March 2013 Bethany Report

MARCH 2013

Bethany report

the magazine of bethany lutheran college

6 Cross continent connection 9 Graduate heads to Russia 13 Speech team earns awards

from the president

Spring finale S

pringtime on Bethany’s campus could easily take your breath away.

It is as if you could see and feel the energy build. Not only do the grounds transform in a remarkable way, but so do students and faculty.

The culmination of a year of study is in sight and although the learning that takes place is not literally a race, it certainly has the feel of one.

Significant goals set by students and professors alike are now coming into sight. And these goals have a definite finish line to cross.

Whether it’s a senior research project or recital, an art exhibit, a backto-back doubleheader on the baseball field, or a class project involving a group of students, the campus energy reaches a high point as the final weeks and days of a school year approach. While it makes for a full calendar, it is tremendously rewarding. If you have an opportunity, I would invite you to come to Mankato and experience it for yourself.

Each of these events, activities, and academic ventures all make the Bethany Lutheran College experience rich and rewarding for our students. The experience they gain from their involvement in a variety of campus endeavors is invaluable.

To illustrate, let me focus on a new event that has been added to the ever-growing list of campus activities.

For the first time ever, our studio, communication, and media arts programs will present Media Week. All year President Dan Bruss long these programs have been doing some amazing work and Media Week will bring all of these elements together to showcase their accomplishments. The culmination of Media Week is the Speechless Film Festival, an international festival that celebrates the universal art of visual, but not silent, storytelling. Already, the Festival has received submissions from the United States and throughout the world. It’s an exciting venture and one I’m certain will be enjoyable for those attending and immensely rewarding for those participating. You can read more about Media Week and the Speechless Film Festival on page 15.

The events leading up to graduation make for a busy campus, but the energy doesn’t shut down following commencement. This is when our choirs set out on their annual tour, this year to the East Coast. Please note the schedule on the back cover of this issue and, if your time allows, take in a concert. It’s always a special experience to hear our choir proclaim the message we all cherish so much—The One Thing Needful.

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Bethany report editor, writer | Lance Schwartz designer, photographer | David Norris proofer | Amanda Quist Please direct all correspondence, letters, news, corrections, and comments to: Bethany Lutheran College Bethany report 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001-6163 Email: alumni@blc.edu | www.blc.edu 507.344.7000 | 800.944.3066 FAX: 507.344.7417 ISSUE: CXXVII The Bethany Report is published three times yearly by the Bethany Lutheran College Office of Institutional Communication and distributed free of charge to the college’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

All contents © COPYRIGHT 2013 Bethany Lutheran College. Articles, images or photographs may not be reproduced without written permission.

Mission: Bethany Lutheran College, owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, is a private, residential, liberal arts college committed to the teachings of the Bible as set forth in the Lutheran Confessions. Bethany provides studies culminating in a bachelor of arts degree.

The college serves Lutherans and others by offering a challenging, student-centered approach to education that fosters spiritual development, intellectual and creative growth, self-understanding, and responsible citizenship.

In keeping with its heritage, Bethany aspires to produce students with a clear understanding of Christian vocation, which encourages students to make the most of their God-given talents.

On the cover: Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School students Zack Scharlemann (left) and Carl Boeder were among a group of seniors who came to experience the sciences at Bethany for a day. Read more about their visit on page 8.

report | march 2013

from the chapeL Feb 26, 2013 - Habakkuk 1:2-4—O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

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hances are you haven’t heard many sermons based on the Prophet Habakkuk lately. His book is not one of the more well known books among the minor prophets. Maybe you recall those days when you were given the assignment to memorize the Books of the Bible. The minor prophets at the end of the Old Testament were always the most difficult, weren’t they? Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, and then maybe you struggled to pronounce this unusual name. Should we say HABakkuk, or HaBAKkuk, or HabakKUK? If we think that his name is curious and out of the ordinary, that was apparently the case also in the prophet’s own time, and throughout the entire BibliRev. Mark Harstad cal period as well. He’s the only one who bears this unusual name in the Bible.

Its meaning seems to have something to do with embracing or taking something in one’s arms. What the significance of that might be is not entirely clear.

This short, three-chapter book has a powerful message. The prophet struggled with a theological problem which has puzzled people, I suppose, ever since the fall into sin. How is it possible for the following three statements to be true at the same time?

- God is good, loving, and just in all his doings.

- God is omnipotent. He holds and exercises all the power in the universe.

- Evil exists.

Doesn’t simple logic compel to say that only two of these things can be true at the same time? If God is good and omnipotent, then how can evil exist?

Doesn’t the great fact of the existence of evil compel us to say either that God is not good and loving, or that he does not, in fact, have all power?

There is a popular book on the market today, a commentary on the Book of Job, by a well-known theologian. He is frequently interviewed on talk radio. He seems to enjoy great respect among many people. After contemplating his own struggles with various forms of evil, sickness, and death among his loved ones, and other tragedies in his life, he found himself unwilling to give up the idea of a good and loving God; but, he felt compelled to conclude that God must not in fact hold all power. The existence of so much evil in the world drove him to that conclusion.

The prophet Habakkuk looked carefully at the world in which he lived. This was near the end of the 600s B.C. He expressed shock and dismay at what he saw around him in the world. The Kingdom of Judah was just barely hanging onto existence, a pathetic remnant of what had once been the glorious kingdom of David and Solomon. The superpowers of the day, Assyria and Babylonia, were involved in a huge struggle for domination of the ancient world, a struggle that brought unspeakable suffering on many people. The last able and godly man of Judah, King Josiah, had attempted to get involved in international affairs, but was killed in battle.

The bewildered prophet looked at the situation and cried out to the God of his fathers with two questions that arise so frequently in the face of evil: 1) “Why do you cause me to see so much trouble, evil, violence, and strife?” And 2) “How long will this go on?” The prophet wonders out loud, “Does God even hear?” It seems that he doesn’t act to save and deliver his people.

Then the prophet drew a conclusion: “Therefore,” he says on the basis of what he has seen and experienced, “the law is powerless.” In other words, the Word of God appeared to be of no effect. It had become paralyzed. And another shocking conclusion: “Justice never goes forth.” The word of God exercises no power, and there’s no justice to be found. Why these conclusions? Because it appeared that the wicked surround the righteous, and justice was perverted.

What was the prophet seeing and experiencing?

He was experiencing life in a fallen world, a world which has negated the two great commandments Chapel continued on page 5 3

faculty news

Hanna has Dickens’s original writings published

By Lexi Titeca Bethany freshman

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hen people recall London in the 1800s, many think of ruffled collars, petticoats, and, of course, Charles Dickens. As one of the most famous authors of all times, his works have inspired many readers throughout the centuries. However, not all of Dickens’s works have been published—until now that is. Dr. Robert Hanna, (English), recently released Dickens’s Uncollected Magazine and Newspaper Sketches, as Originally Composed and Published 18331836, which contains original Dickens works before he became famous.

