I had a friend when I was about 12 and we were both homeschooled with tons of free time. And I was fascinated that it was something different. I wasn’t athletically inclined or anything like that and so I was like, “Okay, I kind of enjoy the hand-eye coordination challenge that this presents.” It took a while to learn, I had the time so I was like, “Why not?”
Perched directly across from a gaping hole in the oval of faculty, Bethel’s president Jay Barnes wore an ominous look, showing little excitement for the coming conversation. President Barnes had one hour to address the faculty senate meeting about his letter, co-authored with Scott Ridout, president of Converge Ministries addressing the churches affiliated with Converge Ministries. Their letter was an affirmation to churches’ congregation that both Bethel and Converge, in the wake of uncertainty with the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), would continue to hold fast in the traditional beliefs of marriage between one man and one woman.
Over the past two years, Bethel’s Spring Break Missions Trips have seen a decline in male attendance.
For the first time in school history, Bethel University is taking part in the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program (MISP). MISP is a program that works with college students to assist Mayo Clinic Ventures, Mayo Clinic departments, and Mayo researchers in assessing new product submissions.
The first sentence of Bethel’s value statement reads as follows: “Bethel University is a vibrant, Christ-centered educational community.” The campus’ concept of community revolves partially around the physical togetherness Bethel’s space provides — all academic buildings are connected via skyway and underground tunnel as well as all dormitories within walking distance. But when the Anderson Center, previously named Pine Tree Center, was purchased in 2013, questions regarding how the new building will assist with Bethel’s space needs began to surface.
Bethel’s security team has beefed up their fleet in 2015 with the acquisition of a brand-new Ford Interceptor. After 3,887 patrols and 1,888 escorts last year, Chief of Security Andrew Luchsinger sees the ride as a valuable addition.
Youth with a Mission, or YWAM, is a non- profit Christian missionary organization with offices across the world, YWAM draws students, both international and domestic, some of whom now attend Bethel. Given the intensity of travels students endure during YWAM, adventures of all kind, good and bad, are commonplace. Unique foods, close encounters with Muslim radicals and mosquito nets were all part of freshman Grace Gaitan’s experience in Borneo, Indonesia.
October 14 marked Bethel’s ROAR (Raising Our Alumni Rate) Day: a one-day fundraising campaign that uses donations to give back and provide opportunities to future Royals. This provides students and alumni with the opportunity to celebrate all things Bethel.” Kristin Seely, Bethel senior and Supervisor of Royal Legacy, said.
Will Kah’s mind goes numb as everyone looks at him and waits for him to answer the question about race. He’s 21 years old at Bethel University and he’s the only black student in class.