Commencement was Twice as Nice

BY LANCE SCHWARTZ • CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER

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.

Dominic Flunker celebrated with classmates after the ceremony.

Photo by David Norris

The class of 2021's ceremony occurred on Friday, May 7 with two events. The class of 2020 walked across the stage 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 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 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.

Graduate Madelynn Thompson.

Photo by David Norris

Graduate Jean-Marc Lubiba.

Photo by David Norris

Graduate Allyson Lauer

Photo by David Norris

VIEW VIDEO AND PHOTOS FROM COMMENCEMENT: BLC.EDU/COMMENCEMENT