summer 2004 bethany report

SUMMER 2004 the magazine of bethany lutheran college

9Studio helps connect Mankato to Norway

10Music a big part of the Bethany experience

18New Viking logo introduced

Bethanyreport

2 report | summer 2004

Growth and development are two important concepts that serve to define education. While vital for students, they are equally as

important for the Bethany Lutheran College faculty and the institution itself. In the past decade, Bethany has experienced tremendous growth: new buildings; increased enrollment; additional faculty and staff. Throughout this growth, it has been important to ensure that development keeps up with the pace.

The faculty plays the central role in developing and delivering distinctive high-quality Christian education. Thankfully the college has experienced

both significant numerical growth and professional devel-opment of our faculty in recent years.

As we began our journey into the baccalaureate world, the educational expertise needed for our faculty changed. The Ph.D. or other terminal degree is the norm for bacca-laureate institutions. We are thankful that the college has been able to assist a number of faculty to complete their Ph.D. and others who continue to work toward that end. This support comes from an endowment that has been established through the generous contributions of alumni and friends of Bethany. Additional Ph.D.s have been added through recent hires.

Our faculty have always participated as attendees and leaders in their professional organizations and continue to do so. Recent special gifts to the college have made it possible for us to support faculty to attend both national and international conferences and workshops. This summer several will travel abroad to three different continents studying issues ranging from language and culture to differences in business and medical practices. In addition to networking with international experts in their fields, each must adapt to language and cultural barriers. This gives them a unique perspec-tive in conversations with students on campus, particularly with those who have returned from international experiences themselves.

These experiences are vital to faculty development because they provide an opportunity to focus on a project or intensive research that would never be possible if it had to be squeezed into a normal teaching schedule. This past year we have seen some impressive accomplishments: a play was writ-ten and performed, significant artwork was produced and a book is nearing completion. Each of these projects has a direct impact on our students.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our alumni and friends. Thank you for partnering with us in this important endeavor.

editor | Lance Schwartz design, photography | David Norris proof readers | Mary Hansen Jonathan Kovaciny Elayne Luiken Glenda Williams Tami Tillman contributors | Peter Bloedel Adie Harstad Tina Hopp Lois Jaeger Steven Jaeger Rick Jeddeloh Jon Loging Jonas Nissen Derek Woodley

Please direct all correspondence, letters, news, corrections, and comments to: Bethany Lutheran College Bethany report 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001-6163E-mail: [email protected] | www.blc.edu(507) 344-7000 | 1-800-944-3066FAX: (507) 344-7417

ISSUE: XCVIII

The Report is published quarterly by the Bethany Lutheran College public relations office and distributed free of charge to the college’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.All contents © COPYRIGHT 2004 Bethany Lutheran College. Any use of articles, images or photographs may not be reproduced without written permission.

Mission: Bethany Lutheran College, owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, is a private, residential, liberal arts college committed to the teachings of the Bible as set forth in the Lutheran Confessions. Bethany provides studies culminating in a bachelor of arts degree. The college serves Lutherans and others by offering a challenging, student-centered approach to education that fosters spiritual development, intellectual and creative growth, self-understanding, and responsible citizenship. In keeping with its heritage, Bethany aspires to produce students with a clear understanding of Christian vocation, which calls for people to make the most of their God-given talents in whatever walk of life they pursue.

Bethany Lutheran College Board of Regents:The Rev. John A. Moldstad, Sr., ChairMr. Harold A. Theiste, Vice ChairThe Rev. Kenneth V. Schmidt, SecretaryWillis Anthony, Ph.D.The Rev. Mark BartelsMr. Jon C. BrussMr. Paul T. ChamberlinMr. Lyle FahningThe Rev. Herbert C. HuhnerkochMr. Roland ReinholtzThe Rev. J. Kincaid Smith, D.Min.The Rev. Joel Willitz Advisory Members: The Rev. Larry A. BurgdorfThe Rev. John A. Moldstad, Jr., ELS PresidentMr. William OvernThe Rev. Milton E. Tweit

On the cover: Joshua Taylor graduated in May 2004 with a bachelor of arts in music.

President Dan Bruss

Faculty are growing with the institution

Bethanyreport

from the president

education that lasts beyond a lifetime 3

April 29, 2004Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

In the days before TV and radio a noted actor was invited to a social function to entertain with some of

Shakespeare’s masterpieces. After he had finished and the applause had subsided an aged minister requested the actor to read Psalm 23. The actor thought for a moment and then said: “I will do so on one condition that you will do the same after I finish,” “I? Why, I am not trained in all the fine points of the arts as you are,” the clergyman replied. But finally he agreed.

Impressively the great actor began. He had his audi-ence spellbound as he went from verse to verse. When he finished the guests burst forth with enthusiastic applause. Then the minister arose hesitantly. His voice was rather raspy. At times he even seemed to falter. He was not as impressive as the actor. When he had finished there was no applause to break the silence, but there was not a dry eye in the room. Many had bowed their heads in reverence. The actor arose and put his hands upon the shoulder of the old minister and said to the audience. “I reached your eyes and ears but my friend touched your heart. That is the differ-ence: I know the twenty-third Psalm, but our friend here knows the Good Shepherd.”

Let us then consider the Lord is my Shepherd. This is a proclamation of confidence. The holy writer begins by saying, “The Lord is my shepherd.” The Lord is our shepherd because in the person of Jesus Christ He laid down His life for the sheep. (John 10:12) All we like sheep have gone astray in the terrible corruption of sin. We are sheep who love to wander in iniquity. We

were totally under the control of the devil. Yet Jesus came into the world for one purpose, and one purpose only, and that was to save us from the old wolf, the devil. He fought the death struggle with Satan on the cross. Here Jesus defeated the devil in battle and freed us from his deadly grasp. Still as the old wolf was being crushed, he was able to give the Good Shepherd a death wound with his sharp teeth. Jesus then died destroying the power of sin, death, and the devil. Still the sheep were not left without a shepherd because in three days the Good Shepherd arose triumphant from the grave, our victorious Savior.

With such a Lord as our Good Shepherd, we shall not want in this life. David says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” As the Old Testament shepherd lovingly led his sheep to rich green pastures and gentle water where they did not have to fear the enemy because the shepherd’s staff was near, so the Good Shepherd who has already given His life for us will always care for us guiding and leading us through this earthly life.

This we as Christians must always remember. This spring the world scene and the economic situation appears very bleak. Threats of terrorism are on the horizon, the war in Iraq continues, unemployment is on the rise, and the economy is none to good. Some are wondering if they are going to make it through the year and young people who are about to begin new careers are wondering if it is worth even starting. People are facing utter despair all around us. Worry and concern are heard everywhere. Now anyone with a brain in his head is concerned about the future and is planning accordingly, but that constant, endless worrying that we are so prone to do only shows a lack of trust in the Good Shepherd. The Christian will plan as best as he can and then place himself in the Lord’s hand. He who has already given His life to save us from destruction has promised to lead us to green pastures and gentle waters. If He has already given us the greatest treasure, life without end, then He also will help us in all the needs and cares of day-to-day living. He may not always provide all the luxuries we have become accustomed to, but He will provide all that we need to support this body and life. Because the Lord is our Shepherd, we will not want.

Seminary President Gaylin Schemling

from the chapeL

Chapel continued on page 5

Picture a perfect early autumn day in Minnesota. Branches touched by the

first gentle hues of red and gold sway in a soft breeze above emerald grass under a crystal blue sky. Such is the setting that the Bethany fine arts division is wishing for on September 25, 2004, as they plan the second annual “Arts on the Green” festival.

The focus of the festival is to increase awareness of the many artistic activities, talents, and opportunities in our midst. In its second year, the entire fine arts divi-sion has hopped on the bandwagon with plans to expand the scope of activities to include even more music and theatrical events. Participation from members of the communication department, education department, and science department will increase the number and variety of offer-ings. Planned activities include the buzz of chainsaw carving, sweet harmonies of madrigal music, the wizardry of sidewalk magic, “chemistry in art,” and the “down-to-earth” feel of clay at the potter’s wheel. People attending the festival will be able to choose from a wide array of musical and theatrical performances as well as many hands-on activities all designed for

the enjoyment of young children, high school students, families, and Bethany’s own college students. All of that activity is certain to work up an appetite so refresh-ments will be available for purchase. Beth-any alumni are also invited to attend and even participate in the event.

