winter 2004-05 bethany report

WINTER 2004-05 the magazine of bethany lutheran college

6Fall athletic teams first season in UMAC

10Reunion and homecoming news

12Aspects of the Elementary Education major

Bethanyreport

ISSUE100th100th

2 report | winter 2004-05

February 1976—just another month and year in the history of Bethany Lutheran College, but a date that waxes with nostalgia for the Bethany

Report. This was the month that the first Report was published. The issue that you are holding in your hands is the 100th. During all of this time there were only three editors: Prof. Sigurd Lee for the first 14 years, Don West-phal for the following 10, and Lance Schwartz since 2002. We thank them for their many years of service documenting Bethany Lutheran College history.

To appreciate this anniversary, Kathy and I pulled out old copies of the Report and began reliving past experiences. Here are some samples from the very first issue:

• “After 23 years of service at Bethany, Miss Mildred Larson has returned to her home in Calmar, Iowa. Alumni will remember her with affection, not only as nurse and Dean of Women but as a friend and counselor.”

• “For the second time in three years, Mike Butterfield, soccer coach... has been named N.J.C.A.A. Region XIII Coach of the Year.” It was the third time in five years that his team took the Region XIII Championship. The year also marked the beginning of the first women’s volleyball and basketball teams.

• Student Brian Lee, wrestler and tailor from Chicago, Illinois, was profiled.

• “Marvin Meyer has accepted the position of Dean of Student Services.”

• “Bruss New Instructor” A big part of my life was chronicled in this alumni magazine: days as a

new instructor, my wife as a student, our wedding picture, photos of loved ones. If you would have the luxury of perusing these copies, you alumni would also come to the same realization. The Report is a photo album and journal of those in the Bethany family.

It also chronicles the growth of the institution in a myriad of ways. The first issue marked the initial year of the Annual Fund, established to assist the college in current operations. Rev. John Moldstad was director of devel-opment. His suggestion for alumni was to contribute a dollar per year after leaving Bethany. Moldstad commented, “Many have contributed much more.”

Articles about academic achievements, our students’ first jobs after graduation, occupational transitions, publications, professional accom-plishments, and family milestones all document the identity of Bethany Lutheran College. Through all of this we are thankful that the fundamental goal of Bethany, to provide our students with the “One Thing Needful,” has remained a constant. I hope you enjoy this issue and many more to come.

editor | Lance Schwartz design, photography | David Norris proof readers | Mary Hansen Jon Kovaciny Tami Tillman contributors | Matt Caron Marcia Eggen Rob Pipal Bob Ring Tami Tillman Paulette Tonn-Booker

Please direct all correspondence, letters, news, corrections, and comments to: Bethany Lutheran College Bethany report 700 Luther Drive Mankato, MN 56001-6163Email: [email protected] | www.blc.edu507.344.7000 | 800.944.3066FAX: 507.344.7417

ISSUE: C

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 2005 Bethany Lutheran College. 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:Rev. John A. Moldstad, Sr., ChairMr. Harold A. Theiste, Vice ChairRev. Kenneth V. Schmidt, SecretaryMr. Willis Anthony, Ph.D.Rev. Mark BartelsMr. Jon C. BrussMr. Paul T. ChamberlinMr. Lyle FahningRev. Herbert C. HuhnerkochMr. Roland ReinholtzRev. J. Kincaid Smith, D.Min.Rev. Joel Willitz Advisory Members: President Dan R. Bruss, Ph.D.Rev. Lawrence A. BurgdorfRev. John A. Moldstad, Jr., ELS PresidentMr. William OvernRev. Milton E. Tweit

On the cover: A snapshot of how the Bethany Report has changed in appearance over the years.

President Dan Bruss

A journal of Bethany daysBethanyreport

from the president

education that lasts beyond a lifetime 3

December 21, 2004

In Jesus’ name.I wouldn’t advise you to visit Bethlehem now, it’s

too dangerous. While this year authorities have been working hard to assure tourists that for the first time in five or six years, a visit would be safe, still Americans aren’t much liked in most of world, maybe especially there. I’m not sure if there will ever again be a time when it’s safe for us to go there, to stand in the narrow cave beneath the Church of the Holy Nativity viewing the very place where, it is said, Jesus was born, with the manger carved out of the cave wall just a few feet away.

The truth is, the “little town of Bethlehem how still we see thee lie” is frequently far from quiet and peace-ful. Just a couple of years ago, militants took possession of the Church of the Nativity and had to be flushed out by a military operation. You can still see the bullet holes in the stone church walls, both external and internal.

Violence in Bethlehem is not new. It was less than two years after Jesus was born when King Herod sent his soldiers to murder all the babies and toddlers in the area in an attempt to rid himself of a prophesied Jewish King born there. Today’s reading goes back still further to the days of the prophet Micah. It was a time when, in that part of the world, whole regions were ruled by the latest biggest bully, where the people lived in constant fear of the thugs who ruled the tribe or country next door. It’s still like that over there today; only the weapons have changed.

That’s the atmosphere in which Micah preached, with the land facing imminent invasion by the chief thugs of the day, Assyria, and he drew attention to this little town with these words.

Micah 5:2-5a “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come from me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the

LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will live securely, for then His great-ness will reach to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace.”

We are too used to peace. Suppose in making your way across the mall to chapel this morning you had to duck between the pillars of the colonnade for fear of being picked off by a sniper. Suppose to avoid the crossfire above ground, you decided to take the tunnel, but were warned not to for fear of a deadly terrorist gas grenade in the enclosed space. Suppose as we sit here, we suddenly heard the whistle of incom-ing ordnance and by reflex duck under the seats—not that it would protect us from a direct hit but at least we might be shielded from glass splinters flying from the windows from a hit just outside. Suppose we were forced to view this beautiful chapel, which many of us have come to love, reduced to piles of rubble. And this would be our last view of campus altogether as we rush to our rooms to gather what is most precious to us into a bundle or single suitcase to carry, and we set off afoot down some road in some direction we believe might be safe from the invading army we know is on its way.

We are perhaps too used to peace. So much, that we don’t appreciate it as we should. You know, of course, there are right now many places in the world where reality is as I’ve described. One of those places is the so-called “holy land,” the land of Bethlehem. I never call it “holy” because there have been more wars, more blood shed in those few square miles than any other place on earth. We don’t appreciate peace as we should.

Could it be the same in our spiritual lives? How sheltered we are from the great cosmic battles over our souls. We sing “A Mighty Fortress is our God” with little feeling of how precious it is to have a fortress, an armed, fortified refuge to which we can flee from the great danger pressing on us from all sides. Luther in that hymn tries to express the danger to our souls, perhaps compared to dodging sniper bullets or flee-ing terrorist gas attacks. “The old evil foe now means deadly woe with deep guile and great might … on earth is not His equal… Devils all the world might fill, all eager to devour us.”

Dr. Thomas Kuster

from the chapeL

Chapel continued on page 5

By Sigurd K. LeeClass of 1949

The 100th Report. It’s hard to believe it has been that long! I am honored to

have been asked to write a few words about my tenure as editor of the Report, 1978-1992. One obvious difference: compared to the dazzling color of today’s Report, our editions were modestly subdued.

Like Henry Ford’s early cars, we had a limited choice of color, in our case, black and white; and during lean budget time, we retreated from a white paper stock to a less expensive one, gray, in fact. Older alumni will remember.