During the time period of the 1800s in London, authors wrote stories and sent them to newspapers and magazines, which published the stories, listing the author as anonymous.

If readers liked a particular story, they wrote to the newspaper or magazine praising the story by listing its title. If enough people mentioned a story written by a particular anonymous author, the author would choose a pseudonym and publish stories using it.

This is exactly what happened to Dickens. He was working as a newspaper reporter with the goal of becoming a fiction writer.

Dickens submitted Robert Hanna stories to newspapers and magazines as an anonymous writer, but soon gathered so much praise that he published his stories under the name “Boz.” Because so many people liked his writings, he started selling them, and soon was asked to write his first novel, The Pickwick Papers, by a publisher under his real name.

Dickens took the stories that he had originally sent to newspapers and magazines and put them into a book called Sketches by Boz. However, they are not the original versions. Dickens altered the stories by changing sentences and even took out entire sections. It is for this reason that Dr. Hanna decided to publish this book.

After traveling to London to find the original copies of these stories in The

British Library, he decided to publish them as they originally were written and printed, misspelled words and placement errors included.

“I don’t know why nobody has done this before. When someone [like Dickens] is that famous, there are people who want to read anything that person wrote, including childhood writings, called juvenilia, and letters,” said Hanna.

“Charles Dickens is my favorite author.

There are enough people that like Dickens that will read what I write, especially when it is different,” said Hanna.

Hanna has written many articles and books on Dickens, and has also written multiple articles about teaching and educational reform.

“When I’m writing on my own, whether it’s about Dickens or about educational reform, it’s presenting original ideas that are my own, and I am delighted when a [publisher] thinks it is important and publishes it,” said Hanna.

Copyright 2013, The Scroll. Reprinted with permission.

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report | march 2013

Photo by David Norris

2013 Faculty and Staff Anniversaries The Board of Regents of Bethany Lutheran College and Theological Seminary met on the Bethany campus for their quarterly meeting February 11 and 12, 2013. After the chapel service on Monday, February 11, the Board recognized faculty and staff anniversaries. The Rev. Dr. J. Kincaid Smith was the guest speaker.

Front row from left: President Dan Bruss (President–10 years), Kathy Bruss (Adjunct Faculty, Spanish; and International Education Coordinator–10 years), Orrin Ausen (Director of Library Services–10 years), Polly Browne (Assistant Professor, Elementary Education–10 years), Connie Gullixson (Payroll and Account Specialist–20 years), Joni Wiederhoeft (Assistant to the Director of Financial Aid–30 years), Steven Reagles (Professor, Religion/Communication–30 years).

Back row from left: Rev. Herb Huhnerkoch (Board of Regents), Robert Ring (Adjunct Professor, English–10 years), Ryan MacPherson (Associate Professor, History–10 years), Robert Pipal (Assistant Professor, Physical Education; and Head Coach, Men’s Soccer–15 years), Theodore Manthe (Dean of Student Services–15 years), Jeff Haugen (Housekeeping Technician–15 years), Donald Westphal (Dean of Admissions–20 years), Peter Bloedel (Professor, Theatre–20 years). Not pictured: Jonathan Kovaciny (Coordinator of Web Services–10 years), Kathleen Petersen (Secretary, Admissions–15 years).

Chapel continued from page 3

of God: “Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Could it really be any different in a fallen world from what the prophet saw?

A century before Habakkuk, the prophet Isaiah described the situation of fallen humanity in words like these: “No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth.

Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths.

Therefore justice is far from us,

We look for light, but there is darkness!

For brightness, but we walk in blackness!

We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We look for justice, but there is none; For salvation, but it is far from us.”

(Isaiah 59) Our short reading for today leaves us with this very negative picture. But the Book of Habakkuk does not leave the matter there.

The very purpose of the prophet Habakkuk is to show us how to keep from despairing in the face of depressing circumstances in a fallen world. The message of his book is that God works through evil circumstances for our good.

Our Lord taught us to pray that his kingdom would come, and that there be

deliverance from evil. And so it shall be, because he is a good, loving, and just God who works with power for our redemption. He provided that redemption in the person and work of his son in human flesh. By his life, death, and resurrection he has destroyed the kingdom of the devil and all evil, and now he imparts to us his victory in the Gospel. But we don’t perceive that victory with our senses here and now in a fallen world.

Therefore we take to heart the most famous words of the prophet Habakkuk: “The just will live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). The kingdom of God and deliverance from evil will not fail to come. But right now, this must be believed. “We walk by faith and not by sight” (II Cor. 5:7). And what we believe now will become a blessed reality in the resurrection to life. Amen.

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student profile: Jessica Mueller, ’13

Cross continent connection

By Lance Schwartz Director of Institutional Communication

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Photo courtesy of Jessica Mueller

uring any given academic year, you’ll find students attending Bethany from approximately twentyfive States of the Union and from several countries around the world. One such international student, preparing to graduate from Bethany in May 2013, is Jessica Mueller.

Mueller came to Bethany Lutheran College from arguably one of the world’s most beautiful, innovative, and livable cities—Vienna, Austria.

It’s interesting to note that Mueller’s connection to Bethany comes about from her father’s connection to southern Minnesota.

“My Dad grew up on a farm in Renville County, went to Gustavus, and knew about Bethany. When I was sixteen he and I stopped by for a tour,” says Mueller.

While studying abroad as a student at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, Mueller’s father met his wifeto-be in Austria. Jessica, the younger of two children, consequently has dual citizenship in both the United States and Austria having been born and raised there until coming to Bethany to study.

Mueller will readily tell you that coming to Bethany has been a wonderful experience. She explains, “There are many aspects I enjoyed about studying at Bethany. One great blessing is instruction from professors who understand that ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge!’ While it is

Jessica Mueller on a hiking excursion near Salzburg, Austria.

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report | march 2013

important to be aware of the sinful world we are living in and to learn about flawed worldviews, it is refreshing to be taught subjects from a Christ-centered, Biblical perspective.”

Bethany’s role as both a Christian and Lutheran institution was also a draw for Mueller.

“When I toured Bethany during a summer visit to Minnesota I was impressed by the conservative Christian atmosphere it radiated. Growing up in Vienna brought many blessings but one thing I was lacking was the opportunity to worship in a conservative Lutheran congregation on a regular basis. Nonetheless, my sister and I were raised in the Lutheran faith (my Dad had a conservative Missouri Synod background). Longing to (for a change) be surrounded by some like-minded people, I enrolled at Bethany, mainly because it was a truly confessional Lutheran institution.”