‘Arts on the Green’ is backfine arts

You’ll notice some changes to the look of this issue of the Bethany

Report magazine. As part of a new graphic identity system for the college, this magazine and other publications produced by Bethany will begin to take on the new look that is being introduced with this issue.

Identity is important. Companies strive to make sure their look connects a viewer to their product or service. The theory is no different for a college—even a small, Christian, liberal arts college like Bethany. Bethany’s new look will be implemented in our advertisements, catalog, admissions materials, bill-boards, Website, and wherever you see the Bethany Lutheran College name.

You may have also noticed a slight change in our logo. Adding new typography and strengthening certain elements is the final product of feed-back from our initial offering.

With all the importance and consis-tency of visual imagery there is some-thing else that makes Bethany Lutheran College stand out among other colleges. For over seventy-seven years Bethany’s message of the “One Thing Needful” has not changed, and by the Grace of God it never will. While so many colleges can offer many unique things for students, Bethany Lutheran College is one of a few that can offer an “Educa-tion That Lasts Beyond a Lifetime.”

Thanks for reading the Bethany Report and be sure to pass it on to someone that doesn’t know about us.

— Lance SchwartzEditor, Bethany Report

New look for Report, logo


Erin Strom gets assistance from her mother, Rebecca, throwing a bowl on the pottery wheel during last year’s event.

Regent Bill Overn retirescampus news

Bill Overn, Apple Valley, Minnesota, recently retired from active service on

the Bethany Lutheran College Board of Regents. Overn was vice chair of the board for all but two years of his thirty-six years as a board member. According to Evangelical Lutheran Synod bylaws, Overn could have been re-elected to the position at the most recent synod convention, but he chose not to run.

During his board tenure Overn worked with four college presidents and helped

choose three of them. He brought consid-erable experience in the computer field to the college and according to Greg Costello, Bethany’s Chief Financial Offi-cer, Overn help to “bring the college into the computer age.”

Overn will continue to serve as a non-voting advisory member of the board. Bethany Lutheran College thanks Bill Overn for his many years of service to the college.

What: Arts on the GreenWhen: Sept. 25, 2004Where: Bethany Campus


Chapel continued from page 3

David continues, “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” He restores my soul by providing daily bread, but more impor-tant He restores our spiritual life through His life-giving Word and the Sacrament. Through these means of grace He nour-ishes and strengthens our faith-life so that we can live a more Christ-like life, a hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity following in the righteous path for the glory of His name.

The Psalmist gives even more comfort, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” All of us throughout our life descend the cold, dark valleys of the shadow. Everything around us seems dark and dreary. Each step forward is filled with pain and disaster. No one is there to help and our enemies mock and jeer. It seems that we are descending into the bottomless pit. Yet even in death’s dark vale we will fear no evil for our Shepherd is still guiding and leading us. With His rod He drives our enemies away and with

His staff He lovingly leads us on the way. He knows our needs before we ask and He is helping us even before we pray. He picks us up from all the confusion and sorrow of the maddening world and holds us secure. He says, “No one will pluck you out of My hand.” (John 10:28)

He prepares His table before us in the presence of our enemies. He feeds us with Himself in the feast of salvation. He anoints us with the oil of all His blessings, beginning with our baptismal anointing. He provides for us so abundantly that our cup runs over. We can’t even contain all He gives.

Then finally when we face our greatest enemy in the valley of the shadow we will fear no evil for Jesus has already crushed the power of death on the cross. When death grasps our life or the life of a loved one through cancer, heart attack, or other diseases, it is only natural that we fear. Yet Jesus our brother has already entered into death for us tearing it apart, ripping it to pieces. Now death for the Christian is not the terrible end of everything but the passageway to joy eternal in heaven.

Thus Paul in triumph proclaimed, “O death, where is your sting? O grave where is your victory. . .but thanks be to God that gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Then as we walk through death’s dark vale we know that the Good Shepherd who lovingly guided us through life, will certainly carry our soul home in everlasting joy where all sorrow and tears will be wiped away: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

The Lord Jesus is indeed our Shepherd, our Good Shepherd. Nothing on earth is good in comparison to Him. He laid down His life for miserable sheep who love to wander in sin. He arose the third day to assure us that He won the battle for us. Even now He continues to call us through the Word when we wander from Him in sin. His loving voice is filled with care and concern because He knows our many problems and desires to help. Do not despair in this vale of tears, rather run to the loving arms of the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep.

Members of the Bethany Speech Team competed at the Phi Rho

Pi National Speech Tournament in Los Angeles, California on April 11-18, 2004. Stacy Lilienthal, Julie Quist, and Elizabeth Gullixson joined coaches Jon Loging and Tom Kuster for a week of competition. Stacy Lilienthal received a National Bronze medal in informative speech.

The Bethany Speech Team completed its season with a Home Concert. The Speech Team hosts the annual Home Concert to entertain and educate the Bethany public and recognize the members of the Speech Team.

communication

Elizabeth Gullixson Julie Quist

Rachel Berger Stacy Lilienthal

Speech team member earns bronze2004 AwardsTop Newcomer Elizabeth Gullixson

Most Improved Speaker Julie Quist

Spirit Award Rachel Berger

Phi Rho Pi Degree of Highest Achievement Stacy Lilienthal

Pi Kappa Delta Leadership Award Rachel Berger

Most Valuable Team Member Stacy Lilienthal


Spring commencement at Bethany Lutheran College was held on Friday,

May 14, 2004. On this beautiful spring day 157 students were awarded diplomas—113 students received the associate in arts degree and forty-four students received the bachelor of arts degree. This marks Bethany’s fourth baccalaureate graduating class and is broken down by majors as follows: Business Administration – 9; Communication – 18; Liberal Arts – 8; Music – 4; Studio Arts – 3; Theatre – 2

Each year, as additional academic majors are offered, more students are choosing to remain at Bethany to earn their bachelor’s degree. Recently majors in psychology, English, and a dual degree program in engineering were approved. This brings the total of majors offered at Bethany to thirteen and will in the future provide upper-division study opportunities for more students.

This year’s commencement speaker was Dr. Craig Parton, trial lawyer and part-ner with the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi—Price, Postel and Parma LLP of Santa Barbara, California. Currently Dr. Parton is the United States Director of the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights located in Strasbourg, France. He is the author of two books on the defense of the faith, the latest entitled, The Defense Never Rests: A Trial Lawyer’s Search for the Gospel.

The evening before commencement, the graduating classes participated in a Vespers service led by Chaplain Mark DeGarmeaux. Dr. Tom Kuster, Chair of Bethany’s Communication Division, delivered the sermon.

Commencement marks the end of another academic year at Bethany. For the graduates it is a day filled with joy as well as sadness as they say good-bye to many friends, but look with anticipation to the future. This year’s class distinguished themselves academically as forty-five

associate graduates received honors and sixteen bachelor graduates received honors. The friendships made, the lessons learned, the honors achieved, and the faith strengthened will all serve these graduates well as they pursue their Christian voca-tion in the future.

— Ronald J. YoungeVice President for Academic Affairs

campus news

Diplomas given to 157 graduates

2004 Graduates grouped together after the ceremony for many photos. From left: Simon Schmidt, Greg Vandermause, Sarah Denn, Matthew Levorson, Daniel Morrison, Mandy Goossen, Timothy Sheehan, Julie Meilner, John Meilner, Adam Holtz, Matthew Wiechmann

Commencement speaker Dr. Craig Parton’s address was titled “My Apology to the Graduates.”

Martina Putirkova was just one of many graduates to pose for a photo with President Bruss.


Jay Roth joined the Bethany staff in 1988 as Associate Director of Admissions.

Because of his years serving as a teacher and principal in WELS Christian day schools, he was charged with promoting the college in Lutheran high schools throughout the country, primarily in the Midwest. Roth brought the “Bethany story” to thousands of students and hundreds of teachers in these schools. Over the years, Jay also served on the Wisconsin Education Fairs Board promoting higher education in Wisconsin.

