THRESHERS
MAY 17 127TH COMMENCEMENT
CLASS OF 2020
COLLEGE
ished
establ
7 8 8 1
MISSION STATEMENT Approved by the Bethel College Board of Directors, April 6, 2019
Bethel College prepares students for meaningful lives of work and service through faith formation, the liberal arts, and practical experience in career pathways.
VISION STATEMENT Approved by the Bethel College Board of Directors, April 6, 2019
Bethel College graduates students who increase human flourishing (shalom) in society by owning and enacting their faith, demonstrating compassion for the powerless, engaging in critical thought, and bringing value to the workplace.
VALUES Approved by the Bethel College Board of Directors, April 6, 2019
•
CREATIVE APPROACHES for living harmoniously within a constantly changing world and workplace
•
VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT that helps students identify their calling and God’s purpose for their professional lives
•
DIALOGUE that transforms conflict within communities where there are differences in opinion and understanding
•
HOLISTIC WELLNESS through a balance of mental, physical, and spiritual practices
•
PEACE AND JUSTICE that seek fair and equitable treatment for all members of society
•
COMMUNITY WITH GLOBAL CONSCIOUSNESS that cherishes social connectivity, shared endeavors, and intergenerational living
•
HIGH STANDARDS and expectations for behavior and performance in all dimensions of campus life
bethelks.edu
CLASS OF 2020
Welcome to Bethel College’s 127th Commencement. Thank you for joining us as we recognize the accomplishments of our latest class of Bethel College graduates. Commencement is one of the most formal and significant ceremonial events of academic life. It represents the culmination of baccalaureate education and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of our graduates. The splendor of regalia and the ceremony acknowledge the history and traditions of academic achievement. This virtual commencement ceremony was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the prohibition of large gatherings, statewide “stay-at-home” orders, and the temporary and permanent closure of businesses. Social distancing became the new normal for our society during the spring of 2020. These circumstances are not conducive to commencement ceremonies, and so the Class of 2020 has the distinction of being the first in Bethel’s history to have a virtual commencement ceremony. This is an unwanted and unwelcome scenario for our graduates. Although we cannot control the circumstances, we can control our attitudes and actions. Today, in virtual fellowship and communion, we are pleased to recognize each graduate for their achievements. We are thankful for the role relationships have played—and will continue to play—in the lives of these students. We are proud to welcome them as alumni of Bethel College. May they be guided by their faith and confident in their liberal arts education and readiness for employment.
Jon C. Gering, Ph.D. President
127TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY Sunday, May 17, 2020 | 4 p.m.
DOUG SIEMENS, ED.D.
Doug Siemens is associate professor and director of elementary teacher education at Bethel College, where he teaches introduction to special education and classes in reading and language arts methods, and supervises student teaching placements. He graduated from Bethel in 1984 with a B.A. in English and a history minor. After studying English at the University of Kansas and spending time at the University of Sydney, Australia, on a Rotary Exchange Fellowship, Siemens worked as a substitute teacher in the Kansas City and Shawnee Mission school districts. He began taking education classes in 1991 at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colo., continuing at College of Santa Fe, N.M., in 1994. He earned an M.A. in special education from the University of New Mexico in 1999. Starting in 1988, Siemens was a substitute teacher in the Aurora, Cherry Creek and Denver, Colo., school districts; a remedial reading instructor at an alternative school in Denver; a language arts, yearbook and journalism teacher and basketball and track coach at Buena Vista (Colo.) High School; a high school government and economics teacher in Santa Fe; a special education teacher in language arts, math and social studies in Tererro, N.M.; and a special education teacher in language arts and history, and a biology team teacher in the regular classroom, at Los Alamos High School. Siemens returned to Buena Vista High School from 2000-05 and taught special education at Newton High School from 2005-08. He began in the teacher education department at Bethel College in 2008. He completed his doctorate in educational leadership in 2012 at Wichita State University. Siemens is married to another educator, Lu Ann Zook. Their children, Angus Siemens and Zoe Siemens, are current Bethel students.
VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Processional
Thresher Brass Quintet
Welcome and Introduction of Invocation Jonathan C. Gering, Ph.D., President
Invocation
Madison Roth, Student Chaplain, Graduate
Speaker Introduction
Jonathan C. Gering, Ph.D., President
Commencement Address “This is not happening”
Doug Siemens, Ed.D. Associate Professor and Director of Elementary Teacher Education
Presentation of Candidates for Degrees and Honors
Robert Milliman, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Conferral of Degrees
Jonathan C. Gering, Ph.D., President
First Half of Graduates Poem and Reflection
Original poem “Interrupted“ Akiyaa Hagen-Depusoir, Graduate Jalal Gondal, Graduate
Second Half of Graduates Concluding Comments
Jonathan C. Gering, Ph.D., President
Closing Prayer
Luke Unruh, Student Chaplain, Graduate
Recessional
Bethel College Concert Choir
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES 2019-20
All degrees granted May 17, 2020, unless listed with another date.
Jordyn Nichole Allen, B.S. Wichita, Kansas Social Work
Kathryn Elizabeth Cherveny, B.S.N.*** Topeka, Kansas Nursing
Alexxis Lynn Anderson, B.S.N. Valley Center, Kansas Nursing
Keondre L-Jae Churchwell, B.S. Casa Grande, Arizona Social Work
Georgia Brook Anderson, B.A.* Wichita, Kansas Art (8/20)
Carine L. Claassen, B.S. Whitewater, Kansas Social Work
Parker Henderson Austin, B.S.* Derby, Kansas Business Administration
Mario Eduardo Cruz, B.S. Victorville, California Social Work (8/20)
Sarah Justine Balzer, B.A.*** Inman, Kansas Social Work
Justin Charles Daily, B.S.N. Ashland, Kansas Nursing (8/20)
Yahaira D. Bates, B.A. Sterling, Kansas Psychology
Erica Lynn Ebenkamp, B.A.* Conway Springs, Kansas Biology, Chemistry
Henry Aaron Baxter, B.A. Dothan, Alabama History
Taylor Jo Edson, B.S.N.*** Newton, Kansas Nursing
Curtis Andrew Bent, B.S. Wichita, Kansas Health and Physical Education (8/20)
Naomi Elizabeth Epp, B.A.*** North Newton, Kansas Biology, Chemistry
Sydney LeeAnn Bollinger, B.S.N.* Lawrence, Kansas Nursing
Justice Marie Flint, B.A.*** Wichita, Kansas English
Shawn David Bontrager, B.S.* North Newton, Kansas Business Administration (12/19)
Dakota William Foster, B.S. Moore, Oklahoma Business Administration
Katelyn Marie Boston, B.S.N. Newton, Kansas Nursing
Elizabeth Friesen Birky, B.A.*** Denver, Colorado Art History, Communication Arts (12/20)
Elijah Philip Brockway, B.A. McPherson, Kansas Music (1/20)
Alexandria Joyce Gallop, B.A. La Mirada, California Psychology
Lee Poe Bryant, B.S. Edmond, Oklahoma Business Administration (8/20)
Matthew Lee Garber, B.A. Newton, Kansas Music
Polly Kristine Carlson, B.A.*** Freeman, South Dakota Elementary Education â€
Kenia Garcia, B.S.N. Wichita, Kansas Nursing
Charley Danielle Carver, B.S.N. Perry, Kansas Nursing
Venezia Garcia, B.S.N. Wichita, Kansas Nursing
Dominick Timothy Geddert, B.A.** Fresno, California Psychology (8/20)
Alyjah M. Kennedy, B.S. San Diego, California Business Administration
Bryan Michael Gilmore, B.S. Lebo, Kansas Health and Physical Education (1/20) †
Ryan Thomas Andrew LaCombe, B.A.*** Abilene, Kansas Athletic Training, Natural Sciences
Emma Ailyn Girton, B.A.*** Wichita, Kansas Art History
Peyton Jackee Landrum, B.S. Arkansas City, Kansas Elementary Education (12/20) †
Jalal Ahsan Gondal, B.A.** Lahore, Pakistan Biology
Araeleigha Heysquierdo Marcy, B.S. Salina, Kansas Social Work
Broderick La’Mont Green, B.A. Dallas, Texas Graphic Design
Cordraye Terrell Marshall, B.S. Tulsa, Oklahoma Business Administration
Alena Mae Haase, B.S.N. North Newton, Kansas Nursing
Kaycee Annette McClelland, B.S.* Newton, Kansas Elementary Education †
Akiyaa Nicole Hagen-Depusoir, B.A.*** Salina, Kansas History and Political Science, Social Work
Annalee Kathryn McCloud, B.S.N.* Clearwater, Kansas Nursing
Brooke Ashley Hambelton, B.S.N. Wichita, Kansas Nursing
