Nine Bethany Alumni Inducted in 2022 Hall of Honor Ceremony

October 25, 2022

Lindsborg, Kan. – On Sunday, October 23, 2022, nine Bethany legends were inducted into 2022 Athletics Hall of Honor.

To even be nominated for such an honor, an individual must have had a noteworthy and exemplary career during their time at Bethany College. The individuals selected were former student-athletes or letter winners. For student-athletes, the last year of participation in athletics have been at least eight years before selection into the Hall of Honor. Selection for membership was determined by the quality and caliber of athletic performance and by the individual's contribution to the team concept of athletic endeavor through leadership, as cited by the coaches and teammates involved.


The first former athlete to be recognized was Randy Clark, Class of 1970. Randy Clark attended Bethany College from 1966-1970, where he was a four-year letter winner in men's basketball, three-year letter winner in baseball, and one-year letter winner in football. Clark was a member of B-Club, Gamma Kappa Alpha fraternity, and was senior class secretary and treasurer.


Clark served as Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Bethany College from 1998-2012, and an adjunct professor in human geography from 2005-2012. The Swedes were KCAC Tournament Champions in 1999, 2000, and 2003, and qualified for the NAIA Division II National Tournament in each of those years, with a runner-up finish in 2003.


Clark earned his Bachelor of Arts in physical education from Bethany in 1970 and earned his Master of Science in education from Kansas State University. Randy Clark retired in 2012 and is married to his wife Janice; they have two sons, Peter and Brian, and daughter-in-law Alice.


Our second inductee was Elmer Patterson, Class of 1980. Elmer Patterson attended Bethany College from 1977-1980 and earned All-KCAC men's tennis honors all four years. As a freshman, Patterson won KCAC number five singles and number three doubles. His sophomore year, Patterson placed second in number one singles and won number one doubles. As a junior, he won both number two singles and number one doubles and was crowned champion in both number one singles and number three doubles his senior year. He led the Swedes to three consecutive District 10 Championships and three NAIA National Tournament appearances. In his four-year career as a Swede, Patterson only lost two matches, and has wins over players from NCAA Division I teams Baylor University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University. In addition, he also notched a win over a Davis Cup player.


Patterson has 25 years of experience as a tennis coach and tennis professional. He served as the Head Women's Tennis Coach at Bethany for four years, as well as the Assistant Men's Tennis Coach for four years. He was named KCAC Coach of the Year four times and took the women's program from last place in the conference to second in two years. In addition, he helped coach Bethany men's tennis to five consecutive KCAC titles and coached the Bethany College Summer Youth Tennis Camps for seven years.


Elmer Patterson graduated from Bethany in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in social science education and holds a Master of Arts in education from the University of Phoenix. He currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with his partner and fellow Lindsborg native, Angie Ahlstedt Dunbar. Patterson has one daughter, Amanda Beck. Elmer is now the director of "Buzz Development" for Bee Organized in Scottsdale, Arizona which is a professional organizing company.


Our third inductee was David Dodge, Class of 1983. David Dodge attended Bethany from 1979-1983, where he was a four-year letter winner in baseball and a two-year letter winner in football. In baseball, Dodge was Rookie of the Year in 1980, when the Swedes were crowned KCAC Champions. He was Honorable Mention All-KCAC from 1980-1982 and was team captain as well as All-KCAC in 1983. As a member of Bethany Football, Dodge was part of a KCAC Championship in 1981 and was team captain and Honorable Mention All-KCAC in 1982.


Dodge was a member of the football coaching staff at Bethany from 1983-1996, during which the Swedes posted a 104-26-1 record. He served as Secondary Coach/JV Defensive Coordinator in 1983, and Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Coach/Recruiting Coordinator from 1984-1996. During Dodge's time on staff, Swedes Football made seven trips to the NAIA National playoffs, and won nine KCAC Championships; 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. Dodge coached 58 All-KCAC student-athletes, 14 NAIA Academic All-Americans, and three NAIA All-Americans. In 1986, Bethany was number one in NAIA pass defense. The Swedes were number three in the NAIA in total defense and scoring defense in 1988. In 1989, Bethany was number five in the NAIA in total defense, and number eight in NAIA scoring defense. The Swedes were the third ranked pass defense in the NAIA in 1994 and led the NAIA in pass defense in 1996.