“And making friends who understood me, even on a ‘spiritual level’ has impacted me tremendously and will last beyond our lifetime!”

Mueller also admits that some adjustments were necessary for her transition to life as an American college student.

“While a lot of students feel they gain freedom and independence when coming to college, I lost some of it. For example, class attendance policies are very different from what I was used to, and being able to get around was much easier back home.”

“In Vienna I was used to getting anywhere and everywhere by tram, bus, and metro. I felt safe taking the tram home from downtown Vienna—even at midnight. In four years of college I never did figure out the bus system of Mankato, but thanks to a very good hearted and

patient friend, I learned how to operate the American way—with an automatic transmission.”

And there were a few things about “home” that she missed. “Among the things I missed were family and friends, Mami’s cooking, Austrian bread, and ballroom dancing! I was raised in a town where ballroom dancing is part of growing up and people attend balls like they go to football games here. Who wouldn’t miss that?”

Mueller is majoring in exercise science and will graduate with minors in psychology and theatre. As for future plans, she intends to return to Europe and work in an academic setting. She notes, “I am looking forward to having lots of friends coming to visit me in Austria or France, as this is where I hope to spend the next school year as a teaching assistant for German teachers.”

Perhaps the influence of her Bethany professors has impacated her decision to pursue employment in academics.

“Most professors I had at Bethany have inspired me in some way, shape, or form.

I recall being particularly impressed by Pete Bloedel and his way of teaching, coaching, and interacting with students.

He sets forth such a good example of how to be a Christian role model, critical thinker, and creative worker in this world. In a world where the arts and theatre often dive into immorality and disgrace, it is wonderful when brilliant theatre people, like Pete, encourage us to be creative and make people laugh and think in a God-pleasing way!”

We wish Jessica Mueller all the best as she leaves the Bethany Lutheran College campus and rejoins family and friends in Europe!

Top: Mueller in downtown Vienna. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Mueller)

Above: Jessica has been in a number of musical and theatrical productions while at Bethany.

(Photo by David Norris)

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campus news

Bloedel attends ‘special’ performance P rofessor Peter Bloedel’s original play, A Suessified Christmas Carol, has been performed at various venues throughout North America, but recently Bloedel was able to attend a staging of his work at the invitation of theatre students at a suburban Twin Cities high school.

Students at Coon Rapids Senior High School contacted Bloedel at the recommendation of their high school theatre director. When it was determined that his schedule would allow, Bloedel made the trip to the Twin Cities to take in a performance.

Bloedel, while serving the college in the theatre department, also spends free time writing play scripts. He’s seen not

only A Suessified Christmas Carol performed but eight others have been published and staged around the nation as well. He has been able to see Peter Bloedel some of his plays performed locally and in Wisconsin, but this was the first time he’d been to a full performance of the Suess parody of A Christmas Carol.

Bloedel commented that it’s a pleasure to see these works come to life on the stage, “Certainly seeing how the imagination

of other people compliments the work that I’ve done is enjoyable. There is always a new vision and that’s a lot of fun to see.”

“Many of these scripts were originally written for Theatre Physics and I have a lot of fun seeing them performed by others.

But I can say that when I saw Jam Jar Sonnets performed I was very touched. It’s a gratifying feeling all the way around.

I’m thankful for anyone who is interested in performing my plays.”

Bloedel continues to write as time permits and has recently submitted a play that made its premiere on the Sigurd Lee Theater stage last fall, Life Coach, for possible publishing.

Science department hosts high school students

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ethany Lutheran College hosted a group of high school seniors from Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) High School, New Ulm, Minnesota, on Tuesday, November 27, 2012. Heath Dobberpuhl, chemistry and physical science teacher at MVL, brought the group to the campus. The students from MVL met with faculty members from Bethany’s math and science division to get a hands-on look at the science course offerings and facilities at Bethany.

The students worked with chemistry faculty members, Glenda Bossow, Matt Riehl, Eric Theiste, and Eric Woller. The students participated in a chemistry lab that illustrated the concept of ‘limiting reagent.’ They also completed a physics experiment on projectile motion using a “spud-gun” with physics instructor Nick Ollrich. Finally, the group met with biology faculty Chad Heins and Doyle Holbird where they learned about Bethany’s raptor watch program and other birds of southern Minnesota.

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Photo by David Norris

Seniors from Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm, Minnesota, took part in exploring different areas of science at Bethany.

Bethany Lutheran College is happy to host other high school science groups who are interested to learn more about college level science studies at Bethany

Lutheran College. Interested high school science teachers may contact Dr. Eric Woller, Dean of Academic Affairs.

report | march 2013

campus news

Controlled burn staged on campus garden

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ohn Sehloff and Chad Heins from Bethany’s biology department, together with several students, staged a controlled burn of a small prairie garden on the Bethany campus in November 2012.

Burning gives the advantage of clearing the old growth and allowing new seedlings to spring up. It also releases the minerals and nutrients from the dead plant matter back to the soil much more quickly than just waiting for it to decay and work its way back into the soil. Another benefit to a prairie burn is to help control invasive species that often outcompete the native plants.

“The prairie burn went well. This is the second time we have burned the area since 2002 when it was planted. When we have a good snowy winter it gets mostly knocked down. Last winter, with the lack of snow, we ended up with a lot of dead growth and it looked a bit ragged this past summer,” noted Sehloff.

Prior to the burn, students collected seeds from the prairie plants which they sowed back into the garden. The seeds

Photo by David Norris

A controlled burn was staged on November 8, 2012, for one of Bethany’s prairie garden areas.

were harvested somewhat selectively and will hopefully provide those species with a head start in the spring of 2013.

Most of southern Minnesota was native long grass prairie as it was settled and few spots remain that were not farmed or grazed at some point. Bethany’s small patch gives students a chance to see some of the native plants and serve as an ideal location for general biology students to collect insects.

View more photos: www.blc.edu/photo-gallery and click on Prairie Garden.

Watch a video clip: Located at the end of the photo gallery for Prairie Garden.

Alumna attending Math in Moscow program

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ngela Kraft earned her bachelor’s degree at Bethany in December 2012 and went on to attend the prestigious international Math in Moscow program. Math in Moscow is a program for international undergraduate and graduate students to study math in the Russian style. The program focuses on “discovering mathematics yourself under the guidance of an experienced teacher” rather than memorizing proofs and theorems. Courses are taught in English. The program opened on January 31, 2013, and Kraft will be attending the program for a full semester ending on May 17, 2013.

Kraft notes, “I think it will be a great

experience to learn advanced mathematics and experience a different culture. I have heard many great things about the program and I’m Angela Kraft sure it will be a lifechanging experience.”

While at Bethany, Kraft was a member of the Scholastic Leadership Society and she competed in debate as a member of the speech team. Her math studies have allowed her to be involved in two different Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) during summer breaks.

