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The Path to Your Purpose
Living Out a Different Story
June 4, 2020
A message from Pres. Elizabeth Mauch on the current state of the country, June 4th, 2020, 10:15 a.m.
Editors Note: With an outpouring of support from Bethany College Alumni and Friends a special fund has been created to support our BASS (Black Association of Student Scholars) student organization and collaborative educational activities facilitating diversity and inclusion training for students, faculty, and staff beginning with the 20/21 academic year.
You can donate here.
Dear Campus Community
With many of you, I have watched in horror as the murder of George Floyd and the response to this act have unfolded. I am sorry to say that I have not watched in disbelief. This violence has happened over and over in our country. We see George Floyd, but we also remember acts of fear and hatred against Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and many others, still fresh in our national consciousness. And, of course we can all point to events farther back in our history as well. What came to my mind was the MOVE bombing in Philadelphia 35 years ago: when American civilians in a Black liberation group were aerially bombed. There is a clear trajectory we can see in connecting these events of racist violence that we must recognize as a devastating part of our story as a nation. We are the ones who can ensure that, in Lindsborg, we will live out a different story.
In an open letter with the ELCA Conference of Bishops, our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton condemned “the white supremacy that has led to the deaths of so many unarmed Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color in our country.” These leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are united in calling on all of us to “grieve with, pray for and stand in solidarity with the families and friends of all whose loved ones have been and continue to be victims of injustices run amok, racist violence and the insidious venom of white supremacy.”
As an institution of higher education affiliated with the ELCA, Bethany College is constantly striving to determine how we live into this complex calling. In our mission, we strive to help students lead lives of service; and in our values, we are committed to advocating for the dignity of everyone in our community as a child of God. It is this dedication to our mission and values that makes us keenly aware that knowledge is not morally neutral and that institutional silence in the face of the continuing murder of black Americans is a tacit consent of our national status quo.
I am proud to be the president of Bethany College where we really do believe in these ideals rooted in our Lutheran heritage. We must strive together, as one community, to achieve them each and every day. Since coming to Bethany, I have been proud to work closely with our local police department, local administrators and our campus community to ensure that students are safe and welcome in Lindsborg. Forming these sorts of relationships is paramount to ensuring the continued health and welfare of our entire Bethany College family. Our best hope for preventing and overcoming the violence faced by directly-affected people and communities is to learn and work together in broader partnerships.
I have always been a person who believes in action. We must respond to this moment with a thoughtful and informed evaluation of the kind of true and lasting change necessary for Bethany College to be a place where our students, faculty, and staff become servant leaders for a more just and equitable future. I am calling for volunteers to sit on a task force focused on examining diversity and inclusion on our campus that Dr. Adam Pryor will help facilitate. We must foster study and discourse that equips all of us in the Bethany community to recognize and resist ideologies of hatred. We need to support learning and take action at the intersection of politics and human dignity. If we cannot have these sorts of interactions here, wherein our society do we hope they will fruitfully occur? This is our calling as a college.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mauch
LINDSBORG, KS. APRIL 2, 2025 — Bethany College is pleased to announce its Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers for the 2025 graduation ceremonies. Commencement Speaker: Kelli Krase, MD Dr. Kelli Krase, a 2004 graduate of Bethany College, will deliver the Commencement address at this year’s graduation. A native of Hesston, Kansas, Dr. Krase earned her degree in Biology from Bethany College before attending medical school at the University of Kansas. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Krase has since returned to the University of Kansas, where she currently serves as an Associate Professor, Residency Program Director for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the School of Medicine. In her professional role, Dr. Krase has been a dedicated educator and clinician, shaping the next generation of doctors. Outside of her academic career, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her spouse and their two children. Baccalaureate Speaker: Ellie Dieringer Ellie Dieringer will serve as the Baccalaureate speaker, bringing with her a passion for social justice, faith-based advocacy, and international service. An advocate for gender justice and intergenerational equity, Dieringer is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, where she earned degrees in Hispanic Studies and Global Studies, specializing in Development & Social Justice and International Affairs. Her journey has led her to travel extensively and engage in meaningful work with vulnerable communities around the world, including in Uruguay, Mexico, and Washington State. 锘� Dieringer also served as a volunteer with the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program in Montevideo, Uruguay, where she collaborated with ecumenical organizations to promote fair treatment and social justice. Her work has also led her to serve as a delegate at the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women and to participate in the Lutheran World Federation’s Women’s Human Rights Advocacy Training in Geneva, Switzerland. Dieringer’s commitment to lifelong-learning and service will inspire graduates to continue making a positive impact in the world. About Bethany College 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. 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.