Bethel University
Bethel Parent
A newsletter for parents of Bethel University students
Ready for Welcome Week? We are!
Welcome Week at Bethel University is an exhilarating time for freshmen and their families, and the Bethel campus community as a whole. Nathan Freeburg, associate director for leadership development and new student orientation, offers some thoughts on this very special event.
Bethel Parent: Why is Welcome Week important?
Freeburg: Transitioning into college is a very big step in life. Welcome Week provides an environment that allows students to ask questions, address logistical issues, and make new friends. Whether students are new freshmen, transfers, or PSEOs*, Welcome Week will help acquaint them to university life and give them a sense of stability and community.
BP: Briefly describe Welcome Week preparations.
Freeburg: In November, we hire three coordinators who begin the process of recruiting and training the team. Interviews are done in February. Typically, more than 100 students apply for 60 positions. Usually 20 returnees (students previously on the team) are hired. From that group, seven committee heads are chosen. During spring semester, the group meets for three sessions of training. Throughout the school year, students get together to pray for the incoming students and team preparations. After arriving on campus on August 17, staff will put in 12 to 15 hours a day to prepare for the arrival of more than 800 new students. Sixty-two members make up the team, but the whole campus is involved in transitioning students into Bethel with the love of Jesus Christ."
BP: Why do Welcome Week staff members care about making new Bethel students feel at home?
Freeburg: Welcome Week team members are excited about welcoming in the new students because they feel called to do it. They remember the things they struggled through as new students and know what a difference a positive Welcome Week experience can have. They have also spent much time praying for the new students, some by name, and are excited to start putting names with faces. Welcome Week can be the beginning of a relationship that will last for four years, a way to show students the love of Christ in a very practical way.
BP: What role can parents play?
Freeburg: One of the best things parents and students can do before coming to Welcome Week is talk through expectations they have for each other. Being open and honest with each other is key. This is a tough transition for both students and parents.
I would also encourage parents to relax and join in some of the fun. One of the best things you can do in the first days and weeks of college is to give students space to explore their new surrounding while making sure they know that you are there for them. After the Saturday dedication service, we encourage parents to take their son or daughter out to lunch and do final good-byes.
*Postsecondary Enrollment Options Program
Starting the School Year with Moms in Touch
Bethel's Moms in Touch Kick-Off meeting will be held Tuesday, September 13, from 7-9 p.m. The group will meet in the Eastlund Room on the Bethel University campus.
"At the kick-off meeting, we'll go over the ABCs of Moms in Touch," said Chris Shealer, coordinator for the group," and then do our favorite thing—a prayer walk to pray over the campus, inside and out!"
Bethel's Moms in Touch offers day sessions every other Monday from 9:30-11 a.m. and evening sessions from 7-9 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Moms in Touch meetings at Bethel.
"The purpose of Moms in Touch is to stand in the gap for our kids through prayer," Shealer explains. "During a meeting we offer praise, thanksgiving, and confession to God, and then pray for our kids, the school staff, and administration. We also pray for concerns in the world and community that may be affecting our students. The Moms in Touch group also provides support and encouragement to those who may be carrying a particularly heavy burden for their son or daughter."
Joining the group is also a great way to network with other Bethel mothers.
"Our connections are mainly through Moms in Touch at Bethel, but many of the moms have known each other through school, church, and clubs," Shealer said. "For me, one of the most wonderful aspects of Moms in Touch has been the incredibly warm, trusting, and devoted friends I have made. When I moved here four and a half years ago, one of the first things I did was join Moms in Touch so I could feel connected to the campus and pray for my daughter."
Shealer adds, "The women who are part of Moms in Touch are the very first I call out to when I'm struggling with something my child is going through. They respond like no other group of friends because they understand my mother's heart and concerns."
The group prays for a variety of requests that affect their students: relationships, safety, health, protection, roommate situations, grades, and hard classes. All requests are confidential. Shealer reports that there have been many answers to prayers, "God always, always answers better than we can begin to pray for."
Nearly three dozen Bethel mothers across the country use email to join in praying for Bethel and for the requests directed to the Moms in Touch group.
