Clarion Staff

President Jay Barnes announces retirement

Published on February 28, 2019 in News by Clarion Staff

On Thursday, February 28, Bethel University President Jay Barnes announced he’ll retire June 30, 2020, when his second six-year term concludes. Jim Green, former board president and current board member, is heading the search committee for the next president. Prior to the announcement, Benson Great Hall bustled with nervous excitement as faculty, staff, administration, board members and students gathered for an unusual event. 35 members of the Board of Trustees, along with members of the Board of Governors, sat on the left-most side section of Benson Great Hall as the chapel commenced. Groups of students, parents and community members sat scattered among the Great Hall as President Barnes began to speak. As Barnes took the stage, photos flashed across the screen of himself, evolving from a youthful provost to a bald, photoshopped version of himself. March 5, a community gathering will discuss the next steps. “I know that we have…

Keep Reading

BSG investigates its own election

Published on February 26, 2019 in News by Clarion Staff

BSG appeals committee investigates discrepancy in GPA requirement for BSG President and Vice President and the late announcement of the opening of applications. By Clarion staff Bethel Student Government student body president and vice president elections were held Feb. 21. Student Body President Kennadie Anderson and Vice President Lucas Bentrud were the only candidates on the ballot, along with an option for write-ins. However, due to some discrepancies between the BSG constitution and the election bylaws, and questions about the timing of the email which announces the opening of the applications, an appeals process will delay the election results, according to the Vice President of Student Life William Washington. The email informing students about president and vice president applications came out late this year, according to guidelines in the BSG operations manual, which states: “An email should be sent out in the second week of January informing the student body…

Keep Reading

Royals beat St. Kate’s

Published on January 6, 2019 in FEATURED/Sports by Clarion Staff

The Bethel women’s basketball team edged out St. Kate’s 64-55 at home. By Zach Walker, Clarion Sports Reporter In game full of fouls, steals, and lead changes, the Bethel Royals defeated the St. Catherine’s Wildcats 64-55 Jan 5 at Bethel University’s Robertson Center. Scoring for Bethel was evenly spread. Hannah Johnson led the team with 14 points, while Taite Anderson and Makenna Pearson followed with 12 points each. Sam Orth and Danica Cambrice led the Wildcats with 12 and 11 respectively, the only players with double-digit points. Makenna Pearson proved essential to the Royals during the fourth quarter, hitting a pair of threes and leading the team in steals with five. Despite a tough shooting night, the Royals proved dominant on defense. Running a full-court press for most of game and a zone defense in the halfcourt, Bethel forced 22 turnovers. “Our zone came up big for us today,” coach…

Keep Reading

White Christian Imagination event coming to Bethel

Published on November 10, 2018 in FEATURED/News by Clarion Staff

Pastor to discuss “how whiteness has disembodied the biblical narrative Monday. “White Christian Imagination: How Whiteness has Disembodied the Biblical Narrative” features church planter and senior pastor of Lighthouse Church Dee McIntosh and will take place Monday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Eastlund Room at Bethel University. The Bethel Reconciliation Studies program will host the event, which hopes to approach whiteness and its implications on society. “This work is about, ‘How do we understand this social construction?’” said Tanden Brekke, who teaches a course titled “European American Experiences, Whiteness, and Reconciliation.” The event is part of the reconciliation course’s guest speaker agenda but is open to the Bethel University community. Brekke hopes students will come with their questions and perspectives. –Judd Martinson, Clarion correspondent

Keep Reading

Wednesday’s chapel service highlighting sensitive testimonies leads to all-faculty email

Published on September 1, 2018 in News by Clarion Staff

By Emma Melling A formal “Celebration of Learning Together” chapel was held in Benson Great Hall Aug. 29. This service emphasized the gifts of education and learning, a celebration of the liberal arts and recognition of scholars and faculty as well as the appreciation of stories. Professor of English and director of writing April Vinding shared her story, along with two Bethel graduates, Beccah Carlson and Anthony Bankes. These stories were shared with vulnerability. All three individuals opened up about struggles they have gone through. In chapel on Friday, President Jay Barnes recognized the raw and emotional nature of their stories, saying that “some people found their way to the counseling center after Wednesday’s chapel.” Vinding talked about her husband leaving and the impact that had on her and her children. Carlson discussed her struggles with self harm and suicidal ideation. Bankes shared what he would have liked to…

Keep Reading

Bethel soccer sweeps rival Northwestern

Published on August 31, 2018 in Sports by Clarion Staff

By: Conrad Engstrom Late game heroics propels Royals over Eagles A packed Ona Orth Complex came to watch the Bethel men’s soccer team win their home opener in dramatic fashion Friday afternoon. The game-winning goal by Brandon Martinez came in extra time. Bethel and the University of Northwestern St. Paul played the 90 minutes of regulations to a 0-0 tie before Martinez’s chop shot over Northwestern goalie Austin Gunkel to seal the victory. “It was a game where we really had to grind,” senior defenseman Thomas Redden said. “We knew Martinez would be able to give us a chance whenever he gets the ball.” Bethel shined on the defensive end of the field, giving up only two shots on goal and only four shots total. In the second half Bethel thought they had scored a goal when Andrew Zwart kicked a nice cross into the back of net. The referee…

Keep Reading

President and provost update Bethel faculty

Published on August 22, 2018 in News/Quick News by Clarion Staff

By: Emily Jan and Jasmine Johnson Bethel University faculty gathered in Benson Great Hall for the annual faculty retreat Aug. 21, where awards are handed out and faculty prepare for the upcoming year. The afternoon lineup of speakers included Provost Deb Harless, faculty senate president Chris Gehrz, and President Jay Barnes. The president and provost presented numbers regarding the budget and enrollment. Despite the College of Adult and Professional Studies, Seminary, and General Studies enrollment numbers being 4 percent short of reaching this year’s goal, Bethel expects to exceed its College of Arts and Sciences goal of 2,370 students by welcoming 2,383 undergrad students for the upcoming academic year. In addition, 120 Post Secondary Education Option and 30 Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development students will be attending this fall. Harless emphasized the positive impact the increase in PSEO students returning to complete undergraduate degrees has had on enrollment numbers.…

Keep Reading