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BETHANY DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS HIRES THOMAS DEWITT AS INTERIM HEAD TENNIS COACH
September 16, 2019
LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Swedes athletics department announces the hiring of Thomas DeWitt ’13 as the Interim Head Tennis Coach.
“I was happy to learn that Thomas DeWitt has agreed to return to his alma mater to coach Bethany tennis! With the ribbon cutting of the Dr. Emory Lindquist Tennis Complex this fall, this is an ideal time for Mr. DeWitt to utilize his strong connections to this community to build a competitive tennis team,” Bethany College Interim President, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch said.
Since the spring of 2016, DeWitt has been the assistant men’s tennis coach at Smoky Valley High School in Lindsborg. In addition to this, in the fall of 2015 and 2018, he was also the assistant for the women’s side. As a part of this, DeWitt helped to prepare the varsity for match play through teaching strategy and scrimmages. In addition, DeWitt also compiled statistics and schedules for the entirety of the team.
During DeWitt’s time at Smoky Valley, the men’s team has qualified at least one athlete to the Kansas State High School Athletics Association State Championships every year while the women have qualified two or more to the State Championships each year he has coached. The men’s team captured league championships in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, the team took home a third place finish at 4A State as well as having all six entrants qualifying. Again, in 2019, the team took third place at the State Tournament, this time in the 3A classification. Individually, the team has had assorted individual medalists at the State Tournament. These athletes placed as high as third place and no lower than 12th place. On the women’s side, the team qualified all six entrants to the 4A State Championships in 2018 in addition to winning the league championship during that same season. The team has also had individuals place fifth, seventh, and 12th at the State Championships.
“We are thrilled to welcome Thomas DeWitt as our Interim Head Tennis Coach. As a Lindsborg native and Bethany alum who played tennis for the Swedes, Thomas has a tremendous understanding of the KCAC, Bethany College, and the history and tradition of the tennis program,” Bethany’s Dean of Athletics, Laura Moreno said. “His background and overall philosophy are a great fit for our Athletic Department. We are very confident in Thomas’ ability to increase the depth and build the program back into a contender, and are so excited to see what Swedes Tennis will accomplish under his guidance.”
DeWitt earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bethany College in Second Chemistry Education in 2013. During his time as a Swede, he was named to the dean’s list, a Founder’s Scholarship award winner, and a member of Pi Sigma Chi Fraternity where he was the vice president for a year and the president for two years.
“I am thrilled to be rejoining the Bethany family,” DeWitt stated. “I could not be more excited to work with the athletes we already have on campus to build a successful program together. Bethany Tennis has a long history of excellence within the KCAC, and I look forward to regaining our position among the leaders in both Men’s and Women’s Tennis.
– #RockarStockar –
“I was happy to learn that Thomas DeWitt has agreed to return to his alma mater to coach Bethany tennis! With the ribbon cutting of the Dr. Emory Lindquist Tennis Complex this fall, this is an ideal time for Mr. DeWitt to utilize his strong connections to this community to build a competitive tennis team,” Bethany College Interim President, Dr. Elizabeth Mauch said.
Since the spring of 2016, DeWitt has been the assistant men’s tennis coach at Smoky Valley High School in Lindsborg. In addition to this, in the fall of 2015 and 2018, he was also the assistant for the women’s side. As a part of this, DeWitt helped to prepare the varsity for match play through teaching strategy and scrimmages. In addition, DeWitt also compiled statistics and schedules for the entirety of the team.
During DeWitt’s time at Smoky Valley, the men’s team has qualified at least one athlete to the Kansas State High School Athletics Association State Championships every year while the women have qualified two or more to the State Championships each year he has coached. The men’s team captured league championships in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, the team took home a third place finish at 4A State as well as having all six entrants qualifying. Again, in 2019, the team took third place at the State Tournament, this time in the 3A classification. Individually, the team has had assorted individual medalists at the State Tournament. These athletes placed as high as third place and no lower than 12th place. On the women’s side, the team qualified all six entrants to the 4A State Championships in 2018 in addition to winning the league championship during that same season. The team has also had individuals place fifth, seventh, and 12th at the State Championships.
“We are thrilled to welcome Thomas DeWitt as our Interim Head Tennis Coach. As a Lindsborg native and Bethany alum who played tennis for the Swedes, Thomas has a tremendous understanding of the KCAC, Bethany College, and the history and tradition of the tennis program,” Bethany’s Dean of Athletics, Laura Moreno said. “His background and overall philosophy are a great fit for our Athletic Department. We are very confident in Thomas’ ability to increase the depth and build the program back into a contender, and are so excited to see what Swedes Tennis will accomplish under his guidance.”