It takes the skills of many people to create, execute and finally place the Report into your hands. A few students and several faculty wrote or took pictures for us over those years and a myriad of Bethany staff people helped in so many ways. Lest I leave a name out, I’ll not try to name them. I will mention four, to stand for the rest: Vicki Butterfield, in effect, co-editor; Judy Helland and Ione Geistfeld, respectively, followed Vicki in that position; and Orla Petersen who, with her accurate copy edit-ing, saved us much embarrassment. Not just them but to all who helped over those fourteen years, a fervent “Thank you.”

After putting an issue to bed (a little parlance there), if the mail brought a compliment, the editor would say, “You know what they say? If one person writes, that means ten people meant to write but didn’t get around to doing it.” In these email days that ratio is likely not valid.

We endured publishing perils. We worked hard. We had fun! A natural exuberance develops when planning an

issue—article interest, coverage, photos, and the writing in this issue will exceed all previous ones. Ensuing weeks of hard work tempers this contagion—but enough remains to carry through to publication, especially with a good lead story.

Such was the case with a piece about Marvin Schwan. Not only the odyssey of moving from using his first “truck,” a Dodge with the back seat torn out to make room for pails of ice cream for Marshall, Minne-sota farmers, to becoming a nation-wide business of repute; but then the munificent use of his wealth in helping many, includ-ing Bethany, as the story shows. A side note: Marv Schwan called just as we were

going to press. He’d received an advance copy and was concerned that, as written, feelings would be hurt because key subor-dinates had received unequal recognition in the story. We happily corrected that mistake and the presses rolled.

Materials in an alumni magazine can be touchy. Editorials, which we did then, are by their nature, controversial, but it can happen elsewhere, as the Schwan story taught us; the “alumni news” section is also written with care. Of course, too much caution can lead to dullness. Most editors would agree that a certain bravado is

community news

100100CelebratingCelebratingi s s u e s o f t h e

B e t h a n y R e p o r t

From top: The Spring 1981 issue told of how computers were now being used on campus; the Fall 1991 issue still included an editorial column; The Fall 1980 issue featured an article on the topic of genetic screening.

100th Issue continued on page 5



We’re mostly shielded from all this—and why? Because as Micah foretold, Someone else has effectively fought this battle for us, won it, and leaves us in peace.

How remarkable it was, in a country racked by war, occupied by a powerful enemy, pre-occupied with secret talk of rebellion and armed revolt – how remarkable that out of the little town of Bethlehem, just as Micah had proph-esied, there appeared a man who spoke gently of peace. Blessed are they…, He said, in words we repeat frequently in chapel. Blessed are the meek, blessed are the merciful, the poor in spirit, the peacemakers. How startlingly different was this teaching than anything heard before. This man teaches of peace!

But it’s not surprising He spoke of peace, for He was, He is peace. He fought for us the battle against sin, death, and Satan. He won that battle for us, emerged the victor in His resur-rection from the dead, and leaves us as we are now – with sins forgiven, assured of eternal life through faith in Him, and enjoying the peace of God which passes all human understanding.

The Old Testament prophet Micah wrote to a people frightened and wearied by war, under imminent threat of attack by Assyria, the superpower thugs of the day. He spoke of how the Lord God takes on our enemies for us and leaves us with peace.

No, it’s not wise to visit the town of Bethlehem these days. It’s too danger-ous. But if you ponder once again this Christmas those words of the angels’ song, “Peace on earth … for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” – if you ponder those words, you’ve been to Bethlehem.

Thanks be to God. Soli Deo Gloria

Chapel continued from page 3campus news

By Erling T. TeigenReligious Studies

In 2003, the Reformation Lectures dealt with three pastors especially significant

for the Norwegian Lutheran immigrant heritage of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS). In 2004, the focus was again on three American Lutheran theologians, but this time on significant figures who worked among German Lutherans – Charles Porterfield Krauth, Adolph Hoenecke, and Franz Pieper. The presenters were Prof. Jay Webber, rector of St. Sophia Seminary, Ternopil, Ukraine, Prof. Lyle Lange, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., and Dr. Larry Rast, Concordia Theologi-cal Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Ind. The three subjects had much in common, chiefly that they represented a faithful, confes-sional type of Lutheran theology. Two of

them led their churches and students from a less robust confessional faith to a more staunch confessional faith. Two of them wrote dogmatics books, still in use today, and translated from their original German – Hoenecke and Pieper, and the same two represented two of the founding synods of the Synodical Conference – Hoenecke and Pieper. All three speakers are also involved in theological education.

The common theme that ran through the three lectures was that the three were deeply biblical theologians, standing firmly in the teachings of the Lutheran Confes-sions. All three responded to the challenges addressed to their respective churches by the spirit of the time, and the needs of their people to keep them steadfast in their Christian faith under the Lutheran Confessions.

Three American Lutheran giants

necessary to enliven the enterprise.The stories didn’t need to be lengthy.

Vicki came up with a unique idea of a story on Mary Page, Bethany alumna (later appointed a Regent of the University of Minnesota) and, at that time, mayor of Olivia, Minnesota, when singer Olivia Newton-John visited Olivia. We ran a short piece along with a good photo of mayor and singer.

When I was starting as editor, President Norman Holte brought in a consultant that was knowledgeable about campus publications. “What you send out,” he said, “to your alumni (and in our case, to the pastors and churches of our Evangelical Lutheran Synod) is important, so in each issue, be sure to say something important.” Not always heeding that advice, after one of my issues, a discerning alumnus wrote that it had “pretty pictures,” but lacked “substance.”

And the substance can—should have, occasionally—the bite of reality. I once wrote an editorial about clinical depression

on campuses and another concerning the decline of cultural literacy. A recent issue featured a young alumna, Julie Woodhouse, a member of the ELS from the Western Koshkonong congregation in Wisconsin, and her struggles with illness. When real-ity enters, triumphalism exits. All of us have wastebasketed too-good-to-be-true glossy materials we’ve received. But with a healthy mixture of reality, blessings can then be celebrated, whether scholarship, artistic endeavors, athletic skill, building additions, or alumni success.

At the consultant meeting, President Holte spoke of our “uniqueness.” In each issue of the Report, “From the Chapel” proclaims the most salient feature of that uniqueness, the Gospel love that propelled our forefathers to locate and purchase this institution located on a high hill in Mankato, Minnesota, there to train young minds to learn, and to especially learn to love their Saviour. As a part of that endeavor, may the Lord continue to bless the Report in the years to come.

100th Issue continued from page 4


Cross CountryNew conference, new affiliations

(National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA], National Christian College Athletic Association [NCCAA]), new level of competition! All of Bethany’s athletic teams face challenges unprecedented in the history of Viking athletic tradition. Add to all of this newness the introduction of cross country as a team sport, and the idea of baby steps emerges. Bethany has had cross country runners for some time but now enters the next phase of competition: fielding five men and five women who run together as a team as well as for individual times and positions. 2004 was the first time the cross country teams competed exclusively against four-year competition. Although the teams lacked the numbers to post high finishing scores, individu-als continued to place among the better runners in the region. Sophomore Jeremy Costello and senior Ivy Pike led their respective teams with consistent finishes and personal best times. Pike finished her Bethany career by being named the Most Valuable Runner of 2004. Her leadership and work ethic are going to be missed as the teams move into 2005.

