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The Bethel Investor
News for donors to bethel university
Students: The Best Reason for Giving
Bethel salutes the largest graduating class in its history
For most Bethel donors, helping students is their number one reason for giving. Commencement is a time for celebration—for graduates, their families, friends, for staff and faculty, and for you, the donors whose generous support is an integral part of the process that makes Christian higher education possible. This year was especially memorable: the graduating class totalled 1,061 across all four schools and was the largest in Bethel's 135-year history.
Another pivotal milestone occurred on May 31, the close of fiscal year 2005-06: We celebrate the more than $3 million given to the Annual Fund. Thank you for your faithfulness to Bethel's mission.
A total of 193 students graduated from Bethel Seminary. The number reflects all seminary locations.
On Saturday, May 27, more than 870 students graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Adult & Professional Studies, and Graduate School.
Over the Top
In 2005-06, our Annual Fund goal was $2,956,000. Bethel alums and friends contributed $3,006,464, an amount that not only satisfied the budget requirement, but set a new record in unrestricted giving in a fiscal year.
We are grateful for your generous support!
The winning foursome of Paul Wicklund, Joel Johnson, Jon Wicklund, and Darrell Stanko recorded a score of 13 under par (58) in the scramble best ball format.
Fun on the Greens
12th Annual Bethel Golf Classic
Held at Troy Burne
The 12th Annual Bethel Golf Classic was held Tuesday, June 20 at Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, Wis. In addition to a super day of golf, participants received a quality golf shirt, a box lunch, and a buffet dinner. Prizes were awarded to teams and individuals, and a silent auction was held.
Golfing with good friends on a championship course. What could make a day at Troy Burne better? The satisfaction of knowing that all of the fun supports a great cause: Bethel University students.
Bethel Students Say Thanks
My goal is to someday plant and pastor a Presbyterian church, and also to get my Ph.D. and teach African church history at the college level…The thing I love most about Bethel Seminary is that the faculty and staff stress biblical diversity, and they care about personal formation…
Thank you for what you have done for me, and just know that your gift is highly appreciated. What you have done will not only impact my life, but it will impact lives in the Black Creole community of Louisiana, and the lives of those who God will touch through the work He's going to do through me.
—Scotty Jermaine Williams '08 Bethel Seminary St. Paul
Major: Master of Arts in Theological Studies
Thank you so much for giving me the scholarship. It means so much! I'm really thankful and blessed. Thank you for your work and for your heart. Thanks for putting us college students here. If it wasn't for scholarships, it would be so much tougher. I just wanted to say thank you and God bless.
—Mao Her '08 College of Arts & Sciences
Major: TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Thank you so much for sponsoring this music scholarship. I will be a junior next year in the Wind Symphony, and I play the tuba. Participating in the music program at Bethel has been one of the most important pieces of my college experience. The friends in these groups have helped me grow as a musician and as a person. They encourage me to keep practicing when I feel like giving up, and they show me what it means to be Jesus to another person. This scholarship will help me especially next year to keep on taking lessons and growing in my musicianship.
Sincerely and in Christ,
—Celeste Harvey '07 College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Philosophy
Bethel Athletics
Royal Stadium Club Boosters
Lessons learned during a game or when competing against others can shape a person forever. At Bethel, student athletes discover the value of good sportsmanship, the importance of serving your fellow teammates, and the call to model Jesus Christ off the court and on field. That's why we've been Royal Stadium Club members since 1998," says Collin Barr '84. Members of the Club are Bethel donors who also support Royal athletics.
Collin '84 played football and Brenda Barr '86 played tennis. In fact she beat him in a match on their first date. "Humility is indeed a Christian virtue," Collin quips.
Collin Barr is executive vice president, Minnesota region, for Ryan Companies U.S., Inc., and serves on the Bethel Board of Foundation Governors.
Bethel Phonathons Ahead!
This fall a new series of Bethel University phonathons get underway. Phonathons are a great two-way communication vehicle for alumni, parents, and other Bethel friends. When our student staff calls, many of you appreciate the opportunity to chat with a current Bethel student, to learn more about what is happening on campus, and to make a gift to the Annual Fund. We conduct phonathons on behalf of all Bethel University schools, including Bethel Seminary, Bethel Seminary San Diego, and Bethel Seminary of the East.
Do you have a prayer request weighing heavily on your heart? Don't be surprised if a Bethel phonathon caller asks if you have a concern or need: these students are sincerely interested in praying for those they call.
