Ricky Alexander attended Bethany College with a degree in Accounting and Business management in 2017. Originally from Lawton, Oklahoma, Alexander was recruited to play football and stayed after graduation when an accountant position opened up. “I hope to first focus on doing well in my new position of Interim Sports Information Director and secondly, I hope Bethany can come together and support one another in all events, sports, and music,” says Ricky. Ricky is currently pursuing his M.B.A at Kansas Wesleyan University.
Celebrating Black History Month
February 1, 2022
As we step into Black History Month, Bethany College wanted to recognize a few dedicated educators, coaches, and caring mentors who have joined our community to help our students find the path to their purpose.
Bethany College would like to celebrate Ricky Alexander, Interim Sports Information Director, Lorenzo Araujo Head Cheer and Dance Coach, Tyrone Carter, Dean of Student Success and Head Football Coach, Elise Carter, Marketing and Public Relations, Braedon Clopton, Assistant Wrestling Coach, Vincent Grigsby, Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator, Ruth Mbah, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Business, and Papa Assane Ndiaye, Men’s Soccer Head Coach.
Lorenzo Araujo was born in Santos Domingo, Dominican Republic, and raised in the Bronx, NY. After earning his degree in Business Management in 2010, Araujo attended Kansas Wesleyan University to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration. Similar to Ricky, he rekindled his love for football after his freshman year at Kansas State University. Lorenzo says “In the future, he hopes to bring the level of coaching to his athletes that they deserve.”
Tyrone Carter comes to Bethany from Los Angeles, CA. Carter attended Fresno State where he played football and earned his BS in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix as well as his Master’s in Management. He is currently working toward his D.B.A. at Felician University. Carter found Bethany College through a job search and soon learned his wife Elise Carter had family close by in Salina. As the head football coach Carter will tell you his goal is to “win some games and graduate his students.”
Elise Carter is originally from Detroit, MI, and was born in Cleveland, OH. Elise has always had a love of singing and acting and made her way to California. She graduated from Fresno State, where she met her husband and earned a BA in Speech Communications. After twenty years working as an actress, it was time to find a more stable career and a move to Kansas. Elise began pursuing her M.B.A. in Marketing at Kansas Wesleyan University and decided to leave restaurant management for a more fulfilling career helping Bethany College flourish. In the future, Elise would like to see Bethany continue to grow and diversify.
Braedon Clopton was born in Champaign, IL, and attended high school in Newburgh, IN. After attending Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA he got his degree in Education and Psychology. As luck would have it Bethany was the first school to respond to his employment inquiry and Braedon felt he would enjoy working here. Brandon’s hope is to have a successful wrestling program, one that can win conference titles and have a few all-American/National Champions.
Vincent Grigsby also comes from Los Angeles, CA. Vincent attended California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and earned his BA in English from National University. He is currently attending Goodwin College to obtain his MS in Organizational Leadership. Grigsby came to Bethany by way of an internet post for an assistant football coach and now hopes to put Bethany football back on top of the KCAC. Our second Grigsby on campus is Cherie who is the wife of Vincent and currently an assistant women’s basketball coach for the Swedes.
Ruth Mbah is originally from Cameroon, Central Africa. She attended the University of Buea | Buea, Cameroon where she earned her B.S. in Accounting, Amity University | Uttar Pradesh in India where she received her M.B.A. in International Business, and Southern University and A&M College | Baton Rouge, LA. for her P.h.D. in Public Affairs and Public Policy Analysis with a concentration in Public Finance Policy. Ruth found a job listing for Bethany on HigherEdjobs, applied and the rest is history. Ruth has published over 10 published articles ranging from the ethics and morality of the death penalty to Public Policy Perspectives of Student Loans and Debt. In the future, she would like to introduce the spirit of academic research and academic conference participation to her students. Ruth believes that research is important especially if there is a desire to further our education or hold important positions. She is also interested in teaching students the real corporate world and not just theory. Ruth shares, “By the grace of God, I have worked in several corporate institutions, and I intend to use my personal experience to get my students prepared for the real world; which can be very unfriendly if you are not mentally ready.”
Papa Assane Ndiaye joined the Bethany coaching staff a month ago and is from Senegal, West Africa. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a B.S. in Exercise Science then continued on to Kentucky University earning a Master of Science and Master of Arts degree. On a visit in 2021, Papa visited Bethany College with his Northern Oklahoma College soccer team and very much enjoyed his experience on campus. His future plan is to use soccer to promote the school worldwide with international students. He would also like the men’s soccer program to become the standard in NAIA. Last, Papa wants to create an environment where student-athletes will enjoy their experience and strive for greatness both inside and outside the field. Papa adds, “Black History Month is an important month and we must use this month to educate and teach. I would like also to express my gratitude to all those who paved the way for people like me to have opportunities like this one.”