Coach Bob Ring had high praise for all

athletics

Teams now compete in UMAC

of the runners and appreciated the dedi-cation and commitment shown through-out the season. “Although we were small in number, we were strong in purpose. Every runner performed to the best of their ability and represented Bethany Lutheran College and their Lord well, as they competed.” 2005 looks to be a break-out year for Bethany Cross Country

when experienced runners will be joined by new team members to bring even more excitement to Bethany athletics.

Men’s SoccerThe Bethany men’s soccer team had

two goals, 1) to finish first in the UMAC and 2) to qualify for the UMAC soccer tournament. The men’s team did not win

Jeremy Costello Katie Erdman Rachel Mellon

Stephanie Schmitz Laura Sparley Coach Bob RingIvy Pike

2004 Cross Country Team

At Bethany, it was the same sports teams on campus this fall and the uniforms were still red, white, and black,

but it was obvious that change was in the air from the minute the athletic teams stepped on the court, field, and course. A new conference, Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), meant new competition and new venues to visit. It meant competing against some long-established collegiate programs. Eagerness and anticipation marked the venture into the athletic unknown. With the fall athletic seasons completed, it can be said that Bethany’s move to the UMAC provided success, excitement, and tough competition.

Picture unavailable: Jennifer Pitt


the conference championship but accom-plished its goal of making it to the UMAC tournament.

The key to success in soccer is the team’s ability to learn how to work together as a unit. The men’s team was made up, for the most part, by freshmen and sophomores and that ability to work together really became apparent toward the end of the season. The majority of the competition the Vikings faced were teams that started upper classmen who had been working together as a team for several seasons. In spite of their youthfulness, the team posted a 5-13-2 record.

With a conference record of 3-3 the team was able to earn a fourth-place finish in the UMAC, thus qualifying the team for the UMAC tournament. At the tour-nament, Bethany played number-one seed St. Scholastica to a draw for 73 minutes before running out of gas and losing 3-0.

The final match of the season was a NCCAA region tournament game, another first for Bethany. The game was played against Greenville College at St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Wind, cold, and rain kept the game evenly matched, but an experienced Greenville College team wore down the younger Bethany team in a 3-1 loss.

Excellent team chemistry and great atti-tudes made the 2004 men’s soccer season successful. Team awards went to: Mike Colago, Most Valuable Player; PJ Waddell, Mr. Hustle; Nikolaus Schultz, Mr. Viking; and Ryan Johnson, defensive MVP.

Women’s SoccerMeasuring the success of the women’s

soccer season by the number of victories might leave you with the impression that it was a tough season. Although it was diffi-cult to lose a lot of games, the team always gave their all. They refused to give up no matter what the score; a great tribute to the quality of the women that were part of the 2004 Bethany women’s soccer team.

Season highlights include: leading Waldorf College by a 1-0 score with fifteen

2004 Men’s Soccer Team: Back row from left: Head Coach Rob Pipal, Beneyam Retta, Chancel Malonga, Martin Boucek, Nikolaus Schultz, Ales Ters, Nicholas Peltier, Leonce Bouya-Nzassou, Michael Colago, Ryan Johnson—Front row from left: Tyler Freyberg, Luis Berrospid, Brandon Londgren, Aaron Lindquist, Cole Downing, Zach Harlan, Patrick Waddell, Mike Moldstad—Not pictured: Oliver Lundquist, Cesar Flandes

2004 Volleyball Team: Back row from left: Asst. Coach Jill Johnson, Joelle Shouts, Renee Tatge, Head Coach Marcia Eggen, Naomi Johnson, Amber Schreiner, Student Manager Brandy Jones—Front row from left: Amber Danckwart, Bridget Burger, Lindsey Larsen, Britt Rinne, Kristen Goebel, Kelsey Black, Aimee Freiborg

2004 Women’s Soccer Team: Back row from left: Head Coach Rob Pipal, Megan Spaulding, Stephanie Pipal, Carissa Masarro, Rachel Mellon, Giselle Grabowski, Elizabeth Radloff, Julia Bukowski, Asst. Coach Ramon Pinero—Middle row from left: Lucy Tillman, Elizabeth Hellmann, Jerusha Londgren, Bethany D’Andrade, Rebekah Fehr, Renae Kitt, Natalie Green, Nina Junius—Front: Brittany Bowman

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Athletics continued on page 8

minutes left, eventually losing 2-1; playing an excellent game against UW-Superior right up to the final whistle, narrowly losing 1-0, and winning their first game in a 2-1 victory over Crown College.

A tie against Presentation College, together with the Crown win, landed the Vikings in sixth place in the eight-team Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. Success for the women’s soccer team was measured by their hard work and the enjoyment they had playing together.

Team awards were given to: Carissa Massaro, MVP; Rebekah Fehr, Ms. Hustle; Giselle Grabowski, Most Improved; Jeru-sha Londgren, defensive MVP; Elizabeth Hellmann, Ms. Viking; and team captain was Megan Spaulding.

VolleyballThe volleyball program at Bethany

Lutheran College has a great tradition. Making the transition from playing junior colleges to competing against four-year institutions looked like it would be a big challenge and perhaps threaten the tradi-tion. The 2004 edition of Vikings volley-ball stepped up to the challenge and the result was a 27-7 season.

The debut in the UMAC was even more impressive. The team kept their focus through the double round robin to finish the regular season perfect with a 14-0 record and the first UMAC championship in school history. The Vikings were privi-leged to host the conference tournament, due to their number-one finish in the regular season, and finished on top with an exciting five-game win over Northwestern College in the championship match.

Another new experience was the affilia-tion with the NCCAA. A trip to Chicago in October to play in the single-elimina-tion North Central Region Tournament resulted in a five-game loss. The NCCAA tournament provides a very competi-tive post-season option for the Vikings. Lindsey Larsen and Aimee Freiborg were

named to the NCCAA All-Region team. The Vikings once again went undefeated (11-0) on their home court. They were proud to have a winning non-conference record (11-7) as they faced many NAIA schools with scholarship athletes and Divi-sion III opponents from long-established programs. Not one opponent was able to shut them out completely as they managed to push the fourth or fifth game in each of their seven losses.

Sophomore co-captains Aimee Freiborg (RH) and Amber Schreiner (libero) were key returnees along with middle blockers Kristen Goebel and Amber Danckwart. Junior college transfers Lindsey Larsen and Britt Rinne also brought valuable experience to the team. Freshmen Kelsey Black, Joelle Shouts, and Bridget Burger completed the squad.

Freiborg was named Offensive Player of the Year as she recorded 518 kills and a .348 hitting percentage for the season. Freiborg was also a top blocker, teaming up with Goebel and Danckwart much of the time for the ace. Goebel led the team with 171 ace blocks for the season. Defen-sive Player of the Year was awarded to Britt Rinne who led the team with 553 digs and was a consistent passer on the serve receive. Kelsey Black set up the Viking offense and finished the season with 1,411 assists. Lindsey Larsen was named team MVP for her all-around contributions, most notable her 457 kills, 533 digs, and lead-ing pass percentage. Amber Schreiner was the team’s most consistent server. Bridget Burger was given the Viking Award for her work ethic and unselfishness. Joelle Shouts was named Most Improved.

Aimee Freiborg, Lindsey Larsen, and Kelsey Black were named to the UMAC All-Conference Team. Kristen Goebel, Amber Danckwart, and Britt Rinne received All-Conference Honorable Mention. Marcia Eggen, second year head coach, was named UMAC Coach of the Year.