The first in the summer of 2011 was at California State University, Channel Islands, on matrix completion problems.

More recently she took part in an REU at Clemson University on classifying field extensions. Kraft has also presented research at a few different conferences including Pi Mu Epsilon, Young Mathematician’s Conference, and the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM). Before leaving for Moscow, Kraft presented at the JMM in San Diego January 9-12, 2013.

Kraft plans on pursuing graduate studies in mathematics focusing on some area of algebra.

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student news

Photo by David Norris

Senior history major Ben Petzel discussed his project with visitors at the Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul.

Senior presents at State Capitol

By Jonah Menough Bethany sophomore

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ethany Lutheran College senior Ben Petzel spent most his free time during the 2012 fall semester putting the final touches on his senior seminar paper, which he recently presented at the Minnesota Private College Scholars event at the State Capitol in February 2013.

Scholars at the Capitol is an event sponsored by the Minnesota Private College Council. Each year, about twenty-four students from seventeen Minnesota private colleges are selected to give a presentation at the State Capitol on a subject of their choosing. Petzel presented on the history of the death penalty in Minnesota.

Petzel’s two faculty advisers, Dr. John Boubel (history) and Thomas Flunker (Intercultural Center) assisted him with

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his research and planning for the presentation.

Boubel and Dr. Ryan MacPherson (history) encouraged Petzel to consider participating in the Capitol event; they both thought Petzel’s senior seminar paper would be a good fit.

“His topic, in particular, I thought would resonate with the State because it deals with lynching and capital punishment in the State of Minnesota,” said Boubel.

Petzel said his paper is about the history of the death penalty in Minnesota and how it has affected death penalty legislation.

“There are a number of lynchings and executions throughout Minnesota’s history that have a direct influence on, not only Minnesota death penalty legislation, but also national death penalty legis-

lation,” said Petzel. “I am trying to focus on the influence that these Minnesota incidents have on the rest of the country and the death penalty as a whole.”

The death penalty is a topic that has always interested Petzel, which is why he knew he was going to use it as the focus for his senior seminar paper. However, he did not seriously consider presenting his paper at the Scholars at the Capitol event until Boubel and MacPherson encouraged him to do so.

“I am glad I participated. It is definitely a good experience; it will look great on my resume. I thought that this would help me get a job one day,” said Petzel.

“It is a good opportunity and I would encourage other students to do it in the future.”

Copyright 2013, The Scroll. Reprinted with permission.

report | march 2013

campus news

Bethany helps with Festival video stream

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ccording to Phillip Wels, Studio Production Specialist at Bethany, the capabilities of the College’s production studio and the students using it are almost limitless.

Wels recently put Bethany’s mobile production capabilities to work at the West Regional Choral Festival for Wisconsin Synod High Schools held November 16-18, 2012, at West Lutheran High School in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Wels and current Bethany communication student, Anthony Miller, did the majority of coordinating with Gregory Baures at West to arrange a live broadcast of the Choral Festival events.

In addition to Miller and Wels, student and parent volunteers from both West and St. Croix Lutheran of West St. Paul, Minnesota, helped to make the live production a reality.

“Productions like this are a testament to the people we work with. After the initial setup, my job was basically done.

Anthony directed the shoot, two parents volunteered to run our two manned cameras and students from both St. Croix and West assisted with cameras

Photo by Philip Wels

Anthony Miller helped coordinate the live video stream for the WELS Regional Choral Festival.

and equipment at the corners of the stage.

The volunteers knew what they were doing. To watch the live stream going out and seeing such quality work from our volunteers and Bethany students is what makes me love my job. The ability to enable people to do amazing things— it’s hard for me to think of anything more

rewarding,” noted Wels.

The event proved to be both a blessing to friends and family who were not able to attend the Choral Fest and to Bethany Lutheran College to showcase the capabilities of the studio and the excellent communication and media arts programs at the College.

Hockey program, Maas earn broadcast awards

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ethany’s media arts and communication programs continue to be recognized nationally with the announcement of two prestigious awards. The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) sponsors the annual Festival of Media Arts, which is a competitive festival open to college and university faculty and students. With the support of the King Family Foundation and Avid, the Festival awarded more than $28,000 in prizes in 2012. Last year the Festival received 174 faculty entries and 991 student entries for a record total of 1,165 submissions in fifteen competitions. Separate competitions for faculty

and students cover the range from dramatic narratives through non-fiction documentary and news to the frontiers of interactive multiAndrew Maas media.

Among Bethany’s submissions to the 2013 Festival, two received national recognition. Winners were announced in mid-February and prizes are awarded during BEA’s annual Convention & Festival of Media Arts - April 7-10, 2013,

in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Recent Bethany graduate Andrew Maas earned a second place award in the spot category (commercial) for his senior project titled Gain.

The Bethany-produced Maverick Hockey Weekend took first place in the Sports/Live Event category. This is the second time Maverick Hockey Weekend claimed a first place win. Maverick Hockey Weekend is a joint production involving Bethany Lutheran College, Charter Communications, and Minnesota State University, Mankato.

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VIKINGS VIKINGS VIKINGS VIKINGS VIKINGS VIKINGS VIKINGS VIKINGS VIKINGS

athletics

Fall athletics

By Joe Tischler Coordinator of Sports Information

Men’s Soccer Four Bethany men’s soccer players were named to the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) All-Conference team.

Juan Garcia (Arlington, Minn./Sibley East), Johnny Luna (Reno, Nev./Incline), Ben Moldstad (North Mankato, Minn./ Minnesota Valley Lutheran), and Joe Perez (Colorado Springs, Colo./Fountain Ft. Carson) were all named to the UMAC Second Team All-Conference squad with Moldstad being named the conference’s Rookie of the Year.

Perez and Moldstad were sixth and eighth, respectively, in the conference in goals scored. The duo helped lead the Vikings to an 8-5-1 UMAC record and fourth place finish in the conference.

That finish allowed them to qualify for the UMAC postseason tournament where they lost to St. Scholastica in the semifinals.

Women’s Soccer Seven women’s soccer players earned All-Conference recognition.

Paige Taylor (Coon Rapids, Minn./ Totino Grace) was named to the UMAC First Team All-Conference. She ranked first in the conference with sixteen assists, which also ranked her fourth in the country in that category.

Selected to the Second Team AllConference were Jacqui Bonrud (Tea, S.D./Lennox), Kindra Fairburn (Big Lake, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville), and Maggie LaPlante (White Bear Lake, Minn.). LaPlante ranked fourth in the conference with thirteen goals and Taylor was sixth with ten.

