Bethel Magazine Summer 2019 by Bethel University

WHY WE TEACH

Summer 2019

Their reasons are varied, but Bethel faculty share the same goalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; transforming studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives p. 12

Why go to college, anyway? p. 18 College of Arts & Sciences

Alumni find uniquely adventurous careers p. 20

College of Adult & Professional Studies

Seeking justice in the face of human trafficking p. 25

Bethel Seminary

Graduate School

photo by Ty Walls

Generations Connected. Grandparents and grandchildren celebrated their special connection at Bethelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seventh annual Grandparents Day. Bethel students invited their grandparents to tour campus, attend chapel, eat in the Dining Center, and hear from university leaders.

On the cover: Kenneth Steinbach â&#x20AC;&#x2122;83, university professor of art photo by Scott Streble

CONTENTS 02 10 12 18 20 25 31

UNEWS Bethel University community updates

SPORTSHORTS Highlights from the best of Royal athletics

WHY WE TEACH ethel faculty share a common goal— B leaving a legacy in the lives of their students.

WHY GO TO COLLEGE? ur hypothetical first-year Bethel student O provides some outstanding reasons!

LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY Meet creative, adaptable Bethel grads who apply their liberal arts learning in uniquely adventurous careers.

SEEKING JESUS BY SEEKING JUSTICE Find out how the Bethel community is working to end human trafficking—and what you can do to help.

ALUMNEWS What’s new with Bethel alumni

Summer 2019 Volume 10 Number 2

Address Corrections Office of University Advancement | 651.635.8050 | university-advancement-updates@bethel.edu Bethel Magazine is published two times a year by Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112-6999. Postage paid at St. Paul, Minnesota, and additional mailing offices. Printed in the USA. Copyright © 2019 Bethel University. All Rights Reserved.

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Bethel University is sponsored by the churches of Converge. It is the policy of Bethel not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, or disability in its educational programs, admissions, or employment policies as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to: Compliance Officer, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112-6999.

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JAYTALKING

A conversation with President Jay Barnes

The Next Chapter For nearly 25 years, my wife Barb and I have called Bethel home. We moved to Minnesota in 1995 when I started as provost at Bethel. In 2008, I became the fifth president of Bethel University. It’s been an honor and a joy to serve in this role for more than 11 years. But the time has come for the next chapter in Bethel’s presidency to begin. In partnership with the Board of Trustees and with their full support, I am announcing my retirement, effective June 30, 2020. As I reflect on my career, I am thankful to God that Barb has walked with me through the good times and the difficulties of life and work. We have tried to model partnership for our students and alumni as they prepare for work, for friendship, for marriage, and for service to others. In retirement, I look forward to the years ahead with Barb. Serving Bethel for 25 Years As I look back on my years at Bethel, I am thankful for those who have gone before us. Whatever has been accomplished during our time of leadership has been built on the foundation laid by people like Carl and Nancy Lundquist and George and Darleen Brushaber. Each leader in Bethel’s history has faced challenges— and each leader has been blessed to see the community working together through opportunities and needed changes. I am thankful for the leadership opportunities I have had at Bethel and for the leadership teams of which I have been a part. During my presidency, we worked together to make important facility upgrades in business and economics, wellness, engineering, athletics, administrative offices, and post-traditional program space for Bethel Seminary, the Graduate School, and the College of Adult & Professional Studies at the Anderson Center. We worked with our trustees and others to

Summer 2019

make policy changes to allow Bethel faculty to compete for National Science Foundation (NSF) grants. The results: six NSF grants to date. While investing in the sciences and engineering has been important, reaffirming our Pietist heritage has been vital in graduating adventurous Christ-followers. Post-graduation surveys of our alumni consistently place Bethel ahead of our peer group in demonstrating that our approach to education produces the results that matter most in faith commitment, church involvement, leadership, and education. As a community, we have seen quality improvements in facilities, programs, faith expression, and national reputation.

“The world has changed in biblically rooted ways because of Bethel graduates.”

Foundation for a Bright Future Despite challenges, we remain committed to our mission to educate men and women for Christ and focused on our vision to become the Christ-centered university of choice for this century. I am confident that Bethel’s best days are yet to come. • We have strong and gifted educational leaders in each of our schools and highly competent administrative leaders who work well together. • We have talented faculty members who excel in teaching, research, and the faith-filled mentoring of students. • We have dedicated staff who serve our students, Bethel, and God in innovative ways.

• We have evaluated our program offerings in all four schools and invested in new programs to ensure we have the right mix to drive future enrollment. • We have made difficult choices to trim our budget to create a sustainable financial model for Bethel. • We have strengthened our Student Life and athletics programs, and had success combining athletic excellence with academic achievement. • We have expanded Christian Formation and Church Relations to demonstrate our Christ-centeredness and excellence in educating and caring for our students. • We continue to elevate Bethel’s visibility regionally through the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), as well as nationally through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Finishing Well In the coming months I will work hard to finish well. Advancing and enhancing Bethel’s mission is in my heart—and I want to leave Bethel stronger than when I started. We must be unapologetically Christ-centered to produce unmatched results in our graduates. I see us do this best when we are unafraid to engage the world’s most challenging problems for God’s glory and our neighbors’ good. We must be willing to tackle the issues of the day with an educational approach that is engaging, winsome, and excellent. That calls for disciplined pursuit of the resources we need to expand our facilities so that they are as good as the people who teach and coach in them. It calls for continued commitment to an economic model that is right for this period in history. It includes having the right mix of programs rooted in a liberal arts way of thinking, not only to draw students to Bethel but also to launch them well into the world of work. Barb and I have been blessed by our time at Bethel— and we look forward to celebrating the ways God is at

work in our community over the time between now and June 30, 2020. We thank God for the privilege of being part of a team that helps students develop a bigger picture of who God is and a bigger picture of what God is calling them to be. Thanks for being partners with us as we wait to see God do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20, NIV). Visit bethel.edu/president for information about upcoming events honoring Jay and Barb Barnes, as well as details about the presidential transition process.

