Reg Klopfenstein
Gisela Schmidt
Erwin Sucipto

Retirements
Reg Klopfenstein, D.M., professor of music, will retire after 29 years of service to Bethel University. During his storied career, he served as director and founder of the Bethel University Percussion Ensemble (1996-present) and Jazz Combo (1997-2018). He was director of Jazz Ensemble (1996-2018) and established and directed the Jazz Coffeehouse Concerts (1999-2018). Earlier in his career, he also served as director of the Flute Ensemble and co-director of the Pep Band and Concert Band. He has served as percussionist for the Bethel University Faculty Jazz Trio and planned and directed Bethel University Jazz Tours (2004-2018). From 1982-1991 Reg held the position of Associate Principal Timpanist and Percussionist of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.

Gisela Schmidt, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, will conclude her 44-year career as a nurse educator this spring. The last four of those years were spent at Bethel. Schmidt began teaching in Argentina in 1981 and came to the United States to teach at Andrews University (2003-2021).

Erwin Sucipto, Ph.D., professor of physics, has served at Bethel University for 23 years, teaching physics for engineering, science and non-science majors, developing courses, laboratories and programs. He’s also provided academic advising, mentored students and engaged in institutional and community service. A key contribution to Bethel was matching curriculum for the 3-2 Engineering program with Notre Dame. Prior to coming to Bethel, Sucipto served as Physics Instructor at University of Arizona. He began his career in 1979 as a faculty member at Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia and was involved in training the Indonesian team for the International Physics Olympiad in 1999. He was honored by colleagues and students as the 2006 and 2024 Bethel University Professor of the Year. He is also the recipient of the 2024-2025 Indiana Physics Teacher of the Year award.

Amy DeCelles
Theo Williams
Elizabeth McLaughlin


Promotions
Amy DeCelles, Ph.D., was promoted to Professor of Math for Fall 2025. DeCelles previously served as Associate Professor of Math and has been at Bethel since 2021.

Theo Williams, Ph.D., chair of the department of literature and language studies, was promoted to Professor of Communications for Fall 2025. Williams previously served as Associate Professor of Communications and has been at Bethel since 2006.

Elizabeth McLaughlin Published in “Communicating for Life”
Elizabeth McLaughlin, Ph.D., professor of communication, recently wrote a chapter for “Communicating for Life: Christian Stewardship in Community and Media.” This updated and expanded edition of the book by Quentin J. Schultze was published in 2024 by Foundations, a division of Integratio Press. McLaughlin’s contribution is, “Response to Chapter 11: Authentic Communication in the Imago Dei,” focusing on seeing the image of God in others and how all people share sacred worth and dignity within that core identity.

Abson Joseph
Barb Bellefeuille


Bethel Names Vice President for Academic Services
Abson Joseph, Ph.D., was appointed Vice President for Academic Services (VPAS) for Bethel University, and began his new role on July 15, 2024. Joseph brings 18 years of experience in higher education to the role, as a faculty member and administrator. He has served the last 12 years at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), most recently as dean of academic services for Wesley Seminary, where he previously served as vice president for academic affairs and academic dean at the seminary.

Joseph has a diploma in theology from Caribbean Wesleyan College (Jamaica), a master of divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary (Wilmore, Ky.) and a doctor of philosophy from Brunel University/London School of Theology (London, United Kingdom). He also earned a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Read more about him.

Bellefeuille Announces Retirement, FaithSearch Partners Named as Search Firm for Next Bethel President
Bethel University President Barbara K. Bellefeuille, Ed.D., (8) announced her plans to retire in June 2025, after serving the university for 13 years (four in the highest leadership role). Her retirement decision comes after fulfilling her commitment to Bethel’s Board of Trustees.

In preparation for Bellefeuille’s departure at the end of the school year, the Bethel University Board of Trustees formed a presidential search committee and identified FaithSearch Partners (FSP) as the executive search firm partner of the national search for Bethel’s next president. Learn more.