In addition to coaching football, Dodge was the Assistant Baseball Coach at Bethany from 1984-1987, and the Head Baseball Coach from 1988-1997. The Swedes were KCAC Champions in 1985, 1986, and 1988, and Dodge was the 1998 KCAC Coach of the Year.

 

David Doge Dodge is currently the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Garden County High School, a position he has held since 2020. He has coached four All-League players, and one player who played in the Panhandle All-Star Game. Dodge is married to Jolene (Zone) Dodge and they have three children; Dustin Dodge, Jordan Dodge, and Taylor (Dodge) Cordova.


Our fourth inductee was Michael Waldie. Michael Waldie was part of the 1993 and 1994 KCAC Champion Bethany College football teams. Both years he was team captain, 1st Team All-KCAC linebacker, and Academic All-American. In 1994, he earned NAIA All-American honors.


In 1995, Waldie was Linebackers Coach for Bethany as well as the Assistant Baseball Coach. Swedes Baseball were KCAC Champions at 11-1, with an Elite Eight appearance. In total, in his time as a player and coach for Bethany Football from 1993-2000, the Swedes posted a record of 71-19 with six KCAC Championships.


From 1997-2000, Waldie served as Bethany's Head Baseball Coach, with a record of 132-68. The Swedes were KCAC Champions in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Their 20-plus win season in 1996 was the first for Bethany in over 10 years. In 1998, Bethany Baseball were Regional Semi-Finalists, and earned their first 30-plus win season in school history. The Swedes were KCAC Runner-Up in baseball in 1999. In addition to serving as the Head Baseball Coach, Waldie continued to coach football for the Swedes as well. He was Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach in 1996, and Defensive Coordinator from 1997-2000. In 1999, Bethany Football was crowned KCAC Champions, and were Mineral Water Bowl Champions in 2000. Waldie was named Defensive Coordinator of the Year by American Monthly Magazine. The Swedes defense only allowed 71 points in 11 games.

 

Waldie is married to Amy Holland, who is a teacher at Bryan ISD. They have three sons and a daughter; son Brock is a horse trainer/farrier at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida; daughter Brynn is a freshman at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas; son Brodie, fifth grade; and son Brooks, 2nd grade.


Our fifth inductee was Kipp Van Camp, Class of 1985. Kipp Van Camp attended Bethany College from 1981-1985, where he competed in track and field all four years. He earned both NAIA Academic All-Region and NAIA Academic All-American honors in indoor track and field in 1982, 1983, and 1984. Van Camp was also NAIA Academic All-Region in outdoor track and field from 1982-1985, and a NAIA Academic All-American in 1983, 1984, and 1985. In addition, he earned the 1983 KCAC All-Conference Academic Award. In addition to his outstanding track and field career, Van Camp also played football for the Swedes in 1981 and 1982. He was a member of the Bethany College vs. Sweden team to Stockholm in 1985.


Van Camp was a two-time NAIA Indoor Track & Field All-American; he finished fifth in the indoor hammer in 1983 and fourth in 1984. In addition, he was a NAIA Outdoor Track and Field All-American in 1985 with a sixth-place finish in the hammer throw, and a 1985 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Qualifier in the discus with a 12th place finish.


In 1983, Van Camp was the KCAC Outdoor Track and Field Champion and NAIA Regional Champion in the hammer. He then earned KCAC Champion and NAIA Regional Champion honors in both the hammer and discus in both 1984 and 1985. From 1982, his sophomore year, through 1985, his senior year, Van Camp was undefeated in the indoor weight throw and outdoor hammer throw for all meets in regular season, conference championships, and regionals. He is the former indoor weight record holder for Bethany, was the men's team's top scorer in 1983, 1984, and 1985, and won the 1984 Men's Track and Field Swede Award.


Kipp Van Camp graduate from Bethany College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and chemistry and went on the graduate from medical school at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 1990. Van Camp met his wife, Tracy Gavin, in 1989 and they were married in 1991. They have two sons; Kolby, who recently graduated from Kansas State University, and Weston, who is a member of the track and field team at the University of Kansas. Kipp Van Camp currently practices interventional radiology in western Kansas and has a stem cell clinic in Shawnee, Kansas.