Athletics continued from page 7

UpcomingTournaments

Join us this summer for some fun and exciting golf events. There will be three opportunities to enjoy a day on the golf course with friends and alumni of Bethany Lutheran College. For registration information call Bethany at 800-944-3066 extension 313.

The Second Annual Joel Laube Memorial Golf Tournament Friday, June 17, 2005Crystal Lake Golf Club Lakeville, Minnesota

Wisconsin Alumni and Friends Golf TournamentMonday, July 18, 2005Blackhawk Country Club Madison, Wisconsin

Bethany Golf ClassicMonday, August 1, 2005Mankato Golf ClubMankato, Minnesota


Let’s Golf!

In November 2004, the Bethany Lutheran College Theatre Department staged The Glass Menagerie,

by Tennessee Williams. The play, directed by Bethany alumnus and new theatre professor, Matthew Caron, takes a look at the life of a St. Louis family as they struggle to deal with their uncertain future.

The play is narrated by Tom (played by Richard Jones), who exists both in the “present” and in his own memories—through which the bulk of the story is told. Through these hazy memories, we get to know Amanda (Tierney Hintz), Tom’s overbearing and controlling mother, Laura (Kirstin Roble), Tom’s socially underdeveloped and shy sister, and the gentle-man caller, Jim (John Henry III), Tom’s friend, who is the most realistic character in the play. As the story unfolds, we see Amanda trying with great vigor to give her children a better life. She finally persuades her son to bring home a “nice boy” for Laura to meet… and hopefully marry. This gentleman caller is the one ray of hope in the play as he helps Laura take the first

steps in overcoming her fears and low self-esteem. The Glass Menagerie was entered as a participating

production in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, a national organization dedicated to the celebration of college-level theatre. A respondent was sent to critique the show, which proved to be a valuable learning experience for the students involved. Through this process, two student actors, Jones and Henry, were nominated to go on and compete for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship at the regional festival in St. Louis in January. In addition to the actors, three student designers also participated in the festival: Andrea Jaspersen for her scene design, Jacob Yenish for his lighting design, and Benjamin Inniger for his sound design and original score.

fine arts

The Glass Menagerie

9

Photographs by Denice Woller


By Lois JaegerDirector of Fine Arts

“Picture the 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.”

So began the article written for the summer 2004 Bethany Report as the division planned and plotted their strategy for the upcoming festi-val, praying fervently that the fickle Minnesota weather would cooperate in creating this idyllic atmosphere—and it did!

September 25 was indeed one of those “golden days” that are designed to draw people out to savor the fresh air and sunshine. An estimated 400 members of the Bethany and Mankato communities turned out to enjoy the artistic offerings of seventy students and faculty throughout the day. Visitors circulated about “the green” participating in pottery throw-ing, sidewalk art contests, face paint-ing, “instant” poetry, and story-times. Entertainment abounded with musi-cal performances, juggling and magic shows, and artists at work producing a variety of creations from chain saw sculpture to oil paintings to digital art. And when all that activity produced an appetite, chemistry professor Eric

Woller prepared instant ice cream with liquid nitrogen! At day’s end, the event was soundly pronounced a success by all.

In September 2005, student services and student senate propose to incorporate homecoming and Family Weekend with Arts on the Green and Theatre Physics, making the event available to even more people and enhancing both. The fine arts divi-sion looks forward to cooperating in creating a memorable weekend for everyone.

Arts on the Green to become part of bigger festival this fall

reunion news

By Lance SchwartzDirector of Marketing and Public Relations

Tradition! On the Bethany campus, like many other colleges, certain

traditions are carried out every year. Part of what makes a campus special are

those traditions passed down from genera-tion to generation. At Bethany, the sing-ing of “High Amid The Trees” and “On My Heart Imprint Thine Image” come to mind. Gathering for the all-school photo is another Bethany tradition. Maybe it isn’t a formal tradition that you remember, but rather hanging out in the “Viking Village” or a walk down “The Steps.” These are a few of the memories that Bethany alumni fondly recall.

Now is the time to bring back another tradition to Bethany Lutheran College. Homecoming is coming back this fall. Perhaps Bethany was your home for two, three, four, or even six years. Certainly you remember the beautiful fall days when leaves were turning and the campus was abuzz with activity. Fall on a college campus is a beautiful time and we think you will enjoy being back at Bethany during that special time of year.

So make plans to “come home” to your alma mater next fall. You’ll be able to attend a game, take in fine arts events, attend reunions and just hang out with friends you haven’t seen for a while. All alumni are welcomed to attend this special event.

Reunions will be held for classes cele-brating graduation anniversaries. If you graduated in a year ending in a “0” or “5” you will be reuniting with your classmates during homecoming.

A complete list of activities will be mailed in the spring, but mark your calendars now for the weekend of September 23-25 and come enjoy a weekend full of memories and fun.

Reviving a Bethany tradition

Daniel Jasperson performed magic and juggling as part of the many activities going on at the Arts on the Green festival in 2004.

