%HTMLlat1;]> http://www.bethel.edu/e-news/newsletters/2008.06.27 Bethel eNews Amanda Louise Wanke Copyright © 2008 Bethel University2008-06-27T05:00:00Z http://bethelnet.bethel.edu http://www.bethel.edu/graphics/logos/bu.gif http://www.bethel.edu/e-news/articles/111 James (Jay) Barnes III, Ed.D., was elected Thurs., June 26, to become the fifth president of Bethel University. Barnes was unanimously nominated for the position by the Bethel Board of Trustees after a year-long, nationwide presidential search. Barnes will take office on July 1, 2008, and succeeds retiring President George K. Brushaber, who served in that capacity for 26 years. “Dr. Barnes displays remarkable leadership skills, experience in and passion for Christian higher education, and a vision for the impact Bethel University and its students can have for generations to come,” said Presidential Search Committee Chair and Trustee Dan Lindh. “His humble demeanor and calm, wise approach in many situations have earned him well-deserved respect from colleagues.” Barnes has been a leader in Christian higher education for more than 30 years, both in academics and student development. Most recently, he served for 13 years as executive vice president and provost of the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Adult & Professional Studies, and Graduate School at Bethel University. He has been a leader in advancing faculty-student collaborative scholarship, holistic education, and growth of graduate and adult programs. “I’m honored and excited to lead Bethel University. I’m thankful for work done here to foster maturity of intellect, interpersonal relationships, character, and faith,” says Barnes. “I believe the decade ahead will be a crucial one for Bethel as it seeks to consolidate the gains of the last two decades, makes hard choices with regard to growth and fiscal priorities, and continues to grow into a national Christian university.” Bethel eNews Amanda Louise Wanke 2008-06-27T05:00:00Z http://www.bethel.edu/e-news/articles/110 As President George K. Brushaber's 26-year tenure comes to a close at the end of June, there is much to remember and recognize. Brushaber was honored in several events this spring, and a full tribute to him will be coming out shortly in Transitions, a publication honoring this time of change at Bethel. To give you just a glimpse of what President Brushaber accomplished during his time at Bethel, consider that since his first year as president in 1982: *         Enrollment has doubled and diversified, to more than 6,100 students from 48 states, 29 countries, and a wider spectrum of denominations and ethnicities. *         A graduate school and degree completion college for working adults have been launched and now serve more than 1,400 students a year in satellite campuses across the Twin Cities and in three Greater Minnesota communities. *         Bethel has the 10th largest accredited seminary in the nation, with multiple campuses and 300 students training online for ministry. *         Majors and degree programs have expanded from 57 to 141 across all schools. *         The number of faculty and staff has increased from 295 to 900. *         19 new buildings or major additions have gone up--one every 18 months. *         The university has twice been named Best Christian Workplace. Bethel eNews Amanda Louise Wanke 2008-06-27T05:00:00Z http://www.bethel.edu/e-news/articles/112 Bethel University has raised $109.3 million through its Taking the Next Step comprehensive resource campaign, which ended on May 31, surpassing its $105 million goal. The fundraising initiative—the largest in Bethel’s history—secured gifts or pledges for major new facilities, including a student commons building on the Arden Hills campus and an expansion of Bethel Seminary in San Diego. The commons, a 110,000-square-foot facility that will create a “family room” for the Bethel community and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2009, will be named for outgoing Bethel University President George K. Brushaber in recognition of his significant leadership. “A major campaign objective was to transform stewardship to match the emergence of Bethel into a national leader in Christian higher education,” says Brushaber. “We had 32 commitments of $1 million or more, including two for $5 million. This is compared to a campaign that ended in the early ’90s in which a single $1 million gift was the capstone.” In total, there were more than 225 donors who made commitments of at least $50,000, including many younger alumni, fulfilling the president’s vision for “ownership of Bethel’s future” by a new generation of leaders. Bethel eNews Amanda Louise Wanke 2008-06-27T05:00:00Z