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Seminary Poised for the Future Bethel Seminary kicked off 2019 by opening its new St. Paul location on the first floor of the Anderson Center and installing a new Dean of Bethel Seminary, Peter T. Vogt. Despite the changes, its mission remains the same. “Our mission is essential,” says Vogt. “The church needs leaders who can live out truth and raise up the next generation of leaders. I believe Bethel Seminary is uniquely prepared to do this.” Vogt, a 1997 Bethel Seminary graduate and former faculty member, returns to lead Bethel Seminary into a new era. In a time of significant national changes in seminary education, Vogt brings experience and energy to his new role. Bethel installed Vogt and celebrated the new space in the Anderson Center—Bethel’s 200,000-square-foot building at 2

Pine Tree Drive about a mile from the 3900 Bethel Drive complex—with an open house on February 4. With online trends in mind, the space was designed for students to attend regular, on-site classes or periodic intensives—with ample, comfortable study spaces as well. The dedicated classrooms and conference room each feature touchscreen control, high-quality video projection, a dedicated presentation computer, wireless and wired laptop presentation connectivity, and a document camera that doubles as a high-definition webcam for distance students taking in classroom content or groups connecting with ministry partners or classmates. The space features a stone-lined entrance and huge windows that span nearly the entire south-facing wall— overlooking trailheads, woods, and a pond. And historical elements have been brought from the seminary’s previous locations: a huge mosaic and stained-glass windows, along with the Larson-Bethel Baghdad Torah, a 2014 gift from former Bethel Trustee Ken Larson and his wife Barbara. Visit bethel.edu/magazine/vogt to learn more about Vogt and the seminary move.

Summer 2019

HEARD ON CAMPUS

“I always strongly believed in Bethel as a center of Christian education. That’s one of the primary reasons I’ve stayed involved.”

—Gordon Lindquist, founder of the E. “Fritz” Lindquist Scholarship in honor of his father, a 1930 Bethel Seminary graduate. Gordon and his wife, Joyce, remain ardent Bethel supporters after Gordon served two terms as chairman of the Bethel Board of Trustees, served on the Board of Regents, and chaired the search committee when George Brushaber was selected as Bethel president. Visit bethel.edu/ magazine/lindquist to read their story.

UNEWS

Updates from the Bethel community

New Program for Working Adults Bethel’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology, launching in fall 2019, is designed to fit the lives of busy adults across the country. The fully online program allows students to start their degree anytime, and aims to acquaint them with the key concepts, theories, and scientific principles behind human thought and behavior. As mental health issues and the need for strong relational skills grow, psychology has become one of the most popular and versatile degrees nationwide. Through courses in psychopathology, research methods, and social psychology, students will develop knowledge of human behavior and mental processes, basic counseling, and statistical analysis. They’ll also learn to apply their skills through hands-on projects and internships, which will position them well for careers in human resources, sales and marketing, social services, and healthcare. The program adds to the growing suite of adult undergraduate offerings in the College of Adult & Professional Studies.

Nelson Hall Makeover When Nelson Hall opened in 1968, students knew it simply as “the new dorm.” By the time the class of 2023 arrives at Bethel in August, students will again be talking about the freshman hall like it’s the new dorm on campus. Nelson, Bethel’s oldest residence hall, is set for a summer makeover to enhance community lounge areas, improve accessibility, add air conditioning, and make cosmetic updates. “It will look and feel brand new,” says Associate Director of Planning and Projects Mike Lindsey. The changes will convert Nelson into a more modern residence hall with an open feel in the building’s community spaces, and will include enhancements to the paint, carpet, and lights in all the dorm rooms. Students will enjoy new desks, desk chairs, loftable beds, and dressers. And bathrooms will be updated and feature improved accessibility. The project comes months after 300 current and former Nelson residents celebrated the hall’s 50th anniversary in October 2018 during Homecoming. Funding for the multimillion dollar renovation comes from a bond refinancing. Visit bethel.edu/magazine/ nelson-renovations for more.

Visit bethel.edu/magazine/psychology-launch to learn more.

Bethel University

Courses Offer Real-World Experiences Reporting II Associate Professor of Journalism Yu-li Chang Zacher wanted to give her Reporting II students a hands-on look at what journalism can do at different levels of society, beyond influencers like the New York Times or Washington Post. She found the perfect opportunity through a partnership with Greening Frogtown, a bimonthly newspaper that celebrates the people and spaces of St. Paul’s most diverse neighborhood. Her class partnered with the paper to produce a special insert highlighting the work of churches and people of faith. Patricia Ohmans and her husband, Anthony Schmitz, who produce the paper, joined students at Bethel for several class periods. They imparted their vision for the insert and talked through assignment topics, which ranged from immigrant neighborhoods to storefront churches to grassroots social justice initiatives. Chang Zacher also invited guest speakers from local government and media organizations to share tips and strategies. “When our students go out to find their first jobs, they’ll likely start at the community level,” Chang Zacher says. “I want them to not only be prepared, but to see the value of their work and to cultivate a passion for serving their own communities. That’s at the heart of Bethel University’s mission— building community from the ground up.”

Summer 2019

Margaret Lovejoy (r), founder of The Family Place, responds to student presentations.

Motivation and Emotion Collectible trading cards. Color-coded calendars. Popular songs remixed with names of various vegetables. Those are just a few of the programming ideas psychology students developed to encourage children at a local nonprofit to eat healthy foods. Through a semester-long assignment, students in Associate Professor of Psychology Andy Johnson’s Motivation and Emotion course came up with ideas to help children at The Family Place, a St. Paul-based day center for people experiencing homelessness. While The Family Place offers comprehensive programming for families, one challenge is motivating children to eat fruits and vegetables. Students sought ways to address that challenge using what they were learning in class about the psychology of motivation. Six groups researched and developed ideas that they presented for The Family Place founder Margaret Lovejoy to consider. Students took many lessons from the experience. Autumn Zigterman ’19, who is considering going on to graduate

school for marriage and family counseling, appreciated the practical experience they gained. “If you want to motivate someone, you have to understand their values and where they’re coming from,” she says. “This project has better equipped me for a counseling career.” Operations Research Math and science students taking Operations Research spent their fall semester using cuttingedge simulation software and modeling techniques to help families in a remote Nepal village. The students designed layout and process models for a food packing plant that would serve as both a job site and an education center, combatting the combination of poverty and hunger that forces parents to sell their daughters into sex trafficking. The class divided into three teams—data and statistics, logic and testing, and coding—to design a self-sustaining packing plant capable of distributing food to 1,000 people per month. The teams considered space allocations, packing formations, and labor expectations as they calculated what would be needed to meet their goal, using real data from nonprofits Feed My Starving Children and Venture. They found that with 12 employees working for less than four hours per week, the plant could feed more than 2,000 people year-round. The facility would also serve as a Bible school to help local people become leaders who make a difference in their villages. “My ultimate purpose at Bethel is to equip students and help them learn how their unique gifts and talents can be utilized for kingdom work, especially when empowered by and submitted to the Holy Spirit,” says Professor of Mathematics Patrice Conrath.

Slam Dunk For his required freshman paper, Justin Evenhouse ’22 explored whether high-level college athletes should be paid. To Evenhouse—a Bethel soccer player and business major—the opportunity to write about sports, a topic he’s passionate about, is an example of what sets Bethel apart in teaching academic skills. “It makes research and writing more fun and more effective,” he says. His project is part of “Bracketology: Competition and Controversy in College Basketball,” one of several possible emphases for the Inquiry Seminar (IQ) course, which introduces first-year students to the liberal arts and the Christian tradition at Bethel. IQ reflects Bethel’s commitment to utilizing new, creative means to prepare students for college and life, and to cultivate both their passions—which often lead to careers—and their writing skills. Visit bethel.edu/magazine/inquiry-seminar to read the full story.

