Bethany Magazine - December 2017 by Bethany Lutheran College

DECEMBER 2017

REFORMATION IN ART Page 12

we can help you

choose your path. GETAWAY WEEKEND - FEBRUARY 1-3, 2018 EARLY REGISTRATION - MARCH 24, 2018 SPRING OPEN HOUSE - APRIL 21, 2018

Contact Bethany Admissions at 800-944-3066 for more information, or visit blc.edu/admissions

The sixth annual Speechless Film Festival will be held April 12-14, 2018, in downtown Mankato, Minnesota. Films will be screened at the Verizon Wireless Center located at 1 Civic Center Plaza. Registration Tickets will be available online at a later date at speechlessfilmfestival.com. Guests will pick up or purchase passes and festival programs at the event registration desk on the second floor of the Verizon Wireless Center.

Basic Festival Pass—$20 Includes admission to all film showcases, Pass Holder Breakfast sponsored by Tandem Bagels, and the Presentation of Awards with Standing Dinner by Najwa’s.

VIP Festival Pass—$50 Includes admission to all film showcases, Pass Holder Breakfast sponsored by Tandem Bagels, the Presentation of Awards with Standing Dinner by Najwa’s, the VIP Party, and festival T-shirt.

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table of

contents SPIRITUAL LIFE ____________________________

CAMPUS NEWS ____________________________

4 FROM THE PRESIDENT

22 MAKING A CONNECTION WITH ONLINE LEARNING

Solid vision essential for future

Reaching out beyond campus

FACULTY & STAFF ____________________________

ATHLETICS ____________________________

6 FROM OUR FACULTY & STAFF

13 COACH NESSLER RECEIVES HALL OF FAME CREDENTIALS

Recent accomplishments of individuals employed at Bethany

Softball coach honored

17 HALL OF FAME

14 BOOSTING THE BROADCAST

Four alumni inducted along with this year’s Team of Distinction

Greg Vandermause is growing and expanding the studio program

ALUMNI ____________________________

STUDENT ACTIVITIES ____________________________

20 FOUR GENERATIONS Roots run deep with multiple generations attending Bethany

11 CULTURE CROSSING

Students help school children learn about countries from around the world

25 ALUMNI NEWS

News and updates from our alumni

27 RETROSPECT

CAMPUS NEWS ____________________________

Cleaning up was a joint project for everyone on campus years ago

9 CREATING AN IMPACT

Recent grads help support future students with financial assistance

12 REFORMATION IN ART

Artists and writers reflect on what it means to be Lutheran

18 FALL FESTIVAL

Activities and reunions roundup ON THE COVER: Detail from Lutheran Still Life by Eric Soule (‘85), part of the Lutheran Art Invitational art show. See page 12.

DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY Senior Jeremy Becker found out that Bethany’s size has big advantages

e agazin

M ISSUE: 138

Magazine is published three times yearly by the Bethany Lutheran College Office of Institutional Communication and distributed free of charge.

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.

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from the

president

BY G E N E PFE I FE R • PR E SI D ENT, B E TH A N Y LU TH ER A N CO LLEG E

Solid vision essential for future The American botanist and inventor, George Washington Carver, is attributed with the quote, “Where there is no vision, there is no hope.” Born into slavery at the time of the Civil War, Carver held a vision to help poor farmers improve the quality of their lives, and so he sought to perfect alternative crops to cotton that could provide poor farmers both a livelihood and a food source, such as the peanut. He went on to become the first president of the Tuskegee Institute. On a much larger scale, significant to all of mankind for all time, in the book of Proverbs 29:18 we read about an even more serious condition, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” In our sinful human condition we all by nature have no hope of eternal life—only separation from God due to the consequences of our own imperfection, and the verdict of guilty is declared by a just God to the punishment of eternal death in hell… “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” But God in his Fatherly love for us, His creation, had a vision—a plan. Because of His requirement of perfection, and knowing our imperfection, He sent His one and only Son, true God, to earth as true man, 1) to live the perfect life we couldn’t live, 2) to suffer the punishment of our sins, and 3) to die the death we deserved—in our place—to cover the consequences of our sinfulness, and in so doing exchanged with each of us His perfection for our sinfulness. God’s plan—His vision outlined for us in the Bible—is ours by faith. At Bethany, we call God’s plan for mankind “The One Thing Needful”—that message of the good news of the gospel that by faith we are saved eternally. And this academic year we celebrate that vision—that plan—in the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, and in the 100th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. We celebrate these events because where there is vision, there is hope. And where there is hope there is eternal life. At Bethany, the vision for the College has been thoroughly studied and in some cases expanded in recent years. With the input of our many constituencies, a total of five vision statements for Bethany, adopted by the Board of Regents this past February, set the direction for what we as a college want to continue to do and aspire to do in the future, and as an outgrowth, a five-year strategic plan for the College has also now been developed and adopted. Bethany aspires for excellence in academic scholarship. Unlike research institutions, academic scholarship at Bethany is excellence in teaching. The sainted Professor Emeritus Rudolph Honsey once 4

shared with me his advice to the Bethany faculty. He simply but profoundly said, “Love your teaching.” We continue to aspire for excellence in teaching through a variety of new initiatives including the addition of a dean of the faculty position and increased funding for faculty learning opportunities. At Bethany we also aspire to place a priority on the personal mentoring of students. Rudy Honsey’s, “love for students,” that was felt by many of our Bethany

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alumni from years ago, is just as evident today. At Bethany we want to continue to provide our students with personal mentoring to assist them in their success—both as students and later as they go into their various vocations in society. Another sign of excellence for a college is to retain 80% of their first-year students from year one to year two. Our retention rate has grown to 83% for each of the past two first-year cohorts—a true measure that personal mentoring is taking place on our campus. This measure of success is attributed to Bethany’s unwavering focus on the total needs of the student— not just academically, but spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally. God has truly blessed Bethany through an increased retention of students—a true marker of student satisfaction.