Bridget Hennen (Apple Valley, Minn./ St. Croix Lutheran) and Hannah Spaulding (Savage, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran) were selected as honorable mention members in the conference and 12

Photos by Sport PiX

Clockwise from top left: Josh Willis, Paige Taylor, Juan Garcia, and Shelby Wiederhoeft.

Kathryn Scislow (Lakeville, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran) was named the conference’s Rookie of the Year.

The team finished third in the UMAC with a 10-4 conference mark and fell to Athletics continued on page 13 report | march 2013

student news

Speech Team earns state championship T he Bethany Lutheran College Speech Team earned a State Championship in the limited entry division during the Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association State Tournament held February 16-17, 2013, at the College of St. Benedict.

Sixteen colleges and universities competed and were divided into two divisions, open and limited entry based on the number of events they participated in. While Bethany earned a first place finish in limited entry, the team also placed fifth overall.

Six BLC students participated at the tournament: Baylee Amy (senior), Leah Hensch (sophomore), Shawn Loging (sophomore), Jacob Schneider (freshman), Rachel Skaaland (senior), and William Soule (sophomore).

While the team award was a collective effort, there were a number of excellent individual performances.

• Will Soule earned second place in Impromptu Speaking and second place in Extemporaneous Speaking.

• Rachel Skaaland took sixth place in Extemporaneous Speaking. She also was named the seventh place speaker in Parliamentary Debate.

• Skaaland and Soule were semifinalists in Parliamentary Debate.

• Baylee Amy took sixth place in Prose Interpretation.

Athletics continued from page 12

Minnesota-Morris in the semifinals of the UMAC postseason tournament in a shootout.

Volleyball Shelby Wiederhoeft (Truman, Minn.) was named to the UMAC First Team All-Conference. She ranked fourth in the conference in total kills and kills per set; third in points and fourth in points per set.

The team finished 6-22 overall and 5-9 in the UMAC and failed to reach the conference tournament.

Men’s Golf Three men’s golf athletes earned UMAC All-Conference honors with their play at the UMAC Men’s Golf

Photo by Jon Loging

From left: Shawn Loging, Baylee Amy, Jacob Schneider, Leah Hensch, Rachel Skaaland, and William Soule.

Championship at Deacon’s Lodge Golf Course in Breezy Point, Minn.

Josh Willis (Rhinelander, Wis.) took home medalist honors by winning the event. Jon Pederson (Waseca, Minn.) and Austin Snow (Waseca, Minn.) also earned All-Conference honors by placing sixth and seventh respectively. The squad finished second overall.

Academic All-Conference The UMAC set a record for fall semester Academic All-Conference awards with 360 students earning a 3.5 or better grade point average. Twenty-one of those students were Bethany student athletes: Men’s Cross Country – Michael Lendt (Watertown, S. Dak./ Great Plains Lutheran); Women’s Cross Country – Marta Krause (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Jessica Mueller (Vienna, Austria), Alissa

Sauer (Lismore, Minn./Adrian), Elisabeth Urtel (Brooklyn Center, Minn.); Men’s Soccer – Jacob Behmer (Maple Grove, Minn./West Lutheran), Ryan Bolte (Colorado Springs, Colo./Fountain Ft. Carson), Eric DeBruzzi (Carlisle, Mass./Concord Carlisle), Adam Kluball (Clifton Park, N.Y./Luther Prep), Ben Moldstad, (North Mankato, Minn./ Minnesota Valley Lutheran), Nathan Stob (North St. Paul, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran); Women’s Soccer – Marta Faugstad (Mankato, Minn./East), Kathryn Scislow, Hannah Spaulding; Volleyball – Emily Franzen (Lewiston, Minn./ Lewiston-Altura), Emilie James (Aurora, Colo./Rocky Mountain Lutheran), Jessi Jurries (Trimont, Minn./Martin County West), Kasslin Swenson (Nicollet, Minn.), Allie VanHee (Madelia, Minn.), Shelby Wiederhoeft.

13

campus news

Book fund helps business majors

By Lance Schwartz Director of Institutional Communication

M

uch has been said about the cost of higher education. And while the price tag of a Bethany education has risen throughout the years, it can also be said that Bethany has been successful at keeping increases to a minimum and still maintains an affordable tuition cost.

In fact, Bethany Lutheran College has consistently been one of the least expensive private liberal arts colleges in Minnesota.

And while the administration and Regents of Bethany Lutheran College have worked hard to keep tuition costs accessible and affordable, one faculty member has taken it upon himself to keep costs manageable for upper division business administration students.

For those readers who have taken a college course in the past five years, you can relate to the sticker shock many students feel when they visit the college bookstore for the first time. Textbooks are not exactly an inexpensive part of a student’s educational bill. And it’s understandable that books are expensive. So much work goes into the writing, editing, and printing of a book.

Some thirteen years ago, Professor Dean Shoop (business administration) thought it might be helpful for students to be able to have their textbooks provided at little or no cost for upper division business classes. A great idea, no doubt, but just how this was going to be accomplished remained a difficult question to answer.

The answer came in the form of some innovative and supportive fundraising efforts fueled by both alumni and foundations supporting Bethany Lutheran College.

Through efforts led by Shoop and the advancement department, a plan to create a special endowment fund for keeping the cost of business students’ textbooks low 14

Photo by David Norris

Professor Dean Shoop set up a fund to help business students by providing their textbooks for them.

took shape and today the fund provides books for nearly all juniors and seniors in the business administration major.

Textbooks for a single class can sometimes top $300. At times, the textbooks are updated and a new edition is released as often as every two or three years. This relatively fast updating of a text sometimes hurts the college student who opts to sell the book after a class is completed.

In order to combat the new edition turnover, Professor Shoop commits to using textbooks for a minimum of three years.

The entire project has been a winwin-win for students, Bethany Lutheran College, and the professors in the business administration major. And Professor Dean Shoop, in his normal matter of fact

manner, really doesn’t think too much of his innovative efforts.

“I just wanted to find a way to help the students, this seemed like a great option.

It really was an effort made possible by the donors. And it’s been gratifying to see that the students who’ve benefitted from the program are now loyal contributors to the fund,” said Shoop.

Friends and alumni interested in supporting the Bethany Business Books Fund can send donations to the following address: Bethany Lutheran College Business Books Fund C/O Prof. Dean Shoop 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001 report | march 2013

April 29-May 4, 2013 Bethany Lutheran College invites alumni and friends to join us for Media Week 2013—an exciting week of media-related events both on and off campus!

MONDAY................Christ in Media Institute crowd-sourced Christian script writing.

TUESDAY..............Sports Broadcasting Showcase and barbecue in the Honsey Hall parking lot (lot 5).

WEDNESDAY........Best of PromaxBDA 2012 media marketing screening and presentation.

THURSDAY...........Student art show followed by Festival of Communication and Media Arts (FOCAMA).