Visit our website to read the full stories. Greening Frogtown: bethel.edu/magazine/frogtown The Family Place: bethel.edu/magazine/ psychology-partnership Nepal: bethel.edu/magazine/nepal

Bethel University

Artist Lands National Scholarship “My name is Rebecca Hed, and I am a duct tape artist.” It took a while for art major and business minor Rebecca Hed ’21 to state that confidently. But the third-generation Royal can now call herself an award-winning artist. She bested more than 7,000 applicants for a Taco Bell Foundation Live Más Scholarship. Along with her duct tape art, Hed pushes herself to dabble in other forms and media as she pursues a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) at Bethel. She’s also done pieces in honor of her father, who died unexpectedly in 2014. Among other achievements, she’s been one of the artists creating “art wheels” for the Steve Hed Memorial Auction, with sales benefiting families dealing with cancer. Read more about the Hed family on page 33. Visit bethel.edu/magazine/hed to learn more.

Seminary Boosts Flexibility

Balancing School and Family. A new task force is organizing events to support adult students who are also single parents. The effort kicked off with a dinner in January 2019, where administrators and these students met to connect and discuss ideas. Future plans to support single parent students include monthly dinners and a website offering specific resources for the single parent student community. Visit bethel.edu/magazine/single-parentcelebration to learn more.

Bethel Seminary’s Marriage and Family Therapy program made changes to offer more flexibility to a broader group of prospective students. The program is moving from daytime to evening classes, and five face-to-face courses will move online. The master’s program will maintain all of its curriculum and remain a full-time, St. Paul-based option. The new program is designed to be completed in three years. “Students will truly be getting a spiritual experience while meeting all state standards,” says Program Director Tina Watson Wiens. Launched in 1996, the program has a reputation for training therapists uniquely well in areas of selfof-therapist process, social justice, faith and science integration, and clinical work with clients from all faith traditions. Visit bethel.edu/seminary/ marriage-family-therapy to learn more about the program.

Summer 2019

New Bethel Leaders Jim Bender Chief Advancement Officer

Jim Bender GS’17 began his Bethel career in 2014. As director of alumni and family relations, he led a team that invigorated alumni and families, encouraging them to engage with Bethel. He added advancement operations to that role as interim chief advancement officer, then took over the role permanently, focusing on helping the advancement team become more data-driven and responsive to donor and alumni constituents. His goal is collaboration, “to come alongside people and ask them to search their hearts to see if God is calling them to join us,” he says.

Amy Blaz Chief Financial Officer

Amy Blaz brings 15 years of experience as a controller and accountant in a variety of industries. A Certified Management Accountant with an MBA, she’s served as Bethel’s university controller for the past two years. In that time, she has significantly improved processes, procedures, and productivity in her area. Moving forward, Blaz will continue to build on existing momentum and advocate for growing Bethel’s endowment. “A larger endowment will allow us to decrease our unfunded financial aid and keep Bethel affordable,” she says.

Michael Vedders Chief Enrollment and Marketing Officer Michael Vedders ’04, GS’07 is bringing synergy, collaboration, and new ideas as the university pursues ambitious marketing and enrollment goals. He’s excited to lead teams that share Bethel’s story—“because what we do here matters,” he says. Formerly Bethel’s director of marketing, he used his technology background to help bring a 21st-century, data-driven approach to Bethel’s marketing efforts. He continues that approach in his new role overseeing the undergraduate and post-traditional admissions teams, enrollment data and technology, marketing, and communications.

Visit our website to read the full stories. Jim Bender: bethel.edu/magazine/bender Amy Blaz: bethel.edu/magazine/blaz Michael Vedders: bethel.edu/magazine/vedders

STAY CONNECTED! bethel.edu/news @bethelumn

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SPORTSHORTS Highlights from the best of Royal athletics

RACK(ET)ING

UP THE

WINS 129

Senior Jill Weinzettel becomes Bethel’s all-time women’s tennis career wins leader with 125 wins as of March 2019.

Senior Hunter Fernelius holds a total of 129 career wins and 107 career team match wins as of March 2019.

photos by AJ Barrett

125

DUAL THREAT

Follow the Royals:

Summer 2019

bethelroyals.com

bethelroyals

@bethelroyals

photo by Carl Schmuland

Junior Jake Marsh is a preseason All-America Honorable Mention by D3baseball.com. He’s the Royals’ all-time leader in career saves and was part of a 2018 Bethel pitching staff that led all of college baseball with a 1.98 team ERA. Marsh is also a Royals football quarterback who ranks in Bethel’s Top 10 in career passing.

@bethelroyals

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GOAL ORIENTED

Royals indoor track athletes earn nine All-American awards at the NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships: Carl Klamm takes 5th place in the 400m, the women’s 4x400m relay team takes 3rd place, and the men’s 4x400m relay team takes 5th place.

photo by AJ Barrett

Senior forward Britney Monteon is named secondteam All-American by the United Soccer Coaches. She broke Bethel’s single-season scoring record with 39 points on 13 goals and 13 assists and was a centerpiece to the Royals’ historic 13-4-1 season.

ALL-AMERICANS

Senior safety Dawson Brown (first team) and senior defensive end Kyle Kilgore (second team) are chosen as NCAA DIII AllAmericans by the American Football Coaches Association.

photos by Carl Schmuland

1,000 POINTS

Five Royals basketball players reach 1,000 career points during the 2018-19 season: Granger Kingland, Taite Anderson, Derek Magnuson, Hannah Johnson, and Matt Ambriz.

Bethel University

Bethel faculty are highly credentialed in their fields. They are also committed women and men of faith who integrate a Christ-centered perspective into their lectures, field experiments, and research. They choose Bethel for the same reason our students do: to pursue truth within a dynamic Christian community. While they lead professional boards, advise government agencies, and present at international conferences, Bethel faculty are first committed to teaching. They are passionate about serving their students as collaborators, mentors, and role models.

WHY WE TEACH LEAVING A LIVING LEGACY What fuels their passion? Why do they do what they do? And what legacy do they hope to leave in the lives of students who reflect back on their Bethel experience five, or 10, or 20 years from now? by Michelle Westlund â&#x20AC;&#x2122;83 photography by Scott Streble based on an original video concept by Sam Mulberry, assistant professor of history Visit cwcradio.wordpress.com/why-we-teach to watch the video.