What: HomecomingWhen: Sept. 23-25, 2005Where: Bethany Campus


alumni news

Alumni Legacies 2004-05

A picture of students who have at least one parent who went to Bethany Lutheran High School, College, or Seminary is taken on an annual basis and published in the Bethany Report. This year’s students include: Nathanael Abrahamson (Harvey Abrahamson 85), Nina Anderson (Thomas Anderson 79), Casey Barnes (Deborah Zimmerman 75), Jessica Bartels (Timothy Bartels 78), Jesse Becker (Barbara Bloedel 74), Brandon Benzer (Bernis Johnson 72), Meredith Browne (Crista Meyer 84), Elisabeth Bruss (Dan Bruss 73, Kathryn Moldstad 79), Julia Bukowski (Sherri Goetzke 74), Larissa Chervestad (Kim Chervestad 74), Margaret Dale (Janice Behrens 73, Lowell Dale 73), Jeremiah Erickson (Timothy Erickson 71), Ezekiel Ernst (Micah Ernst 83), Benjamin Faugstad (James Faugstad 76, Emily Trier 76), Jacob Faugstad (Daniel Faugstad 73, Julie Sorenson 77), Mark Faugstad (Norman Faugstad 57, Adela Halverson 59), Peter Faugstad (James Faugstad 76, Emily Trier 76), Rebekah Faugstad (Mark Faugstad 85, Marlene Heller 85), Samuel Faugstad (Daniel Faugstad 73, Julie Sorenson 77), Laura Fehr (Lee Fehr 80, Linnette Mundfrom 80), Rebekah Fehr (Roger Fehr 76), Danielle Geistfeld (Jon Geistfeld 81, MaryJo Starkson 82), Andrew Greibrok (Patricia Newgard 77), Elizabeth Gullixson (Norman Gullixson 69), Sarah Gullixson (James Gullixson 77, Connie Warrant 76), Lucas Hendricks (Richard Hendricks 82), Jonathan Homan (Bradley Homan 75, Julie Koenen 77) Martha Hougan (Elizabeth Nickerson 75, Paul Hougan 76), Jessica Huber (Kathleen Holmen 74), Benjamin Hughes (James Braun 84), Erik Hughes (James Braun 84), Richard Jones (Steven Jones 77), Rebekah Kopperud (Sheryl Cohrs 78), Andrew Larson (Darilyn Wiechmann 77), Brandon Londgren (Elisa Boniek 79, Jeffrey Londgren 79), Jerusha Londgren (Elisa Boniek 79, Jeffrey Londgren 79), Kristin Lussky (Glenn Lussky 78, Rebecca Madson 80), Marie (Holtz) MacPherson (Roger Holtz 94), Christina Madson (Karen Hougan 69, the late Paul Madson 70), Amanda Mattson (Bruce Mattson 80, Patricia Bremseth 81), Rachel Mellon (Kenneth Mellon 78), Jessica Merseth (Juel Merseth 69), Jill Merseth (Grant Merseth 74, Karen Spangler 74), Brandon Meyer (Timothy Meyer 79), Angela Moldstad (Donald Moldstad 78, Gina Hassler 80), Jacob Moldstad (Donald Moldstad 78, Gina Hassler 80), Diana Naatz (Deborah Sundby 75), Corey Olsen (Oren Olsen 76), Megan Paggi (Mary Stuebs 76), Kara Quist (Paul Quist 72), Tricia Quist (Allen Quist 64), Amanda Rank (Sonja Kulseth 77, Thomas Rank 77), Nikolaus Schultz (Nathan Schultz 78, Shelly Hein 78), Andrew Shoop (Dean Shoop 75, LuAnn Larson 75), Joshua Skogen (David Skogen 67), Natalie Skogen (David Skogen 67), Sarah Sohre (Arthur Sohre 71), Amanda Spreeman (Edward Spreeman 76), Hannah (Ernst) Taylor (Micah Ernst 83), Sarah Taylor (Kathleen Overn 76), Taci Tolzman (Alan Tolzman 70), Amanda Ulrich (Sharon Bjoraker 75), Daniel Wiechmann (Mark Wiechmann 76, Nancy Dickert 76), Katie Wiechmann (Ann Monson 81, David Wiechmann 81), Terri Wiederhoeft (Joni Baarts 78, Keith Wiederhoeft 73), Traci Wiederhoeft (Joni Baarts 78, Keith Wiederhoeft 73), Sarah Wright (David Wright 78, Julie Baarts 80)Not pictured: Matthew Anthony (L. Joel Anthony 79), David Brassow (Earl Brassow, 56), Jennifer Cachiaras (David Peoble 91), Nicholas Cachiaras (David Peoble 91), Jeremy Costello (Gregory Costello 76, Janet Nelson 81), Sarah Ernst (Micah Ernst 83), Amanda Fehr (Lee Fehr 80, Linnette Mundfrom 80), Kjirsten Fletcher (Kari Lillo 85, Michael Fletcher 85), Kristen Goebel (Kurt Goebel 81), Samuel Gullixson (Norman Gullixson 69), Christina Handberg (Lynn Rank 72, Martin Handberg 72), Nathan Harstad (Mark Harstad 74, Peggy Sorenson 72), Peter Harstad (Mark Harstad 74, Peggy Sorenson 72), Jennifer Haugen (Elyse Olson 75, Jeffrey Haugen 75), Dustin Howley (Charles Howley 95), Jacob Jaeger (Lois Olson 71, Steven Jaeger 72), Kristen Jones (Lyle Jones 80, Lynette Abel 80), Jeanette Kauffeld (Shawn Kauffeld 75), Thomas Kessel (William Kessel 78), Amy Knudson (Kathy Goetzke 73), Joanna Kopperud (Sheryl Cohrs 78), Andrew Lecy (Gregory Lecy 77, Rebecca Browning 75), Jeffery Merseth (John Merseth 99), Thomas Metzger (Daniel Metzger 74), Michael Moldstad (John Moldstad 74), Andrew Olsen (Oren Olsen 76), Jacqueline Pemble (John Pemble 68), Lisa Petersen (Carol Sorenson 73, Joel Petersen 75), Gregory Pipal (Lori Degner 76, Robert Pipal 76), Stephanie Pipal (Lori Degner 76, Robert Pipal 76), Peter Preus (Peter Preus 76), Elizabeth Rank (Sonja Kulseth 77, Thomas Rank 77), Laura Sparley (Janice Hoyord 74, Steven Sparley 74), Nicole Strackbein (Philip Strackbein 71), Kasey Taylor (Scott Taylor 78, Trudy Smith 78), Michael Taylor (Scott Taylor 78, Trudy Smith 78), Brian Wegner (Kay Johnson 70)


By Silas BornCoordinator of Christian Education

“Tell us why you want to be a teacher.” The reply to this request is an

important part of the student interviews for entrance into Bethany’s Elementary Education Major.

Even though the candidates may respond in various ways, a common thread is evident as they elaborate on their reasons for choosing a career in education.

Some tell how a parent or teacher has influenced them. Others speak of their love for children and their desire to help children reach their God-given poten-tial. Still others talk about the opportunity for sharing the Gospel and serving as a Christian role model for children. As the interview continues, students pres-ent their portfolio of coursework and clinical experi-ences completed in their education foundations and philosophy course. The evaluation of their early field experience in an elementary school is discussed, and the students are asked to explain their understanding of good teaching practices. Further discussion focuses on the student’s goals and how Bethany’s education faculty can assist in reaching those goals.

Once students have been accepted into the major, they begin their journey toward a career in elementary education. This involves taking specific professional education courses that will prepare them for Minnesota teacher licensure and Lutheran teacher certification. The professional education courses build on the liberal arts foundation established during the freshman and sophomore years. Both content and teaching methods

Lear ning how toacademics

God’s children


Junior Jessica Bartels is one of several Bethany students who conducted a clinical experience at Mount Olive Lutheran School in Mankato. Educate continued on page 13


By William B. KesselSociology, Religious Studies

In November 2004, the Board of Regents approved sociology as the

sixteenth academic major at Bethany Lutheran College. Sociology is the social science which focuses on human group behavior. The Bethany program will differ from those in public colleges and universities because it will address issues such as culture, socialization, groups, deviance, family, race, ethnic-ity, human sexuality, gender and similar topics from a Christian perspective. The faculty is committed to two objectives for its majors: 1) that they grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, and 2) that they become respon-sible citizens, aware of social realities.

The Bethany sociology major is an integrated major. In other words, selected courses from other depart-ments (anthropology, communication, physical education, psychology and religious studies) count toward the soci-ology major and add an interdisciplin-ary component to the program.

Students who graduate with a BA in sociology have several career choices. They can move on to graduate stud-ies or pursue jobs available in business and nonprofit institutions. Because sociology majors are trained in research methods, they are also qualified for positions in industry and government. Finally, there is a need for commit-ted Christians, trained in sociology to serve the church in various capacities: pastors, teachers, members of boards and committees and involved laypeo-ple.

are emphasized. Courses in psychology and pedagogy provide students with an in-depth understanding of learning theory and how to apply those theories in teach-ing children from kindergarten through eighth grade. In the process, students learn how sound research is used to deter-mine effective teaching methods, and how curriculum and assessment decisions are integral components of the learning process. An important part of teacher preparation takes place during the exten-sive clinical experiences in an elementary school classroom under the guidance and supervision of an experienced general educa-tion teacher. So student teach-ers understand how to adapt instruction for children with special needs, they complete coursework that includes a clinical experience under the direction of a special educator. In all their studies and clinical experiences, students come to realize that their philosophy of education will serve as the framework for all their deci-sions as professional educa-tors. During the entire process, students include documenta-tion in their professional port-folios as evidence of having fulfilled the requirements of Bethany’s teacher training program.

