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Volume 58 / Number 1 / Fall 2007

Bethel Focus

News for donors to bethel university

To Protect and Defend

As a Chaplain, Alumnus of the Year Col. Glen Bloomstrom Makes a Difference for Military Families

by Kay Wible

"Marriage can provide a meaning for living and protect the ideals, values, and relationships that make America worth fighting and even dying for." These words reflect the depth and passion for ministry to families that fuel Chaplain Glen Bloomstrom, Jr., Bethel's College of Arts & Sciences 2007 Alumnus of the Year.

Bloomstrom, a 1977 graduate of Bethel College who received his M.Div from Bethel Seminary in 1981, has spent his career as a military chaplain striving to improve the quality of life for men and women in the armed forces. In a paper he wrote for the U.S. Army War College on the potential of marriage education to improve military culture, he states, "The readiness of the Army is inseparable from the well-being of its people." Ensuring the strength of a soldier's family, he adds, "is a fundamental leadership imperative that requires adequate support and resources."

Bloomstrom (right) has served
withthe Army's three most
prestigious units.Ordained by the Baptist General Conference as a chaplain in 1982, Bloomstrom has been instrumental in developing programs and services to achieve those goals, in particular the Army Chaplaincy's "Strong Bonds" initiative, begun in 1999. This year, the program is funded at approximately $18 million and will encompass 900 seminars for more than 40,000 participants. "This is my most satisfying accomplishment," he asserts.

Marriage education and relationship skills are not Bloomstrom's only area of expertise. He is also a recognized expert in suicide prevention and crisis counseling—of special relevance for soldiers returning from deployment.

Bloomstrom received an M.S. in Family Studies and Human Services from Kansas State University and is a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He's also a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.

At heart, though, he remains first and foremost a soldier. "Glen is one of the few military chaplains who has served with the Army's three most prestigious units—the Airborne, Special Forces, and Ranger Regiment," says Greg Smith, vice president of Padilla Speer Beardsley in Minneapolis, who was a sophomore on Nelson Hall's "Penthouse" floor at Bethel when Bloomstrom was the R.A. "As a result, he has earned an incredible reputation for being able to understand soldiers and the stresses they face."

During his career, Bloomstrom was chaplain with several active infantry and battalion units and saw combat in the Republic of Panama; he has trained hundreds of chaplains and provided spiritual guidance and counseling to thousands of men and women, from enlisted personnel to top brass. He also served for eight years at the Pentagon.

"[Glen] is the most spiritual chaplain senior leader I have encountered in my 40 years of ministry through the military," says Colonel Richard G. Poindexter, Acting Chief of Staff at the Office of the Chief of Chaplains. "He has made a worldwide impact on the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps for good."

Smith concurs: "Glen is gentle in spirit and dedicated to the transformational power of Christ."

Bloomstrom's grandparents had a homestead in Minnesota, but his father, a career Command Sergeant Major in the Army, married a Hawaii native and took his family all over the globe. Glen was born while they were serving in Japan, he met wife Ruth (Trautmann '77, a geriatric social worker) at Bethel and they were married in 1977. The Bloomstroms have three children and live in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is currently Command Chaplain of the Combined Arms Center, serving 2,600 military members and their families.

Presidential Search Underway

Retirement Events for George Brushaber also in Planning

A Presidential Search Committee, appointed by the Board of Trustees after Bethel President George K. Brushaber announced that he will retire at the end of his current term in June 2008, has begun the process of seeking a replacement.

The board also appointed a Retirement Events Planning Committee, which will focus on honoring Brushaber's long tenure at Bethel. A list of the committee members, as well as more information about the search, will be available throughout the search process at www.bethel.edu/presidential-search/. Information regarding retirement events will be available at www.bethel.edu/retirement-events/ as it becomes available.

The Presidential Search Committee has also engaged the executive search firm People Management International, LLC, to assist in the search process. People Management is an international consulting firm serving a variety of markets and clients. Their services include executive search, executive coaching, succession planning, and other management consulting around the area of job fit.

The search committee's first step in the search process was to interview, with the help of People Management, more than 80 people in current leadership positions at Bethel. The interviews are being used to develop a position profile and organization profile. There will also be an ongoing process to receive input from other Bethel constituency groups.

"We are committed to a process in which we take the time to listen to Bethel's constituencies to ensure we find the right leader to guide Bethel's continued growth and prominence, and have a smooth transition from one leader to the next," explains Dan Lindh, CEO of Presbyterian Homes and chair of Bethel's Presidential Search Committee.