Summer 2019

SARA SHADY

professor of philosophy at Bethel since 2002 students say she’s: encouraging, insightful, cheerful

I believe God entrusts students to me for a period of time, and it’s my job to encourage, challenge, and support them in their journey of becoming the people God has created them to be.” KENNETH STEINBACH ’83

university professor of art at Bethel since 2001 students say he’s: genuine, humble, demanding

“I find teaching endlessly energizing and fascinating. It’s the source of many longlasting relationships. I’ll probably be doing it in some form or another for the rest of my life.”

Bethel University

I hope there are a lot of physician assistants out there in the world who really connect with a patient and make a great diagnosis, and then think, ‘I remember when Lisa Naser taught me this.’”

LISA NASER

assistant professor, physician assistant program Graduate School at Bethel since 2014 students say she’s: authentic, kind, easygoing

Summer 2019

TINA WATSON WIENS S’01

assistant professor, marriage and family therapy program Bethel Seminary at Bethel since 2013 students say she’s: engaging, compassionate, genuine

I hope my students live as bravely in the world as they did in my classroom.” Bethel University

It’s a gift to impact the lives of young scientists and engineers. And because I cherish being rooted in the liberal arts, I can be proud of the quality and breadth of education that Bethel provides our majors.”

NATHAN LINDQUIST ’02

associate professor of physics and engineering at Bethel since 2011 students say he’s: encouraging, curious, tough but fair

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I love students! And I love the freedom to explore with them the complexities of God’s view of both the good and the brokenness of the human condition.” ANGELA SABATES

associate professor of psychology at Bethel since 2003 students say she’s: inquisitive, warm, dedicated

JEFF PORT ’90

professor of biological sciences at Bethel since 2001 students say he’s: approachable, challenging, inquisitive

“I hope my students will say I challenged them in a way that helped them grow, and inspired them to see beauty in creation all around them.” Bethel University

Summer 2019

by Cherie Suonvieri ‘15 | design by Kristi Ellison ‘10

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Living Ad ve n t u r o u s l y This year, one in 13 new Bethel undergrads listed their major as “exploratory”—meaning they hadn’t decided what to study quite yet. Students switch or add majors with ease—and some do it frequently. As they study abroad and dabble in clubs and hobbies and jobs, their learning happens in contexts far beyond the classroom. And even their mix of courses is meant to be broad and exploratory. The liberal arts learning environment teaches graduates to be nimble and adaptable, ready to embrace changes in the job market—and their own unique callings—to excel in today’s world. Meet a few adventurous alumni who’ve taken the broad learning they did at Bethel, found their niche, and soared. by Monique Kleinhuizen ’08 GS’16 illustrations by Kristi Ellison ’10

Summer 2019

Deep-diving to understand our past Christopher Olson ’87, underwater archaeologist Major: History When I was young, I was fascinated with maritime and military history. I developed an interest in programming, so at Bethel I took computer classes. At the encouragement of Professor of History Neil Lettinga, I eventually found my path toward history and anthropology. I learned the basics of historical research, how to analyze sources, and how to write clearly and analytically. Professor of History Emeritus Jim Johnson’s senior seminar stands out as a favorite as I realized my passion for research. After Bethel, I did underwater archaeology in Jamaica and conducted terrestrial archaeology in Red Wing, Minnesota, and England. I spent three field seasons working on prehistoric sites, and my master’s thesis focused on research and documentation of the CSS Curlew underwater site in North Carolina. Once back in Minnesota, I volunteered as an engineer on the steamboat Minnehaha on Lake Minnetonka. I was then hired to maintain its mechanical systems as well as the rolling stock at the Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul. This series of experiences led to my current work at Maritime Heritage Minnesota, a not-for-profit organization my wife, Ann Merriman, and I launched in 2005. As the only two licensed underwater archeologists in the state, our mission is to identify, document, preserve, and—when necessary—excavate Minnesota’s submerged wrecks and maritime sites using sonar and scuba.

“ Wrecks serve as windows to our past, both historically and

technologically. Even the smallest, nondescript watercraft has a story to tell. While those stories may not be a part of the big social or political stories of the day, they are part of the fabric of our ‘everyday’ past and affect our shared maritime, economic, and transportation history. ”

Bethel University

Serving and communicating in the sports world Ben Beecken ’10, Oklahoma City Dodgers front office and freelance writer Major: History

GO TEAM!

HOMA OKL A Y C IT

My tentative plan in college was to find a high school teaching job that would allow me to coach baseball or basketball. And once I’d picked a history major, I became used to hearing the assumptions that I was either going to go to law school or grad school or teach. I began to realize there was an entire business world behind my top passion: sports. Legendary Bethel Professor of History and Political Science Emeritus G.W. Carlson was patient with me and encouraged me as I discovered that passion. I was turned down for my first internship and thought I would never get the proverbial “foot in the door.” I eventually found a temporary job with the Minnesota Twins and began looking at the minor leagues. While interviewing with the Oklahoma City RedHawks, I emphasized my customer service experience and the communication skills I developed at Bethel. I landed the job and spent three years in group sales, got promoted to management, and then the team was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now I manage a team overseeing the service and activation of all of our corporate partners—from season-long promotions to ballpark signage and events. I also freelance for Grandstand Central, writing about the intersection of sports and politics, money, culture, tech, mental health, religion, sexuality, and science.

“ At Bethel, I had great advisors and professors who encouraged me to take

a variety of courses to round out my experience and allow myself to see the world from a variety of viewpoints. ” I wasn’t as receptive to broadening my horizons back then, but I’ve grown to value that opportunity. The sports world has exposed me to people from all walks of life, and having that seed planted in my mind at Bethel has been vital to my professional development.

Providing nutritious food: a holy responsibility Kjersten (Swenson) Oudman ’14, organic farmer Major: Environmental Science I was planning to be a wildlife manager in a national park. But my plans changed drastically my sophomore year at Bethel, when I took a geology class and fell in love with soil science. Classes like “Sustainable Living” and “Transforming Technology” helped me think about how to use environmental sustainability to serve people holistically. The major transformation came when I studied abroad in Tanzania and Kenya. Even though I was studying the most charismatic animals in the world—like elephants and lions—I felt my heart and interests shifting. I began to realize that agriculture could meet my two biggest desires: to serve people and care for creation. 22

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After graduating, I interned at Plant with Purpose in San Diego—focusing on environmental solutions to poverty— and then at World Hunger Relief, learning sustainable agricultural techniques for developing countries. There, I managed an acre of vegetables for a full year, met my husband Dirk, and began dreaming about farming. I got my master’s degree in crop diseases from Michigan State University, and then God opened all of the doors for us to manage King’s Hill Farm in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. We sell organic vegetables to local farmer’s markets, grocery stores, restaurants—and more than 100 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members.

