SPRING / SUMMER 2007
Bethany report
the magazine of bethany lutheran college
4 More students take advantage of internships 6 Business professor to teach in China 12 Support Bethany by searching the Web
from the president
Positive changes A
s much as we hate to admit it, change is inevitable. We see it taking place around us every day. The world of higher education is no exception. One of my responsibilities as Bethany’s president is to think about change and how it can enhance this institution. In the past ten years alone there have been many changes on campus. Enrollment, for example, has seen a dramatic increase of 71%. The academic program has changed significantly—we have now awarded bachelor’s degrees to seven classes of seniors. Each year the number of graduating seniors has increased with the most recent class of 107 graduates being our largest class to date. Our view of the world beyond our borders, and its effect on higher education, has also changed. It’s not surprising that more of our students are choosing to spend part of their time studying abroad. A component of the College’s current strategic plan focuses on this growing international interest among both students and faculty. Recently, Dr. Edmund Kwok, the Executive Vice President of the newly formed United International College (UIC) in Zhuhai, China, was on our campus to share the vision of his college, which is the first liberal arts college to open in China in over fifty years. Since most courses are taught in English, Dr. Janet Moldstad (Business Administration) will be a visiting professor at UIC next spring during her sabbatical (see story on page 6). Additional opportunities for our President Dan Bruss students and faculty members to collaborate with this institution will be a part of future endeavors. Opportunities for involvement for our students have changed. Our athletic programs are now under the auspices of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) offering greater opportunity for competition. Bethany students are now part of the Mankato community in more visible and impactful ways as interns and employees at many local businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools. As a baccalaureate institution, Bethany faculty members have new and exciting opportunities for professional development. These are just a few examples where change is positive for Bethany Lutheran College. There are occasions, however, when change isn’t positive. At times, societal pressures ask the College to compromise its positions which are built solidly on the truths of Scripture. Thankfully we continue to stand firmly rooted in God’s Word in response to these pressures. We continue to pray for God’s guidance for Bethany to examine change through the lens of Scripture. Join with me in welcoming change that enhances the education at Bethany Lutheran College. New and exciting opportunities will be forthcoming in the years ahead and your support will sustain Bethany in this environment of change.
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Bethany report editor | Lance Schwartz design, photography | David Norris proofreaders | Emma Baumann Sarah Harstad Elayne Luiken Shannon Reichel Tami Tillman 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: CIX The Report is published quarterly by the Bethany Lutheran College public relations office and distributed free of charge to the college’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. All contents © COPYRIGHT 2007 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 calls for people to make the most of their Godgiven talents in whatever walk of life they pursue. Bethany Lutheran College Board of Regents: Rev. John A. Moldstad, Sr., Chair Harold A. Theiste, Vice Chair Rev. Kenneth V. Schmidt, Secretary Willis Anthony, Ph.D. Rev. Mark Bartels Paul T. Chamberlin Lyle Fahning Rev. Herbert C. Huhnerkoch James Minor Roland Reinholtz Rev. J. Kincaid Smith, D.Min. Rev. Joel Willitz Advisory Members: Pres. Dan R. Bruss, Ph.D. Rev. Lawrence A. Burgdorf Rev. John A. Moldstad, ELS President William Overn
On the cover: Spring brought flowering trees as a student headed across campus.
report | spring/summer 2007
from the chapeL June 27, 2007 I Peter 5:6-11 — “6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
H
umble yourself! That’s another one of those imperatives that sounds like something we might be able to do on our own. But it’s not. I doubt that any have ever made themselves “humble,” not anyone, that is, except our Lord himself who “ humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” For the child of God, this humbling comes under the mighty hand of God, the one who does not cause suffering, but who permits it to come to us, so that he will be Rev. Erling Teigen able to exalt us — take us to himself in his everlasting kingdom. The humility that we are called to is not a humility that we might identify, say, with “Minnesota Nice,” – that when we are guests we do not go to the dinner table on the first call, because it isn’t humble to be too eager, and not the “aw shucks, twarn’t nuthin’” kind of humility. This humility is the one that recognizes our Lord’s perfect righteousness, and our own corruption and guilt by which we are completely unworthy of God’s love and kindness. This humility that leads to exaltation comes when God lays his heavy hand on us. For the early Christians to whom Peter writes, he has in mind some very specific sufferings – they lived under persecution by the Roman government, and by their fellow Jews. Their fellow Jews regarded them as deniers of the
education that lasts beyond a lifetime
faith; and the Romans regarded them as a heretical, Jewish sect. But their sufferings also included those day-to-day sufferings that come upon them, as they do on us, because of our own weakness and frailty, as well as the weakness and frailty of those around us. Surely those sufferings could be warded off by God. But instead, God lets these sufferings and persecutions come upon his people to bring about a humble spirit. That humbling can only be the work of God. Only God can search hearts; only God knows when anyone needs to be humbled, —even though we ourselves are often so presumptuous as to make that judgment about others. But God’s word to his people, as it was to St. Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.” Just before the beginning of this text, Peter quoted Proverbs 3: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” This humility he equates with “casting your cares on him.” In all of the persecution, despair, the evil deeds of others which harm our body and spirit, he wants to show us that only when our reliance is on his strength, and not on our own, that we can resist the devil and all his evil works and ways. The purpose of his heavy hand is that “the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” That is the promise he makes to his believers, a promise to which he is faithful. What he promises—to perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you – that, in richest measure is the joy of heaven, of everlasting life. Our Lord was exalted in his resurrection, so that he made full use of all of the divine powers that were his as God’s eternal Son. And he promises us exaltation too, in our resurrection from the dead to eternal life so that we have the same perfection with which we were created in our first parents — without the corruption of sin, and death, and free from all suffering, tears, sorrow and worry. But that is “After you have suffered awhile….” Until then, we live by faith, in the confidence that what he promised is certain and is already our own possession. “To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
