Kenton Leidy ’16 is the first student featured in our Pilot Profile summer series, focusing on why students chose Bethel and what they’ve gained from their course of study. Leidy was a Math/Physics major and part of our 3-2 Engineering program, in partnership with University of Notre Dame. While at Bethel, he gained real-world experience through an internship at AM General, and participated in Jazz Ensemble and Chapel Band. He is heading into his second year at Notre Dame, where he will graduate with an engineering degree in 2018.

Joel Runyon ’09 has competed in some pretty impressive races in the past two years. From a 12-hour race in Narrabeen, Australia, to a 62-mile trudge through the frigid landscape of Antarctica, he has shown radical stamina. However, no race has required more endurance and perseverance than completing the 777 project: Seven races. Seven continents. Seven schools.

Runyon designed the 777 initiative to raise enough funds to build seven schools for children in communities that are in need of basic resources for proper education. He committed to run an ultra-marathon on each of Earth’s seven continents and partnered with Pencils Of Promise to raise $175,000 – enough to build seven schools.

Rev. Don Conrad, Ph.D. ’50, a beloved Bethel alumnus and professor, went to be with the Lord Mon., May 22. Dr. Conrad was the first graduate to have completed all coursework at Bethel College. This is his first-person reflection on his life at Bethel, published in the fall 2007 issue of Bethel Magazine and reposted in remembrance.

Bethel College alumni Aaron ’10 and Jessica (Wick) Harsch ’07 are co-founders of Redemption Road Coffee – a privately owned, wholesale coffee roasting business based in Mead, Colo. The venture launched in May of 2016, and the word (and coffee) has been spreading ever since.