During his years at Bethany, Roth wore many hats. He was Associate Director of Admissions from 1988-2001. In 1994, he became International Student Director and in 1998 added the position of Direc-tor of Internships and Placement. Roth served as head women’s basketball coach from 1989-1991, in 1994-95 as Interim Dean of Students, and as Transfer Coordi-nator from 1994-2001.

Roth will soon join his wife, Cheryl,

who began a new position as director of nursing at a nursing home in Chandler, Arizona. Jay Roth has served Bethany faithfully these past 16 years and will truly be missed. We wish the Lord’s blessings to Jay and Cheryl as they begin a new chapter in their lives in the sunny southwest.

Ken Brueske retired from Bethany at the close of the 2003-04 academic year. Brueske, Deferred Giving Counselor, worked for the College for nearly seven years. Brueske was responsible for many facets of Bethany’s planned giving program during his tenure in the development office. He routinely traveled the country speaking to alumni and friends of Bethany about ways to help the college through will planning, deferred giving, and estate giving. Brueske plans to continue to work in the development field near his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin at Luther High School, which is located in nearby Onalaska. Bethany is grateful to Ken Brueske for his years of service to the college.

campus news

Roth, Brueske take their leave from BLC

Ylvisaker visits for special dinner

Dr. John Ylvisaker, son of the late S.C. Ylvisaker, visited the

Bethany campus in May 2004. The College arranged a special dinner with fourteen recipients of Ylvisaker family scholarships. Student recipients of these scholarships represent some of the top academic students at Bethany. During the dinner, a few of the students surprised Dr. Ylvisaker with a birthday cake adorned with a small airplane. Flying has always been a passion of Ylvisaker, a private pilot.

Jay Roth (left) and Ken Brueske were given a reception in their honor.

campus news

Dr. John Ylvisaker was presented with a surprise birthday cake by the recipients of the Ylvisaker family scholarships during a dinner engagement.

Dr. John Boubel, Professor of History, has finished a job as consultant for a new series of children’s history books for Capstone Press of Mankato, edited by Bethany alumna Roberta Schmidt. Boubel found the process more involved than he thought it would be, particularly for chil-dren’s books. Boubel was included in the acknowledgments of a new book, Gathered Guests: A guide to Worship in the Lutheran Church by Timothy Maschke, published by Concordia Publishing House.

Polly Browne, Professor of Elementary Education, is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling studies from Capella University.

Dr. Ron Buelow, Professor of Math-ematics, and Dr. Ryan MacPherson, Professor of Social Sciences, published a joint article titled “A Lutheran View of Science,” in the Jan. 2004 issue of Forward in Christ (WELS) magazine. This article was a spin-off of their presentations at an April 2003 science symposium hosted by Martin Luther College.

Bill Bukowski, Professor of Art, had a solo show and presentation in January/February at the Waseca, Minnesota Art Center. Bukowski presented at Career Day for area high schools on April 16. He also welcomed the Maple River and Madelia High Schools to the BLC art department on April 21 for tours that included gallery visits with art students and a presentation about the Creation Fresco.

Ramona Czer and Lars Johnson, Professors of Communication, together with Mark Harstad, Professor of History and Religion, presented at the winter conference of The Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching and

Learning, held in Bloomington, Minne-sota, February 19-20, 2004. Their session, “Gaining Wisdom—Losing Control: Teaching Wisdom in the Student-Centered Classroom,” considered the theoretical benefits of both active learning and re-defining a traditional paradigm of classroom authority, and engaged the participants in two interactive exercises designed to facilitate a learning environ-ment that would put the above theory into practice.

Carlienne Frisch, Professor of Communication, is one of five women statewide to be recognized by Minnesota Rural Futures for showing exceptional leadership in the rural community. Her activities to benefit rural residents include being the sole fund-raiser for the Lake Crystal Community Theatre for several years as well as writing grant proposals to raise funds for the Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center. As a writer, Frisch had a manuscript accepted for inclusion in Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul.

Mark Harstad, Professor of History and Religion, was the guest speaker at the April 25 meeting of pastors and lay delegates of Circuit 8 of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The meeting took place at Mayville, North Dakota. The topic of the presentation was: “The Book of Psalms: The Little Bible.”

The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod has informed Dr. William Kessel, Professor of Social Sciences and Religion, that they are translating his books, The Life of Christ and The Living Church: The New Testament, into Spanish. They will use the translation for outreach to Spanish speak-ing people in America as well as in foreign mission work.

Dr. Thomas Kuster, Professor of Communication, was honored with a special gift by Phi Rho Pi, the national honor society for two-year speech

programs, at the conclusion of his nine years of service on the organization’s national speech tournament administra-tion. The lead article of a recent issue of Parliamentary Debate, the journal of the National Parliamentary Debate Association (vol. VIII, 2003), was authored by Kuster. It is titled, “Realizing the Treasured Values of Parliamentary Debate.” Finally, Kuster spoke at the annual support banquet for Evergreen Lutheran High School in Wash-ington on November 9, 2003. His theme was the Lutheran school as an “opportu-nity factory.”

Angie Nissen, Professor of Commu-

nication, successfully completed her doctoral coursework (an Ed.D. In Leader-ship) through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She will spend the remainder of the summer and next fall writing her dissertation. Nissen will also travel to China this summer to work on facilitat-ing a partnership with Chinese medical doctors to educate one another in the prac-tice and education of health and health related issues.

Dr. Steven Reagles, Professor of Communication and Religious Studies, delivered a paper at the Conference on College Composition and Communica-tion (4 Cs) convention in San Antonio, Texas on March 27, as a member of a panel on “Approaches to Critical Think-ing and Invention.” This convention of the National Council of the Teachers of English (NCTE) meets each year in the spring.

Professor Mike Smith, Profes-sor of Religious Studies, has completed the requirements for his Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degree through Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin. He was awarded the degree at graduation ceremonies on May 21. His concentration for the degree was New Testament exegesis.

faculty news



Bethany’s Norwegian heri-tage was reinforced in an

unexpected and exciting way this spring when Bethany’s students started taking still and video pictures around Mankato and emailing them to Norway.

The exercise put Bethany’s students and facilities in service of a project by Norwe-gian educators designed to help secondary students in Norway continue their studies of advanced English.

The fortuitous connection began when Bethany’s Prof. Erling Teigen, on a recent trip to Scandinavia, encountered Phil-lip Kaspersen, a teacher in Kristiansand, Norway, who described his involve-ment in a project to create an e-learning resource for use by students and teachers in Norwegian secondary schools, as well as by university professors and software engi-neers. The particular unit of the project on which he was working at the moment involved study of the American Midwest, and was built around the adventures of two fictional U.S. ninth graders in a small Minnesota town. The project sponsors desired authentic visuals of Minnesota life, especially that of high school students.

Prof. Teigen suggested that Bethany’s students might help, and he provided some contact information. Mr. Kaspersen emailed Dr. Tom Kuster at Bethany explaining their plans, and the joint proj-ect was underway.

In Norway, the project was sponsored by the Norwegian Department of Education, Agder University College, Norsk Interaktiv (a software design firm), and Norwegian Academic Press (a publishing house).

The first items sent from Minnesota were still photos of Minneapolis, Mankato, and surrounding farm country, taken

by Dr. Kuster, and by students of Prof. Denice Woller’s photography classes. Soon followed the first video footage, a series of scenes around Mankato created by Prof. Chris Johnson’s basic studio introduction class.

But the project needed video of actual high school students. Dr. Kuster contacted Dr. Don Poplau, principal of Mankato East High School, and Shelly Schulz, public relations director for School District 77. They selected a dozen students from East, and obtained appropriate permissions for them to appear in the videos.

On April 23, four students from Prof. Johnson’s class accompanied Dr. Kuster to East High School for the taping session. The crew consisted of Bethany students Rachel Berger, Mandy Goossen, Nina Maksymenko, and Lyuda Petrenko.

The students from East High School

were outstanding. Given a topic, they stepped in front of the camera and just talked, in plain and clear Minnesota English. Eighteen segments from thirty to sixty seconds in length were taped covering subjects ranging from classes and teachers, to fashion, music, speech, dance teams, and sports. One student spoke of her own Norwegian heritage, and how it is still honored in family customs.

