2 BETHELUNIVERSITY.EDU/MAGAZINE The Bethel Magazine is published each year for alumni and friends of the university. Please send correspondence and address changes to the editor. BETHEL MAGAZINE 1001 Bethel Circle Mishawaka, IN 46545 Email: Lissa.Diaz@BethelUniversity.edu Phone: 574.807.7384 Website: BethelUniversity.edu/Magazine Founded in 1947 by the Missionary Church, Bethel University is an accredited Christian university offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in more than 50 areas of study. At Bethel you will find a community of nearly 1,160 learners. Our mission is to challenge the mind, enlarge the vision and equip students for lifeong service. To learn more, visit BethelUniversity.edu. PRESIDENT Barbara K. Bellefeuille, Ed.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC SERVICES Abson Joseph, Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT & MARKETING Amanda Slaughter VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE AND CFO Pamela Campbell, Ph.D. INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Rich Cummins, CFRE VICE PRESIDENT FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE & UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS Shawn Holtgren '95, '97, Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT & SUCCESS Julie Beam, Ph.D. EDITOR Lissa (Grashorn) Diaz '07 ASSITANT COPY EDITORS Erin J. Hollister '07 Karis Bagley '23 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aaron Charles '15 Lissa (Grashorn) Diaz '07 Melyssa Geever ’23 Luke Schrock GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brianna Haessig PHOTOGRAPHERS Brianna Haessig Adam Raschka Peter Ringenberg '03 Emily (Rogers) Sherwood '99 COVER PHOTO Adam Raschka A PUBLICATION OF BETHEL UNIVERSITY, IND. VOLUME 35, ISSUE 1 A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Alumni and Friends, I have been deeply blessed. Finishing a nearly 50-year education career as president of an intentionally Christ-centered university is beyond what I could have imagined. I grew up outside of Detroit in a blue-collar family. My sisters and I were first-generation college students with no governmental aid yet in place. Becoming a middle school teacher was already a dream come true. So, to have been granted God’s grace in moving into the world of higher education and opportunities for leadership is simply a testament of God’s kind mercy. The cherry on top is finishing my career at THE Bethel University. I am grateful for the unwavering support since 2012. Four years ago, I began imagining what my short tenure as president could accomplish for this wonderful institution and God impressed on me the idea of faithfulness. This began the early thinking for the three-year Faithful Campaign. Bethel has in these years multiplied its efforts to ensure everyone knows our purpose as a Christ-centered institution. We have also spent energy and money caring for our people and the places around campus that needed attention. Praise God for the generous gifts that have enabled us to use $4 million to repair, replace and replenish many areas around campus while also reinforcing our solid biblical foundation. Living close to Notre Dame, we often see people touch or refer to the sign “Play Like a Champion Today!” But at Bethel it's different. I walk into my office area to the sign “Faithfulness First, Flourishing Follows!” (Thank you, Miriam Wertz, for making that sign). I don’t touch it, but I do agree and pray daily for God to bring flourishing to Bethel. I will cherish finishing my career as a Bethel Pilot, but knowing Christ remains at the helm is the most rewarding. Barbara K. Bellefeuille, Ed.D. President
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