IN THIS ISSUE:
Nursing Education Center Opens Page 2
Gift Provides Technology for Bethel Seminary of the East Page 3
BethelInvestor www.bethel.edu • Fall 2010
News for Donors to Bethel University
New School Year, New Goals
W
ith new programs, new facilities, and new achievements, the 2010-2011 academic year at Bethel began with energy and excitement. The College of Arts & Sciences began offering a bachelor of fine arts and a linguistics major; opened a state-of-theart Nursing Education Center (see p. 2); and welcomed a new freshman class of 642 students. Bethel Seminary St. Paul drew more than 300 pastors, therapists, ministry leaders, seminary students, and community members to hear from a diverse group of highly qualified experts on the topics of depression and suicide for its annual fall conference; Bethel Seminary San Diego hosted H. Norman Wright, renowned marriage and family therapist, as part of its Distinguished Lecture Series; and Bethel Seminary of the East purchased innovative technology that now links students and professors in various locations, thanks to a generous donor (see p. 3). And in the College of Adult & Professional Studies, the first Frogtown/ Summit-University (FSU) cohort comprising eight students celebrated their completion of the General Studies program. Across the university, spiritual transformation is surfacing as well. Naomi Tutu, daughter of South Africa’s archbishop
Desmond Tutu, visited the St. Paul campus to speak in Reconciliation Day chapel, challenging the community to face its own brokenness in order to come together as “one family.” And a student-led initiative drew hundreds into a modernday Tent of Meeting on campus to pray for revival at Bethel (see p. 2). Bethel’s Office of Development also began the academic year with new goals of its own. “The economic challenges, although causing us to make some tough decisions, have also helped us define our goals as an institution looking to the future,” says President Jay Barnes. What follows is a quick look at Bethel’s fundraising priorities for the 2010-2011 fiscal year:
The Bethel Fund: Equipping Adventurous Christ-Followers The Bethel Fund* bridges the gap between tuition and the actual cost of Bethel’s Christcentered education. It helps provide: • Innovative academic programs and resources—cutting-edge technology for labs, classroom resources, and scholarships • Spiritual formation oppor- tunities—challenging chapel speakers, discipleship programs, and off-campus ministries • Faculty enrichment—grants and training/learning opportunities • A vital student life experience—health services, career services, student activities, and programs. This year, $2.5 million is needed for the Bethel Fund. *formerly the Annual Fund
President’s Club Bethel supporters who give at least $1,500 within a year are considered President’s Club donors. “They enjoy increased access to a variety of campus events as well as opportunities to interact with the Office of the President,” says Chris Nelson, development officer for the President’s Club. “We hope to retain our current level of engagement, in addition to seeking 40 new members this year.” (Read about President’s Club members Brent ’97 and Betsy Anderson ’96, p. 3.)
Planned Gifts Will provisions, trusts, annuities, and other forms of planned giving enable alumni, parents, and friends of Bethel to make an impact on the lives of Bethel students for years to come. “Those who include Bethel in their planning become part of the Royal Heritage Society and have the satisfaction of leaving a legacy in support of a Christ-centered education,” explains Dan Wiersum, associate vice president and director of planned giving. (Read about Dennis ’63 and Doris Johnson ’66, who have built Bethel into their trust, p. 3.)
Key Projects Bethel seeks to secure $6 million in cash by May 31, 2011— above and beyond regular gifts—to support the university’s mission through capital improvements. “Both unrestricted cash gifts and accelerated pledge payments will move us closer to that goal,” explains Bruce Anderson, vice president for development. “Capital priorities are always a means to an end. Our goal is to be the school of choice in our category—renowned for educa-
tional excellence across the board because we are preparing adventurous Christ-followers to live out the biblical message of redemption and hope in students’ areas of giftedness.” One of the front-running projects is a Welcome Center. For Bethel to continue to prosper, the College of Arts & Sciences enrollment must remain strong—growing by as many as 30 students a year over the next five years. Challenged by flat high school demographics and a sluggish economy, Bethel sought the advice of higher education consultants with a track record of strengthening recruitment and admissions efforts. Their advice: improve the welcome experience for prospective students by upgrading first impressions. Doing this will require a renovation in the Lundquist Community Life Center and the Academic Center Lounge, creating a more attractive bridge to Brushaber Commons and centralizing the admissions office in an accessible space nearer to the heart of student activity. Other upcoming projects include a fitness center, library expansion, and Bethel Seminary San Diego expansion. (Read about the new Nursing Education Center, a project made possible by generous donor Karin Larson, p. 2.) •