The activity caught the attention of local media. A news crew from Mankato’s channel 12 (KEYC-TV) appeared to tape a segment for that day’s evening news.

There is no shortage of video production opportunities that come to the Bethany Studio and its students. The “Norway Project,” however, was one of the most unusual.

— Dr. Tom KusterCommunication Department Chair

communication

Video studio connects with Norway

Dr. Kuster prepares to film one of the East High School students for the video project. Facing from left: Shelly Schulz, public relations director for School District 77, Dr. Tom Kuster, Lyuda Petrenko, Mandy Goossen, Nina Maksymenko, Rachel Berger.

More than a quarter of Bethany’s student population is involved in formal music activities at the College each

semester. In addition to participation in academic music course-work and official ensembles, students enliven the dorms, the “Lab” coffeehouse, talent shows and other venues with their musical expression.

harmony An atmosphere of

fine arts

Students are exposed to music via the Fine Arts Series. Music is a hearty part of our worship in daily chapel. Music remains a vital part of the Bethany experience.

Music challenges, stimulates, and

comforts. Music study is offered as a vocational choice for students at Bethany, and the college has awarded degrees in music and church music since 2001. Most of our music students embrace the

disciplined study and performance of music as a part of other degree aspirations at the college. Thus the music depart-ment remains an important crossroads of thought for the college, and is one of the crucial intersections for those who pursue a Lutheran Liberal Arts attitude in their educational adventure.

There are several root ideas in the music program at Bethany, and they are inti-mately related to who we are as a college of the church. Music is a gift of God. We are stewards of the art, not the creator of the art. Nonetheless, we are called to be clever stewards of music. We recreate the sonorous experience each day, and in each rehearsal repetition a new facet of the sound and our understanding of the sound is expressed. We offer our music-making as a gift to our neighbor. Music can carry the words of the Gospel. Music, even wordless music, can go beyond the realm of text with a gentle power that benefits those around us. Our right to create and recreate music is balanced by a profound understanding of our responsible use of the art.

The college is serious in its responsibility towards the stewardship of music. This has been the case since its earliest days. Singing and playing is a pleasure, but the college understands that the pleasure is height-ened by the study of the unique grammar and syntax of music as it is expressed in the theoretical and historical disciplines asso-ciated with the development of the west-ern musical art. Students are invited and encouraged to study music theory, music history, and music skills (sight singing, ear training, keyboard skills) along with a challenging course of performance in the musical ensembles.

The Concert Choir is the oldest perform-ing group on the campus, but it gladly shares the stage with the annual blos-soming associated with a variety of other groups (established and impromptu), including the Concert Band, the Mary-Martha Singers, the Handbell Choir, Bethany Choraliers, the Jazz Band, String Ensemble, Drum Line and others.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly,

In addition to the Concert Band, Jazz Band, and String Ensemble, various chamber ensembles for woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and mixed groups have formed for special events or activites.


is the individual work in the music studio and practice room. In private lessons students come face-to-face with their abilities as learning musicians. The studio classes and the semester recital auditions are designed to teach us how to wrestle with music, to confront our weaknesses and build on our strengths. The time spent in private practice and individual coach-ing develops a personal discipline that is essential to the study of music.

Students together with a large and diverse faculty (the Bethany music depart-ment is fortunate to have extraordinary adjunct faculty who share the teaching responsibilities with the three full-time professors) work each year to explore the world of music. Whether on tour, in the classroom, in the recital hall, or in making music in the chapel, the work at hand reso-nates with the profound statement made by Martin Luther in 1538:

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. She is a mistress and governess of those human emotions which as masters govern men, or more often, overwhelm them. For whether you wish to comfort the sad, to terrify the happy, to encourage the despairing, to humble the proud, to calm the passionate, or to appease those full of hate... what more effective means than music could you find?

— Dennis MarzolfMusic Department Chair

Many opportunities exist for music participation at Bethany. Students can even set up a performance of their own in The Lab coffeehouse.

Photos (clockwise from top left) by Diana Cheek, Diana Cheek, Lydia Norman, David Norris

Photo by Steve Woit

The concert choir finished recording songs for a CD following this year’s spring tour.



The Theatre Department’s fall 2003 production of Antigone was judged

by a member of the Kennedy Center of American College Theatre. This was the first Bethany production to undergo such a process and thus enrolls Bethany into this organization with thousands of other colleges around the nation. The judge provided feedback from his perspective on the production. As a result of the process, two students were nominated for their performances to compete in an acting competition: Steven Corona who played Teiresias and Julie Quist who played Ismene. These two actors attended the Kennedy Center Regional conference at the University of Denver on January 18-25, 2004. Eight other students also participated in this conference to present their work in theatre arts, to develop their skills, and to interview for graduate schools. Those students include Jacob Kempfert (acting), Benjamin Inniger (sound design), Jacob Moldstad (playwriting), Jacob Yenish (lighting design), Andrew Umphrey (criticism), David Brassow, Heidi Harland, and Alyssa Schrader. Dr. Jonas Nissen, Professor of Theatre, accompanied the students to this conference.

fine arts

Theatre students receive honors

Jacob Kempfert Benjamin InnigerSteven Corona Julie Quist

Jacob Moldstad Jacob Yenish

Andrew Umphrey David Brassow

Alyssa SchraderHeidi Harland

Where Netherlands and Northern

Germany: Amsterdam, Haarlem, Zwolle, Groningen, Emsland, Weener, Norden, Dedesdorf, Cappel, Stade, Lubeck, Luneburg, Hamburg

When May 25 through June 7, 2005

Purpose To provide opportunities for

organ study in historic surround-ings on historic organs. Available as a three-credit course.

Activities Master classes, lessons, faculty

and student recitals and a visit to an organ builder’s workshop. Sightseeing whenever possible.

PresentersJudith Kresnicka, Chapel

Organist for Bethany Lutheran College, and Dr. Wendy Markosky, Associate Professor of Music at Canadian College University, Lacombe, Canada (Alberta)

What if I don’t want to study the organ?

This tour accommodates the non-organist as well. Paul Helland, International Cruise and Tour cruise counselor, promises an exciting tour of places which include local attractions, muse-ums, historic sites and more.

Contact informationInquiries can be sent to Judith

Kresnicka by email: [email protected] or by phone at 507.344.7748 or 800.944.3066 ext. 748.

EuropeanOrgan Study

Tour


In April, the Bethany Lutheran College Theatre Department staged “Icehouse Madrigals.” This play, written and directed by Bethany’s own Peter Bloedel,

takes a whimsical look at Minnesota-Norwegian culture as it pertains to relation-ships, church, deception, and of course, ice fishing.

The main thrust of the play depicts a crew of Minnesota ice fishing buddies, who concoct a plan to entice their friend, who is not enjoying his retirement in Florida, back up to Minnesota to go ice fishing with them again. The plan they employ for this enticement is to build “the grandmother” of all icehouses, a giant ice chateau, complete with a kitchen, an opulent dining room, bedrooms, running water, a bathroom complete with a flush toilet, and a sauna. The men keep their plan from their wives, who would disapprove. Through a series of misunderstandings, the women get word of the men’s plan, ensuing in a wildly comical confrontation in the giant icehouse itself.

The play makes use of four singers who chronicle each scene of the play with a madrigal (a style of vocal singing popular during the Renaissance). The madri-gals also deal with Minnesotan topics such as potluck wedding receptions and mosquitoes. The madrigals serve a utilitarian role to help propel the story, but also support the metaphor of “rebirth” that happens to the story’s protagonist.

The play enjoyed full houses for all five performances. The Bethany production studio recorded the show and a DVD will be made available.

fine arts

‘Icehouse Madrigals’ debuts

Photos by Denice Woller

faculty news

Last fall, Art Professor Bill Bukowski took an unprecedented third

sabbatical from his instructing at Bethany. He lived in Florence, Italy, worked at an etching studio, studied the Italian language, and visited several study-abroad programs paving the way for future visits by BLC art students. What follows are some “postcards” from his trip.

