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The Path to Your Purpose
COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM BETHANY COLLEGE, MCPHERSON SHERIFF AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATIONS
July 3, 2019
LINDSBORG, KAN., On June 14, 2019, the McPherson County Special Response Team spent nearly eight hours training in two residence halls on Bethany College campus. This training also provided an opportunity for the deputies to familiarize themselves with layout, entrances and exits of the residence halls. In connection with the training, McPherson County Sheriff Jerry Montagne, a 1995 Bethany alum, visited campus and met Dean of Student Development, Ryan Van Dusen and Campus Safety Director, Josh Snider, both responsible for campus emergency preparedness.
Other area law enforcement agencies have informally partnered with Bethany College’s criminal justice department allowing criminal justice majors firsthand experience. Through a working relationship with the Kansas Highway Patrol, Bethany provides criminal justice students as role players when the KHP is training recruits in accident investigation, DUI detection, domestic violence, robbery, and damage to state property investigations. Bethany students have also been role players in active shooter training by Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the KHP SWAT team, and for riot training with the Ellsworth Correctional Facility SWAT team. Crisis City also invited students out when the state fire marshal K-9 teams needed role playing during a collapsed building / rescue event. Several Bethany alums working in the criminal justice field in the area also visit campus to talk with current students.
Bethany student, Molly Achterberg, will complete her senior seminar project this summer by helping renovate the sheriff’s lobby at the McPherson Law Enforcement Center. The renovation involves adding display racks so tee shirts from all 50 states, for the Law Enforcement Torch Run/ Special Olympics, can be seen. Recent graduate Lexie Valentine coordinated with Saline County Community Corrections this past spring, to inspect and prepare a list of suggestions and supplies for renovations. After funding is established, students in the criminal justice department next fall, will make the renovations recommended by Lexie. The criminal justice department will also be painting several of the detention cells at the McPherson County Law Enforcement Center.
The criminal justice club will host a “CSI” camp on campus July 9, 10 and 11 for grades fourth through eighth. The camp will include crime scene processing and photography, fingerprinting, fluid splatter, evidence collection and processing; and more. Sheriff Montagne will participate.
Bethany College anticipates inviting Sheriff Montagne to provide an awareness and self-defense course in the near future. Sheriff Montagne has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 2nd black belt in Judo and has taught a women’s safety awareness and self-defense course across the state of Kansas for the past several years. Because he is an instructor for defensive tactics training, including pressure points, mace and taser, Sheriff Montagne’s safety course also implements prevention techniques.
Sheriff Montagne commented, “I am so proud of being a Bethany grad. I not only get to see and be on the campus again, but to glad my swat team can train to help Bethany students. My time at Bethany was full of great memories. Professor Dale Hoffman was such an inspiration to me. Bethany College definitely helped me to get where I am today, the highest law enforcement officer in the county. Thanks for allowing me to be a Swede!”
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.
Other area law enforcement agencies have informally partnered with Bethany College’s criminal justice department allowing criminal justice majors firsthand experience. Through a working relationship with the Kansas Highway Patrol, Bethany provides criminal justice students as role players when the KHP is training recruits in accident investigation, DUI detection, domestic violence, robbery, and damage to state property investigations. Bethany students have also been role players in active shooter training by Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and the KHP SWAT team, and for riot training with the Ellsworth Correctional Facility SWAT team. Crisis City also invited students out when the state fire marshal K-9 teams needed role playing during a collapsed building / rescue event. Several Bethany alums working in the criminal justice field in the area also visit campus to talk with current students.
Bethany student, Molly Achterberg, will complete her senior seminar project this summer by helping renovate the sheriff’s lobby at the McPherson Law Enforcement Center. The renovation involves adding display racks so tee shirts from all 50 states, for the Law Enforcement Torch Run/ Special Olympics, can be seen. Recent graduate Lexie Valentine coordinated with Saline County Community Corrections this past spring, to inspect and prepare a list of suggestions and supplies for renovations. After funding is established, students in the criminal justice department next fall, will make the renovations recommended by Lexie. The criminal justice department will also be painting several of the detention cells at the McPherson County Law Enforcement Center.
The criminal justice club will host a “CSI” camp on campus July 9, 10 and 11 for grades fourth through eighth. The camp will include crime scene processing and photography, fingerprinting, fluid splatter, evidence collection and processing; and more. Sheriff Montagne will participate.
Bethany College anticipates inviting Sheriff Montagne to provide an awareness and self-defense course in the near future. Sheriff Montagne has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 2nd black belt in Judo and has taught a women’s safety awareness and self-defense course across the state of Kansas for the past several years. Because he is an instructor for defensive tactics training, including pressure points, mace and taser, Sheriff Montagne’s safety course also implements prevention techniques.
Sheriff Montagne commented, “I am so proud of being a Bethany grad. I not only get to see and be on the campus again, but to glad my swat team can train to help Bethany students. My time at Bethany was full of great memories. Professor Dale Hoffman was such an inspiration to me. Bethany College definitely helped me to get where I am today, the highest law enforcement officer in the county. Thanks for allowing me to be a Swede!”
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.
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.