“God has truly blessed Bethany through an increased retention of students—a true marker of student satisfaction.” Bethany offers students so many opportunities— from academics to fine arts, to athletics, to speech, government, and many others—we aspire to provide students opportunities to identify and develop their God-given talents and abilities. This is evidenced in new majors and more in development. It’s evidenced in online courses that provide both college and high school students flexibility in their learning. It’s also evidenced in the fact we continue to study adding more programs—both athletic and non-athletic, that may help us reach more students with a Bethany education. It’s evidenced in plans for facility expansion to provide students opportunities for their physical well being in the form of a Student Activity Center. And in our proposed strategic plan we’re even calling for the feasibility study of perhaps someday offering a master’s program in a niche area for Bethany such as in the growing field of Christian counseling. Over our 90-year history, Bethany alumni—now numbering over 9,000—have been supported by the prayers, time commitment, and financial support of its constituents—so in another vision statement we call on our Bethany constituency to continue to make a positive impact on current and future generations of students. We ask you, our constituents, to continue to do this through your ongoing prayers to the Lord for

continued blessings upon Bethany. We ask for your testimony to those in your congregations and families about the blessings occurring at Bethany. We ask for your encouragement to young people to strongly consider enrolling at Bethany for their college training. And we ask for your continued financial support that helps us to offer significant academic scholarships to our students to ensure that a Bethany education is one of great value. And lastly, and most importantly, at Bethany we aspire to graduate compassionate alumni (firmly grounded in Christian faith and teaching) who reflect Christ’s love in their lives with integrity, character, and unshakable Christian values. Quite frankly, that’s Bethany’s why—our reason for existence—to share with our students “The One Thing Needful”—so that more and more (today and in the generations to come) may mature in their faith, or for a growing number of Bethany students, to be introduced to the Savior they so desperately need. God’s plan for salvation provides all of us sure hope of eternal life. And as you can see, because there is a vision for Bethany, there is also hope for a strong and viable College for students today and for the generations to come—a Christ-centered college in a society that continues to badly veer away from God and His Word—so that more and more may know “The One Thing Needful”—a Savior in Jesus who is all of ours by faith, and so that we can continue to produce well-equipped graduates for productive and fulfilling lives. These are certainly exciting times for Bethany. Thank you, all, for the roles you play, for your prayers on behalf of Bethany, and for your support in making Bethany a great blessing to all who are served by it.

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From our faculty & staff Campus Nurse Lisa Brown was awarded a scholarship to attend a three-day educational conference sponsored by the American Association of Pro-life Lisa Brown Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG). Pro-life healthcare providers from all over the country attended the AAPLOG conference. Kathy Bruss (Languages) was a presenter in September at the Kingdom Workers – Mission Training Program, for the cohort of new evangelists soon to be deployed to a variety of countries. She presented on the topic “Learning to Think Differently,” using the contrasting cultural Kathy Bruss values as laid out in Sarah Lanier’s book Foreign to Familiar, to analyze how they might need to modify their thinking and behavior in their work, church, and social life abroad. Since May 2016, Bruss has served as the Kingdom Workers’ Program Manager for Chile, responsible for overseeing the work of American English teachers sent to Chile to do evangelism and serve as active members of their local ELS congregation. Professor William Bukowski (Art), and his wife, Sherri, went to London this past summer for personal enrichment and to study painting. Along with the many art William Bukowski museums, churches, and historical buildings, the Bukowskis also took in plays at the Globe and the West End. Their trip included a three-day visit to Madrid, Spain, to see more paintings and visit one of Sherri’s former students from 6

Holy Cross in Madison, Wisconsin. Other Bukowski happenings: • Exhibited his painting, The Chaos of Nature at the Minnesota State Fair. • Currently working on a commission for Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mankato. He will be doing three paintings, the Resurrection, the Crucifixion, and the Last Supper. • Palm Sunday in April 2017 marked the dedication of Bukowski’s painting of the Last Supper for Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville, Minnesota. • Commissioned to do a mural for Bethany Lutheran Church in Hustisford, Wisconsin. The theme of this installable mural is Faith Rooted in Christ. • Participated in the “Starving Artist at the Temple” show in Mankato. The show was a benefit for the Twin Rivers Council for the Arts. Next spring will be the tenth trip to Italy for Bukowski and the Bethany Art Department. The trip will be during spring break and includes Venice, Florence, and Rome. It is part of a three-credit class called “Masterpieces of the Western Tradition.” Assistant Professor of Legal Studies Sara Edwards attended the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) conference in Chicago this past June. In the April 2017 edition of the Bethany Magazine, Professor Robert Hanna (English) spoke of a forthcoming article he authored in The Dickensian. The article has now been published. Professor

Sara Edwards

Robert Hanna

Hanna notes, “In several of my literature courses, I teach and have my students practice the research skills needed for an article like this.” Greg Vandermause (Studio Manager) represented Bethany Studios at the recent Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) Convention in Grimma, Germany. He made several video recordings of the Greg Vandermause Conference. One such recording was a unique presentation of the CELC Ninety-Five Theses for the 21st Century. A committee of fifteen pastors from around the world, who are members of the CELC, put the new set of Ninety-Five Theses together. They were prepared in conjunction with the Reformation 500 anniversary observed in 2017. According to the CELC, “The Ninety-Five Theses for the 21st Century, unlike Luther’s, present all the basic teachings of the Bible as confessed in the Lutheran Church. They are organized according to the outline of Luther’s Catechism, which to this day is treasured as a teaching tool in the churches of the CELC.” The readings of the new theses, accompanied by hymns from a Bethany chapel recording along with contributions from Martin Luther College, was edited and arranged by the BLC Studios and are now available for viewing on the CELC website. Professor Ryan MacPherson (History) gave four presentations at the Christian Education Symposium hosted by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Wasilla, Alaska, June 30–July 2, 2017. The conference commemorated the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran

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Reformation, emphasizing the legacy of Luther’s thought for education in the distinct but inter-related estates of home, church, and state. MacPherson was also Ryan MacPherson interviewed on Issues Etc. (KFUO, St. Louis) on August 30, 2017, critiquing recent studies that compared the effectiveness of comprehensive vs. abstinence-only sex education curricula, and discussing cultural trends surrounding this debate. Associate Professor Eric Ouren (Art) was one of the featured banjo builders included in the Minnesota Banjo Maker’s Exhibit at the Minneapolis Central Library at Cargill

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Hall, held October 7- November 9, 2017. The show provided an in-depth look into the banjo-making process, the banjos themselves, and the makers currently active in Minnesota.

Research Fellowship and a Research Grant from the Mid-Atlantic Conference on British Studies to visit the Wheaton College archives to continue research for his dissertation.

Eric Ouren

David Reagles (History) was awarded a bursary from the Antiquarian Booksellers Association to attend a seminar on “The History of Reading” at the University of London David Reagles (UK). He was also able to fund a trip with assistance from the Margaret and Marshall Bartlett

Dan Tomhave (Admissions) attended the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) annual conference in Boston in September 2017. This conference brings together high school guidance and college counselors, independent counselors, vendors, Dan Tomhave and college admission professionals from around the country and the world.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARDED TO DIAZ Bethany’s Food Service Director, Juan Diaz, was the recipient of Pioneer College Caterers Rookie of the Year (ROY) award at the Pioneer corporate national meeting. The ROY award is given to directors who, during their first year as director with Pioneer, achieved exceptional standards in the areas of client satisfaction, employee development, program quality, and financial performance. In addition to receiving the award, Diaz was also presented with congratulatory letters from Bethany’s leadership team. Juan, and his team, have provided the Bethany campus with excellent food and exceptional service in Bethany’s Dining Center. We are thankful to have Juan as part of the Bethany campus community and congratulate him on this very deserving award. The public is welcomed to eat anytime the College is in session in Bethany’s Dining Center. Dining hours can be found on the Bethany website. 7

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Moving Forward Recordent Enrollm

Bethany Lutheran College enrollment for Fall 2017 stands at 655 students, an all-time record! This is a significant jump from last fall’s enrollment of 588; a more than 11% increase in students taking courses from Bethany. Our traditional on-campus full and part-time students increased to 523, a 2% gain over last fall.

on Retenctei ss Suc

Fall to fall retention for first-year students is officially 83%, topping last year’s record retention rate of 82%. Bethany makes a great effort to help students succeed in and out of the classroom by offering such services as the Academic Resource Center and the Ada Stokes Writing Resource Center, where students receive tutoring and assistance with projects and papers, and an on-campus counseling center.

