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The Path to Your Purpose
ALUM AND AUTHOR VISITS BETHANY COLLEGE
May 27, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., May 24, 2019 – Bethany College welcomed Dr. Tom Isern, ‘74, on May 8, 2019. Dr. Isern is a Distinguished Professor of History at North Dakota State University. Isern holds both a master and doctorate degree from Oklahoma State University. He is the author of Pacing Dakota, his most recent book of five, that just received an independent publisher book award for U.S. Midwest in the best regional non-fiction category. Isern is passionate about farming, ranching and rural life, and also writes weekly newspaper columns and can be heard on a weekly public radio show. Among many other accomplishments, he studied the agricultural history grasslands in New Zealand as a Fullbright Scholar in 1991 and has occasionally returned to New Zealand to continue this research.
Describing Pacing Dakota in a NDSU article, Dr. Isern said, it is, “first and last, a storytelling book. The stories are good ones, and they span North Dakota – Bowman to Walhalla. The stories add up to something, too; something having to do with community, citizenship and leadership in our time on the prairies. Finally, the book is sort of a memoir. I’ve been doing prairie history for 40 years, so I have become part of the story I am telling.”
At Bethany, Dr. Isern enjoyed coffee with faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, signed and presented all of his books to Wallerstedt Learning Center, was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta (history honor group), and attended a constitutional history class.
“Bethany was honored and proud to host Dr. Isern on campus where it all began when Tom was a student being mentored by the late Jerry Shannon, a distinguished Professor of History at
Bethany College,” said former long-time men’s head Bethany basketball coach, Clair Oleen, ’77, now part of the Bethany Advancement team. Oleen, who knew Dr. Isern as a basketball player
at Ellinwood High School and at Bethany, played an instrumental role in Isern’s visit to campus.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
Describing Pacing Dakota in a NDSU article, Dr. Isern said, it is, “first and last, a storytelling book. The stories are good ones, and they span North Dakota – Bowman to Walhalla. The stories add up to something, too; something having to do with community, citizenship and leadership in our time on the prairies. Finally, the book is sort of a memoir. I’ve been doing prairie history for 40 years, so I have become part of the story I am telling.”
At Bethany, Dr. Isern enjoyed coffee with faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, signed and presented all of his books to Wallerstedt Learning Center, was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta (history honor group), and attended a constitutional history class.
“Bethany was honored and proud to host Dr. Isern on campus where it all began when Tom was a student being mentored by the late Jerry Shannon, a distinguished Professor of History at
Bethany College,” said former long-time men’s head Bethany basketball coach, Clair Oleen, ’77, now part of the Bethany Advancement team. Oleen, who knew Dr. Isern as a basketball player
at Ellinwood High School and at Bethany, played an instrumental role in Isern’s visit to campus.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. Bethany connects its past, present, and future with distinctive initiatives like Swedes to Sweden, a free service-learning trip for the sophomore class to Sweden, and the Good Life Scholarship, presenting all local high school graduates with a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to the college. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 28, 2025 — Bethany College raised $168,167.87 during its annual Giving Day campaign this year, with every dollar going directly to student scholarships. The support ensures more students can afford a Bethany education and take part in the life-changing opportunities that come with it. This year, the Bethany Backers campaign ran separately. Combined, both efforts brought in a total of over $240,000, surpassing last year’s collective giving total and underscoring the strong support from the Bethany and Lindsborg community. “Both Giving Day and the Bethany Backers campaign have been an incredible success,” said Hayley Samford, Director of Alumni Development and Engagement. “We are incredibly grateful for the continued generosity of our alumni, friends, and supporters. We’re excited to use these funds to support the students who are here now—and those who will be joining the Bethany family soon.” If you are interested in giving and supporting Bethany College’s mission, please click here . Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 27, 2025 — Students in Professor James Baker’s Elementary Social Studies Methods class had a unique opportunity to hear from distinguished guest speakers, the Honorable John Carlin and Bethany College alumnus Ryon Carey '95, during a recent session focused on history, government, and education. The event brought together students from both Professor Baker’s course and Dr. Rana Razek’s class for an engaging discussion on the branches of government, the role of the U.S. Department of Education, and the importance of civic understanding in the classroom. Governor Carlin, who also served as the Archivist of the United States following his tenure as Kansas Governor, offered students a personal perspective on his career in public service and shared insights into the responsibilities of preserving key national documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. His reflections underscored the value of historical records in shaping democracy and educating future generations. Ryon Carey, a 1995 Bethany graduate, also contributed to the discussion, offering his perspective on leadership and public service. “It was a privilege to welcome Governor Carlin and Ryon Carey to speak with our students,” said Professor James Baker. “Opportunities like this deepen our students’ understanding of the material and remind us all of the importance of connecting real-world experience to classroom learning. I’m incredibly grateful to both of our speakers for sharing their time and insights.” You can learn more about our Education Department at bethanylb.edu/education . Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
LINDSBORG, KS. MAR. 25, 2025 — Bethany Backers has achieved its most successful fundraising effort to date, raising more than $72,000—more than double any previous year’s total. Thanks to the generosity of over 200 donors, these funds will directly enhance the student experience at Bethany College. Each year, Bethany Backers selects a project based on student suggestions, with donations traditionally starting at $50. A portion of the funds raised also supports student scholarships. Past projects have included creating a mock courtroom for criminal justice students, adding additional seating in campus greenspaces, and purchasing games for common areas. The first project funded by this record-breaking total will be the purchase of new cardio equipment for the college’s fitness center, providing students with upgraded resources to support their health and wellness. Additionally, because of the unprecedented amount raised, Bethany Backers will be able to complete a second project, which will be determined through a vote among this year’s donors. “On behalf of the Bethany College Alumni Association, I want to extend my enthusiastic gratitude to every Bethany Backer who contributed to the 2025 “Swedes Around The World” campaign,” said Olivia Peterson, President of the Bethany College Alumni Association and a 2013 graduate. “This year marked our most ambitious project yet, and our alumni and friends exceeded our goals! Not only will this effort provide upgraded training tools for our student-athletes but, most importantly, it will encourage and motivate all students to move their bodies!” Peterson continued, “I especially want to thank Kelly and Alan Clayton for the generous $10,000 matching grant opportunity and Angie Gaeddert for her wonderful $25,000 gift in honor of her late husband, Dr. Wade Gaeddert. Their generosity inspired others to give and helped us fund the project in full. I am humbled by the collective spirit and commitment of our community. Bethany has shaped us all—and now, we’re ensuring that future generations of Swedes have access to the same transformative experiences. The future is bright, friends! Tusen täck!” The goal is to have both projects ready to launch when students return to campus this fall. Bethany Backers extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed, making this milestone achievement possible. For more information about Alumni projects and how to get involved, visit bethanylb.edu/alumni Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who support them as they discover, explore, and navigate their purpose. Bethany College is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.