A major component of Bethany’s teacher training program is the “One Thing Need-ful.” In addition to chapel and the religion courses taken by all Bethany students to nourish their faith and enhance their spiri-tual understanding, students who wish to be certified to teach in one of the ELS elementary schools are required to take specific religion courses that will prepare them for teaching in those settings. Courses include the study of Old Testa-ment, New Testament, Christian doctrine, and Lutheran confessions, hymnody and liturgics. A course that focuses on commu-nicating the proper use of law and gospel

and teaching children God’s plan of salva-tion in Christ Jesus includes clinical expe-rience under the guidance and supervision of a certified Lutheran elementary school teacher.

Bethany Lutheran College’s teacher train-ing program is unique in that its educa-tion majors have the opportunity to learn and discuss how specific lessons would be taught in the Christian day school and how those lessons may need to be modi-fied when teaching in a public school. Insights are shared on how specific topics

are handled in each setting and the possible limitations placed on the teacher within a specific setting. Through such discussions, students develop an awareness of how a clear understanding of the separation of church and state will guide their teach-ing in a public school. At the same time, they recognize that there will be multiple opportunities for modeling and sharing their Christian faith.

Upon successful comple-tion of the professional education courses, students apply for acceptance into the internship program, during

which they complete a semester of student teaching and a seminar on Christian voca-tion. Bethany’s first elementary educa-tion majors have reached this marker in their journey toward a career as profes-sional educators. During the journey, the students have become close friends. They have worked closely on projects. They have shared their joys and encour-aged each other when the work may have been exceptionally challenging. Even though one of them is student teaching in Georgia while the others are completing their internships in Mankato, they will be together again in May when each of them will be awarded Bethany’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education.


academics

Sociologyadded to list of majors

Educate continued from page 12

‘...students come to realize that their philosophy of education will serve as the framework for all their decisions as professional educators.’


Illumination wins award for Lilloalumni profile: Channing Lillo, Class of ’91

What exactly is your profession and who do you work for?

I am a senior electrical engineer for RSA Engineering in Anchorage, Alaska.

I understand that you’ve won an interna-

tional award for lighting design. What can you tell us about the award and the work that went into the project?

My job as an electrical engineer involves designing electrical systems for buildings (i.e. lighting, power, fire alarm, telecom, security, etc...) Recently, I designed the electrical systems for a new railroad depot

at the Anchor-age International Airport that had some very unique lighting. The presi-dent of the railroad wanted the building to be their signature facility in the state and asked me to

come up with a one-of-a-kind display that would mimic the Aurora Borealis (North-ern Lights) phenomenon to be installed in the tunnel that connects the rail station to the airport. I ended up designing a display using fiber optics, synchronized illumina-tors, and acrylic panels suspended from the ceiling to imitate the constantly changing colors and shapes of the northern lights. The display turned out great, and with the other interesting lighting we had in the facility, my company decided to take some photos and enter the project into a light-ing design competition that is held by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

The project ended up winning for the state of Alaska and moved on to the national competition where it scored high enough to move onto the international judging. At the international level, the project was competing against very large design projects from all over the world, but still ended up winning the top prize.

I was very shocked that my “little project from Alaska” was given the recognition that it did, especially when compared to the competition. It was the first time my company had submitted a project for a lighting award and we won the whole thing, so who knows, maybe we’ll try again.

What other types of projects have you been

involved with?Most of the projects that I have worked

on in the past have been pretty normal (schools, office buildings, retail stores, etc.). However, right now, as a result of my Northern Lights display, I was asked to design a new project for downtown Anchorage that will be a dynamic, illumi-nated sun display that will be the center of a new Planet Walk that is being designed for the city. (If you remember from your grade school science class, a Planet Walk is where you build a scale model of our solar system and if the Sun is the size of

Submitted photos

Bethany alumnus Channing Lillo recently won an international lighting design award for his work on Alaska’s Bill Sheffield Railroad Depot. The interior tunnel from the depot to the Anchorage International Airport supports a lighting display that simulates the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Channing Lillo

You can make your gifts to Bethany Lutheran College more valuable by

taking part in your company’s matching gift program. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees.

Bethany has already been blessed with matching gifts from many alumni and friends. Some of the companies we have recently received matching contri-butions from are:

• 3M• Alliant Energy Corporation• American Express • Caterpillar• ConocoPhilips• Ernst & Young• ExxonMobil• Guidant Corporation• Hormel Foods Corporation• Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies• Josten’s• Motorola• Parker Hannifin Corporation• Prudential Financial• Sentry Insurance Foundation• US Bancorp• Wells FargoOver 900 U.S. companies have been

identified as having gift matching opportunities for their employees. Do you work for one? Check with your company’s human resource department to see if this benefit is available to you.

Also, be sure to check our Web site for more information on matching. Go to: www.blc.edu/giving

Matching gift companies: double your gift dollars

campus newsa basketball, then Earth is 100 feet away and the size of a pea, etc.) This display we are building consists of a 12-foot diameter sun, which would put Pluto almost 10 miles away. I plan to construct the sun using a translucent fiberglass dome that is illuminated from within using a large array of programmable LED lights that will allow the sun to look like its rotating, with sun-spots, flares, etc.. It should be a lot of fun.

I also just found out that my company has been selected to perform the design for a new 100 million-dollar expansion of the museum here in Anchorage, and I’ve been selected to be the engineer for all of the electrical systems, so that should keep me busy for a couple of years.

How did you end up at Bethany and where did you go after your Bethany days?

Like many other alumni, both my parents attended Bethany (Gary Lillo, Gail Anderson). They offered me the deal that if I went to Bethany they would help pay for my school, but if I went anywhere else, I’d have to pay my own way. Well, actually it started out that they would pay for all of it, then it was the first year, and then it ended up being half of the first year… In the end I was truly the one that benefited. With the friendships I made, the one-on-one teaching I got from the professors, and the confidence I got from succeeding, the price was the easy part. And hey, my student loan will finally be paid off this year! After I completed my AA degree at Bethany I also followed in my father’s footsteps and went on to Mankato State University to finish my degree (bachelor of science in electrical engineering). After graduating, I moved back home to Alaska and was fortunate to start working right away at RSA Engineering, where I’ve been for the past nine years.

Tell us about your family. Any future Bethany Vikings?

It was the fall of 1999. I had almost given up on finding a woman in Alaska and was going to move back to Minnesota to find a wife, when I met Sheila. She was a

beautiful blond-haired, green-eyed nurse from Texas who had just moved up to Alaska. I quickly made sure she didn’t meet any other guys and talked her into marry-ing me in the summer of 2000. Since then, we have had two beautiful, healthy children: Joshua (2-1/2) and Megan (4 months). Sheila has since “retired” from nursing, and watches the children full time. As for me, being a husband and a father is the best thing that I could have asked for. I feel truly blessed.

As for the kids, they’ll probably get the same great “deal” I got to attend Bethany, so look for them to start showing up at campus around 2020.

Living in Alaska, who do you root for

besides the UAA Seawolves? Being a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan,

I found out that I was not alone up in Alaska. Since the games are rarely played on network television up here, myself and a few other “purple faithful” formed an official Minnesota Vikings Fan Club, we called it the Arctic Vikings Club. We then convinced a local restaurant to give us their sports bar and broadcast the Vikings game for us every week. The club now boasts over 300 members.