Onlinteh Grow

Bethany now has a total of 203 students taking online courses. Currently there are thirteen courses offered. Of the 203 students, 129 are high school students from around the country taking college courses for dual credit. This is a significant increase from fall 2016 when 49 students took online courses.

Challenge grant given to help replace aging pianos

Bethany student Elizabeth Austin practiced playing piano in Trinity Chapel on the newest piano to campus, a Steinway grand.

As reported in the July 2017 issue of the Bethany Magazine, Bethany is embarking on a campaign to replace the College’s collection of eighteen pianos that are showing their age. Many soundboards on College-owned practice pianos are cracked. Hammers and strings are worn out. Bethany’s pianos are used for classroom instruction in music theory, ear training, music history and literature, and performance classes. Since pianos are foundational tools for study in all areas of music, the degradation of these pianos really affects all students, not just our piano performance majors. All tolled, fifteen pianos on the campus are currently in need of replacement with the average age of the heavily used pianos at nearly twenty-five years. We’re happy to report that the Bethany Lutheran College Auxiliary, at their meeting on September 26, 2017, voted to provide a challenge grant to encourage individual and group contributions to the piano replacement fund. All gifts to the fund will be matched dollar for dollar by the Auxiliary up to $8,000. Bethany alumni and friends are a “key component” to this ambitious plan. Anyone interested in helping the College secure new pianos is encouraged to contact the Advancement Office.

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Creating an impact Recent grads wanted to support future students with financial assistance BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Andrew (‘10) and Sarah (Doebbeling ‘11) Gerda weren’t encouraged by parents or grandparents to look at Bethany. They didn’t see a member of the admissions staff at their high school and inquire about the College. In fact, Bethany wasn’t on their college radar at all until their pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Francis, Minnesota, Rev. Timothy Vaughan, mentioned BLC to them. Vaughn was born in Michigan, but considers Mankato his hometown, having lived in Mankato from elementary school through college. He attended and earned his A.A. degree from Bethany before transferring to what was then Mankato State University. His Bethany experience was the catalyst that helped to convince them to visit Bethany, and eventually enroll. Sarah explained, “The small campus and Christ-centered education drew us to tour and eventually apply. Another important factor for me was the opportunity for financial assistance. Being able to afford a private college seemed impossible, but the financial assistance available through Bethany made it possible.” Andy mentioned, “Another reason I chose Bethany was the small class sizes. I liked the idea of individualized attention versus feeling like a number at a larger university.” Andy and Sarah were both psychology majors. Andy is a store manager for AT&T while Sarah is the manager for the horse boarding facility, Oak Haven Farm, owned and operated by her parents. She is also a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Instructor for Stable Pathways. She provides lessons in equine assisted activities for children and adults living with cognitive and physical challenges. Andy and Sarah decided, after graduating from

Submitted photo

Andrew and Sarah Gerda worked to set up a scholarship at Bethany.

Bethany, to give back to their alma mater by establishing a need-based scholarship in order to help others have the experience they valued. Sarah explained, “We wanted to give back to Bethany after graduation to show our gratitude for the education we received. We looked into starting a scholarship and contacted Art Westphal (Vice President of Advancement) with some questions. He came to our house to help us set everything up, and he gave us the same personalized attention we had received from our professors during our education at Bethany. “We both feel that our experience at Bethany has impacted our lives. Our education was well rounded and allowed us to study many areas of interest, but always focused on ‘The One Thing Needful.’ Our hope is that our support will help other students make the choice to continue their education at Bethany and receive the same impact.” When asked about their favorite Bethany memories Andy noted, “My best memories at Bethany involve Professors Dean Shoop (Business Administration) and Mark Wiechmann’s (Psychology) classes. The knowledge and experience I gained from their challenging courses has helped me in my life and career today.“ Sarah included, “Bethany provided me with many great educational opportunities. Some of my favorite memories include joining the band with little previous experience, designing an independent study course with Professor Jennifer Wosmek (Psychology) concentrating on an area of interest for me, and still discussing the benefits of tough courses years later with my classmates.” Andy and Sarah enjoy living in a rural part of the western Twin Cities metro area in a farm home they purchased from Sarah’s parents in 2015. They also have two daughters: Sydney (age 3) and Noelle (10 months). Bethany Lutheran College thanks Andy and Sarah Gerda for their generous commitment to helping others achieve their academic dreams and aspirations. 9

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Becker finds

Doors of Opportunity Photo by David Norris

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

One of the many internships Bethany senior Jeremy Becker has completed was with the Mankato MoonDogs over the summer of 2017.

While searching for a college to attend, Jeremy Becker (’18) was intent on finding a school that would be the best place for his interests. He attended Coon Rapids High School (Coon Rapids, Minnesota) with an enrollment of nearly 2,800 students. However, with a student population of about 600, Jeremy was slightly concerned that Bethany might not have some of the opportunities he hoped for. “Even though I’d heard good things about Bethany, I initially didn’t pay too much attention, and while I wanted to attend a small school, I felt that Bethany might be too small. “I wanted to study business and also gain as much experience in business as possible, but honestly, I was concerned about leaving the Twin Cities with all of its opportunity and heading to Mankato. Little did I know, I would have more opportunity in Mankato than any of the other options I was considering.” One of those opportunities was an internship with the Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club. The MoonDogs are members of the 10

Northwoods League where some of the nation’s top collegiate players spend their summers. Jeremy gained knowledge in both operations and sales while working for the MoonDogs. In addition to working with the MoonDogs, he also was a marketing intern at the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp in 2016. At Bethany, Jeremy is a campus tour guide, a member of the men’s basketball team (he’s been named to the academic all-conference team three times), a three-year member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (currently serving as President in 2017-18), and also a member and on the board of the Business Club. He’s also worked on campus with the Athletic Department as a sports information intern (201617) and is currently working with Bethany’s award winning production studio as a media intern adding video software to his marketable skills. “Entering my senior year, the many experiences I’ve had and activities I’ve been involved with have proven to be valuable in any job interview and are also excellent points for my résumé. And these opportunities at Bethany are available to any student. “I’ve been a part of so many situations that allowed me to explore any possibility that I’ve considered, whether it be related to my future career, academically, socially, and even athletically. It turns out that Bethany’s size was actually a strength because here I’m not a number, but rather a name. All of my professors help me with both expert knowledge and useful resources. They have become immediate references for me, and they have helped not just in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom. “I’d encourage prospective students to experience Bethany for themselves. I like to tell the story about how most people walk right past you on a street and don’t even look up. This is never the case on Bethany’s campus. Whether you’re on a tour, a freshman, a senior, or just passing by, you will not make it through the campus without someone waving to you or saying ‘hi.’ “As a result of the Christian environment and the people that I’ve met, Bethany has not only helped me feel very confident about my future, but it has supplied me with an opportunity to strengthen my faith as well. “You’re important at Bethany. And when you are at a school where you feel important—where the professors want to be there for you—you can do some pretty special things.”