“ I have a deep conviction that providing nutritious food for people is a holy

responsibility, as is caring for the earth by using techniques that regenerate soil and other life. Bethel provided me with a foundation that sees every job or task—even menial farming tasks like weeding—as opportunities to serve and glorify the Lord. ”

Seeking truth and serving people on their worst days Cory Streeter ’08, special agent Major: Journalism Early on at Bethel, I got the bug for journalism. I loved deep investigation and uncovering universal truths through story. I eventually became editor of the Clarion, Bethel’s student newspaper, and that experience solidified my desire to seek the truth. I co-led a mission trip to New Orleans six months after Hurricane Katrina. It opened my eyes to poverty, disaster, and the unpleasant aspects of the world outside of Bethel—but it was coupled with the intense hope, joy, and gratitude of residents. I felt like I wanted to serve people directly, instead of just writing about them. I remember having a conversation with my advisor, Phyllis Alsdurf, about how I might not continue in journalism long-term. She wasn’t disappointed. Just like my other professors, she simply encouraged me to follow my passions and go impact the world. After graduation, my wife Becky ’08 and I served in New Orleans with AmeriCorps and Habitat for Humanity for a year. It was difficult to find work post-recession, so I slogged through temp jobs and beat reporting—and eventually decided to pursue law enforcement. I worked in a variety of specialties for the Eau Claire Police Department in Wisconsin, became a detective, and today, I’m a special agent for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. While my police reports don’t start out with a catchy lead, the foundational skill set is the same as journalism: to document the facts. Police are called upon to be first responders in emergencies, but also mental health crises, domestic violence, and juvenile cases. We often see people on their worst day, so being a skilled communicator has been so important.

“ Bethel refined my desire to serve my community and provided me

with opportunities to lead and grow as a person of faith and purpose. ” Bethel University

Bringing people together through games Tony ’08 and Alex Ducklow ’10, escape room owner-operators Majors: both Youth Ministry Tony: Growing up, we both attended and worked at a camp that had a decidedly outreach-oriented focus. We created and played a lot of games there. Not your standard “Capture the Flag,” but wide-scale games, like “Clue” coming to life with real characters. I saw what an influence games could have on ministry—as a way to break down walls. And at Bethel, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies Karen McKinney taught workshops on how to lead games well—how they could be really meaningful experiences. Alex: Games can tell a story. They can bring people together. After a good game, you have conversation around a shared experience. We played our first escape room years ago, and we loved it, but the concept was pretty new at the time. Then we developed our own—just for some team development—and it was one of those beautiful things. We just looked at each other and said, “Could we do this?” Tony: Alex had some background in theatre and construction, including doing tech for Bethel Theatre. We designed a game and set it up in the camp office, running a few dozen test groups through it. Even though we had other full-time jobs, we saved our money and opened our first room in 2016 in a former YouthWorks space. Now we can’t build rooms fast enough! We keep thinking of how we can do unique things within the industry, treat our employees well, and lead our business differently.

“ I think about how I studied youth ministry, which I’m not really doing

anymore. That transition would have been a lot more challenging if I didn’t have the broad, critical thinking skills I gained at Bethel. It wasn’t a stretch to go off and find a new direction. ” —Alex Ducklow

Visit bethel.edu/magazine/ducklow-bros to read the Ducklows’ full story.

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SEEKING JESUS

SEEKING JUSTICE

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The faces of human trafficking span every age, race, gender, and nationality, and few are trained to recognize them. From cultural unawareness to consumer choices, most of us are complicit in the proliferation of trafficking across the globe—but if we have the power to fuel injustice, we also have the power to end it. Here’s how the Bethel community is using the truth to fight for freedom. by Jenny Hudalla ’15

Bethel University

A Human trafficking is one of the most prevalent issues of injustice in our day. We cannot, therefore, look upon the suffering of human beings and remain silent.” Laurel Bunker campus pastor and associate vice president of Christian formation and church relations

man washes dishes in the back of a diner. A teenage girl waits in a car parked at a rest stop. And a woman leans against the gleaming wall of a hotel lobby. None of these scenes appear out of the ordinary—but the dishwasher isn’t getting paid, the teenager isn’t waiting for a parent to finish pumping gas, and the woman isn’t entering a room by choice. They’re all among the 40 million victims of human trafficking, one of the fastest growing and most lucrative criminal enterprises worldwide.1 Often referred to as modern-day slavery, human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex from a person against their will.2 With a $150 billion annual profit, its reach extends to every country, every state, and even Bethel’s own backyard. In 2015, Minnesota had the third-highest number of human trafficking cases in the United States, with a particularly high rate of child prostitution in the Twin Cities.3

1 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, International Labor Organization (ILO), ilo.org, 2017. Editor’s note: Estimates of the prevalence of human trafficking vary widely because of differing definitions and methodology, among other reasons. Most fall between 20 million and 50 million. 2 “What Is Human Trafficking?” U.S. Department of Homeland Security, dhs.gov. 3 “Human Trafficking Awareness,” Minnesota Department of Transportation, dot.state. mn.us.

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“Human trafficking is one of the most prevalent issues of injustice in our day,” says Laurel Bunker, Bethel’s campus pastor and associate vice president of Christian formation and church relations. “We cannot, therefore, look upon the suffering of human beings and remain silent. Bethel students are being equipped to go into the world as agents of change. By using our educational skills and gifts, coupled with our robust faith and passion for biblical justice, we can make an impact in tremendous ways.”

EMPOWERING SURVIVORS

When Rebecca Bender S’19 imagined human trafficking, images of kidnapped children overseas appeared in her mind’s eye. Like many people, she believed the issue was far from her own reality—so, when she unknowingly began to date a sex trafficker, she didn’t notice the subtle warning signs. After months of manipulation and deceit, Bender’s trafficker moved her to Las Vegas and forced her into prostitution. During the next six years, Bender was traded and sold between three traffickers. She was branded twice, hospitalized for dehydration and exhaustion, and suffered beatings that left her face broken in five places. Throughout her years of captivity and abuse, she was arrested seven times and convicted

of five prostitution-related charges. It wasn’t until 2006, when federal investigators raided her trafficker’s home, that she was able to escape. “I remember coming home and thinking, ‘Now what?’” says Bender, who then had a criminal record and no source of income. Slowly, she began to rebuild her life and work out the answer. In 2014, she founded the Rebecca Bender Initiative, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is twofold: to elevate and empower survivors, and to equip community professionals to identify and respond to trafficking in their own neighborhoods. The organization has trained more than 100,000 undercover police officers, FBI agents, and medical professionals and graduated more than 500 survivors from its online academy, Elevate. Bender’s staff—half of whom are survivors themselves—speak and consult across the nation and have freed 47 women and children from a life of trafficking. As a member of the National Advisory Committee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bender has also testified as an expert witness to the force, fraud, and coercive tactics used by traffickers. “It’s really humbling that God could use someone like me,” Bender says. “I’m truly grateful and also recognize that we all have a story to tell. God wants to use each and every one of us.”

