Winter 2014 | www.bethel.edu
BETHEL PARENT A newsletter for parents of Bethel University students
and men who are marked by a gratefulness of heart, authenticity of relationships, and a love of discipline required for a lifetime of service to Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
Li’l Sibs Weekend This longtime tradition is back! Younger siblings (ages 10-18) of current Bethel students are invited to join their big sister or brother at Bethel the weekend of March 1-2, 2014. Tentative plans include activities on Saturday night and Sunday morning/afternoon, with siblings staying overnight on Saturday. Visit bsa.bethel.edu for updates and details. n
Q&A with Bob Bjorklund Athletic Director
Tell us about your role at Bethel. As Director of Athletics, I oversee the operation of Bethel’s 18 varsity sports. This includes daily interaction with the coaches and athletic trainers as they seek to maximize the impact of their passion and expertise with the experience of the student athletes. It is my responsibility to commit to a team building process Bob Bjorklund that energizes students for excellence in education. Some of the major components of my job are paying careful attention to the well-being of student athletes, pursuing competitive success, budget management, maintaining an effective working relationship with departments throughout campus, and fostering a vital connection with colleagues in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). What makes the athletics program at Bethel distinctive from similar universities? The coaches and student athletes produce a culture within the Bethel athletic department that is phenomenal. It is a situation where students are coached, mentored, and discipled to live out what it means to love the Lord, love each other, and love their sport. It creates an atmosphere of selflessness that is dynamic and fruitful. There is nothing soft, mushy, or ethereal in this standard. When we are fruitful we will leave a lasting mark. The evidence of fruitfulness is in the results. How is success measured in Bethel’s athletics programs? “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Our efforts as an athletic department need to contribute to the development of young women
What would you like parents to know about Bethel’s approach to coaching/leadership/relationship & skills building? To interacting with student athletes? We have a burning passion to pursue competitive excellence while at the same time knowing winning isn’t our primary goal. Our dance with the ...students are King is treasured and we want coached, mentored, our walk with Him to be our joy. and discipled to live It is important to not treat as orout what it means to dinary what has been consecratlove the Lord, love ed to us. Committing to a team each other, and love building process that reinforces their sport. It creates the core values of Bethel, as the an atmosphere of challenges and opportunities selflessness that is inherent in sports training and competition unfold, is essential. dynamic and fruitful. We seek to apply well organized and high energy efforts to build a vibrant culture within and among our sport teams. Part of that process requires embracing what is authentic and blowing up what is phony. The value of a Bethel education should not be underestimated. Teenage boys and girls grow into young men and women while in college. At Bethel, they grow with other guys and gals who love the Lord and that impact will effect change that will last the rest of their lives. I believe that the combination of valuing winning and training to excel on the scoreboard and in our relationships produces a sweet aroma. When our athletes jump on board wholeheartedly, they create opportunities for greater growth for themselves as well as for those who come behind them. —Bjorklund continued on page 2
Show ’Em Some Love Show your son or daughter some love and order a special Valentine gift. Donations above the $10 cost of the gift help to fund grants for faculty members. To order, see the enclosed flyer, or visit bethel.edu/parents/valentines to order online. n
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Faculty Grants Enhance Student Experience These grants help faculty members attend conferences focused on their areas of expertise, engage in research, and obtain equipment and resources critical for engaging students. Thanks to the generous support of parents, Chuck Hannema, associate professor and chair of Bethel’s Business and Economics department, received a grant last year. With his $1,200 grant, Hannema was able to register for the first level of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. The globally recognized CFA charter is designed for investment professionals. Hannema’s goal is to build finance curriculum around the CFA charters, so enrolling in the coursework is the first step in enhancing the Business and Economics program. n