President George Brushaber greeted incoming students and their parents for parts of two days as their vehicles entered Bethel University for Welcome Week August 30 – September 3. This year, about 825 freshmen, transfer students, and post-secondary enrollment option students are new to Bethel. The theme of activities is “…He’s using us all,” a phrase taken from Ephesians 2:19-22, and referring to the complementary gifts of students comprising the body of Christ at Bethel.

In a Bethel tradition, volunteers swarmed new students’ vehicles to move labeled belongings to the right residence hall rooms—leaving newcomers free to meet new friends. Sunny, calm weather provided a perfect setting for the family picnic on Thursday evening, and for the student “mixers” that followed. Due to construction of the University Commons, the picnic was relocated this year to the northeast side of the Carl Lundquist Community Center. On Friday, while parents are briefed about campus life and helping their young adults succeed in college, students will continue their orientation. Saturday morning, parents and students gather in Benson Great Hall for a commitment worship service.  Saturday evening features The Show, a humorous introduction to Bethel.

Student Welcome Week teams, coordinated by Nathan Freeberg, Associate Dean of Leadership Development and New Student Orientation, begin their planning for the yearly event nearly one year in advance.

For more information and a schedule of Welcome Week events, go to http://cas.bethel.edu/student-development/wweek.

Click here for a gallery of photos.