Now an internationally recognized speaker, author, and minister enrolled in Bethel’s M.A. in Christian Thought program, Bender says her faith played an integral role in her own healing process. She hopes to someday write Bible studies for women who have faced hardship, while continuing to educate people about the reality of human trafficking. “Faith really brings a closure to your soul that only God can give,” Bender says. “It turns your bitterness into gratefulness.”

CREATING AGENTS OF CHANGE

One evening, Associate Professor of Psychology Andy Johnson was shopping at a local grocery store with his daughter. They had just made it to the frozen foods section when his cell phone rang. It was a victim of domestic violence who was looking for help. Johnson paused next to the ice cream, steadied himself, and helped her come up with a plan. “It follows you everywhere,” he says. “It is everywhere. I wish it wasn’t, but it is.” While Johnson’s primary research focuses on domestic violence and sexual assault, both issues intersect with human trafficking. His research team, which often includes Bethel students, prepares materials that empower mental health practitioners to provide culturally sensitive treatment to survivors of

Rebecca Bender S’19, CEO and founder, Rebecca Bender Initiative

Laurel Bunker, campus pastor and associate vice president of Christian formation and church relations

Stina Busman Jost, professor of biblical and theological studies

Andy Johnson, associate professor of psychology

Lauren Peffley ’09, antitrafficking social worker at the International Institute of St. Louis Rhoad Moments Photography

Bethel University

All of this injustice is counter to the gospel, and it has to change.” Andy Johnson associate professor of psychology

interpersonal violence. “We take the time to not only learn about people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, but also provide nuanced educational resources that help professionals provide better treatment,” Johnson says. “It’s incredibly rewarding, but it’s also incredibly tiring.” Having witnessed trafficking in his own community, Johnson makes it a point to weave the topic into his course curriculum. Among the many drivers of human trafficking are sexual objectification and social exclusion, and Johnson believes students have the power to address both. He educates students about the consequences of suggestive advertisements, sexist jokes, and the consumption of pornography while familiarizing them with socioeconomic factors that make people especially vulnerable to trafficking—all in the hopes that they, in turn, will educate others. It’s evident through Johnson’s research that people on the margins of society face a greater risk of being trafficked. Johnson says traffickers often hire high school students to point out peers who have a disability, have suffered an emotional loss, or have been kicked out of the house. 28

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Up to 20% of Minnesota’s homeless youth have exchanged sex for basic necessities like food and shelter, and 44% of LGBTQ+ youth living on the streets of Minneapolis have been approached by traffickers.4 “When someone is socially excluded, they make easier prey,” Johnson says. “That’s where we come in. Part of our job as Christians is to show the love of Christ to others.” Beyond acquainting students with the issue, Johnson frequently finds opportunities for them to make a real-world impact. His students have developed educational materials for the Minnesota-based anti-trafficking organization Breaking Free, helped survivors tell their stories, and even attended graduation ceremonies for women who have completed Breaking Free’s recovery programs. “Instead of a standard test or paper, I want to let students contribute to the cause,” Johnson says. “We’re taking knowledge and finding out how it applies to real problems, because these things matter. All of this injustice is counter to the gospel, and it has to change.”

ADVOCATING FOR VICTIMS

Lauren Peffley ’09 has been accused of having a one-track mind, and she doesn’t disagree. She has

4 Statistics About Sex Trafficking in Minnesota and the United States, Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force, mnhttf.com, 2014.

dedicated her entire professional life to fighting human trafficking after studying the issue as a history major at Bethel, where she says a theology of poverty course emboldened her to “seek Jesus by seeking justice.” As an anti-trafficking social worker at the International Institute of St. Louis, Peffley provides comprehensive case management to survivors, which includes help finding housing, educational support, medical advocacy, shortterm financial assistance, and more. Peffley’s work is survivor-centered, which means her clients identify their own needs and goals. “We are not interested in speaking over people who have been silenced for far too long,” she says. “We allow people to use their own voices and then actively listen to what they have to say.” Peffley is also a teaching assistant for a graduate-level sex trafficking course at Washington University and part of a research team working to create a trauma and trafficking survivor resource manual for the state of Missouri. She keeps a close eye on state and federal legislation that may impact her practice and says legislation like Minnesota’s Safe Harbor Law—which serves as a national model for anti-trafficking policy—is a significant step forward for survivors and service providers. Besides increasing penalties for traffickers, the law protects minors involved in the sex industry by

DO YOUR CONSUMER CHOICES FUEL THE DEMAND FOR FORCED LABOR? If you own a smartphone, wear makeup, or enjoy eating shrimp, the answer is probably yes. treating them as victims rather than criminals and directing them to specialized services instead of juvenile detention. It also secures funding for restorative housing specifically for survivors of sex trafficking, filling what Peffley called “a massive housing and services gap that has existed for far too long.” Since the enactment of the Safe Harbor Law, the number of sex trafficking convictions in Minnesota has doubled.5 Still, most states have yet to pass similar legislation, and further protections for adults trapped in the sex industry are sorely needed. Many victims are convicted of or imprisoned for drug offenses, prostitution, traffic violations, loitering, and other criminal activity they had little control over.6 “Having barriers around safe housing, stable employment, or benefits can push people back into the life of exploitation,” says Peffley, who hopes to someday affect change at the legislative level. “Any policy that eliminates those barriers is incredibly important.” Known to be a low-risk, highreward industry with minimal prosecution, human trafficking is hard to detect and even harder to 5 “Let’s Put a Red Light on Sex Trafficking,” Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, ag.state.mn.us. 6 “Expand Minnesota’s Safe Harbor for Sex Trafficking Victims,” Star Tribune, Jan. 10, 2019.

While the problem of human trafficking encompasses both sex and labor trafficking, the former often obscures the latter. That’s a problem, says Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies Stina Busman Jost, because the average American is either unaware of or reluctant to address his or her contribution to the labor trade. “Because of globalization, we have lost ourselves in the chain of goods,” she says. “But our consumerism, our desire for cheap goods, has a real impact on a real person who works on an assembly line in India or China.” Coming to terms with our own culpability in the labor trade can be difficult, but even taking small steps to address the problem can trigger a big change: Consider buying used clothing. Purchase produce from local farmers markets. Research companies who have fair labor practices woven into their social mission. “Making lifestyle changes in the context of community is really helpful,” Busman Jost says. “Research shows that trying to go it alone gives our resolutions less staying power, and that’s where the church comes into play. From small groups to social movements, we have to help create a different culture—one that isn’t fueled by an insatiable desire for the next new thing.”

prosecute. In 2017, law enforcement officials identified more than 100,000 victims worldwide, but only 7,045 traffickers were convicted.7 Although the trafficking industry and the subsequent pressure Peffley feels continue to grow, she is encouraged by the progress she sees every day. “The thing that has sustained me thus far and keeps me looking forward to the work ahead is being surrounded by a host of bold, brave survivor-leaders and amazing advocates dedicating their lives to combating human trafficking,” she says. “Together—here and now— we are creating a future with less exploitation.” 7 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report. U.S. Department of State, state.gov, June 2018.