What’s it like to live in the Land of the Midnight Sun?

Summers are too short, and winters too long. But when you’re fishing on a river-bank by yourself on a sunny evening at 1:00 a.m. and throwing back thirty-pound fish because that’s the smallest thing you’ve caught that day… it makes a long, cold winter worth enduring.

Tell us something about your Bethany days

that nobody knows about. On a dare from one of my friends, I

decided to run for student council presi-dent my sophomore year, and just missed getting elected by five votes. (Must have had a couple of hanging chads somewhere…) As the election grew nearer, I wondered nervously what I was getting myself into. I’m glad I never had to find out.



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alumni news

#

Charlene Trautman is Bethany’s new Coordinator of Career Services and

Internships. The Coordinator plays a pivotal role in helping students discover their strengths and interests and trans-lating them into a major area of study. Trautman’s approach is one of advisor, helping the students find the answers that will fulfill their needs and desires. Once the students have identified their direction of study, she will provide a road map for

their education and work closely with the academic advi-sors in planning course selections and credit loads for the students. As students reach the completion of their programs, she will

continue to work with them to develop job search or graduate program strategies.

Alumni of Bethany interested in having Bethany students intern at their place of employment are encouraged to contact her. Other resources at Trautman’s disposal include Bethany’s membership in the Minnesota Private College Council, which provides numerous exposures to job fairs and business connections as well as work-ing with local business contacts for student internships and placement upon gradua-tion.

Trautman comes to Mankato from Lake Benton where she and her husband, Scott, farmed for nearly 30 years. After their chil-dren, Heather and Joshua, moved away to attend Bethany, she pursued and earned a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota.

New Coordinator of Career Services and Internships

Charlene Trautman

campus news


alumni news

1945Helen (Kohlmeyer) Keyes and her husband, Don, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on June 30, 2005. They have nine living children, twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. The Keyes make their home in Wykoff, Minn.

1955Elaine (Bergemann HS) Priebe has retired from teaching as of August 2004. She was married to Curtis Bening of Beaver Dam, Wisc. on December 26, 2004.

1975Joyce (Lillegard) Rude lived in Lake City, Minn., for nine years and worked at the Lake City Medical Center as a Coding and Reimbursement Specialist. She has four children: Eric (20), Brian (18), and twins Rachel and Joel (15). She has been to almost every reunion at Bethany, including the 75th, and she encourages her classmates to make a special effort to be there for their thirty-year reunion in 2005. Joyce married Joel Johnson of New Ulm, Minn., on July 26, 2003. They live in New Ulm, where she works from home as a medical records coder for the Lake City Medical Center. Ted Remus recently went back to school to obtain Illinois State School Certifica-tion and became employed as the school librarian for St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago, a high school in the Benedictine tradition. He says he loves working with the kids. He also does part-time reference work at Evanston Public Library.

1976Joni (Gessner) Pratt and her husband, Michael, just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii with their son and

daughter being best man and maid of honor as they renewed their vows. They have become semi-truck drivers for the last eight months after twenty-five years at their previous jobs. They are “trucking for Jesus,” sharing Him as much and as often as they can.

1979James Schol is enjoying retirement, work-ing several part-time jobs and taking advan-

tage of the Alaskan outdoors. The photo shows his daughters: Sarah (20), Samantha (18) and Sabrina (16). James reports that he shot an elk this fall in the panhandle of the state so the freezer is full for winter. Jim extends an open invitation to his friends from the classes of ’78, ’79 and ’80 to come visit Alaska for some fishing, hunt-ing, snow machining, four-wheeler riding, skiing, camping or gold mining fun! Just email him at [email protected]

1984Stephen Anderson was married in 1999 to Julie. He is a pilot for SkyWest Airlines, flying the Canadair Regional Jet.

1986Marisa (Christenson) Crippen and her husband, Scott, have been blessed with a baby boy, Christian James. Christian

joins his older brother, Jordan (2), in making their family complete! Christian was born October 23, 2004. The family makes its home in McAllen, Texas.

Renee (Wiechmann) Jackson and her husband J. are proud parents of a daugh-ter, Kerrera, born May 2, 2004.

Lance Schwartz is happily married to Jennifer (Brassow ’92). They have three

children: Ben (7), Sarah (5), and Anna (7 months).

1987Todd and Ruth (Moldstad ’88) Olsen have recently moved back to North Mankato from California and look forward to seeing their Bethany friends more often. Their children, Rachel (9) and Bekka (7), attend Mt. Olive Lutheran School. Their son, Austin (3), is ready for preschool. The Olsen’s email address is [email protected].

1988Lisa (Roning) Boehlke is working at the Mankato Department of Public Safety. She and her husband, Joel, celebrated their 12th anniversary in May and their daughter, Lydia (5), is in kindergarten, and enjoy-ing every minute of it. Joel is a high school automotive teacher.

alumni news


alumni news

Mark Grossklaus is starting his third year of a four-year term on the Cottage Grove City Council.

1989Anthony Pittenger has been a pastor in Port Orchard, Wash. since seminary

graduation in 1996. In 1997 he married Melissa Mantey, a member of the congre-gation. They have two children: Karalena (Lena, 6) and Micah (4). Their third child is due in February 2005.

1994Joshua and Tracy (Gray ’95) Birkholz and their daughters, Zoe and Charis, are living in Somerset, Wisc. Josh and Tracy are expecting their third child in February 2005. Tracy is a Tupperware manager and community education teacher. Josh is a fundraising consultant for Bentz Whaley Flessner in Edina.

Lisa (Diercks) Risse and her husband, John, welcomed their second daughter on

January 17, 2004. Jordyn Marie joins her big sister, Karsen Rae (3). Lisa continues to work as a public health nurse for Anoka County, Minn. The family resides in Coon Rapids, Minn.

Gina Tetzloff is living in Burnsville, Minn., and spending time with her family, which includes her parents, nieces, nephews and one grandparent. She also enjoys visiting her friends when she is not working.

1995Carissa Bode was married to Jerrel Flana-gan in July 1999. They had their first child on October 9, 2003. His name is Keiryn Patrick. He has brought a lot of joy to their lives. Carrie received her BS degree in elemen-tary education with a concentration in art in March 1998. She has recently started work as the visual arts coordinator at Lifeworks in Mankato, Minn.

Bryce Eggert resides in New Brighton, Minn. He started a construction business called Eggert Contracting. He also coaches wrestling and baseball at Park Center High School. In the summer months you can find him playing baseball for the Arlington A’s amateur team.

Emily (Luttman) Metcalfe and her husband, Joshua (’97), annouce the birth of Sylvia Grace on August 23, 2004. Emily will soon be completing her master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Minnesota.

Julie (Westphal) and Ryan (’96) Free-berg announce the birth of their second daughter, Ella Ryan, on September 27, 2004. Their first daughter, Lydia Gene-vieve, turned two on September 7. The Freebergs continue to reside in Oakdale, Minn. Ryan is the head men’s basketball coach at Concordia College-St. Paul. Julie

works part-time at The Center for Repro-ductive Medicine.

Simon Gaylord was married to Heather Winter on December 4, 2004, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sherburn, Minn. Alumni in the wedding were Gary Goetzke (’76) as best man, Michael Soost (’94) as groomsman, and Chris Johnson (’95) as videographer. Simon and Heather will make their home in Janesville, Minn.