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academics
Internships mutually beneficial By Sarah Harstad Director of Alumni Affairs
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ierre Sadaka is a 2004 Bethany business administration graduate and manager of Charley’s Restaurant of Mankato, Minn. While working at his parent’s family-owned business, Charley’s Restaurant, frequent customer and former BLC President Marvin Meyer often visited with him. “Meyer always pushed for me to come to Bethany and said when I was ready, he would help me.” For Sadaka, it was a peculiar transition from being “just a number” at the much larger state school that he was attending to being “cared for” at Bethany, but he made the jump and enrolled in the business administration program. A recommended element of the business program is an internship, and Sadaka soon got connected with Mankato’s Community Bank as an intern and later an assistant for a financial services representative. In this hands-on opportunity, Sadaka got involved in the financial industry, comparing portfolios and helping customers determine what investments best fit their priorities. “The Bethany business program is phenomenal. The caring professors really push you to succeed and get you through. My classes were awesome preparation; I kept my text books in my office and used literally what I was learning in the classroom. The fundamentals were key.” After this experience, Sadaka knew what he wanted to do and, just as importantly, what he didn’t want to do. He moved on to Northwestern Mutual where he began working towards licensure and working on a bigger scale with larger accounts. Around this same time, tragedy struck beloved Charley’s Restaurant as not one but two separate fires brought the business to its knees. To Sadaka, it was a sign that he was needed back home. The decision was made easier by a request from
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Photo courtesy of Becky Breitbarth
Becky Breitbarth interned with the Fox News Channel in New York working with the show On the Record.
Sadaka’s father to consider the transition to making Charley’s Restaurant his own. During the six months that the restaurant was closed, Sadaka and staff had time to put his business skills into practice as he planned and prepared to transition the restaurant into a new era. However, in Sadaka’s new role, a lot of financial information about the restaurant was available but there was little time to do anything with it. Desiring the ability to analyze the financial information and know exactly what state his business was in while implementing the re-construction and all the other new plans, Sadaka knew he was in over his head and running out of time. “It was the perfect time for an intern. You are on your own in this business and need to learn on your own. I asked for a Bethany intern because I knew they would be capable of the help that I needed.” In the set-up stages after the fire, Bethany intern Li He (nicknamed Benny) put all of the raw data into a point of
sale (POS) system used daily to keep the restaurant functioning. The POS system performed inventory counts, laid out spreadsheets for tracking financial data, analyzed customer accounts, and worked with ordering supplies and maintaining food groups. This experience reflects the philosophy behind Bethany Lutheran College’s internship program according to Mary Jo Starkson, Coordinator of Career Services. The goal is to get students involved in a real-world experience, applying classroom learning, sampling career paths to find a best fit, and networking with professionals. Although an internship is a requirement for only one major at Bethany (communication), Starkson finds students from across disciplines seeking out this invaluable experience. For example, interns this spring come from such areas as business, art, history, psychology, broad field social
Interns continued on page 5 report | spring/summer 2007
Interns continued from page 4
studies, and English. “The program is continually growing and changing,” comments Starkson. “We’ve had thirty interns in the field this spring and typically have fifteen to twenty out during the summer and fall.” Karina Harstad, a senior Communications graduate from North Mankato, Minn., got involved with an internship to fulfill her program’s requirements. As her time interning with the YWCA of Mankato progressed, Harstad realized what applying her classroom skills to the world really meant as she worked with a committee to design a publication for a major event. “It was a unique experience working with a committee to conceptualize a design, and to learn how to deal with creative criticism to produce an advertising piece that best reflected the organiza-
tion, not just my own personal style,” she said. Becky Breitbarth, a junior from Fairmont, Minn., had a unique internship experience in New York City with the Fox News Channel working for the show On the Record. Through a partnership with Marist College to place qualified media students in competitive internships, Breitbarth was able to have a hand in video production of footage that appeared during her time with On the Record and also escorted guests around the studio. “It was the most amazing experience to live in such an incredible and energetic city all while doing what I love for my favorite news channel!” she commented. “Bethany gave me a good knowledge base to be able to survive in such an intense broadcasting environment.” This bridge between academics and the working world is not only a benefit to the
students involved—companies can also see rewards from the program. Community feedback has largely been positive, as noted by one business owner who recently worked with a Bethany intern: “You have a very thoroughly organized program; the Bethany intern was awesome. Can we have another?” A sentiment echoed by Sadaka, “I would absolutely have a Bethany intern again because of all of the help he gave me. Benny was able to take projects that I had in the back of my mind and make them come to life.” As Bethany grows, we strive to provide a holistic education for our students. Internships provide an exciting and poignant opportunity for students to grow and learn in a self-guided environment. Our students are learning what it takes to be successful, and the Bethany family is supporting them every step of the way.
