Dear Class of 1979:

If you were one of the 74 members of our class from 13 states who attended our 30th reunion at Bethel in September, you will likely agree that it was a fun and satisfying opportunity to reconnect with “old” friends. If you did not attend, I encourage you to join us, Lord willing, in 2014 for our 35th reunion.

If you will indulge a personal note, the highlight of the reunion for me was gathering on Friday night for dinner and conversation late into the night with the guys with whom I roomed for two-and-a-half years while at Bethel: Bruce McClay (Bruce actually put up with me for all four years), Jon Berry, and Jim Wiegner. I am grateful to have these warm, caring, and committed believers as friends. I am sure many of you developed similar relationships during your years at Bethel and shared similar visits during the reunion.

The weekend had many great activities, including a tour of the new Brushaber Student Commons, opportunities to attend special lectures, and football and soccer games. But the heart of the reunion was dinner and class gathering on Saturday night. It was exciting to eat dinner in the new dining center. The food quality, choices, and aesthetics are much improved from our time at school.

Our class gathering included the viewing of a really dated 1970s student recruiting film. Then, Dean Palermo offered a devotional based on the Psalms, and retired Bethel campus nurse Flossie Winquist and former psychology professor Dr. Willard Harley shared some words. Flossie shared how she would pray for students using the Bethel roster. Dr. Harley discussed his current work as a marriage counselor and host of the Marriage Builders radio program. Later, a mixer game helped to stimulate conversation. The best part of the evening was our social time as we visited with classmates to catch up on each other’s lives.

As I left Bethel University, I was reminded how God provided funds through alumni and other donors so that I, a pastor’s kid of modest means, could attend a high-quality Christian college. Tuition only covers two-thirds of the costs of educating men and women at Bethel. I encourage you to join with me in giving generously to Bethel each year as you are able. Most importantly, pray that God would guide the new president, Jay Barnes, as he leads Bethel.

Thanks to our reunion committee of Donna (Doebler) Reiter, David Laurion, Ruth Skoog, Beth (Rainbow) Thom and Brad Nelson for organizing our class gathering and to Debbie Espeland and the Bethel Alumni Office for all their hard work.

If you were unable to attend, you can still order a memory book for $5 by emailing the Alumni Office at alumni@bethel.edu. Be sure to mark your calendar for our next reunion in the fall of 2014.

May God bless you,

Doug Fischer