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Culture Crossing

Submitted photos

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Bethany students (from left) Ezekiel Grabau and Hannah Bockoven helped at the Ethiopia booth at CulturFest held in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Students help school children learn more about countries from around the world Diversity is fundamentally important to the mission and character of Bethany Lutheran College. By sustaining a diverse community, we ensure that all individuals are valued and respected as children of God and that intellectual and personal growth are enriched because of our differences. Bethany’s Center for Intercultural Development and Resources (CIDR) promotes understanding and acceptance by means of programs, speakers, and special events. CIDR also maintains a growing multicultural resource library that can be used to enhance educational research or personal edification. For the second year in a row, CIDR sponsored nation booths at CulturFest in Owatonna, Minnesota. CulturFest is an annual festival that provides activities for over 400 elementary and middle school children to learn about countries from around the world. CIDR provided resources and supplies for the booths, and transportation to the festival. Students from Bethany’s Cross-Cultural Psychology (PSYC230) class, along with other interested students, prepared the two nation booths for CulturFest as part of the service-learning component of the course.

Bethany students helping at the booth for Democratic Republic of the Congo were (from left) Marilyn Tona, Alexa Alfred, Olivia Richtsmeier, and Gideon Ripley.

The two nation booths were Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In addition to the seven students from the class, Bethany students from Ethiopia and DRC provided expertise and guidance in the preparation of the activities and information to ensure that the nation booths represented the countries accurately and well. Bethany students who participated in this community outreach project: Alexa Alfred, Abigail Bitter, Hannah Bockoven, Maddy Elmquist, Kennawak Geneti, Ezekiel Grabau, Nathnael Haile, Hans Kapend, Olivia Richtsmeier, Gideon Ripley, Jacob Schenk, Marilyn Tona, and Asteway Yiheyis, Advisor: Associate Professor Jonathan Stadler. 11

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Reformation

in art Artists, writers reflect on being Lutheran

Photos by David Norris

Terra cotta sculpture Not Ashamed by artist Jason Jaspersen (‘97).

In October 2017, the Bethany Art Department presented “Reformation 2017: A Lutheran Art Invitational to celebrate 500 years of the Reformation.” Twenty-eight artists and two writers showed unique perspectives on Lutheranism and art. All of the artists were among the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod fellowship. As part of the exhibit, Professor Paul Burmeister from the Wisconsin Lutheran College Art Department presented a lecture on “Luther, Vocation, and the Arts” in the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center Gallery.

Assistant Professor of Music Ben Faugstad and Bethany junior Natalie Dworak played music for part of the reception.

A VIDEO RECORDING OF THE LECTURE AND THE ART INVITATIONAL BOOKLET SHOWING THE WORKS AND ARTISTS IS AT: BLC.EDU/ARTINVITATIONAL2017 12

Indecision by Charis Carmichael Braun (‘04), was one of the many works on display.

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College Archives online Care to take a look at photos and artifacts about Bethany from days gone by? The Bethany Lutheran College Archives are now online at archives.blc.edu. Alyssa Inniger (Director of Library Services) and Professor Emeritus Erling Teigen (College Archivist) jointly curated the collection of online photos and historically significant items. This initial collection of photos and historical documents are now posted, and more will be added in the coming months. Some of the most popular collections have been uploaded to start, and are ready for alumni and friends of the College to enjoy.

Coach Nessler Adds Hall of Fame Credentials Dan Nessler, Head Softball Coach at Bethany Lutheran College, received some prestigious recognition when he was recently inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame, the Mankato Area Softball Association Hall of Fame, and the Minnesota State University, Mankato Hall of Fame. Nessler is entering Dan Nessler his second season at the helm of the Bethany softball program. He is also a 2009 inductee in the International Softball (ISC) Congress Hall of Fame. Nessler joined the Bethany program with a heralded résumé as a college baseball standout and an accomplished fast pitch player and coach over the past 30-plus years. At Minnesota State he was a three-year baseball letter winner from 1982-85. He was the 1985 team co-captain and was named All-North Central Conference (NCC) in 1984 and 1985.

He played on three NCC championship teams and in three NCAA regionals. On the softball diamond, he was an All-American fast pitch performer multiple times over his distinguished career. He played on three ISC World Championship teams with Penn Corp., while being named to the All-World Tournament team four times. Nessler also played in four United States Olympic Festivals. Locally, the St. James, Minnesota, native was a mainstay with Happy Chef fast pitch softball teams for fourteen years in the 1980s and 90s. Before joining the college coaching ranks, Nessler led the Mankato Peppers 18U team for many seasons. His 2013 and 2015 ASA 18U boys teams won national championships, and he’s been an assistant coach for the 2015 and ‘16 ASA/USA men’s 19U softball teams that have played internationally. 13

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Vandermause helping students and College to

Boost the Broadcast Photos by David Norris

BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

“I’ve always known deep down that I am at my best when I can see and feel the value of my work. I wanted to have a bigger impact, at a smaller place. When the Studio Manager opportunity came up, it wasn’t a hard decision to come back.” - G R E G VA N D E R M AU S E , PR O D U C TI O N S T U D I O M A N AG E R

Greg Vandermause, Bethany’s Studio Manager, has come full circle in both his academic and professional lives. Vandermause attended Bethany and earned his bachelor of arts in communication from BLC in 2006. The communication program was the first bachelor’s program ever at Bethany and Vandermause was among the earliest graduates. The program has grown considerably since Vandermause was a student, and it’s certainly matured since he returned to campus in 2013. Vandermause had a family connection to Bethany, as do many students, and while that connection played a part in his decision to attend BLC, it was the communication program that reeled him in. “I had a connection to Bethany growing up. My uncle, Mark Wiechmann, has been teaching at Bethany my entire life so my family would take trips to