Faculty and staff news Dr. Tom Kuster (Communication) has published online a series of papers he produced during his tenure as president of the National Parliamentary Debate Association in 2001-2003. Included are nine documents, ranging in length from presentation notes (at conferences at Lake Tahoe, Denver, Minneapolis, and New Orleans) to a full-length paper delivered at a conference of debate leaders in Krakow, Poland. Vice President Steve Jaeger served as co-chair for the ACT State Organization 2007 Annual Convention held February 15 and 16, 2007, in Minneapolis. For the first time, the Minnesota ACT State Council hosted a pre-conference entitled “Education Summit on Minnesota Math, Reading, and Writing Readiness.” The summit represented all levels of education (P-16). The keynote address was shared by Superintendent William Green, J.D., Ph.D., from the Minneapolis Public Schools, and Phillip L. Davis, education that lasts beyond a lifetime
President of Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Peter Bloedel (Theatre) was a recent presenter at the Young Writer’s Conference held on the Bethany campus. This is his third year participating in the event. The title of his presentation was “Creative Word Play.” Bloedel’s one act play, “The Rules of Comedy,” will be playing this summer August 13 -18 in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the Arkle Theatre for the Edinbugh Fringe Festival. The March 2007 issue of the Lutheran Synod Quarterly published an essay review by Dr. Ryan MacPherson (History) entitled “Training Children As They Should Go?: Evaluating Education Standards That May Impact Lutheran Elementary Schools.” The article summarizes and evaluates two recent books by Adjunct Professor Allen Quist (Political Science): FedEd (2002) and America’s Schools (2005).
Dr. MacPherson, together with Bethany alumni Peter Anthony and Paul Madson, is also involved in editing an anthology for the ELS Historical Society, tentatively entitled “Teach Me Your Ways”: Essays on the Significance of Christian Education in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, 1918–2008. Connie Gullixson (Business Office) was elected to the Board of Directors for Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union for a two-year term. Lance Schwartz (Public Relations) was elected president of the local Junior Achievement Board of Directors in Mankato. Sarah Harstad (Alumni Relations) was recently elected vice president of her Sertoma Club. Sertoma stands for SERvice TO MAnkind and sponsors various projects around the area, with a primary focus on the hearing impaired.
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academics
(Educating Opportunity)
Chinese liberal arts college opens door for collaboration with Bethany
By Lance Schwartz Director of Marketing and Public Relations
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t’s no secret that Bethany Lutheran College has grown in program offerings and in the numbers of students served in recent years. Certainly, this growth put strains on some aspects of the campus. Classrooms and facilities are, at times, filled to capacity. It’s a good problem to have and we are thankful that so many understand the value of a Bethany education rooted in solid Christian values. Compare Bethany’s growth to United International College (UIC) located in the city of Zhuhai, China. UIC was a newly opened college in the spring of 2006 with 270 students; enrollment in early 2007 was at 1,200. (Enrollment is expected to grow to 4,000 undergraduates and 500 graduate students.) This new college in China is unique. Classes are taught in English, and this rapidly growing institution is intended to attract both Chinese and International students and faculty. United International College’s liberal arts focus is unusual in China, where higher education typically focuses on technical and engineering subjects. It is the first fully sanctioned liberal arts institution created in China since 1949. The college is co-located with Beijing Normal University, in new buildings on a ten-square mile campus. Geographically, UIC is located in one of the cleanest and most beautiful areas in China being in the Pearl River Delta and close to the coast of the South China Sea. 6
Photo by David Norris
Bethany President Dan Bruss (left) gave Dr. Edmund Kwok (center) of United International College, located in Zhuhai, China, a campus tour on May 21, 2007. Chaplain Don Moldstad assisted in the tour of Trinity Chapel.
Recently, Dr. Edmund Kwok, executive vice president of UIC, visited the Bethany campus during a trip to Minnesota. Kwok spent the day visiting with President Dan Bruss about partnership possibilities between Bethany and UIC. An umbrella agreement has been signed by both UIC and the institutions that make up the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) that will allow faculty and students at the seventeen member colleges to travel to and study at UIC. This is the first such agreement that UIC has reached with an American college or group of colleges. Minnesota students and faculty will begin studying and working at UIC starting this year. The partnership between
MPCC institutions and UIC will begin with a handful of students and faculty; no targets or limits have been set on students and faculty participation.
A first for Bethany, MPCC Bethany professor of business, Janet Moldstad, will own the distinction of being the first visiting professor from the Minnesota consortium to teach at UIC. She, and her family, will spend the Spring 2008 semester in Zhuhai. In preparation for this partnership, a group of students from UIC spent three days on the BLC campus in late June. The group studied with Dr. Moldstad and toured local businesses and attractions including the world-famous SPAM museum in Austin, report | spring/summer 2007
Minnesota. Moldstad’s interest in studying and teaching abroad began to take shape two years ago when she had a conversation with Kathy Bruss, Bethany’s international studies coordinator, about wanting to live abroad during an upcoming sabbatical. Her desire to live abroad is two-fold. Moldstad says, “I believe it is imperative that anyone teaching in my discipline, business, be aware of global forces. Second, there are only a very few number of our faculty that have lived abroad. One of our strategic academic goals has been to increase our global awareness to prepare students for their life’s work and for continued spreading of the Gospel.” Several presidents from Minnesota’s private colleges visited China in November 2005 and the relationship with UIC began to develop. After these discussions began to produce partnership agreements Moldstad and Bruss began to deliberately work on her involvement. Moldstad sees a wealth of opportunity for her professionally and for Bethany. “Personally, the benefits are overwhelming. It will help my understanding of business as it is done on an international level, it will expose me to different cultures, and it will challenge my teaching. For Bethany, my desire is that it will benefit the students and our programs as I integrate what I learn into leadership development, business administration and general curricula and my course content.”
