Our Promising Future
On April 29, approximately 450 students will join the ranks of the nearly 20,000 Bethel alumni who have gone before them. This 70th graduating class has been equipped and challenged for this commission: to go out into the world and serve God’s Kingdom with their talents. Here, we celebrate a small sample of this graduating class, highlighting their accomplishments and looking toward the bright future ahead.
Spanish and International Health double major Kyle Busse completed an international internship (a hallmark of Bethel’s International Health program) with Sustainable Bolivia in Cochabamba, Bolivia, last summer. There, he worked on a local initiative for the education, treatment and prevention of diabetes. After graduation, he will study Global Health Epidemiology at the University of Michigan, a program ranked No. 4 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report (behind only Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill).
Worship Arts major and Bethel College worship band leader Cidney DoBrodt released her solo album “Undone” in March of 2017. The album was recorded at Dark Horse Recording Studios in Nashville, Tenn., with alumnus and Dove Award-nominated artist and songwriter Billy Smiley, and produced by HCM Records. Following graduation, DoBrodt plans on touring throughout the Midwest and hopes to one day relocate to Nashville. An album debut concert is planned at Bethel for April 8. Visit HCMRecords.org to learn more or to purchase the album.
Graphic Design major Zachary Nelson, along with his 8-year-old sister GiGi, started apparel business Tiny Panda Threads, which donates all of its proceeds to OneSky (a charitable organization that helps orphans in China, like GiGi once was). Nelson prints his products at Make South Bend, a makerspace owned by alumna Michelle FitzGerald ’09. He has been offered a position as creative director for a local marketing firm upon graduation. You can learn more about his business at TinyPandaThreads.com.
English and Philosophy double major Meagan Fisher has been accepted into the Master of Arts in Theological Studies program at Princeton Theological Seminary, the second oldest seminary in the United States, with a 90 percent tuition scholarship. During her four years at Bethel, Fisher studied at Oxford University in Oxford, U.K. She was also a significant member of the Bethel College Track and Field team, helping the Pilots achieve an NCCAA national championship while earning the titles of NAIA national qualifier and NCCAA All-American.
Business major and Music minor Jordan Hopkins spent a semester at the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, Tenn., working under experts of music production and insiders in the Nashville music scene. He has made strides in numerous areas of music production, particularly in audio engineering, developing his own brand: Nizzereo Music (NizzereoMusic.com). At Bethel, Hopkins was a Billy Kirk Scholar, a key member of the Bethel Business Club (Enactus), a member of Black Student Fellowship and served as the general manager of BC Pilot Radio. Following his time at Bethel, Hopkins intends to relocate to Atlanta, Ga., as an audio engineer intern at a prominent record label.
TESOL and English & Writing double major and Philosophy minor Taylor Gilliam has accepted a two-year position with the United States Peace Corps as a Secondary Education English Teacher Specialist in Ethiopia. She will begin in June of 2017, and following her service, plans to continue her education with aspirations for a Ph.D. in sociolinguistics. During her time at Bethel, she spent a semester at Oxford University in Oxford, U.K., and was a member of the Bethel College Cross Country and Track and Field teams. She was involved with multiple community outreach programs, including Writing for Life, Transformation Ministries and Feed the Hungry.
Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies major Aaron Grosse wrote “The Sowers Harvest,” a book on Christian living relating spiritual growth to plant growth, as depicted in the parables of Jesus. Published in 2016 by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, “The Sowers Harvest” is available for purchase on Amazon.com. Grosse serves as youth pastor at California Road Missionary Church, a job he will continue after graduation.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major Sydney Sheltz held a paid internship last summer in the genomics department of Covance, Inc., the largest clinical lab work and clinical trial research company in the world. She has accepted a full-time lab technician position there following graduation. Sheltz also plans to attend graduate school with aspirations of earning a Ph.D. in genetics.
