Spring 2023 Bethel Magazine

Bethel More Affordable for Indiana Residents The Indiana State Budget Committee approved the Indiana Commission of Higher Education’s request for the largest increase in state grant funds since 2008. Current and prospective students who are eligible for the Frank O’Bannon/Freedom of Choice Grant will receive an increased award, effective for the 2023-24 school year. Learn more and see how this impacts our students through sample award packages at BethelUniversity.edu/FinancialAid . Bethel ranked No. 1 in Indiana by the College Affordability Guide, 2022 Bethel University was ranked No. 1 in Indiana on the College Affordability Guide, which analyzed 10 million data points from 7,000+ colleges and universities across the U.S. to find which colleges are doing the most to make a high-quality education affordable. Bethel Hosts Go2BU, An Immersive Campus Visit Experience Oct. 13-14, Bethel University hosted Go2BU, a 24-hour immersive campus visit experience. Designed for high school juniors, seniors and transfer students, this event enabled students to discover what it’s like to be a Bethel Pilot by staying overnight, attending chapel, observing class and participating in Tip-Off Madness, our annual kick-off to basketball season. Over the course of the event, a variety of activities were available to students, including dorm activities, chapel, a first-year experience panel, a campus tour and sessions on scholarships. Look for the next Go2BU in October 2023. Bethel Celebrates Homecoming with 75th Birthday Party Homecoming weekend, held Sept. 30-Oct. 1, brought alumni and friends back to campus to participate in a variety of activities. Highlights included Alumni Chapel, celebrating our 2022 Alumni Award recipients, a “Rise'n Run” 5K, Reunion Village with food trucks and a birthday party for Bethel with cake and fireworks to cap off the weekend. See more on p. 20. Bethel Hosts Annual Lighting of the Pilot Lights (1) President Bellefeuille kicked off the Christmas season with the annual Lighting of the Pilot Lights on November 28. Students, faculty and staff gathered around the ponds at the center of campus to sing Christmas carols, light the trees around campus and spread Christmas cheer. Cookies, hot cocoa and coffee were also served. Prior to the event, faculty and staff volunteered to string the lights around campus. Music Department Celebrates Bethel’s 75th Year with Christmas Concert (2) Bethel’s annual welcome to the Christmas season took place December 3, featuring the Concert Choir, Voices of Triumph, Chamber Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo,Wind Ensemble and special alumni guests from Christmas past. The concert began with sharing songs and stories, reminiscing about Bethel's 75 years of "favorite Christmases." It concluded with a focus on the birth of Christ, the most important “favorite Christmas” of all time. Bethel Offers Day of Computing Bethel's Center for Computing held a Day of Computing on March 6, in collaboration with the Office of Admission. The event, “Being Secure in Today’s Digital World,” enabled participants to learn to be safe as a user, learn about a career in cyber security and experience hands-on cyber security activities. Students also enjoyed an admissions presentation, campus tour and guidance on how to find the right major or minor. Learn more at BethelUniversity.edu/News 1 CAMPUS L I FE CAMPUS NEWS Continued on p. 8 2 7 SPRING 2023