Photo by Lance Schwartz
A group of twenty-five students from the United International College began a five-day visit at Bethany on June 29. The visit was part of a five week Minnesota tour during which they spent time at six different Minnesota private colleges. Pictured with them is Dr. Janet Moldstad who gave them an eight-hour instruction course that included daily field trips.
Photo by David Norris
Dr. Janet Moldstad will be writing a blog while overseas in China about her experiences there.
Preparation visit Moldstad recently visited China in late May in order to prepare for her upcoming visiting professorship. Her initial impressions of both the school and Zhuhai were laced with excitement and eagerness to begin her work there. “UIC itself is developing rapidly and there is a great deal of commitment and excitement on the part of the staff and students to make it work. The staff is quite eclectic, being a combination of Chinese and others from various international locations. As the relationship education that lasts beyond a lifetime
develops with MPCC and other international universities, the student body will also reflect this demographic.” Moldstad was also impressed with the city of Zhuhai. “It is a very modernized and sprawling city that is located about one-and-a-half hours from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and from Shenzhen. Unlike Hong Kong, there are few people that speak English, especially as you get to the edges of the city where UIC is located. Zhuhai is an interesting mix of a traditional China and
of a global China. “The city is also astounding because fifteen years ago it did not exist yet today has a population of about 2.5 million. Zhuhai was targeted as an economic development zone along with several other areas in close proximity during the ‘opening’ programs instituted by the Chinese government in the mid-1980s.” From her recent time spent in China, Moldstad noted that “China in many ways mirrors the US in its isolation. We talk a great deal about globalization in the US and because so much business is being done in China, we get the impression that China is ‘globalized.’ In fact, the Chinese tend to be like us—less globally aware than say a Western European. They are anxious to interact with people from all over the world.” “China also has a fascination with things Western, and especially things American—but this fascination seems to be with the pop material culture as shown in the media. Their advertising always reflects what they refer to as ‘the good life’ and it looks like an idealized Western life. This scares me in its emptiness, and particularly knowing that there is little to no knowledge of Christianity.” China continued on page 9 7
athletics
Spring sports Softball The 2007 Bethany Lutheran College softball team found improvement under first year head coach Leigh Ann LaFave. The Viking softball squad progressed by winning three more games than their previous campaign, including two more conference games. The team completed back-to-back wins on four different occasions, which is something they accomplished just once in 2006. Bethany finished the season sixth in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) with a 9-28 (5-9 conference) record. Five members of the Vikings squad were honored for their play or dedication in the classroom this season: Senior Christina Madson, a first team all-conference selection, led Bethany in batting average (.362), triples (6), and was second in runs (24) and doubles (8). Courtney McDowell, a sophomore, was an all-conference honorable mention selection. McDowell led the Vikings in hits (44), steals (5), and was second in doubles (8) and third in batting average (.344) and runs (23). Three seniors earned academic all-conference honors: Jenna Haag, Renee Tatge and Katie Wiechmann.
Baseball The 2007 Bethany baseball team qualified for its second straight conference tournament while finishing in third place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) with a 12-7 conference record. After starting the season with a 5-8 record, the Vikings baseball squad won fourteen of its next sixteen including ten in a row during that stretch. After that hot streak, Bethany only won one game in its next ten, losing its last six games including both games in the conference tournament. Six players on this year’s baseball squad were honored for their play: Junior Tyler Carlson, a first team all-conference selection, led Bethany in batting average (.377), runs (31), hits (46), doubles (10), slugging percentage (.516), walks (26) and on-base percentage (.483). Jimmy Olson, a freshman, was also a first 8
team all-conference selection. Olson was second on the Vikings in doubles (8), home runs (2) and slugging percentage (.471). Olson was also selected as co-rookie of the year in the UMAC. Freshman Pete Harstad, a first team all-conference selection, hit .314 for the Vikings with four doubles, one triple, and seventeen runs. Alex Smith, a junior, was also selected to the first team all-conference squad. Smith as a pitcher, led the Vikings in wins (4), complete games (1), and innings pitched (44.2), and he also led Bethany in stolen bases (17). Junior Alex Stein, an all-conference honorable mention selection, led the Vikings pitching staff in games started (8), complete games (1), and strikeouts (32). Travis Fluck, a junior, was an all-conference honorable mention selection. Fluck led Bethany in homeruns (5) and runs batted in (30). Brad Hillesheim, Jake Blome, and Alex Smith also were awarded academic all-conference honors.
Men’s Tennis Facing some tough competition, the Bethany men’s tennis team finished their season with a 08 UMAC record and a 0-12 overall record. The future looks bright as the team is losing just one senior from this year’s squad. The men’s tennis team will look forward to next season where they will have more experience and another year under their belt. Senior Brandon Londgren, Junior Ryan Latterman, and Sophomore Ben Wiechmann were all selected to the academic all-conference team.
Women’s Tennis The Bethany women’s tennis team matched their win total from last season. The Viking’s ended the year with a 1-7 UMAC record and a 1-10 overall record But with a 4-5 loss to Martin Luther College and a 3-6 loss to Minnesota Morris, Bethany had a good chance to show the improvement they had made in the off season. With no seniors on their roster, next year’s women’s tennis squad will have a good opportunity to improve on their record. Junior Rachel Mellon and Freshman Elizabeth Kopacek were both selected to the women’s tennis all-conference team. Mellon was also selected for the academic all-conference team. report | spring/summer 2007
fine arts
ELS Honor Choir marks 20th Anniversary By Lois Jaeger Director of Fine Arts
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hen Dennis Marzolf and Steve Jaeger initiated the idea of a high school “honor choir” to meet, rehearse, and participate at the 1987 Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, neither of them knew that it would become a “fixture” in the summer rhythm at Bethany and Convention. However, June 2007 marked not only the twentieth anniversary of the Honor Choir it also saw the arrival of the “next generation” of Honor Choir participants. Back in 1987 Donnette O’Neill traveled to Mankato from Washington State with her father Ron, a delegate to the Convention, to sing with the very first choir. In 2007 Donnette’s daughter, Erika Goff, made the same trip for the same purpose. Mother and daughter both reflect positively on their experiences at Honor Choir. Donnette writes, “ I had a wonderful time that summer learning more techniques with other youth from our synod. I met many very nice peers. We found exuberance in beauty with our music. That Honor Choir gave kids optimism. We gained hope as well. For me, that week touched many aspects of my life. I made new friends and realized that I can do so much more if I don’t hold back but leap forward.”
China continued from page 7
Maintaining a balanced and ordered approach to growth may be a challenge for China as a nation. Another impression Moldstad observed during her visit was that “the rapidity of development seems to be accelerating the income and opportunity disparities as well, and this could ultimately hinder Chinese economic development.” education that lasts beyond a lifetime
Above: Donnette (O’Neill) Goff (left) traveled to Mankato in 1987 to sing with the very first Honor Choir. In 2007 Donnette’s daughter, Erika Goff, made the same trip.
Erika writes similarly, “This year’s Honor Choir Camp at Bethany was a great experience. I have learned how to sing properly along with hanging out with friends. This camp has been a fun experience and I hope that any kid who wants to go to something like this can have the chance.” Prof. Dennis Marzolf has directed the Honor Choir each year of its existence. High school students participate in rehearsals, classes, and a variety of social activities while attending each camp from Sunday afternoon through Thursday of Convention week. Choir members live in the Bethany residence halls for the week, enjoy meals and free time together, and typically make new friends. Campers have the opportunity to present the music they have rehearsed on several occasions throughout the week including a conven-
“There is a delicate balance between the economic, social and political domains and as one of these develops disproportionately from the other, there is a cost. Maintaining this balance, I think, is perhaps the greatest challenge of any country moving from a planned to a market-based system especially in context of globalization pressures. I think the leaders at UIC recognize these deeprooted conditions and see the importance
Photo by David Norris
Professor Dennis Marzolf directed the honor choir as they performed in Trinity Chapel during this year’s Synod Convention.
tion devotion, communion service, and closing recital. Above all, choristers are immersed in the rich heritage of Lutheran music and liturgy that our church is privileged to enjoy.
of preparing future leaders to address the issues that are emerging in their country and in the world through a strong liberal arts education. Perhaps, for me, this is the most exciting part of being involved in this project.” Readers will be able to follow Dr. Moldstad and her family’s experiences in China via a blog they will be writing during their time in China. The Web address for the blog will be listed in a future issue. 9
campus news
Think Bethany. By Lance Schwartz Director of Marketing and Public Relations
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s an alumnus/a or friend of Bethany Lutheran College, you’d probably have little difficulty summing up what a Bethany education is all about. In just a few paragraphs, you’d probably talk about all of the exciting attributes that Bethany offers its students. In fact, you’ve probably told your Bethany stories to any number of people interested in BLC over the years. Now imagine the opportunity to bring the Bethany story to a group of people who’ve never really heard much about the College with the intent that some of these listeners will either enroll at the College or at the least—come for a visit in order to see what the College is all about. This is the opportunity that the College has before it beginning this fall in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After a year of studying potential new markets for the College, with the help of educational marketing professionals, Bethany is about to embark on a new and
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exciting campaign to bring the Bethany name to the greater La Crosse, Wisconsin, area. La Crosse was chosen for a variety of reasons…proximity to Mankato (just under three hours), demographic factors of the residents and families in the La Crosse area, past success in recruitment efforts, and a solid group of alumni and friends in the area. All of these factors added up to the establishment of the “Think Bethany” marketing campaign beginning in the fall of 2007. What is “Think Bethany?” It’s visual, it’s verbal, it’s enticing, and it’s the basis
report | spring/summer 2007
As part of Bethany’s media campaign, billboards will appear around the La Crosse, Wisconsin, area this fall inviting viewers to “Think Bethany.”