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Mankato once or twice a year. Mark’s son, my cousin, Matt Wiechmann, got me excited about the communication program when it began in the early 2000s. I came to visit in the summer before my senior year in high school and used some of the editing equipment to make a video. I was hooked. I knew this was what I wanted to do.” Vandermause immersed himself with every opportunity to learn the art of broadcast. His diligence in the classroom and as a member of the Maverick Hockey Broadcast team culminated in an opportunity to produce a live broadcast on the national television network ESPNU as a senior at Bethany. “The most memorable thing definitely was producing a hockey game on ESPNU. It was exciting to see the planning and preparation that took place for that to happen on a major network. Many of my fellow classmates on that crew got jobs very quickly in the industry, much as a result of that game. It was a great opportunity for us as students and the hockey broadcast program here at Bethany.” Being a student in the communication program can be challenging at times. The students are essentially running a full time production company the weeks they are broadcasting live Division One hockey games at the Verizon Wireless Center in downtown Mankato. “It was challenging for sure. It certainly gave me a great skill set that I use today. Instructors challenge you in group work as well as individual work. In the TV industry it is all about how well you play with others and how well you work on your own. You need that balance to be successful. The communication program gives students that experience to learn and practice those disciplines.” One of the benefits of being part of a live production crew as a student is the fact that students are in demand for jobs even while earning their degree. This was certainly true for Vandermause, who began building a résumé at Mankato’s CBS and FOX affiliate KEYC Television. That experience as a student put him on the fast track to work at ESPN. “While I was a student, I started working at KEYC-TV in Mankato. I began in the master control area running commercials and recording feeds for playback. I then started directing newscasts during my senior year. That experience, in addition to hockey productions, helped me land a job at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut. I worked there for almost seven years. It was a fun place to work, especially right after college.

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It was lot of late nights with my weekends on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but I loved the job. Sports is my passion. My experience at Bethany helped me realize my dream job and be successful at it. All of those experiences helped shape me for my next challenge, as Studio Manager at Bethany.” While ESPN could be considered the pinnacle of sports broadcasting, Vandermause left that world behind to return to Bethany as Studio Manager. He explained why. “ESPN is a very large place, and at times, can be seen as a TV factory. I became very good at the one or two things I did everyday, but lost a lot of the technical skills I learned while in college. This industry changes so quickly. To stay relevant, you need to make yourself as valuable as you can be. While my experience was great and beneficial, I knew I was reaching my end there. I wanted a different challenge, a way to enhance my skill set. I’ve always known deep down that I am at my best when I can see and feel the value of my work. I wanted to have a bigger impact, at a smaller place. When the Studio Manager opportunity came up, it wasn’t a hard decision to come back.” The Bethany communication program continues to grow and produce graduates with successful résumés and career paths. The graduates learn the craft and art of communication and broadcast, and at the same time stay grounded in Bethany’s values and idea of vocation as well. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Greg Vandermause helps troubleshoot technology issues, and teaches the students how to do it as well, on location at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato with students Michael Bless (left) and Nathan Birr (right).

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Submitted photo

Greg is married to Melissa (Grams ‘05) and they have two children: Brevinn (9), and Vera (6).

showcase our program and it’s terrific for the students to promote their work on a major network. “We are also currently working on creating a broadcast major. The studio has been doing hockey productions for seventeen seasons. It is something we do really well. A broadcast major gives some students the additional credentials they’ll need in landing a job after graduation. We also recently renewed our contract to provide public access programing in the Greater Mankato area. This is a joint project with the cities of Mankato and North Mankato. This partnership has allowed the studio to grow and add staff. With the addition of this outlet, the region and the college have a platform to showcase the great things happening throughout the area and on our campus from plays, to sports, presentations and concerts. We are constantly looking at different avenues and opportunities to help our students gain vital real world experience while they earn a solid faith-based education here at Bethany.”

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“Students choose Bethany over a more ‘name-brand’ communication program because of the attention you get. Many large programs do what we do. Not many of those programs will give you the attention you need. I like to see what will be a good fit for a student and align them with experiences that excite them, rather than putting them in a program and have them follow a certain A to Z pattern. Our program puts you in a position for success now and after graduation. We do that through carefully planning their path and modifying the course as they find new passions during their time here at Bethany. “Growing up, we were taught to stay grounded in what God has done for us. My parents taught me the value of hard work. I’ve carried that foundation in everything I’ve done in my working life. Working for a large media company that doesn’t share our same value system can challenge your faith. I believe that it made mine stronger. I want to share with Bethany students that you can work in this industry and be a strong Christian and hold to your values.” The world of communication and broadcast has certainly seen changes in recent years. Bethany’s program tries to react and adapt and add new opportunities as often as possible. “We are excited to announce that we will be producing a women’s college hockey game on Fox Sports North in February 2018. The game will look like Fox Sports, but all of the production will be done by Bethany students. This opportunity comes as a result of the quality students in our program and equipment the College owns. We’ve recently made some improvements to our mobile production trailer. As technology changes, we want to make sure we stay on par with industry so that our graduates have the tools they need. This is a great opportunity to 16

Photos by David Norris

Whether it’s going over the directing notes before a basketball game with student Sam Shubert (above), or meeting with student Anna Meyer (below) to discuss the BLC Newsbreak—a news-style update on the happenings of the Bethany campus—planning and education are always needed to ensure success.

E M A F F n o O i t c L n i L t s i A D H f o C m I a T e T E L d an ATH Photos by David Norris

Members of the 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame (from left) Doug Roedl, accepting on behalf of Giuseppe “Joe” Costanzo were his sisters Lina, Teresa, and brother, Jack, Roland Reinholtz, and Alfonso Mayfield.

Joining the 36 previously-honored members of the Bethany Lutheran College Athletic Hall of Fame, four new members and a “Team of Distinction” were inducted as the 2017 Hall of Fame Class during a ceremony held on September 29, 2017. Giuseppe “Joe” Costanzo played soccer in 1972 and 1973 under Coach Mike Butterfield. During his sophomore season Costanzo received the team’s Most Valuable Player award. He was named to the Southern Minnesota Soccer Conference All-Conference Team, All-Region XIII Team, and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament Team, and earned NJCAA All-American honors. Costanzo also earned All-Conference and All-Region honors as a freshman. His outstanding soccer career at BLC was highlighted by his famous winning goal in the ninth round of penalty kicks against Monroe Community College of New York earning the Vikings a third-place finish at the national tournament. Costanzo passed away in 1985 at the age of 31 and received the award posthumously. Alfonso Mayfield played four seasons (2002-04 and 2005-07) for the Bethany Vikings basketball team under Coaches Art Westphal and Rick Jeddeloh. Mayfield was a highly decorated student-athlete earning All-American and All-Region honors three times, as well as receiving All-Conference recognition four straight years and All-Defensive honors in two seasons. He also was named to the All-National Tournament team during the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons. Roland Reinholtz was a successful investment officer having retired as a senior manager for Thompson Investment

Management. He is a loyal supporter of the College and its athletic program and was a member of Bethany’s Board of Regents from 1989-2009. He played an instrumental part in helping create and establish the Bethany Sports Classic (golf tournament) now it its 32nd year. He was also a key player in the organization of Bethany’s Wisconsin Golf Classic. Doug Roedl suited up for the baseball team in 1992 and 1993 under Head Coach Art Westphal as an outfielder and pitcher. Bethany qualified for the Minnesota Community College State Tournament and the NJCAA Region XIII Tournament both years Roedl played for the Vikings. He was a member of the 1993 team that saw Bethany win the State Tournament by defeating North Hennepin Community College in a come-from-behind effort. Roedl earned All-Division, All-State, and All-Region accolades during the championship season. In both seasons, he received the team’s offensive Most Valuable Player award on his way to setting several offensive records at Bethany. The 1961-62 Men’s Basketball team is the recipient of the 2017 “Team of Distinction” award. The squad, coached by Dr. Dwain Mintz in his final season at Bethany, won the NJCAA Region XIII Championship. Three players from that team were named to the region all-tournament team. The Vikings then went on to compete in the NJCAA National Tournament losing to eventual national champion Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College. The Vikings returned to the campus with eighth-place honors.

