Heart & Mind
Glander Pleads Guilty
Thomas Glander, a former Bethel Seminary student and Ramsey County, Minn., volunteer chaplain, pleaded guilty on April 19 to a felony charge of making a terroristic threat by scrawling a racist message on his pickup truck last spring. The plea was entered as his trial was set to begin. He agreed to pay a $2,500 fine and write a letter of apology to Bethel’s student newspaper. According to a Minneapolis Star Tribune report, Glander denies involvement in any of the other racist graffiti incidents that occurred at Bethel in spring 2003.
“Last year’s incidents of racist graffiti were traumatic for our campus. As a community, we need to continue to support those whose lives were affected most by the events,” said President George Brushaber. “We are pleased to have this resolution. However, we must remain vigilant against racist attitudes and behaviors. We continue to renew our commitment to be a campus where all people regardless of race can study, work, and live in harmony.”
Students, staff, and faculty celebrated Reconciliation Day on May 5, a time for the Bethel community to remember the incidents of last year and confirm its commitment to be an anti-racist campus. Events included a special chapel, afternoon forum, and evening worship service.