BethelParent A newsletter for parents of Bethel University students
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Issue 49/Fall 2010
Parent Services Office Serves YOU! Bethel Parent spoke to Ralph Gustafson, vice president for constituent relations, about his role in serving Bethel parents, as well as the many resources his team offers. Q: Tell us about yourself and your connection to Bethel. A: The Bethel family has played a significant role in my life for 40 years. I graduated from the college in 1974 and the seminary in 1978, and my wife Lyn (C’74) and I served as residence directors for Arden Village West. All four of my children have studied at the college and two of my sons have continued on at the seminary. Currently, I’m a student in the seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program, hoping to graduate in 2012. When God opened the door in 1994 for me to return to Bethel as an employee, I was thrilled and blessed to be back at my alma mater. I am deeply loyal to BU, and I fully embrace and identify with Bethel’s core values and mission. Q: What is your role at the university, and what is your team’s mission? A: As vice president for constituent relations, I lead a team of talented and energetic people who feel called to serve Bethel’s alumni, parents, and churches. We seek to clearly and passionately communicate with our alumni, churches, and parents about the life-changing work God is doing at Bethel, and to provide them with services that help strengthen their connection to the university. We hope to inspire all of our BU family and friends to support Bethel in prayer, service, and giving. Q: How does your office serve parents specifically? A: There are three specific ways we serve parents. First, we seek to clearly communicate what they need to know to help their student maximize their Bethel experience. This happens through the Bethel Parent newsletter, Welcome Week parent sessions, and phone calls and emails in response to parents’ questions and concerns. Second, we host events like Family Weekend, when parents are invited to campus to visit their students and experience a little taste of college life. Parents are also encouraged to attend concerts, sporting events, theatre productions, chapel, and a variety of other campus events. Third, we represent our parents to the administration and faculty, consistently voicing parents’ concerns, praises, questions, and suggestions to the Bethel community. Q: How can parents use your office as a resource? A: Call 651.638.6462 or email parents@bethel.edu if you have a question, concern, or even a positive experience you would like to share with us. Or stop by our office when you’re on campus. I invite parents to call me directly at 651.638.6122 if they have a particular concern they want to discuss. I’m willing to meet with parents on or off campus for any reason. Q: What are some resources for parents that you’d like to highlight? A: One would be this newsletter, the Bethel Parent. It’s our most comprehensive and focused resource for BU parents, and is available in print or online. I also encourage parents to regularly check out the Bethel University website, particularly the parents page, for updates, events, and news pertinent to parents. And we would love to see all of our parents, grandparents, and siblings on campus for Family Weekend, October 29-31. They can experience campus life and reconnect with their student through a variety of events and activities.
Q: What’s your favorite part of working with parents? A: Praying with a parent for a son or daughter who is struggling with a roommate, a class, or a relationship, and then waiting to see what God will do, is pretty high on my list of favorite activities. I am thankful that I serve at a place that believes in and deeply values the life-changing power of prayer. Q: What’s one piece of advice or information that you want to pass on to parents? A: Stay in touch with us. Let us know what frustrates you and what delights you about the Bethel experience. Please consider the parent services staff to be your advocates and friends. Most of us have had children in college, so we understand what it means to be a college parent. We want to walk with you on this amazing journey! n
Check Out Chapel Chapel is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Check out this semester’s speakers and topics at cas.bethel.edu/campusministries/chapel/info.
Mark Your Calendar Homecoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 15-17 Theatre Production: Blithe Spirit . . . . . . . . . . October 28-31 November 3-6 Family Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 29-31 (for parents and extended family of students) Thanksgiving Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 24-26 Festival of Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 2-4 Final Exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 13-17 (Please do not schedule family vacations on these days.)
R U 4 BU? Proudly display your BU connection whenever you hit the road! Minnesota residents can now apply for a special Bethel University license plate, available only through the state of Minnesota. A Bethel license plate can be purchased for the regular annual registration fee plus a minimum $25 yearly donation, which goes toward scholarships for Bethel students; a one-time $10 plate fee; and a one-time $8.50 filing fee. To begin the process, complete the application for special plates found on the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services website at dps.state.mn.us/ dvs. Return the form to your local Driver and Vehicle Services office or mail it to the address on the form. n