National Recognition for Bethel University
For the 21st consecutive year, Bethel University has been recognized by U.S. News on their annual Best Colleges list. For 2025, Bethel is ranked among the Midwest’s Best Regional Universities and listed as No. 23 for social mobility, which ranks schools based on their ability to graduate lower income, Pell-eligible students. Bethel was also ranked for its School of Nursing. Bethel University has also been named to Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges 2024,” ranked by value, and Washington Monthly’s “2024 Best Bang for the Buck” list, which rates schools based on how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

Bethel has been ranked No. 1 in Indiana and the nation for BSN NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rates. This ranking comes from the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing, following the second year in a row that Bethel nursing graduates reached a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX.

Bethel University Hosts 2025 NAIA Swimming National Championships at Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center
Bethel University was selected to host the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Swim and Dive National Championships for 2025 and 2026 at the Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center in Elkhart, Ind. The initial term of the agreement is for two years. The bid process opened in early 2024 as the NAIA’s term with the Columbus, GA Sports Council — who previously hosted the event — was nearing an end. The first event was held March 5-8, 2025, bringing 325 athletes, plus coaches, staff and hundreds of spectators to the region. Learn more.

Bethel Hosts Fourth Annual Starting Small Summit
Bethel University hosted the fourth annual Starting Small Summit April 2, 2025. Moderated by business alumnus Cameron Nagle ’22, founder and host of Starting Small Podcast, this year’s summit featured entrepreneurial stories from Suze Dowling, founder of Pattern; James W. Keyes, former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven; and Alex Douzet, founder of Ollie and Pumpkin. The summit was filmed for an upcoming documentary featuring Nagle and debuted his new book, “Starting Small: The Raw Truth Behind Entrepreneurship and the American Dream,” focused on his podcast. To learn more, visit BethelUniversity.edu/StartingSmall.

Bethel Celebrates Former Indiana Governor with Birthday Bash at Bowen Museum on Campus
Bethel University celebrated the birthday of former Governor of Indiana Dr. Otis R. Bowen at the “Bowen Birthday Bash” on Wed., Feb. 26, 2025, in the Bowen Museum, located in the Otis and Elizabeth Bowen Library building on Bethel’s campus. The event, primarily for Bethel students, was designed to generate interest in the Bowen Museum, which houses artifacts from Dr. Bowen’s life – from his early years, to his career as an obstetrician, to his tenure as governor of Indiana (1973-1981) and Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Regan (1985-1989). Dr. Bowen passed away on May 4, 2013. This year would have marked his 107th birthday.

Students enjoyed cake and punch, tried on replicas of Doc Bowen’s iconic horn-rimmed glasses and toured the museum.

“Broadway Love Letters” at Bethel University
Theatre veterans and Bethel University alumni Jennie Sophia ’02 and Shawn Holtgren ’95 brought Broadway stories to life through some of the most unforgettable songs ever written in “Broadway Love Letters.” This event was presented Feb. 14, 2025, in the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium on Bethel’s campus. A “Sweet & Greet” reception, was held prior to the show at in the Everest-Rohrer Rotunda. Alumni and friends enjoyed cookies, cupcakes, sodas and more, plus a Polaroid photo booth.

Career Fair Held on Campus
Bethel University hosted a career and internship fair on Thurs., Feb. 6, 2025, in the Goodman Gymnasium on Bethel’s campus. Representatives from more than 40 employers in a variety of industries – including Patrick Industries, Lake City Bank, WFRN, The Mishawaka Police Department, Oaklawn and nine local school districts, among many others – were on hand to talk about available jobs and internships. The event was free, and students had the opportunity to get a professional headshot.

Bethel Holds 4th Annual Lighting of the Pilot Lights
On Nov. 25, 2024, President Bellefeuille hosted the 4th annual Lighting of the Pilot Lights around the ponds. Students, faculty and staff enjoyed carols, cookies, lights and Christmas cheer.

Bowen Bash
Bowen Bash
Broadway Love Letters
Career Fair
Lighting the Pilot Lights
Lighting the Pilot Lights
Service Day
Service Day
Service Day
Festival of Jazz
Christmas Concert
Pastor’s Prayer Walk


Bethel Partners with Lake City Bank for Annual Service Day
Bethel University’s 35th annual campus-wide Service Day took place on Tues., Oct. 1, 2024, sponsored by Lake City Bank. Bethel students, faculty and staff served together throughout Michiana at more than 20 local sites. The day wrapped up around 2 p.m., with students, faculty and staff receiving lunches on location to serve longer. All classes before 6 p.m. were cancelled so students and faculty could participate.A variety of locations were served this year, including Center for the Homeless, City of Mishawaka – Parks Department, Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Hello Gorgeous!, Hope Ministries, Humane Society of St. Joseph County and Unity Gardens, among others.

Bethel Hosts Go2BU Immersive Campus Visit Experience
Oct. 17-18, 2024, Bethel University is hosted Go2BU, a 24-hour immersive campus visit experience for high school juniors, seniors and transfer students. Students had the chance to discover what it’s like to be a Bethel Pilot by staying overnight at Bethel University, attending chapel, observing class and participating in Tip-Off Madness, our annual kick-off to basketball season. Learn more about this year’s event at BethelUniversity.edu/Go2BU.

Bethel Hosts Pastors for 12th Annual Prayer Walk
August 23, 2024, pastors gathered at the helm to pray corporately, before splitting into groups to cover various locations around campus in prayer. Afterward, pastors joined students, faculty and staff for the first chapel of the semester, followed by lunch in the Presidents’ Dining Room.

Music and Theatre present “The Sound of Music”
The Department of Music & Theatre presented the beloved musical “The Sound of Music,” music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, March 28-29 and April 4-5. Special accommodations included an interpreted show, a sing-along and a sensory-friendly morning show.

Music Gala Fundraiser Held on Campus
A music gala was held on Sat., March 15, 2025, featuring the University Choir, BU Voices and the Bethel Worship Collective. The event included a dinner followed by a concert. Proceeds from the gala supported touring costs and new equipment for the music department.

Third Annual Festival of Jazz and Jim Pickley Memorial Concert
Bethel’s Third Annual Festival of Jazz was held Feb. 15, 2025. Throughout the day, six area high school jazz bands gathered to perform, learn and improvise with some of the greatest professionals around. The event culminated with the Jim Pickley Memorial Concert.

“Gloria” Celebrates Christmas
The Bethel University Music Department presented its annual Christmas concert, “Gloria,” December 6 and 7, 2024, featuring the Percussion Ensemble, BU Voices, Chamber Orchestra with Wind Ensemble, University Choir, Piano Ensembles and Bethel Worship Collective. The concert premiered a live performance of the full orchestration of “Treasure in a Manger,” a Bethel Worship Collective original.