MBA Expands to Rochester

Beginning in spring 2008, the Graduate School will offer its unique MBA program in Rochester, Minn., as well as in the Twin Cities and Duluth. "Rochester is currently a popular place for MBA programs and we know we have a program that will communicate a competitive advantage," says Mike Price, director of admissions for the Graduate School. "The unique MBA Program, with its strong emphasis on values-driven leadership and ethics, is resonating in the business community," affirms Mary Whitman, D.B.A., program director. 

For information about completing Bethel's MBA program in 21 months, call the admissions advisor at 651.635.8000 or 800.255.8706, ext. 8000, or email cjolin@bethel.edu.

Graduating Class of 800 Makes History

Bethel University Commencement ceremonies for the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Adult & Professional Studies, and Graduate School were held on Saturday, May 26, with approximately 800 students graduating—the largest graduating class in Bethel's history. Bethel alumnus Ron Tschetter '63, director of the Peace Corps, was the commencement speaker. He described the work of three recent Bethel alumni serving with the Peace Corps in Gambia, West Africa; Bulgaria; and Botswana. Their work ranges from small enterprise projects in agriculture to teaching after-school programs. "These are people who were sitting right where you are not long ago," Tschetter told the graduates.

"The great privilege we as Christians have today is to live out servant leadership all over this world," he said.

Even prior to Tschetter's challenge, 2007 graduate Bjorn Betzler decided to join the Peace Corps. He will serve in The Gambia for one year beginning September 2007.

Faculty Member Appointed to State Board

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty recently appointed Louise Wilson, Ph.D., to a four-year term on the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Wilson is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Education at Bethel, where she teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in addition to supervising and advising students. The 11-member Board of Teaching provides leadership for improvements in teacher education programs and assures that the state has well-qualified, professional teachers. "This will be an opportunity not only to represent Bethel and our students," says Wilson, who has taught at Bethel since 1999, "but also to represent the wider educational and teacher preparation community."

Student Wins National Photo Award

"For hours these girls
watched us from the
broken window of their
one-room shack as we
played soccer with some
neighborhood kids,"
Crista Johnson writes.A photograph by Bethel University senior Crista Johnson was one of only three chosen to be published in this fall's issue of Abroad View, a national magazine stressing the importance of global education for students. Johnson took the photo in Toma la Mano, Guatemala, where she spent the spring semester of 2006 studying Spanish and health care. The photo showed several local girls whom Crista and a few other students befriended in the small village where they worked in a clinic. With about 20 study abroad options encompassing nearly every continent, Bethel ranks 12th nationally among private, master's level institutions for proportion of students who go abroad to study. More than 400 Bethel students have studied abroad in the past year.

Farewell to Professors

After Nearly 40 Years

This spring, Bethel bade farewell to several valued faculty as they wrapped up distinguished careers. Some are from the last "class" of professors who served at the old Snelling Avenue campus. Bethel owes them a debt of gratitude for their longevity, and for building world-class programs in their respective fields. President George Brushaber, who joined Bethel as provost in 1975, served for more than 32 years with the following colleagues, and offered these words of tribute to their legacy:

Stan Anderson, member of the philosophy faculty since 1968

"In his service to Bethel over four decades, Stan Anderson has done more to shape Bethel's commitment to the liberal arts and to Christian higher education than any other person. We continue to be in his debt and to learn from him about Bethel's mission and distinctives."

Dale Stephens, member of the chemistry faculty since 1968

"In addition to outstanding work in laying the necessary foundations for Bethel's strong chemistry program, Dale Stephens has given exemplary leadership in almost every college committee and faculty office."

Bill Johnson, member of the political science faculty since 1969

"Over his distinguished career, Bill Johnson anchored our political science program, held most leadership roles within the faculty, and encouraged dozens of students to invest their lives in public service. In recent years, he helped build the organizational leadership curriculum into one of the key elements of the College of Adult & Professional Studies."

Photos courtesy of the BGC History Center

Thanks to These Retirees As Well…

Carol Hanson, a member of the library staff since 1969

"Carol was the perfect reference librarian. She has a fabulous memory and is interested in virtually every field of knowledge. She always cared deeply about those she assisted, giving encouragement when needed."

—Carole Cragg, Associate Director of University Library, and Verena Larson, Reference Librarian

Don Alexander, member of the biblical and theological studies faculty since 1987

"For two decades, Don has been one of the pillars of the BTS department. No one could match his breadth as he has covered Greek, Bible, Theology, and Missions with equal excellence. We will all miss a gracious, thoughtful, and deeply spiritual colleague."