FRIDAY.................Opening of the Speechless Film Festival.

SATURDAY...........Continuation and culmination of the Speechless Film Festival.

WWW.BLC.EDU/MEDIAWEEK

Bethany Lutheran College is pleased to announce the inaugural Speechless Film Festival! Speechless is an international festival for students and professionals that will showcase the power of visual, but not silent, storytelling. The festival will feature films from over 25 countries and will take place in the Downtown Mankato Place Theater on May 3-4, 2013. We aim to make Speechless a significant event for the Mankato community, establishing Bethany as a leader in media production and the arts.

Purchase your all-access festival pass at www.speechlessfilmfestival.com.

15

alumni news

2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient:

Dr. Peter Harstad

By Jake Krier Coordinator of Alumni Relations

D

r. Peter Harstad (’55) is the recipient of the 2013 Bethany Lutheran College Distinguished Alumnus Award. Harstad, the third of ten children, was born on November 13, 1935, to the Reverend Adolph and Martha (Tjernagel) Harstad.

Harstad is an accomplished historian with several books and publications to his credit, has taught at the college level, and directed two State Historical Societies. He has earned several awards including: • Sagamore of the Wabash Award by the State of Indiana • The Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award • Award of Commendation by the Concordia Historical Institute

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report | march 2013

Harstad attended both Bethany Lutheran High School and Junior College and credits the institution for helping to shape him both spiritually and intellectually. He especially notes professors Rudolph Honsey and Norman Holte and coach Dwain Mintz for their instruction and advice during his years in Mankato.

Harstad says Mintz had this sage advice for his players: “If you are going to do something, do it right.” That simple lesson has stuck with him through the years. Harstad says beyond the instruction, he’s most thankful for meeting his wife of fifty-six years, Carolyn (Schneider) at Bethany.

After Bethany, Harstad enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in education with emphases in English and history. After teaching high school for a year, love for learning brought him and Carolyn back to Madison where he earned both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.

It was a busy time for the young family with Peter working and attending graduate school all while the couple’s first two children were born.

After earning his Ph.D., Harstad taught American History at Idaho State University where he was a faculty member from 1963 to 1972. At Idaho State, he served as President of the Faculty Affairs Committee.

While on leave from Idaho, Harstad held a Ford Foundation-financed postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Kentucky. His work included examining, organizing, and publishing historical documents of former Secretary of State Henry Clay.

While on a later leave, Harstad served for a year as visiting professor of history at the University of Iowa, which eventually led to a post as the Director of the State Historical Society of Iowa. He served in that position from 1972 to 1981.

Harstad then found his way back to Bethany, serving as development officer and history professor. During a three-year tenure at Bethany, he helped to establish

the Dr. S.C. Ylvisaker Scholarship Fund, which is still providing scholarships for students today.

In 1984, Harstad was hired as the CEO of the Indiana Historical Society, an endowed not-for-profit corporation. In this position he was able to focus solely on history programs. The last challenge of his career involved the construction and financing of a $40 million Indiana History Center near the State Capitol in Indianapolis. He retired in 2001.

Harstad continues to conduct research and has written two books since “retiring.” Store Per and We Saw the Elephant are both focused on mid-19th century American history. He is currently working on two projects: a biography of Thomas R. Marshall (Woodrow Wilson’s Vice President) and a book about the young Abraham Lincoln and how his reading and self-education influenced his life.

Harstad says of the award, “I am deeply honored and excited to receive it. To be recognized by Bethany Lutheran College, my alma mater, is very special. Bethany has a special place in my heart. It guided me in my youth, helped me set goals and to achieve them, and it is still there for our family and many others.”

The Harstads have five grown children and ten grandchildren and currently reside in Lakeville, Minnesota.

They are active members of Heritage Lutheran Church in nearby Apple Valley.

Harstad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005. His faith in Jesus Christ has helped guide him through difficulties and given him confidence that in God’s hands all will be well.

Harstad will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award at Bethany’s Spring Commencement on May 17, 2013.

Harstad’s books, We Saw the Elephant, and Store Per, both focus on mid-19th century American history.

17

alumni news

Photo by David Norris

Bethany graduates Lacey Sawatzky (’10) and Chuck Hunt (’70) work at the Faribault County Register in Blue Earth, Minnesota.

A storied connection Paths of Bethany alumni lead to work at newspaper

By Lance Schwartz Director of Institutional Communication

I

f you’d have asked Chuck Hunt (’70) where he was going to attend college, his first answer would not have been Bethany Lutheran College.

In fact, Hunt says his arrival on campus was really “on accident” and the first time he’d seen the campus was the day he walked into his dorm room.

But if you had the opportunity to talk with Hunt, you’d immediately recognize his optimistic outlook and would not be surprised that he completely enjoyed his time at Bethany and that he certainly made the most of his two years on campus.

18

Hunt notes that his Bethany roommate, whom he’d never met before he walked into the dorm room they shared for two years, remains a lifelong best friend.

Hunt also enjoyed participating on the wrestling team, and was introduced to a passion for writing that he has parlayed into a 35-year career as a newsman.

Hunt is the managing editor of the Faribault County Register—A weekly newspaper published in Blue Earth, Minnesota. He has been working at the Register for five years, but as he notes, “It’s the first time I’ve had a boss in my life.” That’s because for the previous 30 years Hunt has been the owner, publisher, and editor of a number of small town papers in the

report | march 2013

Upper Midwest.

Prior to coming to the Register, he was operating papers in Hendricks, Lake Benton, and Tyler, Minnesota, but after 30 years he was ready to move into strictly an editorial role rather than running the entire operation of a family of papers.

While Hunt has thoroughly enjoyed the transition to managing editor, through a series of events that he could not have predicted is once again the owner of the three papers in western Minnesota. But Hunt says, “We have a good staff in place and the papers are profitable.” So occasionally Hunt, and his wife Pam, will spend a few days traveling to tend to business of their papers, but his career is now focused on the Faribault County Register and a variety of related publications they put together every week and month.

Coincidently, a young news writer from Bethany’s class of 2010 found her way to Blue Earth and the Register as well. Lacey Sawatzke, who began her news writing career in central Minnesota, now covers a variety of stories for the Register.

It’s interesting that both Hunt and Sawatzke originally had designs to be English teachers when they enrolled at Bethany. It wasn’t until they both did some reporting for the Bethany Scroll campus paper that they decided news reporting was something they both had an interest in.

Sawatzke says that Hunt has been “a good teacher and mentor,” and Hunt appreciates her approach to covering news.

“Lacey is a fearless reporter. She’ll go after any story regardless of the situation,” said Hunt.

Sawatzke’s path to Bethany was a little more intentional than Hunt’s.

