Class of 1965

Reunion Photo Gallery

Planning Group

Class of 1965 Reunion Planning Group: Lynne Stapp Petersen, Penny Fagerstrom Anderson, Bill Carlson, Lowell Gause, Kathleen Johnson. (Not pictured: Don Moore)

Dear Class of 1965:

The laughter has died, the games are done, and Bethel beat Hamline handily in football. But for those who participated in Homecoming events and attended the reunion dinner, the memories will linger for a long time. For those of you unable to attend, here is an update:

Let me tell you a bit about our evening getting reacquainted with our classmates and the new Bethel U! Robertson Center was filled with alumni from various classes as we feasted on roast pork, cranberries, and cheesecake. We were greeted by our national alumni president, and serenaded by Go Fish, a six-voice male a cappela group hailing from the class of 1995. Dave Johnson, the innovative pastor of Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minn., was introduced as Bethel’s 2005 Alumnus of the Year.

Professors Jim Johnson and Roy Dalton joined us to reminisce about the good old days. We offered some memories, and they also told stories about us! G. William Carlson led us in a couple nostalgia games that made good use of trivia about Bethel in the 1960s and our world at that time. Penny Fagerstrom Anderson talked about the 22 classmates who have died and offered a prayer in their memory.

Our class was well represented by 41 classmates and spouses, including attendees from California and Alaska. Two classmates attended the reunion for the first time ever since graduation. After sharing memories, we closed the evening with hymns, choruses, and prayer. We were grateful for Bethel memories and the friends we saw again that evening.

Of course, one of the major changes is the transformation to Bethel University. We handed out prizes that still had the Bethel College logo—now hard to come by since the name change. It is exciting to see the growth on campus and the many changes, both in the physical sense as well as the wide menu of academic opportunities. It is rewarding to see some things haven’t changed. Bethel is still a place for young men and women to meet with God, a place where young minds are trained with a goal of excellence, both academically and in representation of Jesus Christ. Bethel continues to encourage the freedom to think and express concerns in an atmosphere committed to extending the mission of Christ into the world.

Bethel has given much to each of us who had the privilege of maturing on its campus. For some of us, Bethel has trained our children. And now, some of us are waiting for our grandchildren to attend. I know that many of you have been financially supporting Bethel. If you have not invested in Bethel in the past, I want to encourage your investment in the students and staff of Bethel University. Bethel’s role in the kingdom and in this world has earned our support.

May God bless Bethel as we pray and financially invest for the glory of God!

Lynne Stapp Petersen, Penny Fagerstrom Anderson, Kathy Johnson,
Bill Carlson and Lowell Gause