We Are Bethel University

When Bethel College became Bethel University on May 6, 2019, we began talking more about four key attributes that define us. These include strong academics, spiritual formation, mentoring and relationships. These attributes were identified as true of Bethel through research done by Brand Innovation Group (BIG), through focus groups and surveys of thousands of campus constituents. They are reinforced below, through profiles of recent alumni. But we imagine that they’ll resonate with all seven decades of alumni and friends, because these attributes have been woven into the fabric of Bethel since its founding in 1947. As Bethel University, we remain focused on our mission — to impact the world through Christ-centered graduates — and steadfastly hold to our motto: With Christ at the Helm.

STRONG ACADEMICS

Amy (Baker) Baddley ’14, an English major with an economics minor, completed her Bethel degree in Washington, D.C., through the American Studies Program. Since graduating, she has participated in American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Fellowship program, worked as a legislative assistant to an Oklahoma Congressman, filled several positions at AthenaHealth in Massachusetts and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctorate at Vanderbilt Law School.

“At Bethel, I was exposed to psychology, history, literature, philosophy, theology, economics, languages, and fine arts. I was taught to interweave these disciplines, think critically and communicate effectively about them, consider new perspectives, and develop informed thoughts and opinions. In short, I learned well how to learn well.”

Laura Glass ’15, a mathematics and Spanish major with an accounting minor, currently serves as Lead Compliance Analyst at Stryker Corporation (Portage, Mich.). She earned her M.S. in Business Analytics from Michigan State University (MSU) and is currently working on an M.S. in Marketing Research, also at MSU. While at Bethel, Glass was mentored by Alice Ramos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Mathematics, who sparked her interest in Data Science and Data Analytics. This interest led her to graduate school and her current position.

“The professors in the Bethel math department challenged me every day to become a better student. Overall, I learned how to be a problem solver. I now know how to approach difficult problems with a freedom and willingness to look at it from multiple angles before reaching a solution.”

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Kevin Brown ’15, a youth ministry and adolescent studies major, currently serves as Family Pastor at Grabill Missionary Church, Grabill, Ind., where he partners with parents, recruits small group leaders, and leads staff members in nursery through college ministries. As a Bethel student, Brown served as an RA in Oakwood-Slater Hall, was part of the Urban Ministry Experience in South Bend, served as the student Spiritual Life Director and worked in the mailroom. He says that his time spent at Bethel helped him to look more like Jesus in his relationships with other people and in his academics.

“I felt like my church growing up helped me in my faith, but Bethel took it to the next level by challenging me on the why and how to make it my own.”

Sara Mould ’14, an intercultural studies major, began a 2-year internship with the Christian and Missionary Alliance after graduating from Bethel. While traveling and serving in Africa, Mould applied to the Peace Corps, where she worked with an environmental foundation in Armenia until she returned to the United States last June. The variety of skills Mould developed through her classes at Bethel prepared her well for her career. Mould particularly values the way her classes challenged her to dig into Scripture and become a critical thinker, which has helped her assess situations in cross-cultural environments in her career from religious, cultural and historical contexts.

“The education I received from Bethel helped widen my worldview and helped me see things from different perspectives.”

MENTORING

Anthony Houston II ’16, an exercise science major, currently serves as an Emergency Department Physician Assistant (PA) at Elite Emergency Physicians (headquartered in Elkhart, Ind.). He previously worked as a scribe and phlebotomist at Elkhart General Hospital before enrolling in West Liberty University’s M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies program. Houston was stretched both spiritually and academically during his time at Bethel through his relationships with professors and mentors.

“Larry [McClements, assistant professor of physical education] … connected me with an alumnus who is a PA and sparked my desire to practice medicine. I am ever grateful, because I love the career path I am on and I know I would have been fully ignorant about the role of a PA if it was not for Larry’s impact.”

Dominique Dvojacki ’13, a nursing major, is a Registered Nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Saint Joseph Health System in Mishawaka, Ind., where she was offered a job during her senior year at Bethel and has worked in various departments for the last six years. While at Bethel, Dvojacki found a mentor in Financial Aid Counselor Bev Wagnerowski ’85. Wagnerowski became like a second mom to Dvojacki, who often could not go home due to commitments with the Track and Field team and her nursing schedule. Wagnerowski counseled Dvojacki in both her academic and personal life and often generously welcomed her into her home for dinner and movies.

“Bev was a huge support system while I was at Bethel and I am forever thankful.”

RELATIONSHIPS

Alex Price ’18, a theatre arts major, currently serves as Artistic Director at The 574 Theatre Company, a regional theatre company that he founded with fellow Bethel graduate Joshua Maurer ‘18. Through the relationships he formed at Bethel, Price was able to build an artistic team at 574 Theatre, which in just two seasons has produced shows such as “The Music Man,” “Hello, Dolly!,” and “Into the Woods,” a deaf theatre project featuring both hearing and deaf actors. Price has continued his relationships with the theatre and spiritual mentors he had while attending Bethel, and credits Bethel with teaching him the importance of community through Christ.

“I was blessed to have several mentors while at Bethel … Through the crazy moments, I never felt alone and felt the power of prayer and fellowship.”

Brant Nine ’14, ’19, an elementary education major, completed his M.A. in Education (Literacy Focus) at Bethel in the spring of 2019 and is now a fourth grade teacher at Woodview Elementary in Nappanee, Ind. He previously worked at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Elkhart as a Skills Trainer. At Bethel, Nine found a model of his profession in Kim Meyer, adjunct faculty, and a source of genuine support in his academic advisor Jeff Stueve. Nine also forged relationships with people who encouraged him spiritually, such as his Urban Ministry Experience team partners, Kory ’09 and Alison Lantz ’09. Nine’s friendships with Bethel peers were also influential, as it was through those that he met his wife, Francie.

“Some of my best friends attended Bethel and roomed with me throughout my undergrad. Because of the campus environment, you really get to know a lot of people!”

By Lissa (Grashorn) Diaz ’07 with Emily Oliver ’20