Krystin Aulani-Ayami McKelpin, B.S.N. Puyallup, Washington Nursing
John Steven Hansberry, B.S.** Vancouver, Washington Business Administration
Mallory Leeann Meier, B.S.* Winfield, Kansas Chemistry
Abby Noelle Harders, B.A.*** Moundridge, Kansas Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences
Jeffrey J. Middlesworth, B.S.N.** Lenexa, Kansas Nursing (8/20)
Sydney Renae Harper, B.S.* Andover, Kansas Business Administration
Kyla Michelle Williams Miller, B.S. Clinton, Oklahoma Social Work
Jennifer Lea Harrison, B.S.* Fort Scott, Kansas Social Work
Sophia Brooke Penner Minder, B.S. Lawrence, Kansas Social Work (12/20)
Logan Heinrichs, B.A. Park City, Kansas Biology
Lincoln Nqobile Moyo, B.A. Hesston, Kansas Bible and Religion
Kristen Dawn Herzet, B.S.N.* Marion, Kansas Nursing
Rebecca Kay Mullen, B.S.N. Wichita, Kansas Nursing
Ariel Hope Hinds, B.S.N. Hutchinson, Kansas Nursing
Morgan Jeffery Murphy, B.A. Newton, Kansas Biology, Chemistry
Madison Cole Hofer-Holdeman, B.A.** Wichita, Kansas English
Hannah Jordan Myrtle, B.S. Wichita, Kansas Elementary Education †
Lauren Grace Nehrbass, B.A.** Parsons, Kansas Communication Arts
Samantha Spade Simmons, B.S.N.*** Derby, Kansas Nursing
Lil Isabel Padro, B.A.** Miami, Florida Athletic Training, Natural Sciences
Kerrigan Bailey Dorothy Simons, B.S.* Riley, Kansas Business Administration
Kelsey Anne Potter, B.A. Neodesha, Kansas Biology †
Courtney Erin Simpson, B.S. Johnstown, Colorado Business Administration
Donte Lavel Powell, B.A. Detroit, Michigan Graphic Design (12/19)
Isaiah Anthony Smith, B.S. Kansas City, Kansas Health and Physical Education
Caroline Elizabeth Preheim, B.A.*** Nolensville, Tennessee Psychology
Bryant Eliseo Soriano, B.S. Los Angeles, California Social Work
Logan Everett Price, B.S.N.** Wichita, Kansas Nursing
Braedon LaTrey Starlin-Driver, B.S. Winfield, Kansas Social Work
Jenna Marie Ratzlaff, B.S. North Newton, Kansas Social Work
Blayne Alan Stump, B.A. Crook, Colorado Art
Kailyn Renae Riffel, B.S.N. Lincolnville, Kansas Nursing
Dante Joseph Giordano Texeira, B.S.* Boston, Massachusetts Business Administration (12/19)
Bruce Aaron Rosario, B.A. Pollocksville, North Carolina Bible and Religion
Jaylen Tre’Vaughn Thompson, B.S. Tulsa, Oklahoma Social Work (8/20)
Callie Elizabeth Ross, B.A.* Overland Park, Kansas Music †
Megan Marie Thompson, B.S. Lansing, Kansas Elementary Education †
Madison Brianne Roth, B.S.N.** Abilene, Kansas Nursing
Luke Benjamin Unruh, B.A.** Goessel, Kansas Bible and Religion, Social Work (8/20)
Jacob Quinn Russell, B.A. Lawrence, Kansas History (8/20)
Mary Glenn Tibbets Vermillion, B.S.* Newton, Kansas Chemistry
Elizabeth Melea Schrag, B.S.N.*** Newton, Kansas Nursing
Kendrick Christian Weaver, B.A.*** Hesston, Kansas Music (12/20) †
Tara Christine Schwartz, B.A.** Pretty Prairie, Kansas English
Garrett Todd White, B.S. San Antonio, Texas Health and Physical Education (8/20)
Riley Ann Scudder, B.A. Little Elm, Texas History
Gregory Todd White II, B.S. San Antonio, Texas Business Administration
Jumanah Yasmine Shourbaji, B.S.N. Wichita, Kansas Nursing
Anna Caroline Wiens, B.A.*** Goessel, Kansas Graphic Design (12/20)
Caitlin Michelle Williams, B.S.** Wellington, Kansas Athletic Training (12/19) Kaci Rae Wilson, B.S.*** Sterling, Kansas Chemistry Joseph Juraez Winfield, B.S. Edmond, Oklahoma Social Work David Eden Wullf-Cochrane, B.S. Edmond, Oklahoma Social Work Kaho Yanagidaira, B.A.** Chino, Nagano, Japan Business Administration, Music (8/20)
GPA honors for all graduates are indicated by an asterisk by their name: * Cum Laude: 3.500-3.649 G.P.A. ** Magna Cum Laude: 3.650-3.799 G.P.A. *** Summa Cum Laude: 3.800-4.0 G.P.A. †Teacher Education B.A. Bachelor of Arts B.S. Bachelor of Science B.S.N. Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree honors for spring and summer graduates are listed as of program print date and may be subject to change.