"Students are the reason people give to Bethel," says Chad Boysen C'05, the new manager of development phonathons, "and our phonathon callers truly care about the people they contact." Boysen should know: during his student days, he served on the phonathon team. He adds, "A phonathon call is a person-to-person connection, an easy way for a donor to talk with Bethel students."
What do phonathon respondents say?
How do people respond when they receive a Bethel University phonathon call? Here is a sample of actual comments that appeared on student caller evaluation forms sent in by donors. Some respondents referred to their student caller by name.
- Very friendly, courteous—I look forward to these calls
- Liz was friendly, kind and the type of person I would expect to find at Bethel. Thanks for your personal call. I did not feel pressured to give, I felt like it was an honor. Great job.
- Rachel was so sweet, kind, and comfortable, she obviously has a genuine heart for God and deep love for Bethel; she did an excellent job as a Bethel spokesperson.
- Elisabeth was joyful, respectful, and I appreciated her asking for my prayer requests.
- I have never enjoyed a "plea for money" call so much; delightful young lady!
- She made me proud to be a Bethel alum.
Expect your Bethel phonathon call during the coming year!
Faculty and Staff: Partners on Bethel's Team
Each year, faculty and staff are invited to show their financial support to carry on the vision of Bethel University. The response is heartfelt. Bethel employees generously give of their time, talent, and resources.
2005-06 Employee Giving Statistics:
Number of full time employees: 277
Gifts: $364,441
These figures translate into a 43 percent giving level. Many thanks!
Newest Bethel Alumni Say Thanks
They are Bethel's newest alumni, and now, they are saying thanks. The College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2006 presented their senior class gift to President Brushaber. The students raised $4,100, funds that will be used to purchase and install several lakeside benches. (Pictured from left to right: Julia Nicholson, Adam Nordmark, Briana Larson, President Brushaber.)
A Presidents's Club Profile
Matching Gifts Help Andersons Give Back to Bethel
If you were to choose a couple who "are Bethel" through and through, Vic and Diane (Tollefson) Anderson would be near the top of the list.
Both are alums (Vic graduated in 1972 and Diane completed her undergraduate degree in 2000), are parents of alums (Ben '98 and Amy '99), and have many other family members with Bethel links, including daughter-in-law Janelle '97. Diane affirms. "Bethel has been a very positive influence in our lives as well as [in the lives of] our family and friends, and the Bethel spirit gets passed on to each new generation.
The two met on the old campus and have been married for 33 years. Vic has enjoyed a career in purchasing, now working at Graco, a Minneapolis company that manufactures paint sprayers and automotive lubrication equipment.
Marriage and kids put Diane's academic career on hold. Twelve years ago, she returned to Bethel to serve in the Office of Church Ministries. In time, Diane enrolled in PACE (now the College of Adult & Professional Studies or CAPS) and completed her degree, then moved to Human Resources at Bethel where she works today.
Quality education and a community of faith
As President's Club donors, the Andersons are committed to giving back to Bethel.
"We have seen the results of Bethel in our family, church, and community—how it has positively impacted people's lives. It's a high quality education plus a great community of faith. Bethel helps to shape critically thinking people of faith," notes Vic.
Vic appreciates how Bethel gives students the opportunity to question their beliefs and to make faith their own while not compromising solid biblical theology. He adds, "Our lives have been blessed by God in so many ways through our relationships with the people of the Bethel community. It is a joy to be able to give back a little of what we have been given."
Matching gifts stretch contributions
The Andersons take advantage of a matching gift program offered by Graco. "It is an excellent way of taking what money we have and stretching it," observes Diane.
"I would encourage people to check into matching gift programs at their own places of employment because there's free money out there for Bethel," urges Vic. "When you can get two or three times the value for your giving dollar, why not do that?"
Vic points out that the Graco Foundation makes a huge impact in the Twin Cities and around the world. "Since our Graco stock has made nice gains, giving some to Bethel periodically makes a lot of sense. We bought it at a much lower price, we don't have to pay any capital gains tax on it, plus the Graco Foundation matches the current value of our gift two to one," he says. "I love that. What a great employee benefit. Last year they increased their maximum annual match by fourfold, which we took as a challenge and opportunity to give more to Bethel!"
Giving to Bethel: a "God thing"
"We are just ordinary people," reminds Diane. But for this couple, being partners with Bethel is a "God thing."