"It's been wonderful to receive encouragement from these moms and to know we have others joining us in prayer," said Shealer. "We absolutely love email requests and wish more would participate!"
For more information, please contact Chris Shealer at 763.497.9286 or by email at momsintouch@bethel.edu.
New Business Programs Available
Graduate School to Offer M.B.A.
This fall, Bethel University will introduce several new business programs. The Graduate School will launch a Master's in Business Administration (M.B.A.) program in August. The College of Adult & Professional Studies (CAPS) will unveil a B.A. in Human Resource Management. Adult learners may also opt for a Business Management (B.A.) and Organizational Leadership (B.A. and M.A.) programs.
Those desiring to teach business at a high school level may be interested in the B.A. in Business Education, a new program available through the College of Arts & Sciences.
Contact the Office of Admissions at at 800.255.8706, ext. 6242, or 651.638.6242, or at http://cas.bethel.edu/admissions/ to learn about the B.A. in Business Education.
To learn more about adult learning opportunities, visit http://caps.bethel.edu (bachelor's programs) or http://gs.bethel.edu (master's and doctoral programs). Or phone 651.635.8000 (toll-free 800.255.8706, ext. 8000).
Parent Services: Your Campus Contact
The 2005-2006 school year begins soon. Bethel staff members have been busy preparing buildings and grounds for the new school year, professors are getting syllabi ready for the first day of class, and Welcome Week teammates are revving up for the fun, fast-paced hours of Move-In.
We're gearing up for the new academic year as well, and are excited to welcome both new and returning students to campus. You and your student are vital parts of the Bethel community.
Please consider the Office of Alumni and Parent Services to be your campus contact point. We're here to serve you. Staff can be reached at 651.638.6462 or at parents@bethel.edu.
Focus On Serving
Bethel University Mission Trip Aids Tsunami Survivors
On July 3-16, a Bethel team traveled to Chennai, South India, to assist tsunami survivors. Collaborating with local Christian leaders, the team visited with villagers, listened to their stories, and opened offices for a U.N.-recognized organization called ADEPT, which will be doing long-term work in the area.
The trip marks a first: a missions team comprised of students from the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and Bethel Seminary. Olivia Joy Alber '07, a CAS education major, joined team leader Sammy Wanyonyi, a third-year M.Div. seminary student; Julie Faltinson, a second-year M.A. seminary student; and two others.
More than 15,000 people died in the Chennai area in the aftermath of the December 26, 2004, tsunami and hundreds of thousands lost livelihoods. In February 2005, Wanyonyi helped mobilize a team of students from Bethel University to help package 90,000 meals that were ferried to the tsunami region.
The Bethel students, working with the Gospel Association of India, conducted a youth festival and ministered to students at the Gospel Association of India School of Ministry. They also spoke at a dinner in the city of Hyderabad. Dinner guests included many high-ranking officials: judges, nuclear scientists, and college professors.
"The churches were really encouraged and there was just an awesome atmosphere of God's presence," said Wanyonyi.
Approximately 1,200 people responded to the message of salvation during the week of evangelistic ministry in Vijavawada, Hyderabad, and Madras. Wanyonyi reports that, at one site alone, 55 Hindus gave their lives to Jesus Christ.
"I am thankful that God counted us worthy to be part of His work in India on this trip," says Olivia Joy Alber.
Bethel Royal Players Mark 20th Anniversary
Since 1985, Bethel University students have spent summers as a ministry team, performing in churches and camps throughout the United States. This effort is sponsored by the Office of Church Ministries.
"The team began as a singing group and has evolved into a musical theatre group," said Linda Sundberg, director of ministry teams. "Throughout the years they've been called the Bethel Singers, the Bethel Connection, the Bethel Players, and now the Bethel Royal Players. Sundberg, who has overseen the teams since 1991, notes that the groups have varied in size from five to eight members.
