Donors and Students Get to Know Each Other

How donors and students get connected through generous gifts.

_{Winter 2009}

Two scholarship recognition dinners brought together students, parents and donors who have established endowed scholarships. Nearly 70 seminary students and donors gathered last fall for dinner and fellowship. And during Family Weekend in November, close to 300 College of Arts & Sciences students, their parents, and donors gathered. Over dinner, donors and students got to know each other and share stories of Bethel, past and present.

“It is incredibly rewarding for donors to meet the recipients of the scholarships they endowed and to see how their gift to Bethel has come to life,” says Chris Nelson, manager of strategic development initiatives for Bethel. “Students get a chance to personally say ‘thank you’ for a scholarship that is making a difference in their lives. We also hope that students sense the ‘shoulders’ on which they are standing—of the donors, parents, and people, some of whom have long since passed away, who make their education possible.”

A Personal Thank You

Each year more than 120 departmental scholarships are awarded to Bethel students by faculty and a financial aid committee. These types of scholarships, funded by Bethel’s endowment, make a Christ-centered education possible for hundreds of students. Here’s an example of a match in professional interests.

A sophomore who is double-majoring in computer science and mathematics, Mathias Gibbens hopes to work in the aerospace industry. He considered other colleges, but upon visiting Bethel, was struck by the close-knit community and professors eager to form mentoring relationships with their students. For Gibbens, necessary scholarships came through, too.

“I’m thankful for the Jacol Computer Science Encouragement Award, and the other scholarships I’ve received, because without them I wouldn’t be able to attend Bethel,” says Gibbens. “I’m paying my way through college, and every scholarship I get means there’s that much less in loans I have to take out.”

His Jacol Computer Science Encouragement Award is made possible through Jim ’72 and Colleen Feldman ’78. With majors in mathematics and philosophy (Bethel didn’t have a computer science major during his college years), Feldman worked in the technology world, eventually becoming president of Jacol Software. He quickly realized there were no scholarships to Bethel within the computer science field.

“Colleen and I give to the general Annual Fund, which is essential as there are lots of expenses to be paid. But we also really like the idea of knowing exactly where our contribution is going, and knowing that we’re investing in the life of a particular student,” says Feldman.

At a recent dinner (see “Dinner Connection”) for scholarship donors and recipients, the Feldmans and Gibbens got to know each other. “I was glad Mathias attended the event so we could meet him and his parents and learn about his journey to Bethel and future direction,” says Feldman. “He’s a sharp young man, and we pray his desire to honor God in his work will be rewarded.”

The Feldmans began this award (named after the company they founded) in 1992, and have since helped many students like Gibbens. “The world needs Christians in the computer science field,” says Feldman. “Our hope is that the students selected for our award will become thriving believers in their technology network, and that other computer science professionals will find Christ as a result.”

Are you interested in creating an award similar to the Feldman’s? Contact Chris Nelson in the Development Office at christopher-nelson@bethel.edu or 651.635.8055 (800.255.8706, ext. 8055).