Academic regalia The ceremonial gowns worn in the academic process speak by their shape and color of both the breadth and the historic dignity of intellectual pursuits. Their design derives from that of the gowns of the clerics who were the teachers and students in the first universities, founded in the Middle Ages. The gown is a symbol of the democracy of scholarship, since it covers any clothing indicating other rank or status. The doctor’s gown is ankle-length, with wide lapels of velvet and full, bell-shaped sleeves marked with three bars or chevrons of velvet. The color of the gown is usually black, but some American universities have adopted gowns of a color appropriate for each school. The master’s gown is black with sleeves that are squared at the end. Individuals with bachelor’s degrees wear a black gown that has long, pointed sleeves. The gown also tells the academic history of the scholar who wears it. The lining of the hood displays the heraldic colors of the university that granted the degree, whereas the border of the hood and the chevrons on the gown announce the scholar’s field of study—white, for example, stands for history, scarlet for theology, pink for music, drab for business administration, etc. The cap has its own traditions. The first right of a freed Roman slave was the privilege of wearing a cap, so the academic cap is the sign of the freedom of scholarship. Although the flat square cap or mortarboard is most usual, the doctoral cap is an octagonal tam of velvet. The tassel is used in commencement ceremonies both for differentiation and unifying purposes. The graduation tassel, attached to a mortarboard for a college or university, represents belonging to a particular class that has completed its goals. Tassels on the cap most often are the color or colors of the particular institution; in the case of Bethel College, the tassel is maroon. At commencement, graduates wear the tassel on the right side, moving it to the left when their degree is conferred. Faculty participating in academic ceremonies wear the tassel to the left throughout the proceedings. Bachelor’s degree candidates may have a stole provided by their major department to indicate their field of study or ethnic group. The following are represented in the Bethel College commencement: sage green for athletic training; light blue for education; pink for music; apricot for nursing; citron for social work; Kente cloth for students recognized by the African American Alumni Association; a serape stole for students who identify as Latinx/Hispanic; and multicolored (usually in the color of the nation’s flag) for international students. Each student wearing a green ribbon has signed the pledge organized by KIPCOR (Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution): “I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work.” Nursing students inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International honor society receive purple and white honor cords.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thomas Adrian, Chair Newton, Kansas
Sharon Nance Dallas, Texas
Kate Brubacher Kansas City, Missouri
Thomas Penner Moorestown, New Jersey
James Ensz Beatrice, Nebraska
George Rogers III, Treasurer Newton, Kansas
Daniel P. Flickinger North Newton, Kansas
Lori L. Schmidt-Harrison, Vice-chair Santa Barbara, California
Wynn M. Goering Albuquerque, New Mexico
Diana Schunn Whitewater, Kansas
Galen Goertzen, Secretary Spokane, Washington
Sharon Waltner Parker, South Dakota
Roberta Franz Hodgson Spokane, Washington
Martin Wiens Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania
Blair Loganbill Hesston, Kansas
Heather S. Esau Zerger Newton, Kansas
ADMINISTRATIVE CABINET Jonathan C. Gering, President Tricia Clark, Director of Institutional Communications and Marketing Samuel Haynes, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Tony Hoops, Athletic Director Andy Johnson, Vice President for Admissions Bradley Kohlman, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Robert Milliman, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Allen Wedel, Vice President for Business Affairs
300 East 27th Street North Newton, Kansas 67117–1716