Dear Bethany Friends, I was thinking about you and I thought I

would let you know how things went on my most recent sabbatical. The trip was fantastic and far from routine. I was fortunate to travel with my wife Sherri (Goetzke) (’74), daughter Jenna, and niece Amy Knudson. We shared an apartment in Florence, Italy. The trip started and finished in Amsterdam. We spent several days in Paris visiting the Louvre, the d’Orsay, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. A special treat was a daytrip to Giverny to see Claude Monet’s studio and garden.

Florence, Italy The apartment we rented was only a few steps from

the famous Medici Chapel, the church of San Lorenzo in the heart of Florence. It was a dream to actually live in Florence; I walked around all day, every day, with a big smile on my face. My first visit to Florence was thirty years ago in 1973. It is a great city—so much art. Many of the works are still in the place where they were originally installed or created in the 15th century. While in Florence, I had an arrangement with the art school of Santa Reparata to work in their etching studio. It was a wonderful place to learn. After meeting some of the students and faculty, I was able to recommend the school to two Bethany students who are planning to live and study in Florence and attend Santa Reparata during the upcoming academic year.

We toured all of the art venues in Florence—many of them more than once. Beyond the visual art, we discovered the Florence music scene. We made it to twenty-two concerts of classical music performed all over the city. We listened to a wide range of music from Gregorian Chant to Verdi’s Aida to a jazz club featuring

regional groups. It was inspiring to hear Italian folk music played on accordions while sitting in front of Michelangelo’s David.

A new experience for me was attending the Leonardo da Vinci School for foreigners. I have a new appreciation for the study of language and the trauma of being a student again in a tough class. The best thing about taking Italian lessons was the opportunities I had to converse with the locals in their language.

A unique experience was delivered through the technology of computers. While in Italy, I was able to participate in a Bethany

P OSTC ARDS FROMEurope


Top: Bill and Sherri Bukowski in VeniceAbove: The Cinque Terra in Northern Italy

faculty meeting using a web camera and laptop computer. I was able to see and greet the faculty from Florence. My daughter, Jenna, did the same with her classmates at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm. We were also able to see and talk to our son Jeff and daughter Julia (particularly when Julia broke her leg play-ing soccer) at Bethany.

Field Trips With Florence as a home base, we took

several field trips on the weekends to Pisa, Cinque Terra, San Gimignano, Bolo-gna, Siena, and Venice. Each city has its own artistic identity, civic museum, and cathedral. I’ve always wanted to stay in the Tuscan region with the exception of Venice – a place I don’t care to visit. Seeing some new sites like the Morandi Museum in Bologna add new elements to future Bethany art trips.

Visitors and “Home” A big difference with this sabbatical

was that I could bring a home-life with me. Sherri managed the apartment and having two seventeen-year-old girls along kept things lively and light-hearted. Our home church, Mount Olive Lutheran in Mankato, supplied audiotapes of services that coincided with the church year.

Dr. Lon and Kathy (Goetzke ) Knud-son (’72) and Eva Voss, Jenna’s classmate from Minnesota Valley Lutheran High

School, joined our group while we were in Venice. The Knudson’s came with us to Florence. My cousin, Pete Poplask, also came for a visit. Pete traveled with me on both of my previous sabbaticals and on my first trip to Florence. Having friends and family visit made Florence feel more like our home.

Germany After two months in Florence, the

group took the train to Munich. I’d never been to Germany in my travels so the art collections and architecture were all new and outstanding. I was surprised with the familiarity I felt with the people. They looked like relatives and everyone was

eating pretzels and brats—it felt like a trip to Wisconsin.

For the past several years, Robert Tiegland, a young man from Worms, Germany has attended the Evangelical Lutheran Synod Youth Conventions with Jenna and Amy. The girls made plans to see their friend and stay with his family. One of the highlights was spending the evening with Robert’s parents and finding out about life in Worms. Beyond the camaraderie with the Tieglands, Worms proved to be an interesting and delightful town with much important Lutheran history. The Civic Museum has many Roman artifacts as well as Luther

memorabilia. The Pieter Dom cathedral is outstanding.

After spending time in Germany, we had been traveling for nearly two and one half months and the weather changed from summer to winter.

Amsterdam A particularly moving “non-art” stop

was the Anne Frank house. It has been preserved as it was when the Nazis found the Frank family hiding. The Rembrandt house was inspiring to see because they have all of his etchings on display. We made one side trip to Haarlem to see the Frans Hals Museum. Hals is one of the great brushstroke painters of all time. We could contrast his work with that of Vincent Van Gogh and the many works in his museum.

Artistically, the trip was perfectly planned. We began with the great French painters and collections in Paris, the body of the trip consisted of the frescos and sculptures of Florence and ended with the fabulous Dutch painters and etching master Rembrandt.

I greatly appreciate the opportunities to travel and study while teaching at Bethany Lutheran College and I enjoy sharing my experiences with students and staff. (The next Italy trip for students and friends is scheduled for March 2005.)

— Bill Bukowski Art Department Chair

15

Above from left: Jenna Bukowski, Robert Tiegland, and Amy Knudson in WormsBelow left: Amy Knudson by the bell tower in Pisa


BaseballThe 2004 season was a rebuilding year

of sorts for the Bethany Lutheran College baseball team. Following the graduation of many key players from the 2003 team, there were many questions heading into the season and many new faces in the line-up.

The Vikings began their season in Cocoa, Florida, on their annual spring trip going 0-6 against other collegiate teams from throughout the United States and Canada. Upon returning from Florida, Bethany traveled to Iowa to face Iowa Central and Kirkwood Community College, two of the best Junior College programs in the Midwest. Struggling through non-confer-ence play during the first half of the season, the Vikings were much improved during the conference season. Going into the last weekend of the regular season, Bethany had a chance to at least tie for the division championship, but lost three of four games to finish in third place with a 15-9 division record.

Bethany hosted and played in the NJCAA Region XIII Baseball Tournament for the final time. The Vikings, the two-time defending champions, went 2-2 in the tournament, losing to eventual cham-pion Madison Area Technical College 8-7 (10 innings) in an elimination game. Bethany finished the season with a record of 18-24.

Upon completion of the season, several members of the baseball team were honored for their performances during the season.

Darron Culbert and Adam Sorenson were named All-Region XIII, All- MCCC, and All-Southern Division players. Adam Cowell also earned a spot on the All-Southern Division team.

SoftballThe 2004 Bethany softball season

was successful. With an 8-17 record in

2003, the Vikings came into 2004 with a mission. That mission was to set a new standard for Bethany Lutheran softball. With just five sophomores returning, the team depended heavily on freshmen. The talent of the freshmen and the experience of the sophomores helped take the team to a 20-17 finish overall and a second place finish (12-8) in the conference.

The season began with spring training in

South Carolina during spring break. Play-ing five tough games against opponents mainly from Michigan and Georgia, the Vikings saw a level of competition that helped build team chemistry and develop overall skill. The team went 1-4 during the trip, but the competition gave the Vikings the sense of direction they needed to prepare for regular-season play.

The Vikings played a grueling schedule

athletics

End of season for spring sports

Back row from left: Joshua Anderson, Andrew Greibrok, Seth Hueckman, Christopher Thiel, Darron Culbert, Ryan Dwyer, Andrew Larson, Asst. Coach Ryan Kragh. Middle row from left: Adam Cowell, Ryan Browning, Andrew Halvorson, Kevin Johnson, Adam Sorenson, Thomas VanLoy, Head Coach Derek Woodley, Kevin Ott. Front row from left: Kyle Tengesdal, Karl Struck, Daniel Boisclair, Jonathan Mielke, Jacob Krier, Luke Hagen

Back row from left: Head Coach Tina Hopp, Jill Yost, Jenna Haag, Betsy Wierschem, Ashley Danielson, Katie Wiechmann, Asst. Coach Tiffany Klockziem. Middle row from left: Christina Madson, Leah Schwertfeger, Jessica Pieper, Erica Olson, Juliann Fitzsimmons, Renee Tatge. Front row from left: Hannah Deutsch, Kym Strege, Ashley Bateman, Abby Perron


against quality opponents. Regular season play kept the Vikings in the upper-level of the MCCC conference. The competi-tion helped build momentum for the post season.