ENVISIONING A SOLUTION

For more than a decade, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies Stina Busman Jost has asked her students to grapple with a crucial and often convicting question: In the face of an injustice as monumental as human trafficking, what is the responsibility of the church? “It’s easy to get overwhelmed,” says Busman Jost, whose research focuses on how Christians can impact counter-trafficking efforts. “But, because our faith teaches us that every person is made in the image of God, we are especially encouraged and equipped to recognize how important this work is.” Having taken Bethel students to study trafficking in Cambodia Bethel University

four times in the last seven years, Busman Jost has seen firsthand how the industry has adapted and evolved to survive. Woven into the very fabric of global society, the problem has proven difficult to unravel—but those involved in antitrafficking efforts have increasingly considered faith-based, purposedriven institutions like Bethel to be important contributors to the cause. With extensive networks, established community connections, and impassioned experts, faith communities are uniquely equipped to help build a world where freedom triumphs over fear.8 “The problem of human trafficking is multidimensional in nature, so it will take minds and hearts from a variety of disciplines to fully address it,” says Busman Jost. As faculty advisor to Bethel’s chapter of International Justice Mission (IJM)—an international human rights organization working to eradicate slavery worldwide—she has seen hundreds of students commit to understanding and raising awareness of human trafficking. Members of the club have written letters to congresspeople, volunteered with local nonprofits, shown educational documentaries on campus, and raised significant funds to support IJM’s efforts on the ground. 8 “Faith-Based Partnerships to Combat Human Trafficking,” National Human Trafficking Resource Center, traffickingresourcecenter. org.

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With majors from history to business to nursing, the club is a microcosm of the type of solution Busman Jost is talking about. It will take a legion of psychologists, social workers, storytellers, healthcare providers, educators, and survivor-leaders to topple an industry that has taken root in every corner of the world. And, perhaps more than anything, it will take an abundance of hope. “I know the God we serve and I know the tenacity of our students,” says Bunker, who has led campus ministries at Bethel for 11 years. “There will always be battles, frustrations, opponents, and statistics that will stand in our midst and say, ‘Just stop. Go home.’ But if we

seek the wisdom of the Lord and look to those who have gone before us and made remarkable strides, we will, even with casualties, win the battle.” Writer’s note: Through the process of writing this story, I stumbled across a website designed to show consumers how their personal choices can fuel the trafficking industry. As a 26-year-old woman who resides in a northern Twin Cities suburb, I have about 38 slaves working to sustain my standard of living. Learn how many slaves work for you—and what you can do to change it—at slaveryfootprint.org.

WHAT NOW? Each one of us has the power to effect change. Here are a few things you can do to get started: • Know the facts. Most victims are manipulated, threatened, or otherwise coerced into trafficking, often at the hands of their partner, spouse, or parents. Learn more about the many forms of human trafficking at polarisproject.org. • Educate others. Invite your family and friends to watch documentaries like Nefarious, encourage your church to host an expert speaker from the field, and learn how to identify trafficking through free resources at rebeccabender.org. • Donate your time and resources. Familiarize yourself with local faith communities or nonprofits working to further the cause and get involved. Browse a list of anti-trafficking organizations in Minnesota at mnhttf.com. • Report trafficking in your community. If you believe you have information about a possible trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888.373.7888. Calls are kept confidential, and help is available 24/7.

Measure our performance by what God accomplishes through our graduates after they have been prepared at Bethel to go out into the world to serve.”

ALUMNEWS

—John Alexis Edgren, founder

60s Martie (Gemmel) Tracy ’66 and her husband, Hugh, returned to Peru after a 10-year absence and resumed their roles in the Quechua ministry, where they work with Wycliffe Bible Translators to teach, preach, and promote the use of Quechua Scriptures. They are encouraged to see spiritual growth among the believers and continue to pray for the community as both challenges and blessings affect them.

70s Shelley (Danielson) Spanogle ’72 retired in 2017 from teaching high school English at Clearfield Alliance Christian School in Clearfield, Pa.

80s Eileen (Jones) Hanzel ’80 works at Red Wing High School as a special education paraprofessional. Red Wing, Minn. Phil Schweizer ’80 competed in the 104mile National Gravel Grinder Championships—a bicycle race that takes place on dirt roads in remote areas—in Lawrence, Kans., in April 2018, winning the 60+ age group and becoming a national champion. Colorado Springs, Colo. Karen (Hull) Shaw ’81 is an assistant professor of cross-cultural ministry at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon. Her book, Wealth and Piety: Middle Eastern Perspectives for Expat Workers, was published in August 2018.

Crystal (Jacobsen) Kirgiss ’85 is the vice president of discipleship for Young Life, a ministry that introduces adolescents to Jesus and helps them grow in their faith. She completed her Ph.D. at Purdue University in 2013. West Lafayette, Ind. Al Velasco ’87, executive vice president and western division manager of PrimeLending, received the HousingWire Vanguard Award, which acknowledges a select group of executives whose leadership has made a significant impact. He played a key role in PrimeLending’s branch expansion initiative and is a coach and team-builder dedicated to guiding and mentoring young leaders. Victoria, Minn. Michael Carhart ’89 is an associate professor of history at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. He is the author of The Science of Culture in Enlightenment Germany, and his new book, Leibniz Discovers Asia: Social Networking in the Republic of Letters, has recently been published.

Rod Reed S’94 now serves as chancellor at Indiana Wesleyan University. Marion, Ind. Retired Army Chaplain Greg Hill S’96 received the Military Officers Association of America Leadership Award in January during a ceremony in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

00s Daisy (Johnson) May S’01 was ordained in the Assemblies of God Church in April 2018. Minneapolis, Minn.

Bethel Magazine includes Alum News from all schools of Bethel University. “S” indicates news from Bethel Seminary alumni, “CAPS” indicates news from the College of Adult & Professional Studies, and “GS” indicates news from Graduate School alumni. All other news is from

90s

College of Arts & Sciences alumni.

Paul Sorrentino S’93 retired after 27 years at Amherst College, where he had the privilege of serving as director of religious and spiritual life, Protestant advisor, multifaith council advisor, and Christian Fellowship (InterVarsity) advisor. He and his wife, Karen, live in South Deerfield, Mass.

we do, we cannot be responsible for

Rothko (Sara) Hauschildt ’94 has begun a two-year master’s in spiritual formation program at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. She is in the health care chaplaincy track and plans to work as a hospital chaplain.