Members of the 1961-62 Men’s Basketball Team along with their coach, Dr. Dwain Mintz (center, with ball), were honored with the 2017 Team of Distinction award.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO FROM THE EVENT ONLINE AT BLCVIKINGS.COM/HOF 17

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A Homecoming Weekend Photos by David Norris

BY J E S S I C A W E R R E • CL A S S O F 2 0 1 2

Starting the Saturday activities on campus was the Viking 5K race/walk, preceded by a Little Viking Half Mile Fun Run for children ten and under.

Through the eyes of an Alumna: Why Fall Festival (2017) was the best!

One of the great things about this festival weekend is time to catch up with old classmates and friends, as Laura (Faugstad ‘00) Harstad (left) visited with Jerusha (Londgren ‘07) Cascione.

From my days as a high school senior out “college shopping,” to current student, to homecoming alumna, I’m certain my personal Most Attended Event award goes to…. Fall Festival! As it is with cherished annual events, there are many fond memories. But there are some years that sit on a pedestal above all others. In my almost decade’s worth of Fall Festivals - 2017 is up there with the greatest hits. I attended this year’s Fall Festival with my sister Elisabeth (‘17), also a Bethany graduate. We began our day in a great way. An early morning start to run the Viking 5K! There is something special about running alongside such a small, close knit community including former classmates, friends, and family. The metabolic jump start also makes the post-race treats taste all the more fantastic! Afterwards, my sister and I took part in a nostalgic, memory stirring moment as

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Students enjoyed dancing to the music of the Dap Squad on Friday night.

we were able to freshen up while using our collegedays dormitory showers in Anderson Hall. Scattered light rain throughout the afternoon did nothing to diminish the crisp autumnal beauty of the Bethany campus. We spent an easy afternoon wandering the campus. The scent of pulled pork wafted through the air while we visited with friends, enjoying the music and entertainment provided by Bethany’s talented faculty. The afternoon was not complete without cheering on the men’s and women’s soccer teams before attending the spectacular Band Invitational. The real game-changing event at this year’s Fall Festival was the Alumni Social at the Mankato Brewery. What could be better than reconnecting with former classmates over a local brew? A holiday-like warmth quickly overtook the space as friends took up where they left off when last they met—be that two days ago or 20 some years. Listening to a perennial Bethany-favorite The Divers entertain the large crowd at the event brought back many a nostalgic memory of student days, and evening homework parties— although I would take this party over those stressful days! It was an excellent nightcap to a wonderful day. And, as we made our way back home that evening, I mentally made some space on that pedestal for Fall Festival 2017.

SAVE THE DATE

Fall Festival 2018

Paul Gullixson was among the members of the B-town Drumline that performed for those in attendance at the main gathering tent on Saturday.

The Divers, featuring Bethany alumni, entertained those in attendance for an alumni and friends gathering at the Mankato Brewery in Mankato.

Athletic contests were plentiful on Saturday with volleyball, and men’s and women’s soccer all competing.

Guests at the alumni and friends gathering at the Mankato Brewery.

October 5–7

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FAMILIES ATTENDING BETHANY

Four Generations Photo by David Norris

BY E R LI N G T E I G E N • PR O FE S S O R E M ER I T U S , CO LLEG E A R CH I V I S T, H S ‘ 5 8 , J C ‘6 0, S E M ‘6 6

The Strom family has deep roots in attending Bethany. Front row from left, Rebecca (Juergens ‘91), Brian (‘91), Brian’s parents Joyce (Minor ‘64), and Lee (‘64), and Brian and Rebecca’s children currently attending (back row from left) are Erin, James, and Laura.

Roots run deep with multiple generations coming to Mankato Earlier this semester at the faculty/staff coffee table, someone pointed out to me that there was a family where both parents of three present students, both paternal grandparents, and both great-grandparents were graduates of Bethany. That was the Strom family (list included in this article) which we may call “the perfect Strom.” It seemed difficult for me to believe, though, that there could only be one case like that, so I decided to do a bit of research and review at the student body lists from the late 1920s and the 1930s. I discovered, just as I had thought, that indeed there were several others, not necessarily where both parents, both grandparents, and both great-grandparents had been Bethany students, both where nonetheless, four generations of Bethany students were represented in a family line. We think there might be more. If you know of any other families represented by four generations at Bethany please let us know. We do know that there are a greater number of families who have

been represented at Bethany by three generations as well. That there are such families who have sent their young people to Bethany generation after generation certainly says something about our college – that so many believe in this kind of Christian higher education that prepares men and women for faithful lives — lives of faith in their Lord Jesus now and in eternity, and lives of service in their families, churches, society, and vocation. It is heartwarming to all who love Bethany Lutheran College that so many generations have benefitted from the instruction in the Christian faith, and the comfort of the gospel preached in our chapel and taught in our classrooms.

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Strom Family at Bethany

4th Generation Students

The Strom family line at Bethany begins with Rudy (‘33), and Roberta (Haller ‘33) and continues today with three of their great-grandchildren attending.

Other families who have or have had a fourth generation attend Bethany: Anderson–Helland

Rudy Strom

Roberta Haller

Class of ‘33

• Herman Anderson (attended six weeks in 1933) • Judy Anderson (1960) and Paul Helland (1958) • Thomas Helland (1982) and JoAnn Goetzke (1985) • Mike Helland (2016) (maternal grandmother, Virginia Loberg Goetzke, 1948)

Annexstad–Johnson

Leland Strom

Joyce Minor

Class of ‘64

• Gertrude Annexstad Quist (1933) • Al Quist (1964) and Diane Gooderum (1964) • Emily Quist (1987) and Dan Johnson (1989) • Amanda (2015), Sam (2016), Kara and Benjamin Johnson (current students)

Meyer–Browne

Brian Strom

Rebecca Juergens

Class of ‘91

• Walter Meyer (1932) • Marvin Meyer (1959) and Pat Solomon (1959) • Christa Meyer Browne Krosch (1984) • Joel Meyer • Meredith Browne Gunderson (2007) and Elise Browne Ulrich (2014) • Nick Meyer (current student)