1996Melissa Westphal and Kent Knutson were married November 6, 2004 at Bethany’s

Trinity Chapel. Family members in the photo are Missy’s grandmother, Genevieve Westphal; parents of the bride, Art (’70) and Terri (Severson ’71) Westphal; Juli (Westphal ’95) Freeberg, sister of the bride, and her husband, Ryan (’96), with their children Lydia (2) and Ella (6 weeks); Elizabeth (Westphal ’01) Harrison, her husband, Neil (’98), and their children, Wynter (7), Izayah (3) and Kyreis (2). Missy works at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minn., as a social worker and Kent works at HealthPartners in Bloom-ington, Minn. Additional members in the wedding party included Allison Younge (’96) and Sheila Uecker (’96).


alumni news

Michael Valleau and his wife, Rebecca, are parents of a third child, Evan. He joins sisters Bethany (3) and Kendra (22 months). Mike is currently a legislative assistant in the Minnesota House of Repre-sentatives. The family makes its home in Vadnais Heights, Minn.

Miles Wurster started his second full school year at Wiggins School District this fall. He teaches grades 5-12 band and grades 7-12 choir. Wiggins is located on the eastern plain of Colorado, just off Interstate 76.

1998Anika Jaeger and Bryan Rychner were married at Bethany’s Trinity Chapel on

August 21, 2004. Anika is the daughter of Steven (’72) and Lois (Olson ’71) Jaeger. Bethany alumni and faculty involved in the wedding included matron of honor Kristine (Baermann ’79) Jaeger; maid of honor Heather Helgerson (’98); bride-maid Amanda Jaeger (’97); groomsman Jacob Jaeger (current); Pastor Donald Moldstad (’78, MDV ’85); musicians Prof. Dennis Marzolf, Prof. Adrian Lo, Prof. Ann Fredrickson, Prof. Mark DeGarmeaux (MDV ’85), Prof. Mark Harstad (MDV ’74), Peggy (Sorenson ’72) Harstad, Nathan Harstad (current), Sarah (Harstad, ’98) Dale, Jennifer Cachiaras (current), Abigail (Proeber ’03) Marozick; florists Gina (Hassler ’80) Moldstad and Sara Tacheny (’97); photographers John Schwertfeger (’62) and daughter Jill Schwertfeger (’03); videographer Gregory Vandermause

(’05); and DJ Matthew Wiechmann (’03). Anika is employed at Commu-nity Action Council as the sexual assault services coordinator for Dakota County and she manages a shelter for women and children in Eagan, Minn. Bryan is a police officer for the city of Burnsville, Minn. They live in Farmington, Minn., and welcome news from other Bethany folks. Their email is [email protected]

1999Terri (Sohre) Malecek graduated from MSU, Mankato in 2003 as a registered nurse. She was married in September 2003.

Emily Van Hee was married to Jesse Berg of Sanborn, Minn. on December 18,

2004. Emily currently teaches physical education/health and coaches volleyball and basketball at Madelia, Minn. Jesse is superintendent at the Farmers Golf and Health Club in Sanborn, Minn.

2000Joshua Skogen just finished his student teaching. He will be substituting in Winona, Minn. Next fall he will consider either going to the Mankato area to teach or attending Southwest Minnesota State University to compete in his final year of eligibility in wrestling.

2001Elizabeth (Shaw) Hansen’s email address appeared incorrectly in the last Report. Her correct email address is: [email protected]

David and Shelby (Reuter) Kirschner were married September 23, 2000 at the Amboy United Methodist Church in Amboy, Minn. They are living in Amboy where they purchased a home in 2001. Their son, Brennan Karl, was born on September 15, 2004. He was four weeks premature and weighed just 4 pounds, 5 ounces. The couple gives thanks to God for blessing them with a healthy, happy little angel.

Lisa (Burcham) Petersen and her husband, Ted (’03), are currently residing in Gainesville, Florida. Ted is attending USF in Tampa to complete his master’s in communication and Lisa is an assistant loan officer with SunTrust Bank.

Jessica Shelvik recently spent the summer in St. Petersburg, Russia, for intensive language study and research on her master’s thesis, which she will complete in Spring 2005. She won the University of Illinois 2002 Yuro Skalnik Prize for best gradu-ate essay in Russian and East European Studies. She will be teaching music history during the academic year.

2003Jeffery Merseth and Megan Armbre-cht were married at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on Friday, July 5, 2002. Other Bethany alumni in the wedding party were Katie Recknor (’01), Heather Look (’01), John Moldstad (’02), Adam Holtz (’01), and Aaron Ferkenstad (’02). Jeff and Megan received their BA degrees from Bethany in 2003. Megan will gradu-ate with a master’s of music-applied voice from MSU, Mankato in May 2005. Jeff is taking Greek classes at Bethany and plans to enroll at the Bethany Lutheran Theo-logical Seminary in the fall of 2006. They currently reside in Mankato, Minn.

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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.

2005 Schwan Center Programs • Women’sRetreat:April 15-17, 2005• ConfessionalChristianWorldviewSeminar:June 26-July 2, 2005• ELSCampIndianhead—Minnesota/IowaYouth:July 17-22, 2005

The goals of our programs are: • ToapplyconfessionalLutherantheologytothepresentculture• Todistinguishtruthfromerror• TodefendandoffertheGospelofChristinitspurity —allinanenvironmentofmutualencouragement,beauty,andquietness

For more information or to register, visit www.schwancenter.org or call 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 515 students, with approximately thirty additional part-time students. Bachelor of Arts degree: Sixteen majors and seventeen minors are offered. For more information, please visit www.blc.edu.

about Bethany Lutheran collegemarch3/1 PLUM #5 Debate Tournament, 2 p.m. 3/7-10 Baseball Spring Trip, Port Charlotte, Fla.3/8 Softball Spring Training, Tucson, Ariz.3/8 TCFL #6 Speech Tournament Normandale CC, 1 p.m.3/11,12 District Speech Tournament South Dakota State University, 1 p.m. 3/16-20 PI Kappa Delta National Speech Tournament, Comm. Center, 8 a.m.3/17 Kjerstin Theraldson Art Lecture YFAC, 7 p.m. 3/19 Baseball at Wartburg Waverly, Iowa, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.3/19 Bethany Band Reunion Invitational Trinity Chapel, 4 p.m. 3/20 Baseball at Coe College Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. 3/30 Baseball vs North Central Home, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

april4/1 Baseball at UM Morris Morris, Minn., 3 p.m.4/1 Softball vs North Central Home, 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.4/2 Baseball at UM Morris Morris, Minn., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.4/3 Tennis at St. Scholastica Duluth, Minn., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.4/4 Softball at Gustavus Adolphus St. Peter, Minn., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.4/5 Baseball vs Martin Luther Home, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.4/5 Softball vs Waldorf Home, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.4/6 Speech Team Home Concert Comm. Center, 7 p.m. 4/7 Tennis at Martin Luther New Ulm, Minn., 2 p.m.4/7 Organ Recital by Herman Jordaan Trinity Chapel, 7 p.m. 4/8 Baseball vs St. Scholastica Home, 3 p.m. 4/9 Baseball vs St. Scholastica Home, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

winter 2004-05 bethany report

Documents

bethany family

fundamental goal of

cthe report

alumni magazine

initial year

student brian lee

student services

bruss new instructor