—Michael Holmes, BTS Department Chair

Nancy Vall, member of the education faculty since 1984

"Among many accomplishments, Nancy drafted the department's mission statement, which is still in place. She has a servant's heart and gave much to Bethel and the education department in terms of time, energy, and sacrifice."

—Louise Wilson, Education Department Chair

Former Theatre Professor "Comes Home" to Benson Great Hall

Doug Briggs books
and promotes
events at Benson
Great Hall.


Briggs as an actor in
his original work at
Bethel, Celebration
of the Psalms

For Doug Briggs, taking on the position of associate director of auxiliary services in June felt very much like coming home.

Briggs' history with Bethel goes back to the mid-1970s when he filled a one-year sabbatical replacement in the theatre department. Sixteen years later, he still called Bethel home. Doug's roles included chair of the theatre department followed by assistant to the academic dean. His culminating role was director of admissions, in which he implemented the strategic vision and marketing plans he had helped develop in his previous position as special assistant to the president. Doug was also instrumental in the development of PACE (now known as CAPS/GS).

So, Doug is no stranger to taking on new challenges. In 1990, he became founder and director of the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC), an off-campus study opportunity offered by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities that is designed to train students to serve in various aspects of the film industry with both professional skill and Christian integrity. He and his wife, Fran, set up shop in a three-bedroom apartment in L.A. with eight students. Today, thanks in part to Doug's leadership, the LAFSC serves up to 45 students each year in a state-of-the art complex. "I felt part of a movement of God in which Christians were feeling called to Hollywood," recalls Doug. "I was surprised by how quickly we were embraced by the industry as a result of our strong work ethic and servant attitudes."

But retirement didn't suit Doug, who is now managing the booking and promoting of events in Benson Great Hall. "After six months, I realized I didn't want to sit on the couch. I wanted something different and challenging—something that would open up new avenues for me."

That calling brought Doug and Fran back to the Twin Cities after more than a decade away. Doug invites alumni and friends to come home to Bethel through events and concerts in the hall. "We all have ownership in the hall because it is a part of Bethel," says Doug. "My vision is for Benson Great Hall to be a family gathering place worth coming home to due to its great reputation for quality events."

Announcing Women's Golf!

Bethel will add varsity women's golf to its athletics program beginning in the 2008-09 year. The addition, approved by the Board of Trustees and announced by Athletics Director Bob Bjorklund, brings to 18 the number of MIAC-sponsored varsity sports offered at Bethel—nine for women and nine for men.

"We've decided that for the enhancement of student opportunities for both genders, and for the vitality of our program, this is the right move to make," says Bjorklund. "There is a definite interest on the part of current and prospective students." Bjorklund says he's confident that the minimum five players needed to field a team in tournament play will sign up next year. A coaching appointment is yet to be made. With the addition of women's golf, the only MIAC-sponsored sport not represented at Bethel is swimming and diving.

"I appreciate the athletic excellence, commitment to Christian character formation, and support of academics that are so evident in our programs in athletics," says Jay Barnes, Provost of the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Adult & Professional Studies, and the Graduate School. "The addition of women's golf will give us another opportunity to advance our commitment to educating the whole person."

For more information on the upcoming women's golf program, call the Athletic Department at 651.638.6397 or email Bjorklund at bjorob@bethel.edu.

About 825 New Students Join Bethel During 2007 Welcome Week

President Brushaber greets
new students and families
during arrival.


Welcome Week began early for
participants in the Navigators Program,
an additional two-day orientation
specifically designed to help incoming
multicultural, international, and third-
culture students make the transition to
college life at Bethel.

President George Brushaber welcomed incoming students and their parents for parts of two days as they arrived at Bethel University for Welcome Week August 30–September 3. This year, about 825 freshmen, transfer students, and post-secondary enrollment option students are new to Bethel. The theme of activities was "…He's using us all," a phrase adapted from Ephesians 2:19-22, to refer to the complementary gifts of students comprising the body of Christ at Bethel.

In a Bethel tradition, volunteers swarmed new students' vehicles to move labeled belongings to the right residence hall rooms—easing traffic congestion and leaving newcomers free to meet new friends. Sunny, calm weather provided a perfect setting for the week's events, which included student and parent orientations, a family picnic, a comical revue introducing newcomers to campus life at Bethel, and a meaningful commitment service. Student Welcome Week teams, coordinated by Nathan Freeberg, Associate Dean of Leadership Development and New Student Orientation, began their planning for Welcome Week event nearly one year in advance.