Olsen-Heidenreich • Kathryn Olson Oesleby 1935 • Ruth Oesleby (1964) and Robert Heidenreich (1962) • Susan Heidenreich Halvorson (1988) and Loren Halvorson (1986) • Daniel (current student)–paternal grandfather, Wayne Halvorson, 1961)

Erin Strom

James Strom

Laura Strom

Class of ‘18

Class of ‘20

Class of ‘21

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BY L A N C E S C H WA R T Z • D I R EC TO R O F I N S T I T U T I O N A L COM MU N I C AT I O N

Making a Connection with

ONLINE LEARNING Technology has certainly changed the way we learn. Less then 40 years ago, you would have been hard pressed to find a computer in a classroom. Today, we carry computers in our pockets, and we learn both in grade school and in college by logging on. Bethany, like other private liberal arts colleges, prides itself on individualized instruction. Small class sizes, open office hours, and personal mentoring are hallmarks of a Kevin Zimmerman Bethany education. How then, can a small college like Bethany incorporate online learning into its traditional curriculum and college experience without giving up some of that personal attention? Enter Kevin Zimmerman, Bethany’s Director of Online Learning. Zimmerman is in his second year coordinating Bethany’s new online learning experience. Zimmerman arrived at Bethany after spending ten years at Shoreland Lutheran High School (Somers, Wisconsin) where he taught physics and physical science, and developed an online learning program for the school. 22

“During my ten years at Shoreland, I became interested in using online education to streamline my own teaching. I recorded my lectures and automated my assignments which allowed for more time to give students individual help in the classroom, and I didn’t have to spend time preparing for lectures, shuffling students’ papers, or grading quizzes and tests by hand. Teaching requires a lot of time, and at Shoreland I experimented with using online education to save time and reach students more effectively. “In my own educational experiences, I’ve been on the receiving end of a lot of distance learning experiences. In my graduate work, I’ve taken many courses that were completely online, some that were partially online with a face-to-face week at the end, and some that required online work culminating in a foreign travel experience. My work with online courses has

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made me a firm believer in the validity of online learning and its ability to enrich education.” Bethany President Gene Pfeifer was also interested in moving Bethany forward in the online learning world. His objectives were to bring the “Bethany learning experience” to increasing numbers of students whether they were traditional college students or high school students taking college courses for credit. The task required someone to coordinate the effort with Bethany’s faculty, and that was Zimmerman’s charge. “I had spent the last several years synthesizing the things I learned about quality instruction and assessment in my master’s program with the tools available for managing online courses. How do you make goals clear to students in an online course? How do you facilitate cooperative learning among online students? How do you ensure that students take notes while interacting with online resources?” Zimmerman’s main duty at Bethany is to lead the faculty in designing and implementing online courses. It’s no small task to essentially change a delivery method that faculty have been used to for, in some cases, decades. “It is different for each professor depending their expertise as well as prior experience with online teaching. When I first meet with a professor, the goal of the meeting is as much for me to learn about how and what the professor teaches as it is for me to give the professor ideas about how to teach online. I sit with professors and show them the basic functions of Moodle (online learning module), while at the same time asking how they do the basic things that are a part of almost every class: lecture, in class discussions, projects, and assessments. I also ask about any other special features of their courses. During this process they get ideas, and I get ideas, and after a few hours we typically have a basic idea what the online course will look like. One of the most important features of an online course is a structure that makes it clear for students exactly which activities they are supposed to do, why they are doing each activity, and when each activity is due.” It seems as though Zimmerman’s efforts are hitting the mark. “All of this can be a bit overwhelming, and I do my best to gauge whether our professors are feeling empowered or frustrated. Sometimes I will create some of the more complicated types of activities (like online quizzes or peer review workshops) for

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professors’ courses while they are still learning the basics. I’m confident that all of our professors are capable of creating all of their online content with enough practice, but I’m always available if our professors have any questions.” While designing and implementing online courses has it challenges, it seems the biggest challenge is the unforeseeable future of learning with technology. “Last year when we started offering courses to high schools for dual credit we really were not sure what the enrollment numbers were going to be. When I started in July 2016 we only had around 30 students registered, and a few courses were in danger of being cancelled. By the end of August we had 50 dual credit students, and most of our courses were able to run. By the time spring semester began we had 70 dual credit students and more comfortable class sizes.

“Most things are essentially the same between an online course and a face-to-face course except the student is entirely responsible for paying attention, thoughtfully participating, and completing work on time.” - KE V I N ZI M M E R M A N , D I R E C TO R O F O N LI N E LE A R N I N G

“Today our online student body has grown to over 100 dual credit students, yet there are still challenges related to future uncertainty. Because this semester was the first time we offered online courses to on campus students, we were concerned about courses being filled to capacity. Thankfully God has blessed Bethany with flexible professors who wanted to help by offering extra sections of some courses or increasing the capacities of others. I am doing my best to ensure that Bethany offers the right number of online courses and has sufficient capacity so our program remains a flexible option for on campus students and dual credit students.” And for the traditionalist, who might think that online learning isn’t as effective as classroom instruction, Zimmerman has some thoughts. “You sometimes hear people say that ‘online learning isn’t for everybody,’ and that is a truism mostly because different people have different time management styles, and some time management styles conflict with online coursework. Most things are essentially the same between an online course and a face-to-face course except the student is entirely responsible for paying attention, thoughtfully participating, and completing work on time. Students who struggle with online courses CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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are typically procrastinators who are willing to allow work to remain undone beyond the due date. “Students who complete course activities proactively and immediately tend to do very well in online courses, and students who procrastinate can do well, as long as they leave enough time to still finish their assignments before they are due. If a student was somewhat interested in taking an online course but comments ‘I can’t learn online, the classroom is a better place for instruction,’ I would suggest that the student cautiously try an online course. Time management is not a fixed character trait, but can be improved with better habits.” And what about the skeptics who believe that online courses don’t offer the same academic prestige or value? “Online learning has a public perception problem. Some view online courses as easier, less informative, and less impactful than face-to-face courses. In the short term, I think that online learning is going to be fighting for acceptance and validity in society and culture. Bethany’s online courses have the same outcomes and use many of the same methods as face-to-face courses. For a time, online learning is going to experience some friction due to this perception. “One exciting area of online education that seems ready to move forward is microcredentialing. Instead of earning a degree or certificate (which take a lot of time and effort, and usually require learning some content that is not immediately useful), people can take online courses that teach immediately applicable skills with a credential that can go on their résumé. While this doesn’t replace a college degree, microcredentials allow for a more personally customizable learning experience and helps people to pursue continuing education without such a large time and financial commitment.” When asked about the future of online learning at Bethany, Zimmerman has some interesting insight. 24

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“There are many exciting ideas being proposed, discussed, and formalized for online learning at Bethany. One of the main driving goals of our online learning platform is to reach more students in more ways, and we plan to do that with what we offer online. Even if our online courses take Bethany’s programs in different directions, I am committed to ensuring that Bethany’s online courses have the same standards of quality as our face-to-face courses, and that they create an environment where students experience the caring mentorship Bethany professors are known for. Kevin Zimmerman is married, and his wife Suzi is a teacher with a special education master’s degree. She currently teaches at the Jesus Loves Me Learning Center at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in North Mankato, Minnesota. The Zimmermans have a three-year-old daughter.