"Through the years, the Lord has used Bethel to do so much for us and for our family," reflects Vic. "We want to give back. Dollars or stocks given to Bethel impact so many people not just on our campus but around the world as students graduate and take solid Christian values with them wherever they go and in whatever work they do. It's a great mission. Our prayer is that God will take our loaves and fishes and multiply them to feed a hungry world."
Search for Companies that Match Gifts
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has created a database that contains the names of companies that will match charitable contributions made by employees. Taking advantage of matching gift opportunities is a great way for friends to double the impact of their gifts to Bethel. To learn more, click on www.bethel.edu/development/ways-to-give.html.
Such a Great Investment!
By Daniel D. Wiersum
Everyone wants to make a sound investment. That's why there's a whole industry of women and men who serve as investment advisors. They provide analysis and make recommendations.
Thoughtful investors want to support solid companies with a good track record of profits. They want to see growth and success. No one wants to lose money.
Supporting Bethel University is much like making an investment. But in this case, the returns pertain not to the pocketbook, but to the success of Bethel in fulfilling its mission. Donors "invest" their charitable dollars in Bethel because they believe we will continue to yield handsome returns in the Christian community and in society at large.
We who work or volunteer at Bethel University are investors, too. We are investing our lives in this organization because we believe it is sound and successful in accomplishing a worthy purpose in the world.
As a planned giving professional, I serve, in a way, as an investment advisor. I communicate program results and recommend that prospective donors plan their gifts thoughtfully to support Bethel. My "investment tools" include charitable gift annuities, endowment funds, will bequests, and a variety of charitable trusts.
I speak of the host of satisfied investors who have made significant commitments to Bethel University. I point out positive developments, the consistent dividends of reaching annual goals, and talk with enthusiasm about the leadership, the board, and the outstanding faculty and staff.
You probably have several financial investments you monitor along the way. Well, our "investors" monitor the work of Bethel University as well. We invite and help them to do so, because we feel responsible for their charitable contributions and for ongoing results.
If you would like to learn more about planned giving and how you can make "the investment of a lifetime," complete and mail the response form on page 3. Request the complimentary brochures on planned giving topics and, if you wish, invite me to contact you for a confidential visit. Rather than pushing investments, you will happily discover that I am a specialist in charitable giving who seeks the welfare of every donor.
As always, there is no cost or obligation for our services. You can also learn about planned giving by visiting our website at http://www.bethel.edu/development/giftplan/.
Daniel D. Wiersum, associate vice president for planned giving, has worked in development at Bethel University for nearly 20 years, helping many individuals fulfill their charitable dreams.
The Royal Heritage Society
When you include Bethel University in your estate plan—a gift through your will, trust, insurance, retirement assets, or life income agreement—you demonstrate the depth of your commitment to Bethel. You become a member of The Royal Heritage Society, a distinguished group of investors whose combined commitments help ensure a strong and secure future for Bethel in the decades to come.
50th Festival of Christmas
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
November 30-December 2
Save the date for a can't-miss
golden anniversary celebration.
Check your mail for more details.
Spring Flings
President's Club Appreciation Event
This year's President's Club Appreciation Event was held Friday, May 5. Guests enjoyed a reception in the Eastlund Room, followed by their choice of a Jazz in the Great Hall concert or a Bethel Theatre performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Bethel University Royal Investor Gathering
Friday, May 12, was a night of celebration for those attending the Bethel University Royal Investor Gathering. The evening began with an hors d'oeuvres reception, followed by an institutional update from President George Brushaber. Some attendees were treated to a Classics in the Great Hall concert, while others opted for a stimulating presentation, "Cracking the Code: Fiction and Truth in The Da Vinci Code," by Bethel University professor Mike Holmes.
San Diego Honors Dinner
Bethel Seminary San Diego alumni, students, friends, and faculty attended an Honors Celebration on Saturday, April 29. At the dinner, administrators recognized Associate Dean and Professor Kent Eaton and Professor Mark Strauss, scholarship donors, and volunteers.
Credits
The Bethel Investor is published three times a year. The newsletter is
designed especially for donors and friends of Bethel University. Content includes articles on institutional advancement efforts, donor events, student and donor profiles, and stewardship/giving opportunities.
Office of Development
Bruce W. Anderson '74
Vice President for Development
651.635.8050
Email: development@bethel.edu
Editor: Patty Thomson
Designer: Thomas Vukelich ’82