Each year, Bethel College recognizes the outstanding achievements of alumni or friends of the college with Alumni Awards. This year’s recipients will receive their awards at a special Alumni on the Town dinner at Carmela’s at Macri’s in South Bend, Ind. on Friday, Oct. 2. It’s all part of Bethel’s 2015 Homecoming Weekend.

jenny mcgeeAlumna of the Year:  Jenny (Dyer) McGee ’99

In recognition of an outstanding alumna or alumnus of Bethel College who exemplifies the values of the college in his or her personal and professional life.   

After graduating from Bethel College in 1999, Jenny McGee moved to Southeast Asia – a place she fell in love with while on a semester abroad trip. After befriending women of the red light district, McGee felt compelled to make a difference in their lives. She founded the Starfish Project, an organization dedicated to rescuing exploited women in Asia by providing them with a trade: making jewelry. Through the Starfish Project, McGee has created a home, an education system, health care options and business opportunities for these women. McGee has also shared about the success of the Starfish Project with the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women. The Starfish Project operates in three locations worldwide and is currently expanding its market into major retail suppliers in the United States.

Seth BartletteYoung Alumnus of the Year: Seth Bartlette ’06

In recognition of an outstanding young alumnus or alumna of Bethel College, who exemplifies the values of the college in his or her personal and professional life.

Seth Bartlette is a nationally recognized producer and creative director for events, conferences, and video, based out of Orange County, Calif. He began producing events as a student at Bethel College and continued during his early years in student ministry. In 2011, he became the creative director for an online TV station before moving to California to launch his own company in 2012. Since then, he has designed and produced events for clients such as Toyota, ONE Campaign, Caterpillar Foundation, Send North America, Invisible Children, Salt, National Youth Workers Convention, as well as produced video shoots around the world. In 2014, he was honored to be the recipient of a “40 Under 40” award from Rejuvenate Magazine. Collaborating alongside influential authors, speakers, bands and artists is one aspect of his work that he loves. In 2015, he founded a second company: Dexter Creative agency, which has opened new opportunities to create and produce. When he’s not traveling, he’s grateful to work from home, surrounded by his beautiful family. They love to be together, to travel, and to spend weekends finding new adventures.

Carrie NofzigerTimothy Award for Outstanding Service: Carrie Nofziger ’08

In recognition of an alumnus or alumna for exemplary work done behind the scenes, in an attitude of quiet humility.

A 2008 graduate of Bethel College, Carrie Nofziger uses her degree as a sign language interpreter in various settings in and around her hometown of Archbold, OH. Nofziger also spends time working at a video relay center, where she interprets phone calls. Additionally, Nofziger is a leader for “Deaf Teen Quest” (DTQ), a national division of Youth for Christ. DTQ serves as a youth group for deaf and hard of hearing teens. Nofziger launched this group in her hometown after seeing a need for it in her community. She is constantly doing fundraisers to help the kids raise money to go to a DTQ summer camp  in Tennessee. Nofziger loves and cares for the kids around her and always looks for fun and meaningful ways to make a difference in their lives.