While Bethel strives for accuracy in all the content of news items submitted by alumni. The inclusion of news items here should not be construed as an endorsement of their content by Bethel Magazine or Bethel University. Due to limited space, Bethel Magazine reserves the right to exercise editorial discretion in the publication of alumni news and photos.

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Randolph Frank S’03 serves as chaplain at Froedtert Health Community Memorial Hospital and has written the book God’s Gracious Creatures: Tales of Wings and Tails, which includes both scientific and biblical allegorical descriptions of creatures found within a sanctuary near the Milwaukee River. Mequon, Wis. Andy Kocemba ’03, president and CEO at Calhoun Companies, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota. He is also a member of the International Business Brokers Association, the Mergers and Acquisitions Source, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

10s Brittany (Baurle) Kooi ’12 has been ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She is the solo pastor for both the First Evangelical Lutheran Church and St. Philip Lutheran Church. Blue Island, Ill.

Marriages Kim (Johnson) ’12 married Tom Christner in August 2018. Members of the bridal party included Ashley Mulliken ’12, Jenny Freese ’13, and Caitlin Schmidt ’12. Plymouth, Minn.

Professor of Theology Emeritus Alfred Glenn ’57, age 86, died on January 28. He was Bethel’s first campus pastor and a longtime professor of theology—both at the college from 1964 to 1994 and at the seminary from 1985 to 1995—and left a lasting legacy among both students and colleagues. “Al Glenn was one of those special professors I sought to emulate,” says David Clark, who has served in various faculty and administrative roles at Bethel since 1988. “He combined a deep commitment to evangelical 32

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Births Sophie Charlotte was born in November 2018 to Rachel (Green) ’97 and Aaron Tollefsrud. She joins siblings Grace, 8, and Jonah, 6. Willmar, Minn. Felicity Dawn was born in January to Grant and Kari (Morstad) Weber ’07. Ham Lake, Minn. Graeme Charles was born in September 2018 to Morgan (Baker) ’11 and Ryan McDowell ’12. Richfield, Minn. Henry Clarence was born in June 2018 to Travis and Casie (Ecklund) Jensen ’14.

Deaths Former Bethel professor Robert (Bob) Mounce, age 98, died January 24 in Seattle. He served as a dive bomber pilot in the Naval Air Corps during World War II, and as professor and chair of biblical studies at Bethel College & Seminary from 1958 to 1967. He will be remembered as a beloved educator, stalwart institutional leader, tireless scholar, prolific writer, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is preceded in death by parents George Douglas and Edna Florence Kays, brother George, and wife of 60 years Jean. He is survived by his second wife Rachel, daughter Teri (Terry) Gundlach, sons Mike (Nancy) Bertuleit, Bill (Robin) Mounce, Dave (Gini) Mounce, and Doug (Lili) Mounce, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

theology with a curious mind and a genuinely loving spirit. He represented the best of Pietism. To me, Al Glenn was a beautiful, authentic Jesus-follower.” Glenn is survived by his wife Barbara, who also taught at Bethel for a number of years; children Kimberly (Scott) and Kristin (Dan), six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Homecoming October 4–6, 2019

There’s something for everyone during Homecoming 2019, from favorites like a Royals football game to free, family-friendly activities and gatherings for specific degree and interest groups. And…we’re going back to Royal reunions! The following groups will celebrate their reunions this year: undergrad classes of 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014, and seminary class of 1969. There will also be a Platinum Alumni Brunch for the undergrad classes of 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, and 1964. Interested in helping to plan your class reunion? Want more information about Homecoming? Visit bethel.edu/events/ homecoming for details.

Jean (Danielson) Reed ’52, age 87, died October 10, 2018. She was married to her husband, Richard, for 45 years, and they were involved in starting churches in State College, Pa., and Lakewood, N.Y. She is survived by daughters Joy (Alan) McGaughran, Deborah (Tom) Marks, and Julie (Ron) Korfmacher as well as nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Warren, Pa. Robert (Bob) Lindaman ’58, age 81, died in October 2018 after a quick and difficult battle with cancer. He taught high school English for 35 years, owned his own business, directed church choir, and continued to farm through harvest 2018. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Pam (Everburg) Lindaman ’59; children Jann (Lindaman) ’87 and her husband Dennis Guldseth ’87, Chad Lindaman, Jill (Lindaman) Besong ’91, Dana Lindaman ’93 and Amy (Lindaman) Carlson ’94 and their spouses; 11 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Windom, Minn. Sharon (Edlund) Johnson ’65 died March 8, 2018, of a weakened heart brought on by chemo. She and her husband of 51 years, Richard ’65, had the opportunity to join a group from Bethel University on a trip to Israel in June 2017 to follow Jesus’ steps. She is survived by her husband, sons Brian ’92 and Kevin ’94, daughters-in-law Miecke (Larson) ’92 and Paula (Galinski) ’94, and multiple grandchildren. Arbor Vitae, Wis. Roger Hunt, who attended Bethel from 1956 to 1958, died on November 9, 2018, at age 80, after a five-week hospitalization from a complicated surgery. He served for 22 years on active duty as a member of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps all over the world with his family. He is survived by wife Sharon, daughters Dawn (Hunt) Siemens ’84 (Ted) and Heather Taguchi, son Lamont Hunt, and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Brandon, S.D.

BUnited Breakfast, October 2018

BUnited Breakfast BethelBiz breakfasts—networking events for Bethel business alumni and students—were drawing so much interest that Bethel’s Office of Alumni and Family Relations wanted to accommodate more attendees. The office added funding and invited a wider audience, and BUnited Breakfasts were born. The first BUnited Breakfast of the academic year was held in October 2018 and more than 60 people attended to connect with Bethel community members past and present, business-related and not. Over coffee and pastries, attendees heard the powerful story of the Hed family— Steve ’77 and Anne, along with their children Andrew ’18 and Rebecca ’21. The family business, Hed Cycling, is based in Roseville, Minn., and manufactures competitive bicycle wheels, serving customers that include Olympians and Tour de France competitors. When Steve died suddenly in 2014, the family’s journey took some unexpected, challenging turns. At the BUnited event, they shared about loss, love, and the creative innovation flowing from their desire to continue the work Steve began. BUnited Breakfasts are open to all Bethel alumni and friends. Visit bethel.edu/magazine/bunited-breakfast to learn more.

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The natural and human beauty I saw during my study abroad made me recognize God as Creator and showed me the breadth of what He has absolute dominion over. My travel experience allowed me to pursue my relationship with God in a new setting, and helped me practically apply many of the discussions and revelations regarding spirituality from my time at Bethel so far.”

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ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE MAJOR PETER WACHTLER ’19 TOOK THIS PHOTO IN THE SAHARA DESERT IN MOROCCO DURING THE “SEMESTER AT SEA” TRIP IN SPRING 2018.