BETHANY CELEBRATES CLASS OF 2020 AND 2021 IN JOINT COMMENCEMENT

LINDSBORG, KAN., May 21, 2021 –On May 8, 2021, Bethany College conferred degrees upon 140 students,  who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education Degrees in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 academic year. This was the first time in history Bethany College celebrated the achievements of two academic classes at the same time.  The year 2020 proved to be challenging transitioning abruptly to remote learning following an extended spring break and celebrating 2020 graduates virtually because of health precautions required by the pandemic. Thankfully in 2021, the health precautions relaxed somewhat and subject to following required health precautions the graduates of 2019-2020 were invited to return to campus to cross the stage with the graduates of 2020-2021.  Preparing the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremony was complicated  by contingent planning based on COVID metrics and health precautions, and the weather. To adhere to local health guidelines, graduates were limited to four guests tracked through an online ticket system, two Baccalaureate ceremonies were offered to reduce numbers in attendance, and Commencement was moved outdoors and live streamed. 

Susan Candea, Bishop of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, after being ordained in 1983 followed her M.Div. from Wartburg, preached at both Baccalaureate ceremonies. She asked graduates to use their individual gifts in the world. Bishop Candea shared her gifts in the midwest, and through involvement in many aspects of ministry woven throughout different calls, serving as a co-pastor at a two-point parish in western Kansas, until accepting a call to serve in Topeka, KS where she served for 17 years, followed by service in Colorado until 2013. In 2013 she returned to Kansas to serve on the synod staff as a Bishop’s Associate and later as a Director for Evangelical Mission. She began her term as the Bishop, in September of 2019.

At Commencement, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch, President of Bethany College, the college’s 15th president, addressed the graduates acknowledging foremost their resilience resulting from the impact COVID had on their college career.  “While the year of 2020 is one many of us want to forget,” President Mauch suggested that, “remembering gives us direction and hope for what we can be in the future,” and that it is these memories of such a challenging year that prepare graduates to have a “meaningful impact on the world.”

Two class of 2021 graduates also shared some friendly advice for their classmates. Mr. Joaquin Diaz, Class of 2021 graduate, of Hereford, Arizona, known for his positivity as a student athlete, starting his football journey at the age of five, shared how football led him to Bethany. With a major in religion and a minor in psychology, he will begin his career in Human Resources where he will continue to spread the word, “the power of positive thinking” in the workplace just as he did in the halls of academia. It was also the kindness of others that he remembered fondly, sharing, “around the same time when it gets cold and the first blizzard of the year, Dr. Fox sends out an email to all of her students saying that she has a warm blanket, warm food and a nice place to be if you get cold or need a home cooked meal. It’s something that sticks with me when thinking about my time here at Bethany.”

Also addressing the crowd was Denise Chestnut, Class of 2021, of Lindsborg, Kansas.

At 70, Denise Chestnut is the oldest member of this class, retiring from being a special education paraeducator after 25 years, before attending Bethany. “Being a full time college student at this stage of my life has certainly been challenging, and one of the highlights of my life,” Denise said. Denise reminded her classmates, even if college is put on hold because “life gets in the way, “your dreams are always there.”

Class of 2020

Katelynn Adam, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Smolan, KS

Alejandro Aguilera Rodriguez, Criminal Justice, Hotchkiss, CO

Clarence Colton Allemand, Mathematics, El Dorado, KS

Madie Baker, Psychology, Grand Coteau, LA

Nicholas Bartholomew, History-Political Science, Salina, KS

Cleophus A. Brooks III, Sports Management, Lancaster , TX

Cassidy, R. Bryant, Athletic Training, Grand Junction, CO

Tyler J. Bryant, Mathematics 3+2 Engineering, Cahokia, IL

Cooper Burkhart, Exercise Science, Battle Mountain, NV

Mackenzie B. Callison, Biology, Ashton, IL

Noah J. Cantin, Criminal Justice, Leavenworth, KS

Baptiste Chazelas, Theatre and Communication Arts: Communications, Maurice, Lyon, France

Hunter E. Coronel, Criminal Justice, Brighton, CO

Jeannette M. Crossno, Pre-Professional Art Therapy, , 

Shalie L.  Dahl, Health and Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, Petersburg, AL

Kelli K. DeCrow, Criminal Justice, Grand Junction, CO

Abbagayle L. Dresslar, Management, Conroe, TX

Danielle Drummer, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Salina, KS

Jenifer L. Dye, Digital and Media Arts: Video Game Design, Goddard, KS

Jovan Elezovic, Management, Belgrade, Serbia

Cassidy Enns, Business Administration, Canton, KS

Isaiah C. Fabrizius, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, WaKeeney, KS