Submitted photo

Kevin Zimmerman with his wife Suzi and their daughter Halee.

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from our

alumni 1950s

College roommates from 1955 met for lunch in Rochester, Minnesota, in early August. Front: Norma (Kluess) Rutz. Standing from left: Carol (Lieske) Pogatchnik, Bernie (Hoefker) Nolte, and Lorraine (Johnson) Holt.

1960s Naomi Vangen Shep (‘67) was named Wisconsin Home Care Nurse of the Year for 2017 by the Wisconsin Association of Home Health Care. The award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual nurse and provides a way to celebrate the work of home care nurses in Wisconsin. Shep has worked in home health since 2001 and is currently the Clinical Coordinator for Stoughton Hospital Home Health.

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1980s Kay (Guse ‘85) Gottschalk was selected as a charter member of the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School (Minnesota) Athletic Hall of Fame. Kay was a three sport athlete at then Waldorf-Pemberton High School. She earned seven varsity letters while competing in volleyball, basketball, and softball. Her basketball career was the most decorated earning three varsity letters, was the three time team most valuable player, and was selected all conference three times. Kay played both volleyball and basketball at Bethany where she earned an all conference selection for her work on the basketball floor. Kay has been keeping stats for Bethany basketball and volleyball for nearly fifteen years.

2000s Ryan and Angie Heidelberger (‘08) renewed their wedding vows in August 2016 to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness throughout their ten years of marriage. Ryan and Angie reside in Alexandria, Minnesota, and have four children: Hazel (with Jesus), Autumn, Gabriel, and Elaina, and they are currently in the process of adopting from Haiti. Ryan is a Territory Sales Manager for Hart and Cooley and Angie is Vice President of Mortgage Lending for Bell Bank.

1970s

Aaron Ferkenstad (’02) was recently ordained as pastor at King of Grace Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, Minnesota. His son Adam recently turned five years old and daughter Charlotte is one. Members of the junior college class of ‘77 celebrated their 40th reunion during Fall Festival 2017. Back row from left: Pastor John Petersen, Steve Lussky, Jim Gullixson, Mary (Boniek) Burel, Maggie (Tonn) Slaker. Front row from left: Julie (Koenen) Homan, Connie (Kjenslee) Meyer, Cindy (Hall) Costello, Julie (Sorenson ) Faugstad, Karen (Asmus) Skoog.

and Boaz (3). Megan continues to paint while staying at home with the little ones in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She won the 2017 WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts art contest. Her digital artwork is featured on all four installments of 2017 WELS Meditations covers, and book cover artwork published by NPH. She continues to teach eighth grade art at Christ-St. Peter Lutheran School, and presented at the 2017 Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference. Her artwork was also on display recently at Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, Wisconsin.

Megan (Czer ‘03) Schable and her husband, Jacob, welcomed their sixth son, Melchizedek “Dek” (1), in October 2016 with brothers Solomon (10), Gideon (8), Abraham (7), Enoch (5),

Alumna Malia (Krohn) Wiley (’08) was recently honored as the winner of the “Gallery 5004 Best Painting Award” at the Minnesota State Fair’s 106th Fine Arts Exhibition. Gallery 5004 chose Malia’s oil on canvas painting called Owlets on Granny’s Afghan as the top work among the 334 pieces of art on display at the Fair. Malia’s painting was chosen for entry into the Fair Exhibition from among 2,482 entries. 25

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2010s Jace (‘11) and Michelle Emory welcomed their second daughter, Piper Martha into the family on December 19, 2016. She has been a delightful addition to their family and is loved by her big sister, Charlotte (2). Jace will be entering his sixth year as an educator and coach at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School in Janesville, Minnesota, and Michelle continues being a stay-at-home mom. They moved to Mankato in July. Bradley Lawson (‘12) was selected as the KEYC News 12 Golden Apple award winner in September 2017. Lawson was an education major at Bethany and also recently completed his social studies endorsement at BLC under the direction of Dr. Carrie Pfeifer. Lawson is the seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher and basketball coach at Maple River Middle School in Mapleton, Minnesota. Christina Asburry (’13) married Ahren Reiter of Rock Springs, Wyoming, in October 2017. Ahren is a fourth-year student at Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis and will be at the seminary two more years to finish his studies before taking his first call. Christina is an I.T./admin. assistant at Stephen Ministries in St. Louis.

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Elisabeth Urtel (‘13) graduated from Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary in May 2016 with a master of arts in Lutheran Theological Studies, and again at Concordia University, Wisconsin in December 2016 with a master of church music. Currently, she is enrolled in the PhD program at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri), where her research will concentrate on Lutheran hymnody. Several of her writings on church music may be found in the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, LOGIA, and Lutheran University Press. Elisabeth works at the Bethany Memorial Library, accompanies at local colleges, and directs the senior choir at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Mankato. Sarah Rehbein (‘16) moved back to Mankato, Minnesota, and started a new job as a graphic artist for Navitor Specialty Products.

In Memoriam Allan A. Tjernagel passed away on October 17, 2016, one day before he turned 77 years old. He graduated from Bethany in 1960 with his A.A. degree. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ellen, daughter Michelle, two sons, Shawn and Tim, and five grandchildren. Edwin Paul Von Hoene, the husband of Dorothy (Naumann ‘64) Von Hoene, passed away on December 29, 2016. Ed and Dot were married for 48 years and have two children, Luke

(Sharron) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Heidi Adair (James) and three grandchildren, of Leesburg, Virginia. Dot also resides in Leesburg. Susan (Naumann ‘62) Calig, passed away on July 11, 2017, in Woodland Hills, California. Susan and her husband, Ellya, had six children and six grandchildren in their 48 years of marriage. Susan and Dorothy were dear sisters and grew up together in Wisconsin. They enjoyed being at Bethany together and shared roles in the production of I Remember Mama—Susan played Dagmar and Dorothy played Mama. Christopher Brian Rodgers (’91) was called home to heaven on Sunday, November 5, 2017, due to complications of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP). He left peacefully with his family by his side. Chris is survived by his wife June Woitas Rodgers and their three children: Jordan (19), Hannah (16), and Tyler (12). Chris, a Mankato native, was a 1989 graduate of Loyola High School, Bethany Lutheran College (A.A.), Minnesota State, Mankato (B.S.W.), and St. Mary’s University (M.A.). He was employed as a school social worker first at Goodhue County Education District and then Red Wing High School for a total of 23 years. A Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Red Wing, Minnesota.

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