Our sixth inductee was Michelle (Rogge) Nelson, Class of 2001. Michelle (Rogge) Nelson attended Bethany from 1997-2001, during which she was a four-year member of both women's basketball and softball and an Academic All-American with a 4.0 grade point average. Swedes Women's Basketball won the KCAC Regular Season Championship in 1998 and 2000 and the KCAC Tournament in 1999 and 2000, which earned NAIA National Tournament berths in 1999 and 2000. In 1997-98, women's basketball led the KCAC in offensive field goal percentage. They led the KCAC in scoring margin and offensive points per game in 1999-00 and led the KCAC in defensive points per game in 2000-01. As a senior, Nelson led the KCAC in assists, and was named 1st Team All-KCAC as a senior and Honorable Mention All-KCAC as a junior. Nelson was a team captain her senior year, and helped the Swedes win 96 games as well as earn national rankings during her four-year women's basketball career. In addition, Nelson was a four-year starter on the softball team, where she was voted Newcomer of the Year for the Swedes as a freshman. Her senior year, she was team captain and earned Honorable Mention All-KCAC, while also receiving All-KCAC honors as a junior.


Michelle (Rogge) Nelson is now currently working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is working for The Bancorp Bank as the Director of Operations and was recently named to the bank's management council in 2021. Nelson met her husband, Jason, at Bethany. The couple has two children; Micah, 13, and Jonah, 9.


Our seventh inductee was Lisa (Faimon) Spencer, Class of 2013. Lisa (Faimon) Spencer came to Bethany as a junior after she began her college career at Colby Community College. She competed in indoor and outdoor track and field as a junior and senior, and volleyball her senior year. During her collegiate career, Spencer qualified for Nationals six times. She held the school record in the outdoor 100m hurdles with a time of 15.2 seconds and was part of the school record setting 4x100m relay team with a time of 48.9 seconds. Spencer was named the KCAC Outdoor Track and Field Female Athlete of the Meet at the KCAC Championships for two consecutive years. She medaled in all five of her events and ended her senior year by receiving the KCAC Champion of Character Award. In the final Nationals meet of her career, Spencer nailed a 5'6 ¼ mark in the high jump and ultimately placed sixth with a jump of 5'8 ¼.


Lisa (Faimon) Spencer moved back to Nebraska where she is in her tenth year of teaching. She currently teaches first grade at Hitchcock County and is the head coach for the high school volleyball team as well as the assistant track and field coach for boys and girls jumps. Spencer married Reid Spencer, a local rancher, in June 2022, and they are expecting twins in March.


Our eighth inductee was the Alumni Coach of the Year, Jon McClean, Class of 1991. Jon McLean transferred from Dodge City Community College to Bethany College, where he played basketball for three seasons, from 1988-1991. The Swedes were conference champions in 1990, and qualified for the District 10 playoffs in 1988-1989 and 1989-1990. McLean was voted Most Inspirational Player in 1988-1989 and 1990-1991 and served as team captain in 1990-1991. In addition to basketball, McLean also played football for three seasons. Bethany was conference champion in 1990 and 1991. McLean was Honorable Mention All-KCAC as a running back in 1990 and 1991, voted Most Valuable Running Back in 1991, and served as Team Captain in 1991.


McLean has spent 31 years coaching at the high school and junior high level, including stops at Brewster High School (1992-1996), Bethany College (1996-1997), Ashland High School (1997-1998), Cimarron High School (1998-1999), Goodland High School (1999-2007), Buhler High School (2007-2010, 2011-2017), and Nickerson High School (2017-2022). He was a head high school basketball coach for 25 years, with his teams qualifying for the state basketball tournament seven times. McLean's Brewster, Kan. team was crowned state champions in 1995, and finished third in 1996. In 2015, McLean's Buhler girls team finished fourth, in 2018 the Nickerson girls team was a state participant, and in 2019 the Nickerson girls team finished fourth. In 2020, McLean's Nickerson girls squad made the Final Four during the 2020 Covid season and placed fourth in 2022. McLean was named 4A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year in 2020, and 1A Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in 1995.


McLean was a head high school football coach for six years. His teams were conference champions twice, and qualified for the state playoffs three times. In addition, he was a head junior high football coach for 10 years, and held various assistant coaching positions in volleyball, basketball, track, and golf. McLean was also named KWCA Women's Wrestling Administrator of the Year in 2020.


Jon McClean is currently the athletic director at Hutchinson High School. McLean is married to Lynette McLean, an elementary school principal at Wiley Elementary in Hutchinson, Kan. They have three children; Cade, Maggie, and Josie.


