By Jason Schoonover ’09, content specialist
May 21, 2020 | 3 p.m.
Nursing major Nathan Bajema ’20 is one of the one of the 446 students graduating this spring from Bethel’s College of Arts & Sciences and finishing their degrees in a virtual instruction learning environment instead of on campus. Like many, Bajema has found parts of finishing his degree away from campus difficult, but he has also found comfort in the strong Bethel community and in a shared hope in Jesus.
Lucas Bentrud ’20
Staying Connected
Organizational communication major Jessica Nafe ’20 says her parents tease her by noting she’s always talking to someone over a platform like Zoom. Away from campus, seniors are remaining connected in creative ways like online bingo, Bible studies, and Netflix parties. Psychology major Kayla Heilman ’20 visited a few friends while socially distancing, Hanna Dryden BUILD’20 is connecting over FaceTime and phone calls, Nafe’s study abroad team meets weekly meets over Google Meet for Tea Tuesdays, and Bentrud admits his Instagram and Snapchat usage drastically increased after COVID-19. “These are people I never got to say goodbye to,” he says. “It's nice to be able to engage with their posts and stories online.”
For many, it can be difficult to find closure, and Nafe often finds herself thinking Bethel is on an extended break before reminding herself of the reality of COVID-19. “I really miss the atmosphere of campus in the springtime,” she says. “Campus is just so beautiful when all the trees are budding and students start spending time outside studying or playing games. Everything seems to come alive!” Like many seniors, Nafe misses running into friends between classes, chatting while we waiting for coffee at Royal Grounds, or just enjoying the sunshine while walking. “It’s the little things that I miss the most,” she says.
Bentrud and Heilman ’20 admit it took time to find a routine and stay motivated without face-to-face classes and interactions, while biology major Kennadie Anderson ’20 especially misses the tangents, banter, and questions that are more likely to pop up in an in-person lecture. Dryden says finishing her last semester in a virtual instruction learning environment has been challenging, but she’s received help from staff and faculty and is still learning new things each day with her BUILD classmates. “What I am missing most about not being on campus is interacting with friends and professors each day face to face,” she says.
Kennadie Anderson ’20
Kayla Heilman '20
Jessalynn Whitney ’20
Jessica Nafe ’20
Nathan Bajema ’20
Hanna Dryden BUILD’20
No matter your interests, you can weave together your passions and calling at Bethel. Choose from multiple, diverse areas of study and take advantage of small class sizes and faculty advising to finish efficiently and take the next step toward where God's calling you.
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