Karas L. Foreso, Psychology, Centennial, CO

Andre Girao Colofatti Barbosa, Business Administration, , 

Joshua Gracey, Sports Management, Bletchley, 

Dahari L. Gray, Sports Management, Colorado Springs, CO

Stephen N.  Greenwich-Blue, Criminal Justice, , 

Milton Hall, Criminal Justice, Kansas City, MO

Haylee Harris, Criminal Justice, Arvanda, CO

Daniel Heath, Sports Management, Springfield, CO

Jason D. Hefton, Finance, Rosalia, KS

Kerri M. Henne, English, Gypsum, KS

Taylor T Holman, Marketing, Midwest City, OK

Corey Holmes, Criminal Justice, League City, TX

Hannah Imm, English Teaching 6-12, Phillipsburg, KS

Curtis J. Ivanoff, Biology, Carlisle , PA

Kristijan Joksimovic, Management, Zagreb, Croatia

Derek B. Jones Jr., Exercise Science, Kansas City, KS

Dalantae D. Kelly, Criminal Justice, Aurora, CO

Trevor P. Kemp, Biology, El Dorado, KS

Katie A. Klaassen, Finance, Marquette, KS

Johnelle Landers, Mathematic Pre-Engineering, Smithville, MO

Freddie J. Loeffler, Music , Hesston, KS

Gustavo H. Lopez, Business Administration, Rio Rico, AZ

Michael E. Lowery, Exercise Science, Mt. Pulaski, IL

Chelsea S. Magnante, Biology, Sonora, CA

Carlos A. Maldonado, Criminal Justice, Manhattan, KS

Sarah M. Martin, Criminal Justice, Palm Springs, CA

Alexis N. Martinez, Biology, Pueblo, CO

Elijah I. Martinez, Business Administration, Westminster, CO

Kendra G. Martinez-Carrillo, Biology, Garden City, KS

Hailey Mayfield, Biology, Salina, KS

Logan A. McDowell, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Abilene, KS

Alexandra Medina, Psychology, Denver, CO

Jarod Meier, Health and Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, Lindsborg, KS

Edwar Melendez, Sports Management, Barquisimeto, 

Milos Milosevic, Management, Kragujevac, FC

Erdi Mucllari, Business Administration, , 

Kara L. Myrick, Biology, La Vernia, TX

Ashley M.  Nava, Athletic Training, Riverside, CA

Brody Nicholas, Music: Instrumental Music Teaching PreK-12, Hoisington , KS

Lydia M. Nicholson, Digital Animation, Hesston, KS

Kelli J. Nightingale, Accounting, Galva, KS

Emily Perkins, Music: Instrumental Music Teaching PreK-12, Howard, KS

Natasha Quintana, Management, Firestone, CO

Samuel Reed, English Teaching 6-12, Lindsborg, KS

Alvaro Rengifo Perez, Theatre and Communication Arts: Communications, Madrid, Spain

Erin K. Richardson, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, White Deer, TX

Rebekah Roach, Studio Art-Painting, Melvern, KS

Deauntre L. Roberts, Psychology, Wewoka, OK

Michael Romero, Psychology, Denver, CO

Engel Rosario, Physical Health and Wellness: Coaching, Naranjito, Puerto Rico

Juan, D. Saldivar, Exercise Science, Owasso, Oklahoma

Justiss M Scales, Exercise Science, Columbus, OH

Evan G. Schwab, Marketing, Farmers Branch, TX

Oscar B. Scott, Exercise Science, Kansas City, MO

Caysen Smith, Management, Abilene, KS

Darien S. Smith, Management, Kansas City, MO

De'ja M Smith, Psychology, Plainview, TX

Mackinze R. Smith, Biology, Leavenworth, KS

Lyndsay C. Sparacio, Sports Management, Parker, CO

Joseph O. Steve, Mathematics, Mission, KS

Jamall Theodile, Accounting, New Iberia, LA

Alexandra B. Tyson, Criminal Justice, Salina, KS

Chelsen K Victorino, Sports Management, Kaunakakai, HI

Augusto Vinueza, Business Administration, Guayaquil, Ecuador

Emma Wager, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Buffalo, NY

Kaitlyn Wagner, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Yukon, OK

Allison, M. Weiderman, Management, Las Vegas, NV

Destinee R. Wells, Chemistry, San Diego, CA

Lauren E. Welsch, Exercise Science, Great Bend, KS

Onajee T. White, Biology, Las Vegas, NV

Thomas Williamson, Sports Management, Basehor, KS

Austin Wolfe, Health and Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, Nortonville , KS

Elton L. Woodard ll, Management, Stafford, TX

Keri A. Woodburn, Art: Studio Art-Sculpture, Wichita, KS

Michaela N. Wren, Biology, Colorado Springs, CO

Kylie R. Young, Exercise Science, Fort Worth, TX

Mikhaila R. Zelenka, Digital and Media Arts: Video Game Design, Hutchinson, KS

Carissa Zubro, Exercise Science, Denton, TX

Class of 2021
Riley I. Afshari, Chemistry, Colorado Springs, CO

Mateo Agudelo Muñoz, Business Administration

Elif Sena Aktas, Psychology

Karli E. Alvarez, Accounting, Salina, KS

Alexis G. Baeza, Criminal Justice, Salina, KS

Abigail P. Ballantyne, Elementary Education K-6, Hutchinson, KS

Emily Ballantyne, English Teaching 6-12, Hutchinson, KS

Anastasia Barron, Biology, Crown Point, IN

Amanda Baxa, History-Political Science, Cuba , KS

Veronica L. Beavers, Social Science Teaching 6-12, Holyoke, CO

Taylor Birch, Exercise Science, Emporia, KS

Brenna S. Black, Biology, Fort Jones, CA

Katelynn C. Bopp, Biology, New Haven, MO

Kevin C. Brooks, Sports Management, Denver, CO

Nathan R. Brown, Exercise Science, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Alexis Buddenhagen, Psychology, Albuquerque, NM

Yanet Cecenas Salazar, Criminal Justice, McPherson, KS

Chelbie L. Chaney, Elementary Education K-6, Spring Hill, KS

MaKentzee R. Chappel, Criminal Justice, Garden City, KS

Denise Chestnut, Elementary Education: General Studies in Elementary Ed., Lindsborg, KS

Cassi M. Clouse, Elementary Education K-6, West Jordan, UT

Genesis J. Contreras, Criminal Justice, Garden City, KS

Katelyn E. Dain, Marketing, Castle Rock, CO

Giovana D'Amici Ribeiro Ferreira, Psychology, Santons - SP, Brazil

Ajay M. Dandu, Accounting, Salina, KS

Larry A. Denson, Business Administration, Coronado, CA

Nicolas Desch, Mathematics, Berryton, KS

Joaquin Diaz, Religion - Ministry of Serv, Hereford, AZ

Aubrey B. Dickson (Hitchcock), Elementary Education K-6, Lindsborg, KS

Brenda Douglas, Biology, Garden City, KS

Connor K. Dunaway, Exercise Science, Colorado Springs, CO

Luis A. Duran, Sports Management, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Kathryn Ferguson-Bellah, Health & Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, Lindsborg, KS

Jackson Figgs, Psychology, Liberal, KS

Chase N. Finch, Criminal Justice, Brookville, KS

Macae Fisher, Accounting, Lindsborg, KS

Cierra Flores, Exercise Science, San Leandro, CA

Oscar Flores, Biology, Salina, KS

Mackenzie J. Forbes, Health & Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, Horton, KS

Katherine J. Fowler, Art Teaching PreK-12, Cheyenne, WY

Joie Francis-Ramirez, Biology, Topeka, KS

Gabriel Frias, Exercise Science, Kansas City, KS

Daniel Frost, Biology, Assaria, KS

Christina Garcia, Biology, Lansing, IL

Blake J. Gelinas, Biology, Green River, WY

Jordan Gregg, History-Political Science, Lindsborg, KS

Taylor C. Grider, Exercise Science, Jamestown, KY

Keisha M Hamilton, Biology, Salina, KS

Austin Hampton, Criminal Justice, Cheney, KS

Kastel B. Heinold, Elementary Education K-6, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Monique Henderson, Art and Digital Media: 3D Computer Animation, Hutchinson, KS

Tempest Henry, Biology, Salina, KS

Baylee E. Holecek, Psychology, Bazine, KS

Tanya Huse, Mathematics, Lindsborg, KS

Brenten Jones, Sports Management, Texas City, TX

Dylan Juhnke, Business Administration, Moundridge, KS

Grace Klinkerman, Management, Canton, KS

Caleigh Knight, English-Writing, Garden City, KS

Cassidy Kuehl, Psychology, Spring Hill, KS

Conner J. Lies, Criminal Justice, Cheney, KS

Kaylee Littrell, Biology, Canton, KS 

Dawson R Livingston, Exercise Science, Cleburne, TX

Alec E. Loera, Business Administration, Waxahachie, TX

Lauren Loughran, Management, Phoenix, AZ

Alexandra Luedke, Biology, Canton, KS

Joshua R. Macat, Exercise Science, Lytle, TX

Elias C. Manzanares, Sports Management, Pueblo, CO

Alex A. Martinez, Marketing, Pearland, TX

Dustin L. Mason, Management, Yukon, OK

Halle N. McClure, Social Science Teaching, Lindsborg, KS

Kylie McCoy, Exercise Science, Midwest City, OK

Emerald McGlashan, Art and Digital Media: Studio Art, Mornington, Wellington, NewZealand