This summer, the eight-member Royal Players team presented the musical "Heeere's David," a high-energy drama geared for the whole family. The musical, written by Richard K. Allison, traces the rise and fall of the biblical David from his boyhood victory over a giant and his years in exile evading a jealous king, to a tragic sequence of sin
and subsequent repentance. Using numerous musical styles, humor, and present-day allusions, the upbeat show fills audiences with a sense of God's working in present-day, real-life situations. Meg Zauner, associate professor of theatre at Bethel, directs and choreographs the production.
Thirty-five performances were given in churches, camps, and youth group settings in Minnesota and nine other states. Student performers include Kari Nelson, an accompanist from Maple Grove, Minn.; Wade Gunderson, a tenor/actor from Chamberlain, S.D.; Stephanie Schmidt, an alto/actor from Montgomery, Minn.; Caleb Griffin, a baritone/actor from Stevens Point, Wis.; Kristine Moore, an alto/actor from Aurora, Wis.; Jonathan Banfield, a tenor/actor from Mankato, Minn.; Joel Tillman, a baritone/actor from Bloomington, Minn.; and Beth Tenquist, sound/light technician from Andover, Minn.
Women's Spring Celebration Features Love and Laughter
This year's Women's Spring Celebration was held at Midland Hills Country Club on Saturday, April 9. Sisters Annie Leh and Judy Shepherd shared their inspiring faith journey, showing their love for Jesus and each other! Bethel's own women's vocal ensemble Cantus rounded out the morning with their harmonious talent. This celebration brings the women of Bethel together for a delightful springtime luncheon.
Hammers and Hearts: Reflections on a Spring Break Missions Trip
By Sarah Espeland '05
Going on a missions trip changes your life. There's something about serving someone other than yourself that makes for an unforgettable experience. When you get out of your comfort zone and place yourself completely in God's hands, He is bound to do amazing things.
The mission trip I took during spring break was no exception. On Saturday, March 21, a group of 23 of us set out for a Habitat for Humanity trip to Jacksonville, Fla. For the second time, I had the privilege of leading the team.
The drive down in the yellow school bus provides a great atmosphere for bonding. While the driver kept us safely on track, the rest of the group played cards, listened to music, played get-to-know-you games, and took naps. By the time we arrived in Florida, we felt like we had known each other forever.
The work week consisted of helping to build homes for people who otherwise could not afford them. We were shown how to hammer, measure, cut wood, frame the house, and all the other jobs that needed to be done.
On Friday, the last day we were there, I had the pleasure of meeting the woman who was going to live in the house we had worked on. She could not have been more grateful to us, and her excitement grew as she showed us the plans she had made for the house. If not for Habitat, she and her three children might not ever have a decent home. We all received heartfelt hugs and were told that we would be welcome to make return visits.
Once again, God taught me many valuable lessons. He always blesses serving. Some people thought I was crazy to give up my spring break to go work on a house. If only they knew! I didn't give up anything that my Father in Heaven didn't entrust me to use wisely: my time, my energy, and my heart.
The Lord also taught me what it is to truly serve alongside people who share the same passion for service. I admire and respect every person who was involved in this process. We weren't forced to spend our break serving, but we actually paid to do it! There are many with servants' hearts at Bethel. During spring break 2005, I was able to witness them in action. What an incredible blessing!
Fall Sports Schedule
It's summer, but the autumn leaves are are right around the corner. Get your calendars ready for fall sports at Bethel. Check out the Bethel University athletic schedules at:
http://cas.bethel.edu/athletics/.
Save the Date: Parents Weekend
Saturday-Sunday, October 29-30
- Parent Breakfast
- Parent Seminars
- Picnic Lunch
- Football and Men's Soccer Games (both at home)
- Bethel University Department of Music Concert
- Community Worship Service
Parents Weekend offers the perfect opportunity for you to come back to campus and spend time with your student. Circle the dates on your calendar now!
A Day to Remember
On Saturday, May 21, 2005 more than 560 students received degrees from the College of Arts & Sciences.
Congratulations!
Room for Growth: A Student's Thoughts About Lissner Hall
By Liz Schwiesow '05
Bethel students will benefit from a new residence hall. During the 2004-2005 academic year campus residence halls were occupied to 104 percent of their intended capacity. For example, 58 six-person apartments in Heritage Hall and in the townhouses became seven-person dwellings, and freshmen were tripled into cramped quarters.