“I was looking for a smaller college to attend, but nothing seemed to fit what I was looking for. Bethany hadn’t been on my radar, as I didn’t come from a very strong Lutheran background. I ended up hearing about a campus visit weekend

that Bethany was hosting and I attended that with two of my high school friends just for fun,” explains Sawatzke.

“They always say when you visit a campus you will know right away whether or not the college is right for you and I knew after the visit that I wanted to attend Bethany. The small campus and class sizes made it easy to get involved and really figure out what path I wanted to take.”

Sawatzke found that her Bethany experience offered not only an excellent education but also helped her strengthen her faith.

“I enjoyed the fact that we were able to

‘I love being a reporter because it gives me the chance to be that connection for someone else. ’ - Lacey Sawatzke

discuss so many different aspects of religion and our faith. Sometimes it is a good thing to have your faith challenged but it was even better for me because I was able to have my faith strengthened by the people around me. And being a communication major meant the Communication Center (now Tweit Hall) was my home away from home at times. So I liked the fact that I was able to have good conversations with classmates who shared my interest in the different areas of mass communication.”

Like Hunt, Sawatzke found friends for life at Bethany as well.

“My whole college experience was a situation where I feel God put me exactly where I needed to be at exactly the time I was supposed to be there. The friends I made were no exception. I moved into Anderson Hall my freshmen year and from the first day, I became friends

with seven other girls that lived on the same wing as me. Our RA was amazing and planned lots of fun activities to help us all get to know each other. The eight of us continued to room with or near each other all through our Bethany days.”

“Those seven girls are still my best friends. And even though we are spread out all over the state (and one who took a job in Oregon), we still often get together.

I think going to Bethany together formed a really cool bond between us because we lived together, we grew up together, and we saw each other through some of the biggest, most challenging, and most important events in our lives, so far.

I am beyond blessed to have made those friends.”

Sawatzke admits to having a lifelong love for all things media (news, newspapers, magazines, books, etc.) explaining that growing up in a small town, she sometimes felt disconnected from the larger world and media gave her a connection to places and events where she couldn’t actually be. She explains, “I love being a reporter because it gives me the chance to be that connection for someone else.”

“Not to mention, my job is to talk to people half of the day and write during the other half. Who wouldn’t love to do that? I get to meet new people and do something new pretty much everyday, that’s pretty cool.”

And the Bethany connection that Hunt and Sawatzke share—does it ever come up in the office? Sawatzke admits, “It’s been fun working with Chuck because every once in awhile he and I will share stories about our Bethany days.”

So the next time you find yourself reading about a news event in far southern Minnesota, know that two dedicated Bethany alumni from different times but with a similar love for covering the events of today are probably behind the words that shape the story in Blue Earth, Minnesota.

19

faculty news

MacPherson honored by historical institute

D

r. Ryan C. MacPherson (history) was honored on November 8, 2012, with an Award of Commendation by Concordia Historical Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. The award was presented for MacPherson’s contribution as managing editor of Telling the Next Generation: The Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s Vision for Christian Education, 1918-2011 and Beyond (2011). Bethany alumni and co-editors of the book Paul G. Madson and Peter M. Anthony, were also recognized with awards.

The editors were assisted by ten former Bethany students who completed internships at the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) Historical Society and service learning assignments in History 460 (Religion in American History) over a five-year period (2006- 2010): Abigail Bourman, Jeremy Costello, Kyle Damiano, Paul Gunderson, Philip Kaminksy,

Submitted photo

Larry Lumpke (far left), executive director of Concordia Historical Institute, and board member Rodney Rathmann (far right) presented awards to Peter Harstad (center left) and Ryan MacPherson (center right) at the Institute’s November 2012 banquet in St. Louis.

David Reagles, Stephen Sielaff, Andrew Shoop, Annie Williams, and Josiah Willitz.

The ELS Historical Society published Telling the Next Generation. MacPher-

son, a charter member of the society, has served on the board of directors since 2004. The society presently is collaborating with the synod’s centennial celebration committee to produce a pictorial history book and video marking the 100th anniversary of the Synod’s formation (1918-2018).

Also recognized at the event were Bethany alumni Peter T. Harstad and Karyn Lukasek for their book Store Per: Norwegian-American “Paul Bunyan” of the Prairie (2011). Harstad wrote and Lukasek illustrated this collection of history and legend concerning Peter (“Big Pete”) Tjernagel, a nineteenth-century immigrant who came to America from Norway with his Bible, his bride, and his violin.

Telling the Next Generation and Store Per are both available for purchase online at www.els-history.org/books.

advancement news

Capital campaign closes in on goal T

he final phases of Bethany Lutheran College’s Faithful Future capital campaign are nearing completion with the overall goal of $28 million in sight.

The case for the campaign was first presented in December 2006. The goals of the campaign focused on a variety of needs at Bethany. First and foremost was the construction of a new academic building to replace an aging Luther Hall (100 years old) and expanding the facilities for Bethany’s growing communication and media arts programs.

The campaign is being conducted in five phases: lead gifts, faculty and staff, church, community, and finally alumni and friends. A historically supportive 20

group of alumni and friends is currently being asked to support the campaign. To date, $26,950,000 has been committed to the campaign.

“We are overwhelmed and thankful to all of the campaign supporters. It has given us the opportunity to share Bethany’s story,” said Art Westphal, Bethany’s campaign director.

The campaign results with respect to scholarship growth have led the way in donor support. The goal for scholarship

funds was $2 million and to date nearly $5.3 million has been donated for student support.

“Bethany Lutheran College students qualify for aid at a higher rate than most private colleges in Minnesota,” said Bethany President Dan Bruss. “The fact that donors recognize the need that exists at Bethany and have generously supported our efforts to raise funds for scholarship growth is significant, and it gives a boost to our commitment to keeping a Bethany education affordable.”

“We are looking forward to bringing the Bethany story to additional friends and supporters during 2013,” said Art Westphal. report | march 2013

alumni news

Tee time!

Joel Laube Memorial

Bethany Sports Classic

Friday, June 21, 2013 Crystal Lake Golf Club, Lakeville, Minnesota 1 p.m.- Shotgun Start $135 golf and dinner $100 golf only, $40 dinner only Social hour, dinner and auction immediately following golf www.blc.edu/joellaubegolf

Monday, August 5, 2013 Mankato Golf Club, Mankato, Minnesota 10:00 a.m. – Open House with refreshments in Bethany Sports and Fitness Center (devotion at 10:45 a.m.)

11:30 a.m. – Lunch at Mankato Golf Club (Driving range and putting green open to golfers) 12:30 p.m. – Shotgun Start $125 per player ($500 team) Social hour, dinner, and awards immediately following golf www.blc.edu/sportsclassic

alumni

news 1941 At 91 years young, Esther Knack lives in an independent apartment for seniors.