Our ninth, and final, inductee was the Bethany Athletic Association Award of Merit, Bill Ferguson, Class of 1979. Bill Ferguson came to Bethany College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in social science in 1979. During his time at Bethany, he served as a student assistant coach in three sports: one year for football under Dr. Ted Kessinger, two years in basketball under George Stephens, and one year in baseball under Gary Sandbo.


Ferguson went on to receive his Master of Arts in history from Fort Hays State University in 1990. He taught and coached for 32 years, at three different high schools in Kansas: Peabody, Sterling, and Smoky Valley. Ferguson has been a head coach in boys' basketball, girl's basketball, track and field, and tennis, and an assistant coach in football as well. In 2007-08, Ferguson was named Hutch News 4A Girls Basketball Area Coach of the Year. Later that year he served as interim coach for women's basketball at Bethany College, and then became an Assistant Women's Basketball Coach under new head coach Jim Campion from 2008-2012. In 2011, Ferguson took early retirement and taught part-time for Bethany College until May 2022. In 2016, when Ferguson's son, Keith, was hired as Head Women's Basketball Coach for the Swedes, he was a volunteer assistant coach for three seasons.


Ferguson is married to Jan (Lindsey) Ferguson. They have two sons; Keith, his wife Beth, and their daughter Harper, who reside in Lindsborg; and Mike, his wife Heather, and their son Declan, who live in Topeka.


It is inspiring to read the stories and success of our cherished alumni. A huge congratulations to all of our inductees! 


#RockarStockar

Bethany College Honors Faculty and Staff for Service and Achievement

May 9, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAY 9, 2025 — Bethany College held an employee recognition dinner on May 6 to celebrate the end of the academic year. Faculty and staff celebrating service anniversaries included Denise Carson, Director of the Wallerstedt Library (40 years); Frank Ballew, Director of Publications (25 years); Andrea Ring, Chair of the Department of Psychology and Associate Professor of Psychology (15 years); Marcus Hensel, Assistant Professor of English (10 years); and Kelley Menke, Thomas DeWitt, Adam Long, Dala Roberts, Brian Powers, and Jenni Snider (5 years). These dedicated individuals exemplify the lasting commitment that helps define the Bethany experience. We’re proud to celebrate their continued service and the strength they bring to our campus community. The Donna Meredith Humphreys Award for Teaching was presented to Dr. Rob Habiger , Class of 1969, in recognition of his exceptional mentorship and dedication to his students. The award, established by Don and Alice Humphreys of Great Bend, Kansas, honors the memory of their daughter, Meredy, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bethany in 1991. It is given annually to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding teaching ability, inspires intellectual curiosity in both students and colleagues, and takes a genuine interest in students’ personal growth. The recipient must also encourage leadership and the development of strong character. Dr. Habiger, who recently moved back to Colorado with his wife Celeste, played a significant role in leading the Presidential Search Committee and teaching physics during his time in Lindsborg. Over the past year, Rob and Celeste became deeply involved in the Bethany College community, attending nearly every event, founding a scholarship, hosting gatherings, mentoring students, and generously volunteering their time throughout the town. In addition to the Meredy Humphreys Award, Rob and Celeste were honored with the special TTT (Time, Talent, Treasure) Award for their exceptional contributions to the campus. Bethany College is deeply grateful for their dedication and service. Dr. Marcus Hensel , Associate Professor of English, was named the recipient of the Mortvedt Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award . Established in honor of former Bethany President Robert Mortvedt, the award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding teaching, distinctive leadership, and a commitment to strengthening the college’s academic and campus life. Dr. Hensel was selected for his engaging classroom approach, commitment to student success, and meaningful contributions to the academic life of the college. Crystal Houp , Admissions Operations Manager, received the Ken Sjogren Annual Staff Service Award , which recognizes a full-time staff member who exemplifies hospitality, servant leadership, collaboration, and steadfast support for the mission of Bethany College. Crystal has served Bethany College for nearly two decades, consistently demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and care in her work. Her impact on the campus community, particularly within the Admissions Office, has been both broad and lasting. Colleagues and nominators described her as dependable, detail-oriented, and a true steward of hospitality. “Over the many years that Crystal has been at Bethany, she has served hundreds of families along with our faculty and staff,” one nomination read. “Her work may go unnoticed to many, but to the team she works with and those she serves, it’s something you can’t miss.” The Ken Sjogren Annual Staff Service Award honors the legacy of Kenneth “Ken” Edward Sjogren ’57, who served Bethany College for 23 years in various leadership roles. The award celebrates the vital role staff play in the life of the college and their partnership in supporting students and faculty. Bethany College is grateful for Crystal’s outstanding contributions and is proud to recognize her with this year’s award. Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, 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.