Two home runs in the bottom of the seventh inning made the Regional game in Iowa against North Iowa Commu-nity College exciting, but it wasn’t quite enough to defeat them, resulting in the Vikings early return.

After Regional play, the Vikings competed at the state tournament in Brainerd, Minnesota. The team played well in their first-round game, defeating Central Lakes but lost to Rochester and Ridgewater, both games by one run. Coach Hopp looks to next year with optimism and interest. “It remains to be seen how we will compete in the UMAC, but with our returning talent and solid play I believe we will be a worthy opponent.”

Key contributors this season for the Vikings were Erica Olson, a member of the First Team All-Division and Juliann FitzSimmons, Christina Madson, and Hannah Deutsch who were all selected as Second Team All-Division.

TennisThe Bethany men’s and women’s tennis

teams ended the season on the wind-swept courts of Martin Luther College.

The men’s 2004 record was 3 - 7. Tough-est matches were played against future UMAC rivals Northwestern College, UM-Morris, and Martin Luther College. Tyler Freyberg represented Bethany well at the number one position and earned the team’s “Most Valuable Player” award. Brandon Londgren earned a regional championship medal for his play at number four singles. Londgren was also voted “Most Improved Player” by his teammates.

The Bethany women put a solid team on the court this spring finishing 5-7. With five freshmen and two sophomores, the future looks bright. Twice they soundly defeated future UMAC rival Northwest-ern College.

Freshmen Emily Lemke and Ashley

Schmidt earned their way to the national tournament in College Station, Texas. Lemke won her first round but was defeated by the past (and subsequent) national champ in the second round. Schmidt and Lemke also teamed up for doubles compe-tition at the national tournament.

Anne-Marie Zitur was voted the “Most Improved Player” for her play at number four. Emily Lemke received the “Most Valuable Player” award for leading the team at number one singles.

Women’s GolfKasey Schlicker and Melissa Ausen repre-

sented the Bethany women’s golf team at the NJCAA National Women’s Golf Tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida. The women competed against the best in the nation from twenty-four schools. The competition was difficult and the course very challenging. Kasey Schlicker played her best round of the tournament on the final day and finished in 77th place, and Melissa Ausen improved every day of the tournament and finished in 80th place. While in Florida, the players and Coach

Jeddeloh enjoyed a day at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine and a tour of the Daytona 500 Speedway. As an NJCAA member, thirty Bethany golfers competed in the national junior college tournaments in the past six years. It is safe to say that the golfers will miss the competition, but look forward to the challenges of competing in the NCAA Division III.

athletics

Men’s tennis team from left: Assistant Coach Dick Arians, Luis Berrospid, Tyler Freyberg, Chung-Harn (Steve) Chang,Ya-Harn (Roy) Chang, Brandon Londgren, Timothy Sheehan, Head Coach Adie Harstad

From left: Assistant Coach Dick Arians, Anne-Marie Zitur, Karina Harstad, Jessica Bartels, Diana Naatz, Ashley Rihn, Emily Lemke, Ashley Schmidt, Head Coach Adie Harstad. Not pictured: Chelsie Bengtson

Melissa Ausen Kasey Schlicker

See how the Men’s Basketball team finished

at the NJCAA Tournament in Danville, Illinois - p.18


Bethany Lutheran College Athletics has a new logo with a bold, new look.

The new logo will be used by the Bethany Vikings teams on uniforms, stationery, and promotional materials.

David Norris, Bethany’s Coordinator of Publications, created the logo. “We really wanted to create a Viking look that was unique,” said Norris. “Our current logo looked very similar to another Viking team that resides in our state—this logo gives Bethany a look all our own.”

The new logo came as a result of a survey of Bethany alumni about the now former Bethany logo and athletic look. The response was nearly unanimous—the alumni wanted the teams to remain the Vikings but to have a look unlike other Viking logos already created.

The new logo is being introduced at a time of excitement for the Bethany athletic programs. The college will enter its first full season in four-year athletic competi-tion this fall as a member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). (See story on page 19)

For more information about Bethany Vikings athletics, go to www.blc.edu/athletics.

athletics

Men’s basketball team places sixth

As reported in the previous issue of this magazine, the 2003-04

Bethany Lutheran College men’s basketball team advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in forty-two years. The campus was abuzz with excitement, ears were glued to the play-by-play on the radio during the three-day tournament in Danville, Illinois. The team competed against extremely tough opponents, eventually earning a sixth-place finish. A number of Bethany athletes from the national tournament team were given post-season honors and awards.

Alfonso Mayfield: MCCC All - Division; NJCAA First team - All American; National tournament - All Tournament; Region XIII - Most Valuable Player; Region XIII - All Tournament; MCCC All - State

Colby Swanson: National tourna-ment - All - Tournament; Region XIII All - Tournament; MCCC All - Divi-sion; MCCC All - State

Robert Smaller: National tourna-ment – Sportsmanship Award

First-year head coach Rick Jeddeloh also received the following honors: District 4 - Coach of the Year; Region XIII - Coach of the Year

Please join us for the Friends and Alumni Golf OutingWednesday, September 15 at 2 p.m.

Blackhawk Country Club, 3606 Blackhawk Drive, Madison, Wisconsin

$140 (includes 18 holes of golf, cart, dinner after golf, prizes) To reserve space, please call Mary Hansen at 800-944-3066 ext. 313

Friends and Alumni Golf in Madison, Wisconsin

Viking logo redesigned for Bethany athletics

The old Viking logo (top) and the new Viking logo.


The 2003-04 academic year marked the end of an era for the Bethany Lutheran

College Athletic Department. This past year was the last as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Minnesota Community College Conference (MCCC).

At the recent conference meetings, the presidents of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) institutions unani-mously voted to accept Bethany as a member beginning this upcoming fall sports season (2004). The Vikings completed their provi-sional year as part of the UMAC this past year. The UMAC is comprised of institutions whose enrollment does not exceed 1500, and who have a common mission of enabling student-athletes to succeed on and off the playing field.

Bethany will begin the provisional process to become an NCAA Division III member in the fall of 2005. The provisional period is a four-year process after which Bethany may become a NCAA Division III member and be eligible for post-season play. All UMAC schools are either Division III institutions or have applied for membership.

In addition, Bethany has been accepted as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Member-ship in the NCCAA began July 1, 2004 and allows most of our athletic teams an opportunity to participate in post-season play beyond UMAC Conference Tourna-ments. The NCCAA was founded in 1966 to promote intercollegiate athletic competition with a Christian perspective. Currently over 100 institutions are members of the organiza-tion. Division I members are Christ-centered liberal arts colleges and universities while Division II member schools are primarily Christ-centered Bible colleges. Bethany will compete as a Division I member institution.

This is a monumental period for the Beth-any Lutheran College athletic department as it begins a new era in collegiate athletics.

athletics

Viking athletics officially joins UMAC

An Era of Athletic ExcellenceBelow is a comprehensive list of championships won by the athletic teams of Bethany Lutheran College as members of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Minnesota Community College Conference (MCCC).

BaseballDivision Championships: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003MCCC Championships: 1990, 1993, 1999, 2000Region Championships: 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003

Men’s Basketball Division Championships: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1999MCCC Championship: 1997Region Championships: 1959, 1961, 1962, 2004

Women’s BasketballDivision Championships: 1980, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003MCCC Championships: 1994, 1995, 1999Region Championships: 2001, 2002

Men’s GolfMCCC Championship: 1998

Women’s GolfDivision Championship: 2002MCCC Championships: 1998, 1999Region Championships: 1998, 1999

Men’s SoccerRegion Championships: 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989

Women’s SoccerRegion Championship: 2002

SoftballDivision Championships: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000MCCC Championships: 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001Region Championships: 1992, 1994, 1996

Women’s Tennis Region Championship: 1985


alumni news

Photo by Denice Woller

BLC class members of 2025?Seeing a baby boom around campus, Kathy Bruss invited all the moms and babies of Bethany employees to a baby party at the president’s house to welcome them into the flock. From left: Matthew Strom, Derrick Zeldenrust, Simon Koviciny, Daniel Norris, Rylee Woller, Emily Buch, Ingrid Bloedel, Annika Younge.