She stays busy playing cards and attends church at Messiah Lutheran in Burnsville, Minnesota.

1945 Mildred (Ulbricht) Wrucke’s husband, Leroy, passed away on August 6, 2012. Class members of JC ’45 have been circulating a round robin letter for many years. The letter makes it ‘around’ about twice yearly. Those class members participating include: Betty (Kienitz) Swanson, Shirley (Larsen) Kasten, Barbara (Ylvisaker) Newson, Olga (Luepke) Krase, Viola (Milbrath) Mueller, Orla (Anderson) Peterson, Caroline (Hellwinckel) Kohrs, Helen (Kolhmeyer) Keyes, and Mildred (Ulbricht) Wrucke.

It’s time to start thinking about the upcoming golf season!

We have some great opportunities for you to play some wonderful golf courses, renew friendships, enjoy time with Bethany supporters, and support the students at Bethany Lutheran College.

1963

1999

Marcia (Diercks) Matthees’s husband, Ray, passed away suddenly on March 16, 2011. Marcia teaches preschool at their church and cooks at Vasa Children’s Home in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Patricia (Busacker) Anderson and her husband, Everell, sold their business two years ago, and are also in the process of selling their sheep farm. They are enjoying retirement at Sunland Springs Village Retirement in Mesa, Arizona, and watching their grandkids growing up.

Dennis Hutter is in his seventh season as the head women’s basketball coach at Mayville State University, in North Dakota. The team qualified for the NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship for the first time in school history with a 20-5 season.

2000

1996 Luke Hennen and his wife, Deborah, announce the birth of their daughter, Audra Jean, born on December 26, 2012, in Shakopee, Minnesota.

1997 Brad Stromdahl was named head baseball coach at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Jeff and Jodi (Fahrenkamp) Foster welcomed their second daughter, Kaelin Emilie, on April 23, 2012. They currently reside in Cologne, Minnesota, along with Kaelin’s big sister, Kendall (4).

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alumni news 2002

Cory and Sarah (Petersen) Hoerler were married on September 8, 2012, at the Emmons Lutheran Church in Emmons, Minnesota. Among the attendants was alumna Kristi (Krenz ’02) Wempen. Sarah is a dental hygienist at the Mayo Clinic in the Department of Dental Specialties and also adjunct faculty in the Dental Hygiene Program at the Rochester Community and Technical College. Cory works for the ManchesterHartland Telephone Company and is also the assistant chief of the Manchester Fire Department.

2003

Jacob and Megan (Czer) Schable’s fourth son, Enoch Thomas, was born on August 10, 2012. Enoch’s brothers Solomon (6), Gideon (4), and Abraham (2) have been very excited to help out with the newest addition to their family.

Megan is currently a stay-at-home mom and in her free time she is coaching girls A-team basketball, teaching 8th grade art class, and helping start an after school Art Club at Christ-St. Peter Lutheran School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Dusty and Amanda (Rank ’05) Reese welcomed a baby girl on January 28, 2013. Brynna Christine weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz. and was 21-1/4 inches long. She was welcomed home by brothers Asher (3) 22

Former basketball coach and players reunite During the summer of 2012, former Bethany Women’s Basketball Coach Lyle Jones visited Crystal (Anderson ’96) Van Dyken and her twin sister Charity Anderson Render (’96) in their hometown of Bozeman, Montana. Crystal and Charity both had successful basketball careers at Bethany playing for Coach Jones. During their time as Vikings, the Bethany teams were ranked in the top twenty nationally. The twins went on to play at Covenant College in Georgia after their two years at Bethany (then a junior college). At Covenant, they both started immediately and led the school to its first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. Coach Jones, and his wife Katie, had a wonderful time catching up with the family. In the picture are Lyle and Katie Jones, Crystal and her children: Grant, Isaac, Shayla, and Haily. Charity and her children: Kyleigh, Adalynn, and Savannah. Charity and Crystal’s parents, Peter and Connie Anderson, are also pictured.

2007

and Aiden (2). Dusty is a school psychologist with Grant Wood Area Education Agency in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Amanda recently taught at Kaplan University. The family resides in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Rick and Mary (Finck) Reinke announce the birth of their son, Levi, on March 13, 2012. He weighed 3 lb. 3 oz. and was 16.5 inches long. Despite arriving 8 weeks early, the Lord continually blessed him with good health, and today he is a very active and happy little boy. Rick and Mary are so thankful for all the help, support, and prayers for them this past year. The family resides in Amboy, Minnesota. report | march 2013

alumni news Brian Bartelt and his wife, Josie, welcomed into their family their third child, Daniel John, in April 2012. Brian works for La Crosse County as a 911 Dispatcher and recently started working for the City of Onalaska as a part-time firefighter. The couple loves hearing from their Bethany friends and is always glad to see those who pass through the area.

2009 Joshua and Clarissa (Preuss) Okins announce the birth of Amari Moriah Okins born June 6, 2012, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, while her daddy was deployed to Afghanistan. The family is now back in Washington where Josh is stationed at Ft. Lewis.

Keith Peterson is in the last year of his course of study at Minnesota State University, Mankato, in the field of social work with anticipated graduation in December 2013.

2010 Matthew and Brittany (Schlomer) Schaffer were blessed with a baby girl, Harper, on October 29, 2012.

Matt is in his third year of medical school doing rotations and Brittany is working for Rapid City Regional Hospital as a decision support analyst.

Meaghan (Dahlke) Johnson was married to college classmate Nicholas

We want to hear from you We need your personal and professional updates to include in our alumni news.

You may also submit alumni news and photos by emailing them to alumni@blc.edu, or through our Web site at www.blc.edu/submitnews.

alumni

news

Name___________________________________________________________________________ Class year__________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City____________________________________________ State___________________________ Zip ________________________ Phone ( _________ ) ____________________________ Email______________________________________________________ Spouse’s name __________________________________________________________________ Class year _________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name)

news (attach additional information and photos as necessary) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

birth/adoption announcement Parents’ names_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Name___________________________________________________________________________ Class year__________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) Spouse’s name __________________________________________________________________ Class year _________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) [ ] Daughter’s name [ ] Son’s name____________________________________________________________________________

First Middle Last Date of Birth/Adoption___________________________ Place of Birth_______________________________________________

marriage announcement

#

Name___________________________________________________________________________ Class year__________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) Spouse’s name __________________________________________________________________ Class year _________________

(first name/maiden or birth/current last name) Date of Marriage ________________________________ Current Residence __________________________________________

Johnson on September 22, 2012. They both have full time careers in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Cut out (or photocopy) and send to: Alumni News, Bethany Lutheran College, 700 Luther Drive, Mankato, MN 56001

23

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Calendar of events can be found at:

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