Two weeks ago, we gave a sigh of relief and a word of thanks as our trustees left campus. It was a great meeting, and the preparation for it was thorough. Our leadership team worked long and hard to put the right information on the table, and Dan Lindh, our chair, sharpened our focus. This exceptionally able group of women and men are committed to the well-being of Bethel University. Most of them have Bethel connection as alumni or parents, and all are donors of their time, wisdom, and resources. As trustees, they hold a “trust”—the mission of the university. They focus on the big questions: What should we be doing? What matters to our future? What helps or hinders the accomplishment of our mission? What core commitments and skills should those who teach and lead at Bethel have?

One of the great gifts left behind by President Emeritus Brushaber and former trustee chair Leith Anderson was a strong board. They have elevated Bethel’s trajectory, increased accountability, and raised expectations for our future. They do this through asking the right questions.

They also let us ask them hard questions. As stakeholders of Bethel’s future, they have opinions and knowledge that we add to the mix of our thinking on campus. At the last four meetings, we have asked three or four of them to give presentations on what is happening in their world of work and how the trends there might influence Bethel. As top-level leaders in business, medicine, the church, research, healthcare, and the not-for-profit world, they are distinctly positioned to help us see the future more clearly. They care deeply about our future.

At times, it is easy to think of trustees as shadowy, powerful figures lurking in the background. I assure you, they are powerful, but they are committed to using their power for the benefit of Bethel University. They know us, love us, and want us to be the best we can be to the glory of God.