14 BETHELUNIVERSITY.EDU/MAGAZINE A Job Faithfully Done BY: Lissa (Grashorn) Diaz ’07 When Dr. Barb Bellefeuille assumed the role of president of Bethel University, first on an interim basis in July 2021 and then officially as president in March of 2022, she committed to three years and three priorities. She set out to: strengthen Bethel’s mission through a renewed focus on the relationship between the university and the Missionary Church denomination; care for Bethel’s people through strategic hires, including building Bethel’s cabinet; and fortify Bethel spaces for the future through the $6.5 million Faithful campaign. Now, three years later, she has worked hard to advance these priorities. During Bellefeuille’s tenure, Bethel has strengthened its relationship with the Missionary Church through intentional missional alignment and key events. In 2023, two annual traditions began, including, “Bethel Day with the Missionary Church,” where churches around the country take time in their Sunday services to celebrate Bethel University, and “Missionary Church Day at Bethel,” where pastors are invited on campus to attend chapel, enjoy lunch and interact with students. Bellefeuille has supported Bethel’s presence at all four regional Missionary Church summer camps, district and leadership conferences and the SHIFT National conference. She re-established the Pastors Prayer Walk each August and worked with Enrollment to increase scholarships for Missionary Church students. “I had a goal during my presidency to increase the number of Missionary Church students on our campus by asking them to consider Bethel first in their college search. This year showed the greatest promise as Missionary Church students coming in as freshmen increased by 78% over last year,” Bellefeuille says. She has worked to care for Bethel’s people in a variety of ways. She was responsible for five cabinet hires, a faculty/staff chaplain to care for employees spiritually and the establishment of a Vice President for Spiritual Life and University Affairs. She instituted an 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. work week, with half-day Fridays in the summer, and started the annual “Lighting of the Pilot Lights” to mark the Christmas season.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODMyNTU=