Bethany College Welcomes Eric Doering, Dr. Rachel Kohman, and Derek Lee to Board of Directors

LINDSBORG, Kan. Aug., 7, 2026 - Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of

Bethany College is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished alumni, Eric Doering ’77, 

Dr. Rachel Kohman ’10, and community member, Derek Lee, to its Board of Directors. Collectively, 

they bring decades of leadership experience in higher education, public service, nonprofit governance, 

and community engagement that will help guide the College as it advances its mission and strategic 

vision.

“Bethany College is strengthened by leaders who are deeply committed to our mission and understand 

the transformative power of a Bethany education,” said President Laura Crawley. “Eric, Rachel, and 

Derek each bring exceptional leadership experience, a passion for service, and a profound love for 

Bethany. We are honored to welcome them to the Board of Directors and look forward to the insight and 

guidance they will provide as we continue building a strong future for the College.”

Doering, a 1977 Bethany College graduate, has dedicated his career to public service, nonprofit 

leadership, church administration, and municipal government. He earned a Master of Public 

Administration from the University of Colorado and has served in leadership roles ranging from church 

administration and mediation consulting to District Manager of the St. Vrain Sanitation District in 

Colorado.

A longtime civic leader, Doering served on the Longmont City Council, as Mayor of Frederick, 

Colorado, and on numerous state and regional commissions by appointment of the Governor of 

Colorado. His extensive volunteer service includes leadership within the Evangelical Lutheran Church 

in America, school foundation boards, and organizations focused on serving vulnerable populations. He 

previously served on the Bethany College Board of Directors, including as Board Secretary, and now 

returns to continue supporting the institution that helped shape his lifelong commitment to leadership 

and service.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to once again serve Bethany College," said Doering. "Bethany has 

played an important role in my life, and I look forward to helping ensure that future generations of 

students experience the same life-changing education and sense of purpose that I did.”

Joining Doering on the Board is Dr. Rachel Kohman, a 2010 Bethany College graduate whose career has 

focused on student success, leadership development, entrepreneurship education, and higher education 

administration.

Currently serving as Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship Education at Missouri University of Science 

and Technology, Kohman leads innovative student success initiatives, develops entrepreneurial 

programming, and works across campus to strengthen student engagement and retention. Her career has 

included leadership positions at Emporia State University, Gillette College, Kansas State University, and 

Missouri S&T, where she has built nationally recognized student leadership and retention programs. 

Kohman earned her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of 

Wyoming, where her research focused on adaptive leadership and empowering women in higher 

education. She also holds a master's degree in Counseling and College Student Development from 

Kansas State University and bachelor's degrees in Business and Economics from Bethany College. 

Throughout her career, Kohman has demonstrated a commitment to student success by creating 

innovative scholarship and leadership programs, improving retention outcomes, teaching collegiate 

leadership courses, and mentoring future leaders. 

“Bethany College gave me the foundation to pursue a career dedicated to helping students discover their 

potential,” said Kohman. “It is an incredible honor to return and serve the College as a member of the 

Board of Directors. I look forward to helping Bethany continue to innovate while remaining true to its 

mission and values.”

Also joining the Bethany College Board of Directors is Derek Lee, a dedicated and longtime supporter 

of the College. Lee brings valuable experience in leadership, strategic planning, and philanthropy, along 

with a deep commitment to Bethany's mission of preparing students for lives of leadership, service, and 

purpose. His passion for strengthening opportunities for future generations of Swedes and his continued

dedication to leading community support for the College make him a welcome addition to the Board as 

Bethany advances its strategic priorities.

“Bethany College has long been a cornerstone of the Lindsborg community, and its success is deeply 

connected to the success of our region. Through the Viking Field project, I've had the privilege of seeing 

firsthand what can be accomplished when the College, the Smoky Valley School District, local leaders, 

and community members come together around a shared vision. That spirit of collaboration has been 

inspiring, and I'm honored to continue serving Bethany in this new capacity. I look forward to helping 

ensure the College remains a vibrant educational and cultural asset for generations to come.”

The appointments of Doering, Kohman, and Lee reflect Bethany College's commitment to engaging 

accomplished alumni whose diverse professional experiences will help advance the College's strategic 

priorities and prepare students for lives of leadership, service, and purpose.

For more information about Bethany College’s fine arts programs, visit www.bethanylb.edu.

About Bethany College

Bethany College (bethanylb.edu) is a higher educational institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas. 

Bethany College was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For more than 140 years, 

Bethany College has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue 

truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany College, 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.



CONTACT: 

Christie Denniston, APR

Vice President of Strategic Engagement

303-827-5164 

Bethany College

335 East Swensson Street

Lindsborg, KS 67456