Grant Provides Critical Resources to Enhance the Student Experience and Institutional Growth
Lindsborg, Kan. – Bethany College is proud to announce the 2026 Hall of Honor award recipients, recognizing eight individuals whose achievements and service have made a lasting impact on Swede Athletics. "The Athletics Hall of Honor celebrates those who exemplify excellence, leadership, and commitment in sport,” shared Laura Moreno, Dean of Athletics. The 2026 class embodies those attributes and much more. From memorable performances in five different sports, to remarkable coaching careers in nearby communities, to local business owners who support our current Swedes students and staff, this entire group has elevated our programs and department and embodied the very best of our institution. We look forward to honoring and celebrating their extraordinary achievements this October.” The annual Bethany College Hall of Honor Award Ceremony celebrates former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters whose excellence, leadership, and dedication have shaped Bethany College athletics. This year's honorees include four Hall of Honor inductees, two Coach of the Year recipients, and two Bethany Athletic Association (BAA) Award of Merit recipients. Bethany College Hall of Honor award winners include: • Sven Delin, a 2001 graduate, was a captain of the golf team that won four consecutive conference championships, leading to four national championship appearances. He won the conference tournament individually...twice! Delin was also a four-year all-conference academic athlete. • Vinny Butka, a 1982 graduate, was a three-time KCAC shot put champion, District 10 indoor shot put champion in 1981, ACCK champion in 1980 and 1982, three-time outdoor national qualifier, and ranks second in Bethany College history for shot put distance. • Tim Leaf, awarded posthumously, a 1981 graduate, was the KCAC Individual Champion in cross country in 1979 and 1980. In 1979, Leaf was the lead runner on Bethany College’s only KCAC championship team. He placed 33rd in the national cross country meet and remains the highest finishing individual in Bethany College history. In track, Leaf won the 1980 5,000-meter race and set the current school record with a time of 15:18.64. • Amy (Yonally) Wilson, a 1999 graduate, was a dual-sport athlete playing softball and volleyball. In volleyball, she was named to an all-conference volleyball team. In softball, Wilson was a four-time all-conference softball player, all-region softball award winner, and made the All-American Farm Team. Bethany College Coach of the Year award winners include: • Kent Teeter, a 1987 graduate, has had many successes over the last 39 years from his time at Hays High School and his current position at Holcomb High School. While coaching football, Teeter has won two state championships and four league titles. He has also been named the Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year twice, KFBCA Coach of the Year in 2015, and KFBCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024. Along with coaching football, Teeter has also been successful in coaching track and field as he led his Holcomb boys' teams to three consecutive state titles (looking to make it four next year), seven league titles (currently on a four-year streak), and six top three finishes in the state track meet. He has coached over 25 different individual state titles in track and field as well. • Greg Maxwell, a 1997 graduate, coaches both volleyball and girls' basketball at Ellinwood High School. In volleyball, he has over 230 career wins and won the 2025 2A State Championship with a perfect 47-0 record. In girls' basketball, Maxwell led his team to the 2026 2A State Championship, finishing as the runner-up. These were the first ever state tournament wins for Ellinwood who were also the Central Prairie League champions. Maxwell holds a 2A state runner up finish in girls' golf as well. Bethany Athletic Association Award of Merit award winners include: • Danielle (DuMars) Greene and Spencer Greene. Danielle, a 2013 graduate, and her husband have made an immediate impact on Bethany College Athletics. They are a host family for Women’s Basketball, providing numerous meals for the team as well. The Greenes are also the owners of the Ol’ Stuga which hosts the Coaches Radio Show and is a valued partner for both Athletics and Bethany College as a whole. • Brandi Swenson, owner of the Crown & Rye, has also hosted the Coaches Radio Show while also hosting many Swedes Athletics celebrations and playoff sendoff events. In addition, Crown and Rye provided food for the 2026 All Swede Awards, the annual Athletic Department celebration for all teams and student-athletes. The Crown & Rye is a valued partner of Bethany College Athletics. All recipients will be honored during a special ceremony during Homecoming/Inauguration Weekend on Sunday, October 25. 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
Recipients Embody the Spirit of Bethany Through Lifelong Service, Generosity, Leadership, and Advocacy
