Alumni
Class of 1961 Reunion
We had a great time at our class reunion on September 30, 2006!
Check out the Reunion Photo Gallery!
Reunion Wrap-up Letter
Dear Class of 1961,
By now the balloons that wafted up to the ceiling of the library have probably drifted down, as have the sweet sounds of laughter, conversations and old hymns. 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:
Those who gathered on Friday evening, about 14 of us, ate together, watched the fireworks over Lake Valentine, and continued chatting for about three more hours after the dining room closed. The Saturday evening Reunion Dinner was spent getting reacquainted with classmates as well as the new Bethel University! Robertson Center was filled with alumni from various classes as we feasted on a roast pork dinner and cheesecake. We were greeted by our national alumni president, and then saw a video honoring the 2006 Alumnus of the Year, Dan Dye, who also gave an inspiring testimony and challenge. Professors Roy Dalton, David Moberg and Nils Friberg joined us to reminisce about the good old days. We offered some memories, as they did for us, but they also challenged us to keep working for the Kingdom in our retirement years. Some nostalgia games about life in the 60's inside and outside of Bethel had everyone working hard on mental retrieval and some even winning prizes! Hilarious stories were shared as well as stories of hard times and the faithfulness of God in the lives of our classmates. Our class was well represented by 45 classmates and spouses, including attendees from California, Florida, Michigan, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Canadians from Ontario and British Columbia and, of course, Minnesota. We were so grateful for the reconnections made and the new acquaintances and deeper friendships experienced with these friends from so long ago. The Sunday Morning Worship service in the Great Hall was tremendous, with the Alumni Orchestra setting the stage and Dan Dye again speaking. For all of us, we felt the impetus and challenge to "finish well"!
For both those who attended and those were unable to attend, we hope you put a mental "sticky note" on your calendar of the future, for the BIG one in five years. We'd like you to save in a special place any bits of old trivia or nostalgic items and send pictures by email of Bethel days and of your life and family as it is now, - as our class will be the honored 50th! They can be sent to Mo Anderson at: meanders@pressenter.com. But most of all we'll want YOU! We're sure that some of you will be led to find your place on that auspicious Reunion Committee as well!
Of course, one of the major changes is the transformation to Bethel University. 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 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. If you have not invested in Bethel in the past, we 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!
The Reunion Committee
Ruthanne Ostlund Swenson, Gail Benson Davis, George Verley, and Mo Anderson
Reunion Planning Committee
1961 reunion planning committee members are:
(Left to right) Gail Benson Davis, Ruthanne Ostlund Swenson, George
Verley and Mo Anderson
Missing Alumni
We’re missing contact information (address, phone, and email) on some of your classmates. If you know an alumna(us) listed below and would like them to receive information on your class reunion, please email or call alumni@bethel.edu or call 651.638.6462 (metro) or 800.255.8706 ext. 6462.
|
First Name |
Maiden |
Last Name |
| Gloria | Johnson | |
| Philip | Anderson | |
| Herbert | Brussow | |
| Adele | Carlson | Anderson |
| Robert | Egan | |
| John | Elliott | |
| Beverly | Grace | Arnold |
| Louise | Holden | Brown |
| Alberta | Honeywell | Dunn |
| David | Johnson | |
| Glenda | Kleinsasser | Hall |
| Warren | Risch |