Bethel Receives Award for Advancing Racial Harmony

Issue 16 | Spring 2009

Bethel University was awarded the 2008 Robert and Susan Andringa Award for Advancing Racial Harmony by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU). The award, given annually, celebrates the achievements of CCCU campuses in making progress in the areas of diversity, racial harmony, and reconciliation.

“I’m both humbled and honored by this award,” Bethel President Jay Barnes said. He accepted the award at the CCCU Presidents Conference in late January. “I’m honored because I’m proud of the progress Bethel has made toward becoming an antiracist institution. We have more faculty of color and more students of color enrolled than we’ve ever had. I think something is happening at Bethel that is changing the momentum on reconciliation issues, and I’m excited by what God is doing and grateful for the recognition.

“I’m also humbled because I know there is much more to be done. I want Bethel to be a place that helps inform the culture and influence the evangelical part of the Christian family, and I hope we can continue to move in a positive direction. Reconciliation is something we should all care about, not because it is ‘politically correct’...but because it is a biblically driven agenda.”

The award was first given in 2000 as the Racial Harmony Award. It was renamed in 2006 for Robert and Susan Andringa, the former CCCU president and his wife who were committed to advancing racial reconciliation. Past winners have included Calvin College, Gordon College, Biola University, and Trinity International University. The CCCU’s Commission for Advancing Intercultural Competencies chooses the award recipient.

CCCU President Paul Corts (left) and Bethel University President Jay Barnes (right).