for new marketing, advertising, and recruitment efforts for the College. Bethany teamed with Stamats, a well-known and respected educational marketing company, to investigate potential new markets and the finished product is about to be unveiled. So, just what is it that the “Think Bethany” campaign is going to bring to La Crosse? It’s a culmination of months of study, interviews, and research that synthesize all of the wonderful attributes of a Bethany Lutheran College education. The message that the College will bring is multi-faceted. The message is built around the Bethany educational promise: “Bethany Lutheran College is an academically challenging institution for engaged students who seek a Christ-inspired liberal arts education in a welcoming environment.” From this basis the message touches on the following points: • Liberal Arts Foundation • Stimulating Academic Programs • Engaging Christian Atmosphere
education that lasts beyond a lifetime
• Mentoring Relationships • A Participatory Environment These attributes have been woven into a media campaign that will kick off in the La Crosse/Eau Claire media market in August 2007. If you live in La Crosse or are visiting the area for a few days, you’ll see Bethany billboards, television commercials, mall advertising, and theater advertising all designed to pique the interest of potential students and parents. The program gives the viewer awareness of Bethany on a high level to a new audience. Photo by David Norris
2007 Graduate Erin Reed was interviewed for inclusion in one of several short television commercials that will be aired.
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alumni
GoodSearch: Another way to support Bethany
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nterested in supporting Bethany Lutheran College while you surf the Web? Visit www.goodsearch.com and donate to Bethany with every search. GoodSearch is a search engine powered by Yahoo! that is dedicated to giving back to its users. Simply enter Bethany Lutheran College in the area asking “Who do you GoodSearch for?” and do your usual searches. There is no need to register and it doesn’t cost you a thing – the money comes from the advertisers. GoodSearch has been featured in the New York Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and more. Start supporting Bethany today!
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Alumni Board update
Upcoming alumni events
The mission of the Bethany Alumni Board is to foster lifelong relationships within the Bethany family and to actively support Bethany Lutheran College in its mission of teaching The One Thing Needful—the Gospel of Christ, to all generations. The Board meets twice a year with one of those meetings being at Fall Festival when we volunteer and raise money for the Alumni Association Scholarship fund. In addition, the Board volunteers at the Bethany booth at the State Fair and supports the college in other capacities.
Mark your calendars and watch your mailboxes for more information about these upcoming Bethany alumni events:
• Bethany Alumni/Friends event Milwaukee, Wis. - September 7 • Bethany Alumni/Friends event Madison, Wis. – September 8 • Reunions at Fall Festival September 21, 22, 23
If you have any questions about the Alumni Board, alumni events, your reunion, or would like to volunteer at an event in your area, please contact Sarah Harstad at sarah.harstad@blc.edu or 507344-7519.
Join us for Alumni Reunions for all classes ending in 2 or 7, Family Weekend, Arts on the Green, Theatre Physics, and much more!
fall festival September 21–23, 2007
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report | spring/summer 2007
alumni news
alumni news 1944 Harriet (Nitschke) Handberg (’44) celebrated her 80th birthday with family
members Philip Handberg (’76), Steven Handberg (’82), Lynn (Rank) Handberg (’72), Martin Handberg (’72), Noel Handberg (’79), David Handberg (’78), Marilynn (Nickerson) Handberg (’79), and Daniel Handberg (’91).
1945 Shirley (Larsen) Kasten has six greatgrandchildren and will have three more great-grandchildren in September.
1949 Betty (Mau) Kietzer volunteers at a local day surgery center and works for her church. She has four great-grandchildren and baby-sits for two of them weekly. During the summer she enjoys spending time at her home on the lake. LaVonne (Leiding) Remme and her husband have been married for fifty-three years and are doing well. They both are retired and their part-time jobs are keeping them busy. Their two children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren are also doing well. Eileen (Trygstad) Anderson and her husband will celebrate their fifty-seventh wedding anniversary this fall. They have eight children, thirteen grandchildren (including a set of twins), and four greatgrandchildren (including a set of twins).
education that lasts beyond a lifetime
1950
1975
Alice (Lillegard) Maxfield and her husband, Dan, are enjoying their new home in an “over 55” community. They are active in the Silver Spring congregation in which Alice serves as the organist.
Sue (Gouley) Wiggins has been serving on a public library board for the last two years and is looking forward to her thirtieth wedding anniversary in October. She continues to take computer classes at a local college.
1960 Leslie (Anderson) Nelson’s husband, Carl, “went home to be with his Lord” on November 19, 2006. Leslie says she is truly grateful for the twenty-one years of happiness she shared with him. Allen and Mary (Younge) Hansen’s youngest daughter, Alison, graduated summa cum laude from MSU, Mankato this spring where she was chosen to give the graduation address. She traveled in India the month of July on a mission trip with a Confessional Lutheran Church group whose emphasis was ministering to children. Also, this spring Allen and Mary’s two granddaughters, Abigail Hansen and Natalie Schreyer, graduated from high school. In June, Mary attended her forty-ninth high school class reunion in Thornton, Iowa, and Allen attended a banquet in Ellendale, North Dakota, honoring the 1964 Amateur Basketball Championship Team on which he and two of his brothers played. Allen had been named to the North Dakota AllState Amateur Basketball Team that year. Allen and Mary spent two glorious weeks in Alaska in July with a tour group from Benco Electric. They flew to Fairbanks, visited Denali National Park, saw Mount McKinley, took a train ride to Anchorage, and then cruised along the inside passage, visiting several cities and ending up in Seattle. The Hansen’s reside outside Mankato and welcome classmates and friends to their home anytime.