1947Florence (Schedler) Hayakawa and

her husband moved to North Carolina to be closer to their sons and grandsons. Florence says, “North Carolina is not Hawaii or California, but we just go with the cold weather and enjoy living where we are planted.”

1948M. Howard Swenson continues to live

on and operate his farm near Nicollet, Minnesota. He has served for ten years in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

1949Betty (Mau) Kietzer became a great-

grandmother on December 17, 2003, when Zachary Zernechel was born. She does volunteer work at the hospital and clinic and still keeps busy.

Judith (Seltz) Volz and her husband, Paul, are living next door to their daugh-ter and her family in Carrollton, Texas, which is on the north side of Dallas. Judy

says, “the climate in north Texas is very pleasant but we’ll always be Minnesotans at heart!”

1951Donald and Jean (Kangas) Mahnke

(’52) will celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary on October 16, 2004. They have three children and seven grandchil-dren. On December 5, 2003, Don and Jean were selected to the “Laborers for Christ” program of the LCMS World Mission. They were called to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Palestine, Texas, to help add 9,250 square feet of steel struc-ture to the church. There were five other couples helping. Don says, “A wonderful time was had by all workers and members of the congregation. The Lord was there every day to help us learn from other well-trained workers.”

1954Rev. Wayne Borgwardt will be privi-

leged to be serving the Ukrainian Lutheran Church through “Thoughts of Faith,” an ELS-related mission outreach, beginning July 2004.

1957Sarah (Marth)

Olson is now a great-grandmother. Her great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Marie, was one year old on April 1, 2003. Sarah says, “Little Brooklyn sits at the piano, selects a certain hymn and plays beautifully (her way). What a joy!” Sarah still plays the piano and teaches on a limited basis. She makes her home in Stur-geon Bay, Wisconsin.

1965Melvin Fadness is getting ready to

retire from Lockheed-Martin after a career of more than twenty-one years. Mel will stay in San Jose, California, and continue to mentor his grandchildren with their chosen fields; Manuel in vocals and Chelse in dance. Manuel’s website is www.manuel-romero.com

1970Peter Hackstedde and Holly (Prehm

’73) O’Riordan are back together after 34 years. They dated while they attended Bethany High School, ended up reuniting and are now dating.

alumni news

21

alumni news

1975Paul Hanson and his wife, Sara, will be

celebrating their twentieth wedding anni-versary this September. They still love to get together with their Bethany friends. The Hansons make their home in Stock-bridge, Georgia.

Joan (Breckenfelder) Pearson is enjoy-ing her career change. For the last five years she has been working full time doing direct care for mentally and physically challenged adults. She loves her job and looks forward to going to work every day. Joan makes her home in Lake City, Iowa.

1976Dawn (Hildebrand) Burgstiner and

her husband added Jamie Darling to their family in February under their guardian-ship. They now have four children.

Audrey (Kletscher) Helbling’s article “Stewards on the Ship to Heaven” was published in the Fall 2003 issue of The Lutheran Digest.

1982Linda (Roemhildt) Cotton was married

on June 29, 2002.

Jolene (Liimatainen) Wagner is married to Pastor Don Wagner. They and their four children live in Elbow Lake, Minnesota. Jolene is principal and kinder-garten teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

1984Kari (Hughes) Mansur is the admin-

istrative assistant at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Marinette, Wisconsin. Her husband, Craig, is chaplain at Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette. They have two children, ages 13 and 9.

1986Eric Nordlie is currently living in

Rochester, Michigan, where he works for General Motors. His wife, Rachel, and

children Samantha (13), Noah (4), and Max (2) keep him pretty busy, but he’d like to hear from classmates. His email address is [email protected].

1987Carolee (Schwartz) Alfred and her

husband, Rick, would like to announce that their third daughter, Calla Rae, turned one year old on October 17, 2003. She joins sisters Alexa Rae (8) and Brynn Rae (5). Carolee admits there is never a dull moment with all those little ladies. She still teaches first grade in Gibbon, Minnesota.

1989Julie Eichhorst and Paul Evans were

united in marriage on April 21, 2001. They were blessed with twin boys, David Robert and Michael Roy, on September

27, 2002. The family makes its home in North Mankato, Minnesota.

1990Tracy (Fischer) Narf and her husband,

Steve, became parents on March 16, 2003. Their daughter’s name is Cassandra Marie. Tracy is managing a resale store and Steve is employed with the physics department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

1992WendySue (Yeomans) Fluegge and her

husband, Craig moved to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, with their two children Miranda (3) and Collin (5). WendySue released her third CD “Favorite Hymns”

The first-ever Joel Laube Memorial Golf Open was held on June 6, 2004 at Crystal Lake Golf Club in Lakeville, Minnesota. The event was planned by family and friends of Joel, along with Bethany Lutheran College. Joel graduated from BLC in 1984 and died tragically from an accident in 1987. Proceeds from the event benefit a scholarship at Bethany in Joel’s name.Former teammates, coaches, and friends of Joel from Bethany who attended the tournament: (from left) Loren Klausen (’84), John Nolan (’85), Steve Jaeger (’72), John Vander Aarde (’84), Kevin Carlson (’84), Andy Radatz (’85), Jeff Rohrman (’84), Mike Hussung (’84), Steve Erickson (’85), Chan Handberg (’84), Mike Butterfield (’66)

Joel Laube Memorial Golf Open


alumni news

last Christmas and continues to travel and sing for her Savior at thirty events per year.

Rebecca Marquardt lives in rural Janes-ville, Minnesota. She is employed with Midwest Wireless in Mankato, Minnesota. In October 2003 she was promoted to their Level 2 Technical Support Team and is enjoying this new challenge. She would love to hear from BLC friends. Her email address is [email protected].

Gregory Miller and Julayne Lindberg were married on May 31, 2003. Bethany

alumni participating in the wedding included: Steve McClellan (’92) and WendySue (Yeomans) Fluegge (’92). Greg is a consultant for Digital Data Voice Corporation in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and Julayne is an administra-tive assistant for The Institute for Athletic Medicine in Minneapolis. The couple lives in Eagan, Minnesota.

1993Arlene (Fleming) Gerlt and her

husband, Jason, have two sons, Arden (4) and Evan (3). Arlene is inventory manager at Omaha Fixture International and Jason is a full-time student at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the doctoral program in psychology.

Thomas Stierlen and his wife, Renae, had a baby girl, Abigail Ann, on March 6, 2004.

1994Troy Sunken is pleased to announce the

birth of his daughter, Abigail, born on July 18, 2003.

1995Laura Frederick married Andrew Albers

on April 10, 2004, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Laura teaches third grade in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. She is attending St. Mary’s University pursuing a master’s degree. Laura and Andrew make their home in Northfield, Minnesota.

Anne Hansen and Andrew Mundt were married June 26, 2003. They are relocat-ing to Houston, Texas.

Amy (Rasmussen) Stafford gradu-ated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, on May 8, 2004, with a master’s degree in multidisciplinary stud-ies, anthropology emphasis. Her thesis was titled, “Reflections of Culture: Form and Meaning in Signed Languages of the Deaf.” Amy is the treasurer for the city of Lengby, Minnesota, and a full-time mom to Solvieg and Jonah.

1996Crystal Anderson and her twin sister,

Charity, transferred to Covenant College

in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, after graduating from Bethany. They played two more years of basketball and both earned degrees in elementary education. Crystal also received a degree in art. Crystal married Shad Van Dyken in 1998 and the couple remained in Georgia for one year while she completed her schooling and then moved back to Montana. She taught for one year and then started a family. In January 2001, Grant was born, in July

2002, Shayla arrived, and in December 2003, Hailey joined the family. Crystal and her family send their greetings to all their Bethany friends.

Sara Moreus and Chris Lund were married October 12, 2002. They are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Denna Ruth, on March 2, 2004.

Lisa Patterson was married to Gotham Korcav on October 11, 2003.

Melissa Townswick and Alan Nolte were married in December 1999. They both

received calls to teach at Zion Lutheran in Toledo, Ohio, upon graduation from Martin Luther College. Alan is principal and upper-grades teacher at Zion. Melissa taught first through fourth grades for two years and now stays home with their two daughters, Emma Ruth (1) and Elise Naomi, who was welcomed to the family on March 26, 2004. Elise weighed 8 lbs., 13 oz. and was 21 inches long. Their website is: www.thenoltes.com.

