Class of 1997 Reunion

We had a great time at our class reunion on September 22, 2007! Check out the Reunion Photo Gallery!

Bethel Class of 1997:

Our class reunion has now come and gone. It’s strange to think that 10 years ago we were at Bethel together—time has passed quickly!

Seeing so many familiar faces was exciting! For some of us, it was the first time on campus since graduation and an opportunity to see new dorm facilities, academic buildings, view the plans for a new University Commons facility, and enjoy Bethel’s relatively new university status.

During the weekend, faculty members hosted meetings to update us on the latest campus events. Saturday was a brilliant day for alumni to enjoy each other’s company and a Royals football victory, while those with young children checked out the “Kids Zone” next to the field. Bethel’s team, the reigning MIAC champions, remains undefeated this year in conference play.

Our class of ’97 then assembled in Market Square to relive memories of many conversations and meals together. The weekend theme was a comfortable coffee shop atmosphere for gathering together to share about our lives. Many attending still live in the Twin Cities, but others traveled quite a distance—Krissy (Myhrman) Durston came all the way from Vashon Island, Wash.

All of the reunion groups combined for dinner and to hear Bethel’s Alumnus of the Year Col. Glen Bloomstrom (’77) speak about serving as a chaplain in the U.S Army. He shared how his years at Bethel helped shape him into who he is today (an article on Bloomstrom also appears in the current Focus magazine).

We finished the evening in the lounge below Market Square with coffee—another chance for friends to reunite. During this time, several items of Bethel memorabilia were awarded as prizes. Memory Books, detailing how lives have been changed in our 10 years, were also distributed. We’ll have a chance to do it all again in just five years, and encourage you to participate in the planning process! It’s a great way to touch base with a number of our alumni prior to the actual reunion.

The 1997 reunion committee members want to thank each member of our class for the impact we had and still have on each other. Our time at Bethel was special and instrumental to whom we are today.

Sincerely,

The ’97 Reunion Committee

Chris Pitkin, Angel (Holte) Johnson, Tanya (Downing) Larson, Janna (Powel) Lamison, Becky (Freed) Bennett, and Chris Petersen

If you were unable to attend, you can still order a Memory Book for $5 from the Alumni office by emailing alumni@bethel.edu or call 800.255.6462, ext. 6462, or 651.638.6462.

1997 Reunion Planning Team

1997 reunion planning team members are:
(Left to right) Becky (Freed) Bennett, Tanya (Downing) Larson, Chris Petersen,
Angel (Holte) Johnson, Chris Pitkin - Coordinator, Janna (Powell) Lamison