1968 Dorothy Wezler retired in June 2006 after teaching for thirty-six years in the St. Paul Public Schools. She and her husband, Dennis, plan to travel, go camping, and volunteer.
1977 Bernard Schey and his wife, Ingeborg (Hanson), had their first family
wedding on October 28, 2006, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Crabapple, Texas. Their daughter, Katie, married John Crumrine.
1985 Patricia Petersen married Kevin Peek on April 13, 1991. They have three children: Taylor (13), Natalie (11) and Ethan (8). Patty has been working as a licensed child care provider in her home for the last thirteen years.
1988 Doug Paulson and his wife, Barbara (Seleen ’89), announce the birth of their daughter, Rebecca Louise, born September 2, 2006. Doug and Barb were married in 1993. Doug is a district manager for PRS and Barb is a customer service manger for Carlson Companies. They reside in Plymouth, Minnesota.
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alumni news 1992 Michelle (Hartigan) Wilt and her husband, Ryan, announce the birth of their son, Ethan Ryan, born March 29, 2007. They also have one daughter, Jessica. They reside in Phoenix, Arizona, and “their door is always open for visitors.” Beth (Griffin) Riesinger and her husband, Ryan, announce the birth of their daughter, Anna Grace, born November 24, 2006. They also have one son, Brandon (3). Greg (’92 & ’02) and Julia (Tweit ’96) Schmidt announce the birth of their
ing and getting cheeks big enough to pinch! Tiffany says, “God was definitely watching over her.” Tiffany is at Bethany coaching, teaching, and working toward her Ph.D. They reside in the river bottom outside Mankato, Minnesota. Emails are welcome at tyoung@blc.edu.
On Friday, July 21, 2006, Jon Loging and Kate Winkels were united in marriage
1995 Heather (Kastens) Minning and her husband, Mike, announce the birth of their daughter, Mara Grace, born November 28, 2006. They also have one son Isaiah (4) and another daughter Abigail (2).
1997 Erica Busiahn married Charles Amevo on April 13, 2007. The couple resides in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Erica is a human resource generalist. Charles is employed at Boston Scientific and is completing his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the Carlson School of Management.
at Bethany’s Trinity Chapel. Participating in the wedding were: Andrew Braun (’99), Charis Charmichael Braun (’04), Chris Johnson (’95), and Bethany faculty: Jonas Nissen, Tom Kuster, Eric Woller, and Mark DeGarmeaux. Jon and Raelene Kovaciny are raising their three children, Vianna (5), who is
1999 daughter, Kjersten Delphine, born October 31, 2006. She weighed seven pounds, three ounces and was twenty inches long. They also have two sons: Bjug (5), Anders (2), and another daughter Karina (4).
1994 Tiffany Young Klockziem and her husband, David, announce the birth of
Brett and Elizabeth (Swenson) Perry announce the birth of their son, Andrew Mark, born May 13, 2007. He weighed seven pounds, fourteen ounces.
2001 Rebecca Dobie married Robert Johansen on August 26, 2006, in Two Harbors,
excited to start kindergarten in the fall; Simon (3-1/2), who loves his many toy trucks, trains, and tractors; and Tavia, born May 7, 2006, who likes to eat everything and is desperately trying to master walking. Jon continues his work as webmaster at Bethany Lutheran College. Raelene continues her work cleaning up the messes the kids have made since the last time the kids made messes.
2002 Krista (Merseth) Petzel and her husband, Kyle, moved into a newly-built home with their daughter, Hailey Lynn (1), pictured with Jessica Merseth (’07).
their daughter, Savannah Hope, born September 28, 2006. Savannah went through an emergency surgery at Children’s Hospital in January 2007. She had a second surgery a few weeks later. She is now smiling a lot more, grow14
Minnesota. They reside and work in Two Harbors. report | spring/summer 2007
alumni news Melissa Norton married Michael Sounhein on February 24, 2007.
2003 Megan (Czer) Schable and her husband, Jacob, announce the birth of their son, Solomon Roy, born January 31, 2007, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He weighed eight pounds, four ounces and was twenty and one half inches long. Alanna (Preuss) Lienig and her husband, Gary, announce the birth of their daughter, Brianna Marie, born January 7, 2007. They reside in Morgan, Minnesota, where Alanna teaches at Cedar Mountain High School. Gary is employed at Weltch Equipment in Redwood Falls and is a member of the Minnesota National Guard.
2006 Clarissa Preuss married Joshua Okins February 10, 2007, at St. John Lutheran
and Josh reside in Lacey, Washington, where Josh is stationed at Fort Lewis and is an Army Medic. Clarissa is currently enrolled at South Puget Sound Community College. Greg Vandermause reports that his job at ESPN in Connecticut is going well. He
says he is very thankful to know that the education and the experiences that he had at Bethany have without a doubt put him on a different level, even at ESPN.
In Memoriam 1940 June (Prey) Harmon died Sunday, May 13, 2007, in Mankato, Minnesota. She was born May 15, 1921, to Dr. H.C. and Clara (Meyer) Prey. She graduated from Bethany Lutheran High School in 1940. She attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music. She married Dr. Stanley M. Harmon (’48) on September 1, 1946. She was an assistant to Stanley at his optometric office and also taught piano and organ. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was a past organist. She enjoyed fishing, music, and playing organ.