1997Darin and Shanna (Niles) Eastvold

announce the birth of their firstborn son, Derek Lee, on February 7, 2004.

Heather Camp-bell was married June 13, 2002 to Saleh Jibriel. Their son, Rasheed, was born June 10, 2003. The family lives in Cincinnati, Ohio,

23

alumni news

and can be reached at their email address: [email protected].

Andrea (Olmanson) Schumacher, daughter of Kent and Pam Olmanson and granddaughter of Duane and Marilyn (Hanson) Olmanson (’50) is expecting her second child in July 2004. Her daugh-ter, Sophia, will be three in June.

Christopher Dale was ordained to the office of the holy ministry January 18, 2004 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Ulen, Minnesota. His wife, Sarah (Harstad) Dale (’99), is working as a surgical RN at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

1999Anna (Brooks) Brandt graduated with

a master’s degree in church music (organ) from Concordia University, Wiscon-sin, in December 2003. She and her husband, Chris, are living in St. Louis, Missouri, where he is attending Concor-dia Seminary. Anna is director of music at Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Missouri. Chris is taking a delayed vicarage so Anna can help oversee the installation of the new 30-rank Casavant Freres organ at Village Lutheran Church this summer. She is considering enrolling in the Ph.D program in musicology at Washington University in St. Louis this fall. Chris and Anna can be emailed at [email protected].

2000Erin (Reining) and Scott Spencer (’01)

were married in June 2002.

2001Karlene Apelt graduated cum laude

from Minnesota State University, Mankato on May 8, 2004. She received a bachelor of arts degree in law enforcement and Spanish, and a minor in psychology. She is currently living in Minneapolis, Minne-sota.

Blair Oklobzija and Amanda Paulson plan to marry in October 2004.

Joshua Trautman was married to Christy Torhorst on June 5, 2004. Josh graduated in May with a degree in agricultural busi-ness. Christy will be attending medical school in Madison, Wisconsin, where the couple plans to make their home.

Miranda Umphrey graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato, with a BA degree in elementary education. She recently accepted a call to teach first grade at Mount Olive Lutheran School in Mankato.

Camie Walters has a son, Jarren Jobe, who will be two in May.

2002Mandi Lachmiller and Paul Russow

(’04) were united in marriage on December 20, 2003, at the Bethany Lutheran College Trinity Chapel. Other Bethany alumni involved in the wedding were Amanda Russow, Marissa Lachmiller, Andrew

Schmidt, Dana Gates, Rachel (Ohlen-dorf) Kovaciny, and Emily Drews.

Jessica Sachariason graduated from Bethany with a bachelors degree in communication. After graduation she worked as a commodity coordinator/bid representative assistant for over a year at Minneapolis-based General Mills, Inc. She recently accepted a position as a junior account executive at Roepke Public Rela-tions, a PR firm located in downtown Minneapolis. She is also on the board of directors for Chamber Music Minnesota and does pro bono publicity for this non-profit organization. She currently resides in Minneapolis.

Cristobal Stange has been working in international business development for Katolight Corporation in Mankato and is planning to enroll in the full-time MBA program at the Carlson School of Manage-ment in Minneapolis next fall.

2003Jonathan Schmidt will be starting his

law school education at The Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, in September. In May 2005 he and Rachel Wilke (’04) will be married.

Update your address on the Web!Now you can update your address quickly and easily by visiting

www.blc.edu and clicking on the alumni link. You can still mail us

any updates using the enclosed envelope. You may also send us your

news via email at: [email protected]

mn

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700 Luther DriveMankato, Minnesota56001-6163

education that lasts beyond a lifetime

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PAIDMinneapolis, MNPERMIT No. 4656

ADDRESS SERvICE REqUESTED

Key: SFC – Sports and Fitness Center; YFAC – Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center. Dates and times are subject to possible changes. Please call in advance to confirm dates and times of events before traveling: 800.944-3066 or 507.344.7000.

Printed on recycled paper

Calendar of Events

Located in the North Woods of Wisconsin (two hours from the Twin Cities and one hour from Duluth/Superior) the Schwan Center, associated with Bethany Lutheran College, offers affordable prices, excellent food and wonderful facilities in the midst of 700 acres of beautiful lakes, pines, trails, and wildlife.

The 2nd Annual Readers’ Retreat: A Weekend with C.S. Lewis – November 5-7, 2004

Two of C.S. Lewis’ books from The Chronicles of Narnia—”The Horse and His Boy” and “The Final Battle”—will be the focus of timely and fascinating presentations and discussions (in both books Lewis engages in comparing true andfalse religions). Two Lewis scholars will be contributing to this weekend.

For more information or to register go to our Web site at www.schwancenter.org or call us at 1-800-577-4848.

Schwan Center upcoming programs

Bethany Lutheran College, owned and operated by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, is a private, residential, liberal arts college with a commitment to the teachings of the Bible as set forth in the Lutheran Confessions. The college serves Lutherans and others by offering a challenging, student-centered approach to education that fosters spiritual development, intellectual and creative growth, self-understanding, and responsible citizenship. In keeping with its heritage, Bethany aspires to produce students with a clear understanding of Christian vocation, which calls people to make the most of their God-given talents in whatever walk of life they pursue.

Location: Bethany is located in Mankato, Minnesota, an area of approximately 52,000 residents (eighty miles southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul).Campus: Overlooking the beautiful Minnesota River Valley, the campus occupies fifty acres with thirteen buildings and two athletic fields.Enrollment: While Bethany is continually growing, the average full-time enrollment is 475 students, with approximately thirty additional part-time students. Bachelor of Arts degree: Fifteen majors and sixteen minors are offered. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.blc.edu.

About Bethany Lutheran Collegeaugust8/2 BLC Golf Classic, Mankato Golf Club8/25 Women’s Soccer @ St. Olaf (Scrimmage) Northfield, Minn., 1 p.m. 8/25 Men’s Soccer @ St. Olaf (Scrimmage) Northfield, Minn., 3 p.m.8/28 Residence Halls Open 8/28 Women’s Soccer Alumni Game, 5 p.m.8/28 Men’s Soccer Alumni Game, 7 p.m.8/29 Opening Service, 3 p.m.8/29 Easily Amused Performance, The Lab Coffee Shop, 7 p.m.8/30 Orientation and Registration 8/30 Opening Banquet, South Gym, 6:30 p.m.8/31 Classes Begin

september9/1 Women’s Soccer vs. UW-River Falls, 7 p.m. 9/1 Volleyball @ Augsburg Minneapolis, Minn., 7:30 p.m.9/2 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Dordt, 5 / 7 p.m. 9/3 Volleyball St. Ambrose Tournament Davenport, Iowa9/4 Women’s/Men’s Soccer @ Northwestern Orange City, Iowa, 11 / 1 p.m.9/8 Men’s/Women’s Soccer @ Hamline St. Paul, Minn., 3 / 5 p.m.9/8 Volleyball @ Gustavus Adolphus St. Peter, Minn., 7 p.m.9/10 Volleyball @ Hamline Tournament St. Paul, Minn., 4 p.m.9/10 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. Presentation Aberdeen, S.Dak., 2 / 4 p.m.9/11 Women’s/Men’s Soccer vs. UW Superior Aberdeen, S.Dak., 2 / 4 p.m.9/13 Volleyball @ Waldorf, Forest City, Iowa, 7 p.m.9/14 Women’s/Men’s Soccer @ Martin Luther New Ulm, Minn., 2 / 4 p.m.9/15 Volleyball @ Luther, Decorah, Iowa, 7 p.m.9/16 Women’s Soccer vs. Waldorf, 5 / 7 p.m. 9/18 Volleyball @ Faith Baptist Ankeny, Iowa, 12:30 p.m.9/18 Women’s/Men’s Soccer @ Franciscan Clinton, Iowa, 1 / 3 p.m.

summer 2004 bethany report

Documents

faculty development

number of faculty

friends of bethany

enrollment additional

tremendous growth

international experiences

important concepts

important endeavor