Outstanding Seniors

Bethel’s mission is to transform communities through Christ-centered graduates. Here, we feature several members of Bethel College’s final graduating class, before we become Bethel University on May 6. These outstanding seniors have been stretched, challenged and equipped to serve in their various disciplines. Read the greatest takeaways from their Bethel experiences, and what they plan to do after graduation.

Jalen Alexander – Math Education; Special Education minor
Math Education major (with a minor in Special Education) Jalen Alexander is gearing up to teach middle school math after graduation, with the hopes of eventually transitioning to special education. He’s just finishing up his student teaching at Clay International Academy, and has had fieldwork experiences in nearby districts including School City of Mishawaka, Penn-Harris-Madison, Concord and others. On campus, he’s been involved in Track & Field, Spiritual Life team, and served as a math tutor in the Learning Commons.
“I’ve had so many great coaches and professors that have helped me develop in my relationship with God, my academics and my sport (track).”

Allison Coffeen – English
English major Allison Coffeen is a member of Bethel’s founding Lacrosse team, and currently serves as captain. Other campus involvement includes being manager of the Rugby team, editor of the “Bethel Beacon,” participant in the Writer’s Circle (club) and part of the Blu Crew (admission summer team). After graduation, Coffeen will travel to Alaska on a Bethel Task Force Trip before heading off to the Netherlands to play in an international lacrosse tournament with Team USA (she was selected along with teammate Kennedy Lower for this honor). When she returns from her travels, she plans to work with the Parks Department for the city of New Buffalo, Mich.
“The most impactful part of my Bethel experience was being involved with beginning the legacy of Bethel Lacrosse.”

Zechariah Good – Worship Arts
Worship Arts major Zechariah Good is one of the first four-year graduates of this relatively new major. As a student, he spent time in Nashville, Kayla Tenn., recording two albums alongside music industry experts Billy Smiley and Jonathan Crone. He even wrote and recorded an original song, “Sweet Holy Spirit,” which appeared on the 2018 album “Heartcry.” On campus, Good led Chapel Band for two years and the Vespers worship band for one year; he also was in the Concert Choir and played Rugby for one season. Additionally, he served as an intern with the Nappanee Missionary Church SOAR program. Good plans to work as a worship pastor after graduation.
“Bethel helped me step outside my comfort zone and see who I was in ministry. It showed me my role in ministry, pinpointed what I should be doing … helped me grow.”

Spencer French – Christian Ministries and Philosophy
Christian Ministries and Philosophy double major Spencer French has his sights set on graduate school, where he’ll pursue a master’s in divinity at his first choice – Yale University, with full scholarship plus stipend. He was accepted to every school he applied to; in addition to Yale: Princeton Theological Seminary, Boston University School of Theology and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. While at Bethel, he’s been involved in the Bethel College Honors program, served as an RAR (resident assistant roommate) for Oakwood-Slater (men’s dorm), and spent a semester abroad in South Africa, focused on racial reconciliation. He also served as an intern at Keller Park Church in South Bend.
“The professors (and other mentors) should take credit for 95 percent of my spiritual growth on campus. They truly listened and patiently journeyed alongside [me].”

Jaclyn Holmes – Communication
Communication major Jaclyn Holmes spent a semester in Australia as part of the CCCU Best Semester program that she describes as life-changing. On campus, she was involved in the Bethel College Honors Program, the Billy Kirk Leadership Program, the “Bethel Beacon,” and also played lacrosse her freshman year. She held internships with Marketing and Communications and Admissions on campus, and is currently doing a fieldwork experience with THOR Industries in Elkhart, working in their LEAP (Learn, Engage, Achieve, Perform) program. After graduation, she plans to combine her interest in social media with her passion for people by working in a social media position.
“[Spending a semester in Australia] changed my perspective on the world and ignited a passion in me for world issues, community, and my place in it all.”

Wesley Mast – Sign Language Interpreting
Sign Language Interpreting major Wesley Mast has spent 10 weeks on an interpreting practicum (a requirement for his major) with Valley Center of the Deaf in Phoenix, Ariz., which allowed him to put into practice everything he’s learned over the last four years. Post-graduation, Mast has been offered a job as a contract interpreter for both Community Services With All Deaf in Indiana, and Valley Center of the Deaf in Arizona. This will allow him to contract with multiple agencies in different cities and work for them when he is in each area. Over the next few years, he plans to interpret full-time in pursuit of achieving national certification through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
“Bethel created this deep longing within me to learn, and I attribute this to having such easy access to professors. No matter what department, every professor was more than willing to take the time to answer my questions.”

Joy Moore – Intercultural Studies
Intercultural Studies major Joy Moore is a member of the spiritual life team on campus. As a student, she held an internship with the High School Ministry of Nappanee Missionary Church and spent this past school year living in South Bend and serving with Transformation Ministries as part of Bethel’s Urban Ministry Experience. After graduation, she plans to move to the Florida Keys, where she’s applied for education jobs.
“The most impactful part of my Bethel experience was the friends I’ve made, the teachers who guided me in real life and classroom experiences and the internships I was a part of.”

Nathan Moxness – Accounting
Accounting and Financial Services major Nathan Moxness held a variety of internships during his Bethel career that set him up for post-college success. He had summer internships at Zebra Technologies (tax department), with Plante Moran (tax department) and a school-year internship at Korhorn Financial Group (wealth management). On campus, he served as a Resident Advisor of Oakwood-Slater (men’s dorm), was part of intramural flag football, basketball, volleyball and futsol (indoor soccer), Financial Planning Club, Spiritual Life Team and he tutored. After graduation, Moxness will be employed in the tax department of accounting firm Plante Moran in downtown Chicago.
“Bethel helped me grow spiritually because it gave me the opportunities to meet with other Christians and worship or discuss topics of faith.”

Kayla Rundquist – English Writing and Theatre Arts
English Writing and Theatre Arts double major Kayla Rundquist combined her passions for writing and theatre when she wrote “Like Watchmen” her sophomore year, which was performed on Bethel’s stage. She’s served as director, actor, choreographer, props master, assistant stage manager and house manager with Bethel Theatre; she’s also a member of the Concert Choir, Theatre Club, writing clubs and served as managing editor for “The Crossings” literary magazine. In the summer of 2018, she was hired as an actor with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school in California and pursue a career as a fiction writer, focusing on novels, screenwriting and playwriting.
“I am thankful that Bethel’s theatre department is all about its students, and giving them the experience that they will need to be successful in the real world.”