News

Alumni and faculty gathered to commemorate the closing of the Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Reconciliation Studies By Elena Vaughn Faculty and alumni gathered in the Eastlund Room Thursday May 9 to honor and celebrate the closing of the Department of Anthropology, Sociology and Reconciliation Studies (DASRS). There was initial time for mingling and then a mix of alumni and faculty shared their parting words. Many of the alumni speeches were nostalgic and fond, describing the home they found in the “I-pod,” their name for the department’s townhouse offices. Many described the professors as warm, inviting and intellectually challenging. James Hurd, professor emeritus of anthropology, gave the opening remarks and included a quote from poet W.H. Auden. “Thou shalt not sit with statisticians nor commit a social science,” Auden said. Hurd added to this line, saying, “We’ve been committing social sciences all these years and gotten away with it until… Keep Reading

Provost Deb Harless presented the recommendations and results of the Faculty Load and Structure Working Group in reducing expenses to reach target savings. By Emma Harville As budget shortfalls sent waves throughout the Bethel community in the past year, several working groups of staff were established last spring to work through these shortages and recommend changes in order to reduce costs. Provost Deb Harless and associate provosts Deb Sullivan-Trainor and Randy Bergen held a session Thursday morning to discuss the Faculty Load and Structure Working Group’s recommendations on how to address the budget, particularly pertaining to faculty course loads. The Faculty Load and Structure Working Group’s objective in meeting was to “identify one or more equitable systems for faculty loads that work across all four schools and result in cost savings” and reduce costs by $1,150,000. Each course allows faculty members to obtain a number of Teaching Equivalency Units (TEUs)… Keep Reading

By Taylor Fondie College students are often running tight on money and time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves on a budget. Here is a list of ways to get the best bang for your buck! All these locations are within 5 miles of campus and offer a way to spend $5 or less. AMC Rosedale 14 1595 Highway 36 W, #1000, Roseville, MN 55113 Going to a movie at AMC can get expensive, however,  if you go on Tuesdays AMC offers five dollar movie nights. Bring a friend and take a break from studying to watch your favorite new movie. McDonald’s 1313 W, County Rd E, Arden Hills, MN 55112 Get a cheap McFlurry, McDouble & small fry from McDonald’s and enjoy a walk around the trails of Lake Johanna. Be sure to go in and order your food to get an additional Bethel student discount for… Keep Reading

Listening session informs students about presidential search By Elena Vaughn CarterBaldwin Executive Search co-founder Price Harding held a listening session in the Olson Boardroom to hear student feedback on the search for a new university President May 2, but only two students attended the event. CarterBaldwin is a faith-based search firm that looks for leaders for organizations such as Young Life, FCA and many universities. This search firm works to collect data on applicants and nominees, such as resumes and letters of interest, and conduct preliminary interviews. While CarterBaldwin initiates these first steps, the final decision is up to Bethel’s Board of Trustees. When discussing his motivation and vision for the company, Harding cited a desire to “plant leaders in organizations…so they can flourish…so the organizations will produce fruit for years to come for the Kingdom.” Bethel’s new president will be announced Spring 2020 and begin working that summer. The… Keep Reading

By Taylor Fondie With temperatures rising now that spring is finally here, it’s the perfect time to hit your old favorite, or maybe discover a new place for a creamy treat. This list doesn’t cover nearly all of the ice cream shops in Minnesota, but it gives some of the top selections of where to go and what to order. Izzy’s Ice Cream 2034 Marshall Ave St.Paul, MN Recommended Flavor: Chocolate Peanut Butter with Burnt Caramel for the Izzy’s Scoop The most iconic ice cream shop in Minnesota, offering many tasty ice cream flavors with a novel and smart twist. Izzy’s is home to the Izzy scoop, a delightful mini scoop on top, think of “the cherry on top” but instead of a cherry, it’s ANOTHER scoop of ice cream. Licks Unlimited 31 Water St Excelsior, MN 55331 Recommended Flavor: Fat Elvis Licks Unlimited always has a line out the… Keep Reading

Lacey Benz studies at Bethel and learns to fuse her faith and business career together. By Judd Martinson and Emma Eidsvoog Lacey Benz went from growing up on a farm in Blue Earth, which has about 3,000 people, to studying at Bethel, to riding the subway and interning in New York City for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Now studying economics, finance and international business at Bethel University, Benz knew Bethel was the place for her after seeing a Welcome Week video during her second visit to campus. “I just knew at that moment, ‘Wow, God has called me here to Bethel,’” the Bethel senior and Chief Investment Officer of the Royals Investment Fund said. Since studying at Bethel, Benz has noticed the difference between her classes at a Christian university and her secular high school. “In every single class I take faith as an aspect that we talk about at… Keep Reading

The discipleship group for LGBTQ+ and same-sex attracted students formed last spring under Campus Ministries, following the vision of Bethel University By Zach Walker and Jared Martinson When several students approached Assistant Campus Pastor Jason Steffenhagen about starting an official group for LGBTQ+ and same-sex attracted students, he grabbed a notepad and pen and listened. He contacted Pastors Matt Runion and Laurel Bunker with the idea of starting an LGBTQ+ discipleship group. Through that discussion, Prism was born as another vehicle for Bethel students to live out the first core value of Bethel University — following Christ and living out the teachings of Jesus. “[Students] wanted a space to be in community, to grow in their faith, to be able to talk about their faith,” Steffenhagen said. ”We talked about the need that we were seeing in our students and the areas where other forms of discipleship might not have… Keep Reading

By Sam Johnson Amid administrative changes, Bethel is transitioning its program into the graduate school, creating mixed emotions on campus. Since 2001, Bethel University has been one of two schools in the MIAC to offer athletic training as a degree, along with Gustavus Adolphus. But recently, administration is making some changes to the academic process of the curriculum that has existed in the undergrad school since its inception 18 years ago.   The approved changes, made by CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education), is causing administration at Bethel to change the educational requirement for students to now be taught athletic training at the graduate school only. That is consistent with any school in the country that previously offered an undergrad program in athletic training. According to associate provost Dr. Deb Sullivan-Trainor, this means that athletic training students at Bethel are going to be given the “3-2” academic setup.… Keep Reading