National Recognition for Bethel University For the 21st consecutive year, Bethel University has been recognized by U.S. News on their annual Best Colleges list. For 2025, Bethel is ranked among the Midwest’s Best Regional Universities and listed as No. 23 for social mobility, which ranks schools based on their ability to graduate lower income, Pelleligible students. Bethel was also ranked for its School of Nursing. Bethel University has also been named to Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges 2024,” ranked by value, and Washington Monthly’s “2024 Best Bang for the Buck” list, which rates schools based on how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. Bethel has been ranked No. 1 in Indiana and the nation for BSN NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rates. This ranking comes from the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing, following the second year in a row that Bethel nursing graduates reached a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX. Bethel University Hosts 2025 NAIA Swimming National Championships at Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center Bethel University was selected to host the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Swim and Dive National Championships for 2025 and 2026 at the Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center in Elkhart, Ind. The initial term of the agreement is for two years. The bid process opened in early 2024 as the NAIA’s term with the Columbus, GA Sports Council — who previously hosted the event —was nearing an end. The first event was held March 5-8, 2025, bringing 325 athletes, plus coaches, staff and hundreds of spectators to the region. Learn more on p. 17. Bethel Hosts Fourth Annual Starting Small Summit Bethel University hosted the fourth annual Starting Small Summit April 2, 2025. Moderated by business alumnus Cameron Nagle ’22, founder and host of Starting Small Podcast, this year’s summit featured entrepreneurial stories from Suze Dowling, founder of Pattern; James W. Keyes, former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven; and Alex Douzet, founder of Ollie and Pumpkin. The summit was filmed for an upcoming documentary featuring Nagle and debuted his new book, “Starting Small: The Raw Truth Behind Entrepreneurship and the American Dream,” focused on his podcast. To learn more, visit BethelUniversity.edu/StartingSmall. Bethel Celebrates Former Indiana Governor with Birthday Bash at Bowen Museum on Campus (1) Bethel University celebrated the birthday of former Governor of Indiana Dr. Otis R. Bowen at the “Bowen Birthday Bash” on Wed., Feb. 26, 2025, in the Bowen Museum, located in the Otis and Elizabeth Bowen Library building on Bethel’s campus. The event, primarily for Bethel students, was designed to generate interest in the Bowen Museum, which houses artifacts from Dr. Bowen’s life – from his early years, to his career as an obstetrician, to his tenure as governor of Indiana (1973-1981) and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Regan (1985-1989). Dr. Bowen passed away on May 4, 2013. This year would have marked his 107th birthday. Students enjoyed cake and punch, tried on replicas of Doc Bowen’s iconic horn-rimmed glasses and toured the museum. “Broadway Love Letters” at Bethel University (2) Theatre veterans and Bethel University alumni Jennie Sophia ’02 and Shawn Holtgren ’95 brought Broadway stories to life through some of the most unforgettable songs ever written in “Broadway Love Letters.” This event was presented Feb. 14, 2025, in the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium on Bethel’s campus. A “Sweet & Greet” reception, was held prior to the show at in the Everest-Rohrer Rotunda. Alumni and friends enjoyed cookies, cupcakes, sodas and more, plus a Polaroid photo booth. CAMPUS L I FE CAMPUS NEWS 1 2 7 SPRING 2025
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