Marion E. Miller, Sports Management, Salina, KS

Madison Mitchell-Smith, Biology, Lindsborg, KS

Victor Monarrez, Management, Liberal, KS

Katelyn I. Moore, Exercise Science, Labadieville, LA

Kelsi E. Mueller, Health & Physical Education Teaching PreK-12

Sylena Mulligan-Burns, Elementary Education K-6, Longford, KS

Michael Nece, Management, Salina, KS

Steven Nelson, Art and Digital Media: Studio Art, Matawan, NJ

Ashley Nightingale, Accounting, Galva, KS

Mia Novakovic, Accounting, Tulsa, OK

Lisandro A. Nunez Perez, Exercise Science, Barceloneta, Puerto Rico

Julia Nygard, Criminal Justice, Stockholm, Sweden

Anthony Otte, Business Administration, Galva, KS

Citlali Padilla, Biology, Garden City, KS

Bjorn T. Perkins, Art and Digital Media: 3D Computer Animation, Norwich, KS

Cameron J. Pflaum, Sports Management, DeSoto, KS

Savannah A.S.M. Pinson, Criminal Justice, Seminole, TX

Laura Sirley Piracun Garcia, Exercise Science, Bogota D.C., Columbia

Hannah M. Price, Exercise Science, Sneads Ferry, NC

Samantha Quezada, Exercise Science, Tucson, AZ

Haley E. Reifsteck, Exercise Science, Independence , MO

Tiffany Rivera, Criminal Justice, Council Bluffs, IA

Briana Rodriguez, Psychology, El Paso, TX

Marcus Ruiz, Art and Digital Media: Video Game Design, Austin, TX

Morgan Russell, Religion - History and Doctrine, Salina, KS

Isiah Saenz, Management, San Antonio, TX

Paola Sanabria Lopez, Exercise Science, Rincon, Puerto Rico

Elizabeth K Schrag, Exercise Science, McPherson, KS

Delbie Schriner, Psychology, McPherson, KS

Braden R. Scrivner, Biology, Lubbock, TX

David Serrano, Psychology, Sahuarita, AZ

Matthew M. Slusser, Biology, Cheney, KS

Hailey Snyder, Art and Digital Media: 3D Computer Animation, Sterling, NE

Alexis Solis, Management, Salina, KS

Amanda J. Starkel, Biology, McPherson, KS

Palmer Stevens, Exercise Science, Fort Worth, TX

Camisha M. Stevenson, Elementary Education Teaching K-6, Salina, KS

Serenity Storey, English  , Sedgwick, KS

Luis F. Toro, Business Administration, Cali, Columbia

Samantha Trejo, Exercise Science, Lyons, KS

Natalie Tricoche, Exercise Science, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ger'Kayla J. Tunley, Criminal Justice, Tulsa, OK

Charlie Vizcaya, Health & Physical Education Teaching PreK-12, Yabucoa, Puerto Rico

Ivona Vojvodic, Management, Bar, Montenegro

Hailey A. Walker, Communication and Theatre, Woodinville, WA

Lyric C. Walker, Sports Management, Haslet, TX

Sydney M. Walker, Elementary Education K-6, Bartlesville, OK

Elijah J. Waugh, Criminal Justice, Lindsborg, KS

Veronika Waugh, Mathematics, Lindsborg, KS

Taylor A. Weems, Elementary Education K-6, Wichita, KS

Jordan R. Wells, Communication and Theatre, Cedar Hill, TX

David D. Williams, Criminal Justice, Lee Summit, MO

Leonard K. Williams, Management, Atlanta, GA

Shannon N. Williams, Criminal Justice, Las Vegas, NV

Donovan Wilson, Sports Management, Memphis, TN

Andrew J.  Witter, Accounting, Chandler, AZ

Benjamin Wolfman, Biology, Lake Worth, FL

Harrison Woodyard, Art and Digital Media: 3D Computer Animation, Norton, KS

Miranda S. Work, English Teaching 6-12, Smolan, KS

Halei Wortham, Exercise Science, Fort Worth, TX

Katelynn S. Zuercher, Biology, Salina, KS

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.