Lilienthal, Michael Mayer, Joshua Perley, Trisha (Lynch) Reagles, David Reagles, Karla (Fehr) Schultz, Jenny (Petersen) Torres, Elizabeth (Horneber)

2012

Class Participation 11%

Behmer, Matthew Bossow, Glenda (Kramer) Espinoza, Brittany (Zabel) Hager, Benjamin Krier, Taylor Lilienthal, Sarah (Doepel) Lundsten, Benjamin Lundsten, Haley (Kratovil) Mayer, Jonnica (Norell) Messner, Alyssa (Wiechmann) Meyer, Michael Muehlenhardt, Katrina Petzel, Allison (Homan) Rossiter, Craig

Ruiz, Daniel Ruiz, Katie (Anderson) Schroeder, Stephanie (Heidorn) Schuman, Kathryn Soule, Andrew Strong, Jeremy

2013

Class Participation 16%

Allen, Joshua Barth, Staci (Paul) Christenson, Carissa (Ott) Cook, Emily (Anderson) Covell, David Evans, Aaron Fick, Zachary Foster, Mercedes Johnson, Kirsten Knight, Michael Krause, Jessica (Mueller) Kroehler, Gavin Kubista, Collin Larson, Melissa (Boddy) Mantey, Aaron Merritt, Christopher Miller, Aaron Peterson, Derek Peterson, Kelsie (Ammann) Petzel, Benjamin Tecken, Benjamin Tecken, Victoria (Kasten) Webber, Marta (Krause)

2014

Class Participation 9%

Abbey, Sophia (Faugstad) Carter, Diana (Marzinske) Fogarty, Jeremiah Garvin, Patrick Graif, Alyssa (Gratz) Heintz, Eileen (Heintz) Kurth, Leah Luna, Juan Ollrich, Elise (Browne) Pederson, Joshua Soule, Catharine (Webber)

2015

Class Participation 11%

Behmer, Jacob Ernst, Patrick Faugstad, Aaron

Flintrop, Anna Koch, Ryan Messner, Landon Ott, David Reinsch, Morica Salgado, Sergio Seehafer, Lucas Soule, William Van Hee, Alexandra

2016

Class Participation 23%

Albrecht, Jenna Behny, Brittany (Boyum) Behny, Tyler Bilitz, Míša (Sparley) Boucher, Reece Buelow, Amos Buelow, Kelsey (Fick) Emkes, Danielle Ernst, Kate (Ruschmeyer) Farquhar, Lauren Hahn, Angela (Timm) Hahn, Luke Johnson, Elisa (Mayer) Johnson, Sam Kleinschmidt, Dalton Maschoff, Megan Moldstad, Benjamin Olsen, Jeffery Ott, Kasey (Gratz) Schneider, Jacob Seehafer, Aimie (Wiechmann) Soule, Emily (Dworak) Totten, Katherine (Caflisch)

2017

Class Participation 19%

Bilitz, Martin Carpenter, Kristina Cavanaugh, Megan Faugstad, Abe (Faugstad) Heartbird, Caleb (Harman) Jelken, Andrew Kelly, Maggie (Bruder) Krause, Timothy Mumme, Eleonore (Mumme) Olson, Crystal Roemhildt, David Roemhildt, Leah (Hagen) Stevens, Samuel

Wegner, Abigail Weyhrauch, Morgan Wickingson, Christina

2018

Class Participation 13%

Brown, Broderick Cordes, Brittany (Moldstad) Elyea, Kirsten Faugstad, Elise (Widmer) Faugstad, Timothy Grove, Joshua Harris, Kevin Kranz, Alicia Kurtenbach, Rachel Lonnquist, Lydia (Lonnquist) Marzinske, Kari (Marzinske) Ragner, Maureen (Ragner) Ruiz, Marcus Schmidt, Magen (Meyer)

2019

Class Participation 14%

Battenfeld, Noah Berlinger, Jessica Bless, Karee (Henrich) Brown, Anna (Meyer) Cordes, Anthony Faugstad, Jayde (Thompson) Grove, Jemimah (Cordes) Henderson, Kenya Hildebrandt, Lydia Kind, Pamela (Stankey) Krause, Cynthia Lease, Chad Lease, Megan (Morehouse) Lippert, Olivia Mielke, Jacob Nusbaum, Daniel Peterson, Blake Radloff, Anthony Sandin, Haley Schmidt, Timothy Westphal, Eric Widmer, Claire

2020

Class Participation 1%

Boucher, Maren (Thompson)

B E TH A N Y Magazine

Bethany

RETROSPECT

Remembering a campus moment from years gone by.

BREAK TIME: With students recently moved in to start the academic year, we're throwing it back to 2000 when a couple of gentlemen took advantage of the furniture being moved into Anderson Hall to rest on. Send your reactions to editor@blc.edu. Find more photos from years past on archives.blc.edu.

blc.edu/events

Calendar of events can be found at:

700 Luther Drive Mankato, Minnesota 56001-6163

blcvikings.com/events

Athletic events can be found at:

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities MN PERMIT No. 90100

Bethany Magazine - August 2021

Articles inside

From our Alumni

Athletics Wrap Up

Right on Target

Final Four in Nation

Bethany Magazine - August 2021

Preparing Shepherds for 75 Years

Highlighting the Scriptures Through Art

Commencement was Twice as Nice

Honoring an Inspiration

Announcing the Polly Browne Distinguished Chair

From the President