Lissner Residence Hall will change that situation, allowing more students to benefit from Bethel's exceptional residence life program, and will lay the groundwork for a new epoch of expansion in Bethel's ministry and mission.
To experience Bethel fully, students need the opportunity to live on campus. "The opportunity to live on campus at Bethel University maximizes the benefits of a college education and enhances student satisfaction with the college experience," said Judy Moseman, vice president for student life. "Peer relationships flourish in a residence setting as do relationships with the residence staff as role models, resources, and friends."
The internal design will echo the successful design of Heritage Hall, the senior hall completed in 1999. Students really enjoy having both the form and function of an apartment-style bathroom, bedroom, and living room layout. There are 48 suites total, housing six students in each, with a total of 288 residents. The structure is four floors, has a lounge, an elevator, four laundry rooms, and two kitchens.
A new sophomore residence will allow Bethel to create a living environment designed to enhance whole person developing for second-year students. "Sophomore living centers on development autonomy through emotional independence. Sophomores long to connect on a deeper level with others. It is not unusual, for example, to see students make the decision to form a Bible study group within their apartment," said Jim Benjamin, associate dean for residence life.
New Residence Hall Named to Honor David Lissner
Lissner Residence Hall
The Board of Trustees of Bethel University has named the new sophomore resi- dence hall opening in August to honor the service of the late David A. Lissner, who served Bethel for more than 30 years as director of campus planning and president of the Bethel Foundation. As director of campus planning, he was responsible for supervising the planning, design, financing, and construction of all major campus building projects during a time of great growth, culminating with the completion of the Lundquist Community Life Center. Lissner, who retired in 2002, died unexpectedly in July 2004.
"This honor is very fitting, as David was a first-class professional in his dealings with the complexities of both financing and construction. He was totally committed to Bethel's mission and often talked about how pleased he was to be able to contribute to it in this way," said President George K. Brushaber.
Off-Campus Study: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Academic Opportunity
It may be summer, but staff members in the Office of Off-Campus Programs aren't taking a vacation. Currently nine Bethel students are participating in off campus study programs this summer in locations such as England, Belize, Italy, Germany, and the United States. At present, 115 students will study abroad in the fall, the largest number ever.
While it's too late for students to sign up to study off-campus for fall 2005, many options are available for spring semester and interim. Information can be accessed in the Office of Off-Campus Programs and at http://cas.bethel.edu/off-campus-programs/international-studies/
Once school has started, interested students should attend "Study Abroad 101," a 30-minute informational session describing the programs, credits, policies, finances, and more. The session is offered two times a week for the first nine weeks of each semester. Students may apply for scholarships geared specifically for study abroad purposes.
"In an era where globalization dominates every sphere of human existence, understanding the world in all its complexities is critical to work and to live out our faith. It is no longer a matter of choice, but an ingredient for successful survival," said Vincent Peters, associate dean for off-campus programs. "Bethel University is in a select position to offer this once-in-a-lifetime academic opportunity for its students to venture out into the world and discover their place to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ."
Bethel Homecoming 2005! 
September 23-25
Make your move and experience Bethel U during a weekend of fun and excitement!
Take a "chance" and let great Homecoming activities make a "monopoly" of your weekend! The more places you landthe more fun you'll have!
For details, contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Services at 651.638.6462 or 800.255.8706, ext. 6462, or by email at alumni@bethel.edu. More information can be accessed at www.bethel.edu/alumni/homecoming/.
Credits
Bethel Parent is published four times a year for parents of Bethel University students. It includes stories about students, information about campus events, and opportunities for involvement at Bethel.
Office of Alumni and Parent Services:
Joe LaLuzerne C'88, Vice President for Alumni and Parent Services
651.638.6462
email: parents@bethel.edu
Editor: Patty Thomson
Writers: Liz Schwiesow '05, Sarah Espeland '05
Designer: Thomas Vukelich '82
Staff Photographer: Woody Dahlberg '69