A Degree 55 Years in the Making

May 6, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAY 6, 2025 — As Bethany College celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2025, one graduate's walk across the stage represents an unfinished dream now fulfilled more than five decades later. In 1970, Marilyn Allen Peterson was just one class away from earning her degree in elementary education from Bethany College. But when her husband, Dr. Thomas Peterson (Bethany Class of 1968), was called into military service during the Vietnam War, the couple relocated to Arizona with little notice. In the midst of the move, Marilyn was unable to complete her final requirement: a single science elective. Earlier this year, Dr. Peterson contacted Bethany College to share his wife’s story and asked a simple question: Could she still finish what she started? Thanks to the efforts of faculty and staff who dug into old catalogs, found the transcripts stored on microfilm, and brainstormed creative solutions for completing that final requirement, we are proud to say: yes, she could—and she did. With her final credit completed, Marilyn became eligible to receive her degree. At age 76, Marilyn Allen Peterson officially joins the Bethany College Class of 2025. During Commencement, she was recognized with heartfelt applause from the entire Bethany community. "Marilyn, on behalf of Bethany College, we celebrate your dedication, your patience, and your enduring Swede spirit," said Dr. Laura Crawley, President of Bethany College. "Let this moment remind us all that it’s never too late to finish what we start, and that some of the most meaningful victories are the ones that take a little longer to reach." Marilyn’s story is not only a tribute to personal perseverance, but also a testament to the lifelong bonds formed at Bethany College and the value of returning to one’s roots to complete the journey. The full Commencement Ceremony is available to view online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Dee6oUH3k Photos from the event can be found at: https://jimturner.zenfolio.com/bethanygraduation2025 Learn more about our Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers here: https://www.bethanylb.edu/bethany-college-baccalaureate-and-commencement-speakers The full graduation press release can also be found on our website at: https://www.bethanylb.edu/congratulations-2025-graduates Bethany College is a liberal arts institution located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and was established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881. For over 140 years, Bethany has been dedicated to educating, developing, and challenging individuals to pursue truth and excellence while leading lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, 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.

Congratulations 2025 Graduates

May 6, 2025
LINDSBORG, KS. MAY 6, 2025 — Bethany College conferred degrees upon 104 students in Presser Hall Auditorium on May 3, 2025. The ceremony recognized students who earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees during the 2024–2025 academic year. Summer, fall, and spring graduates were honored during a Baccalaureate service at 10:30am, followed by the Commencement ceremony at 2:00pm in Presser Hall. Campus Pastor Melissa Woeppel led the Baccalaureate service, with Ellie Dieringer, an advocate for gender justice and intergenerational equity, serving as the featured speaker. Dr. Kelli Krase, a 2004 Bethany alum, delivered the Commencement address. She currently serves as an Associate Professor, Residency Program Director for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. The Commencement Ceremony was marked by several special moments, including a welcome address from Dr. Laura Crawley, Bethany College’s 16th President, who officially began her tenure just three days prior. Senior remarks were delivered by Carson Finke and Kort Sjogren, this year’s recipients of the Spencer Bartlett Senior Respect Award. Their speeches reflected on personal growth, the challenges they overcame, and the journey that led them to graduation. Both shared heartfelt stories that moved many in the audience to tears, while offering thoughtful advice and congratulations to their fellow graduates. Adding a powerful artistic moment to the ceremony, graduate Aubrey Larson performed “Defying Gravity” from Wicked by Stephen Schwartz. The event also featured a moving degree conferral for Marilyn Allen Peterson, whose Bethany journey began in 1970 and culminated with her official graduation this year at age 76. Her story of perseverance and dedication has resonated deeply within the Bethany community and beyond. Learn more about Marilyn Peterson's story here: https://www.bethanylb.edu/a-degree-55-years-in-the-making The full Commencement Ceremony is available to view online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Dee6oUH3k Photos from the event can be found at: https://jimturner.zenfolio.com/bethanygraduation2025 Learn more about our Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers here: https://www.bethanylb.edu/bethany-college-baccalaureate-and-commencement-speakers
More News