1950 Church in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. BLC family in the wedding included Alanna (Preuss) Lienig (’03), and current students Preston Preuss, Devan Blaine, Hal Bohrer, Sarah Rinne, Paige Forrey and Kate Berndt. Clarissa
education that lasts beyond a lifetime
Mary (Harstad) Moldstad died Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in Mankato, Minnesota. She was born July 28, 1932, to Rev. Adolph and Martha (Tjernagel) Harstad. She was baptized and confirmed by her father at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin. She graduated from Bethany Lutheran High
School in 1950 and from Presbyterian Nursing School of Chicago in 1953. She married Rev. Robert A. Moldstad on June 30, 1956, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. She lived in Lombard, Illinois, from 1956-65, in Suttons Bay, Michigan, from 1965-70, in Hillman, Michigan, from 1970-1972, in Lima, Peru, from 1972-1978, in Orange County, California, from 1978-2006 and in Mankato, Minnesota, from 2006 until she passed away. Mary was a nurse, a missionary with her husband in Peru, and a nursing supervisor at the Orange County Correctional Institution. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in North Mankato. She enjoyed music, traveling, playing piano, reading, and family gatherings.
1967 Sharry (Quasius) Shinehaus died unexpectedly Friday, May 25, 2007, in Mankato, Minnesota. She was born July 14, 1947, to Edward and Elmyra (Miesfeld) Quasius. She attended St. Paul Lutheran School and graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1965. She then attended Bethany and received her associate’s degree in 1967. She was a caregiver for the young and elderly in the Mankato area. She was a member of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato. She enjoyed socializing with her friends and particularly her visits with the elderly.
Correction From Winter 2006-07 edition of the Bethany Report:
1991 Channing Lillo and his wife, Sheila, announce the birth of their son, Caleb Paul, born May 9, 2006. They also have one daughter, Megan (2) and another son, Joshua (4).
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address service requested
Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Minneapolis, MN PERMIT No. 4656
700 Luther Drive Mankato, Minnesota 56001-6163 education that lasts beyond a lifetime
Calendar of Events august 25 Residence halls open , 8 a.m. 26 Opening Service, South Gym, 3:30 p.m. 28 Classes begin, 8 a.m. 31 Volleyball @ Illinois College Invitational Jacksonville, Ill., 4 p.m.
september 1 Volleyball @ Illinois College Invitational Jacksonville, Ill., 4 p.m. 1 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. UW Superior HOME, Noon/2 p.m. 2 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Alumni HOME, 5 p.m./7 p.m. 5 Volleyball vs. Augsburg HOME, 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. 5 Women’s Soccer vs. St. Mary’s HOME, 7 p.m. 7 Men’s Soccer @ Fontbonne St. Louis, Mo., 2 p.m. 7 Volleyball @ St. Catherine Tournament St. Paul, Minn., 2 p.m. 7 Women’s Soccer @ Fontbonne St. Louis, Mo., 4 p.m. 8 Volleyball @ St. Catherine Tournament St. Paul, Minn., 11 a.m. 8 Women’s/Men’s Soccer @ Greenville St. Louis, Mo., 2 p.m./4 p.m. 11 Volleyball vs. North Central HOME, 7 p.m. 14 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Northwestern HOME, 2 p.m./4 p.m. 14 Volleyball vs. Gustavus, HOME, 7 p.m. 15 Volleyball @ Waldorf – Triangular Forest City, Iowa, 11 p.m. & 1 p.m. 15 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Crown HOME, Noon/2 p.m. 18 Men’s Soccer @ St. Olaf Northfield, Minn., 4 p.m. 21 Volleyball @ Luther Tournament Decorah, Iowa, 4 p.m. 21-23 Fall Festival 2007
For more calendar events, visit: www.blc.edu
Position Openings Director of Development This full-time staff position reports to the Chief Advancement Officer of the College. Responsibilities include planning and implementing the gifts program and identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors in all areas for the College. The successful candidate will assist alumni in linking their gift-giving practices with the current and long-term needs of the College, as well as assist with the creation and implementation of the Advancement Department’s strategic plan. More specific information about job duties is available at www.blc.edu/jobs. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree, and have three-to-five years of experience in fundraising or related field. Capital campaign experience is desirable, as well as an understanding of fund-raising, financial planning, and insurance-related issues. Candidates must be a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) or Wisconsin Evangelical Synod (WELS). Please forward cover letter, résumé, academic transcripts (may be unofficial; if an employment offer is made, certified transcripts for all college-level education will be required), and contact information for three professional references to: Human Resources Office Bethany Lutheran College 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001
Communication Specialist The Communication Specialist is responsible for the design, production, and distribution of printed materials, including brochures, posters, press releases, and more. More specific information about job duties is available at www.blc.edu/jobs. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or communication plus two years of graphic design experience. Start date: October 1, 2007 Starting wage: $10.60-$12.53 per hour Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, life, etc.). Review of application materials will begin September 5 and continue until the position is filled. Contact Human Resources (507-344-7840 or hr@blc.edu) to request application form. Send completed application form to: Human Resources Office Bethany Lutheran College 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001
Key: SFC – Sports and Fitness Center; YFAC – Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center. Dates and times are subject to possible changes. Please call in advance to confirm dates and times of events before traveling: 800.944.3066 or 507.344.7000.
Printed on recycled paper