DeWitt earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bethany College in Second Chemistry Education in 2013. During his time as a Swede, he was named to the dean’s list, a Founder’s Scholarship award winner, and a member of Pi Sigma Chi Fraternity where he was the vice president for a year and the president for two years.
“I am thrilled to be rejoining the Bethany family,” DeWitt stated. “I could not be more excited to work with the athletes we already have on campus to build a successful program together. Bethany Tennis has a long history of excellence within the KCAC, and I look forward to regaining our position among the leaders in both Men’s and Women’s Tennis.
– #RockarStockar –
LINDSBORG, KAN., FEB. 5, 2025 — The Bethany Oratorio Society is excited to announce the soloists for the 2025 Messiah Festival of the Arts. Since its founding in 1882, the Oratorio Society has performed Bach’s The Passion According to St. Matthew and Handel’s Messiah every year, and this year’s festival promises another spectacular celebration of these works. Featured soloists for this year’s performances include Claire Herzog, coloratura soprano; Michelle Rice, soprano; Maxwell Ary, tenor; and Ian Schipper, bass-baritone. These talented artists will bring their expertise and passion to the stage in performances of The Passion According to St. Matthew and the Messiah. Additionally, these soloists will perform a free recital at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025 , at Messiah Lutheran Church on the campus of Bethany College. They will also perform at the ticketed events: The Passion According to St. Matthew at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, and Handel’s Messiah at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, in Presser Hall Auditorium. Tickets for these performances can be purchased at messiahfestival.org or by calling Bethany College at (785) 227-3380, ext. 8235, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Claire Herzog, Coloratura Soprano A versatile coloratura soprano from Springfield, Missouri, Claire Herzog is equally passionate about teaching and performing. She has appeared in operatic roles with the Ozarks Lyric Opera and is an active performer with various choral groups. Herzog holds degrees from Missouri State University and is currently on the vocal music faculty at Evangel University. In addition to her vocal expertise, she enjoys composing and collaborating with other musicians, with recent projects including an album of original songs and Heart on the Wall performances with the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra. Michelle Rice, Soprano Praised for her “tones of pure gold” (Washington Post), Michelle Rice brings a rich timbre and intense performance to the stage. Throughout her career, Rice has performed a wide range of roles, including Brangäne in Tristan und Isolde and Mrs. Grose in The Turn of the Screw. As the Artistic Director of Seven Sisters Productions, she has premiered new works, including the opera The Queen, My Lord, Is Dead. Rice’s performances span opera, concert, and recital, and she has sung with major ensembles across the U.S., including the Berkeley Symphony and Washington Concert Opera. Maxwell Ary, Tenor A versatile performer and educator based in San Francisco, Maxwell Ary is renowned for his wide-ranging voice, which spans genres from classical to jazz, musical theatre, and pop. Ary, who teaches at the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, has performed with prestigious ensembles, including Seraphic Fire and Voces8. He has appeared in operas such as The Rake’s Progress, L’elisir d’amore, and recently performed in the baroque opera La Flora with Ars Minerva. Ary’s 2025 performance schedule includes Lamplighters Musical Theater and Pocket Opera engagements. Ian Schipper, Bass-Baritone A dynamic performer known for his commitment to classical and contemporary music, Ian Schipper has appeared in operas such as Die Zauberflöte and Cosi fan tutte. He has sung in choral groups across the U.S., including the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Schipper is also passionate about new music and has collaborated with composers through his work with St. Olaf College’s Spiritus Novus. He recently performed the role of Cardinal Rottweiler in the world premiere of The Grand Hotel Tartarus. Join us for these unforgettable performances as these talented soloists join the Bethany Oratorio Society in bringing two of the most cherished works in the choral repertoire to life. For more information, including ticket purchases, please visit messiahfestival.org . 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. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is online at bethanylb.edu and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of the state.
Bethany College hosted over 500 young men from nearly 40 schools across Kansas on Jan. 30 for the annual Real Men Sing vocal workshop. This celebrated event provides an inspiring opportunity for students in grades 4-12 to explore choral music in a supportive, all-male setting, fostering confidence, camaraderie, and a love for singing.
This semester, the department continues its tradition of offering a wide variety of performances, from student and faculty recitals to large-scale ensemble concerts. These events provide opportunities for the Lindsborg community and surrounding areas to experience the vibrant cultural and artistic contributions of the college.