OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS
J.E. and L.E. Mabee Welcome Center
800.826.2281 x 8113
785.227.3380 x 8113
admissions@bethanylb.edu
The Path to Your Purpose
Bethany College announces Laura Moreno as interim athletic director
March 22, 2019
LINDSBORG, Kan. – Bethany College announced on Friday that Laura Moreno ’09 will serve as interim athletic director.
“Coach Moreno has the right set of skills, competitive drive, and core values to serve as an excellent leader of our athletics division. She is the quintessential Bethany alumna, a successful professional who loves God and who loves people,” said Bethany President, Will Jones.
Moreno will immediately take on this role along with her duties as head softball coach. Her appointment as interim athletic director is for one year.
“I would like to thank President Jones for entrusting me to serve as the interim athletic director. As a Bethany alumna, I am honored, humbled, and excited for the opportunity to help lead the Bethany College Athletics Division,” Moreno said. “Bethany is a tremendous institution that holds a special place in my heart and I am thrilled to work with a quality group of coaches, students, staff, faculty, and administration. Rockar Stockar, Go Swedes!”
Moreno has been a member of the Bethany College community since she arrived as a student on campus in August of 2007. She was a two-year member of the Bethany softball team and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management with Magna Cum Laude honors.
Moreno served as an assistant softball coach for the Swedes for a year before moving to a head coaching position at Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan. She was at Brown Mackie from August 2013 to July 2015. While at Brown Mackie, Moreno led her team to two NJCAA Region VI Tournament qualifications and a 27-26 record in 2012, the most wins in over 11 years of the program. Her team earned an average GPA of 3.0 in 2013 and 3.2 in 2012, earning NJCAA All-Academic Team honors in 2012. During this time, Moreno also recruited the most softball student-athletes in school history.
Moreno then returned to Bethany to serve as an assistant softball coach, athletics administrative assistant, and assistant sports information director. After two years, Moreno stepped into the head softball coaching position, adding the responsibilities of Assistant Athletic Director in September of 2017.
While serving as a head coach at Bethany, Moreno has maintained a 45-plus program roster. She also coached 17 All-Kansas Collegiate Athletics Conference (KCAC) selections, 27 KCAC Scholar Athletes, 14 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes, and helped lead the 2016 team to a KCAC Tournament Championship Runner-Up finish. Moreno serves as the Bethany College Champion of Character liaison to the KCAC and her teams earned KCAC Team of Character honors in 2017 and 2018. Moreno has also served on Bethany College Staff Senate and the Strategic Planning Committee.
“At the end of this year, it is my hope to name Coach Moreno as the dean of athletics. This period of time will provide her with an opportunity to earn the position and to decide if full-time athletic administration is a vocation she would like to pursue,” President Jones stated.
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.eduand is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
“Coach Moreno has the right set of skills, competitive drive, and core values to serve as an excellent leader of our athletics division. She is the quintessential Bethany alumna, a successful professional who loves God and who loves people,” said Bethany President, Will Jones.
Moreno will immediately take on this role along with her duties as head softball coach. Her appointment as interim athletic director is for one year.
“I would like to thank President Jones for entrusting me to serve as the interim athletic director. As a Bethany alumna, I am honored, humbled, and excited for the opportunity to help lead the Bethany College Athletics Division,” Moreno said. “Bethany is a tremendous institution that holds a special place in my heart and I am thrilled to work with a quality group of coaches, students, staff, faculty, and administration. Rockar Stockar, Go Swedes!”
Moreno has been a member of the Bethany College community since she arrived as a student on campus in August of 2007. She was a two-year member of the Bethany softball team and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management with Magna Cum Laude honors.
Moreno served as an assistant softball coach for the Swedes for a year before moving to a head coaching position at Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kan. She was at Brown Mackie from August 2013 to July 2015. While at Brown Mackie, Moreno led her team to two NJCAA Region VI Tournament qualifications and a 27-26 record in 2012, the most wins in over 11 years of the program. Her team earned an average GPA of 3.0 in 2013 and 3.2 in 2012, earning NJCAA All-Academic Team honors in 2012. During this time, Moreno also recruited the most softball student-athletes in school history.
Moreno then returned to Bethany to serve as an assistant softball coach, athletics administrative assistant, and assistant sports information director. After two years, Moreno stepped into the head softball coaching position, adding the responsibilities of Assistant Athletic Director in September of 2017.
While serving as a head coach at Bethany, Moreno has maintained a 45-plus program roster. She also coached 17 All-Kansas Collegiate Athletics Conference (KCAC) selections, 27 KCAC Scholar Athletes, 14 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes, and helped lead the 2016 team to a KCAC Tournament Championship Runner-Up finish. Moreno serves as the Bethany College Champion of Character liaison to the KCAC and her teams earned KCAC Team of Character honors in 2017 and 2018. Moreno has also served on Bethany College Staff Senate and the Strategic Planning Committee.
“At the end of this year, it is my hope to name Coach Moreno as the dean of athletics. This period of time will provide her with an opportunity to earn the position and to decide if full-time athletic administration is a vocation she would like to pursue,” President Jones stated.
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.eduand 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.