Psychololgy graduate Mitha Sung ’18 has many goals for her life beyond Bethel. She wants to build an orphanage shelter in Myanmar, start a women’s/teenage girls group, and restore the relationship between Chin parents and their children. And it’s her experience as a refugee that formed her servant-heart for everyone, whether it is her Chin community or friends on Bethel’s campus. Fleeing Myanmar, living in Indiana, and finishing her education at Bethel have created her life goal: to bring the joy of the Lord in the lives of those in need.

Katey Bartie ’07 puts her sign language interpreting skills to use in just about every setting as an independent contractor interpreter. In each of these settings, she strives to leave a legacy of advocacy and compassion through her interpreting. Bartie’s diverse assignments show there are no limits to what you can do as an interpreter.

“I’ve had the honor (9 times now!) of being in the room when a Deaf mother was giving birth. I’ve interpreted for Deaf husbands and wives giving their vows on their wedding days. And I’ve interpreted onstage in a Marilyn Monroe costume (with the blonde wig!) in front of hundreds of people for a Deaf Blind man dressed as Elvis.”

Meghan Durán ’15 would say it was divine providence that brought her to Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic (NCLC) of Indianapolis, Ind. One chance encounter with a pastor from Urban Outreach in Indianapolis set her on the path towards becoming program manager for the Victim Justice Program at NCLC.

The Bethel Women’s Soccer Team is living out its commitment to respect all human beings. Head Coach Jamie Lindvall, along with assistant coach and wife, Rachel Lindvall, led the soccer team to Houston, Texas, Sept. 21-24, to provide disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Harvey.

In September, more than two dozen Bethel students, alumni and other professional artists from the community gathered for the Center for Career Development and Global Engagement’s latest Instagram Takeover. During the Takeover, students explored Chicago, where they photographed Green Street Smoked Meats, the Robey Hotel and Low Res, a community-building creative arts studio. Representatives from each location shared their stories and advice with the group.

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.