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The Path to Your Purpose
Presidential Strategic Planning Grant Recipients
July 24, 2020
LINDSBORG, KAN., July 20, 2020 - Bethany College is pleased to announce the recipients of the Presidential Strategic Planning Grants for the 20-21 academic year. The recipients were selected by the Presidential Strategic Planning Grant Committee. “I am proud to honor the recipients of the 2020 Presidential Strategic Planning Grant competition. The purpose of the grants is to spur innovation on campus that compliment our mission, vision, and values. I am certain that with successful data, many of the winning ideas will become permanent programs at Bethany,” said President Elizabeth Mauch.
Professor Ed Pogue - CREO program. Professor Pogue will implement a PTC CREO program for the Department of Art and Digital Media. The department is pursuing the possibility of bringing computer aided design as an academic program to Bethany College beginning in spring 2021. PTC CREO came highly recommended by industry leaders, especially within the agricultural based manufacturing divisions. Student utilization of this software allows our incoming students flexibility and increased potential for career placement after college within the region.
Dr. Mary Beth Harris - Ascension Program. The Ascension Program was originally piloted the summer of 2019. The Ascension Program is a seventeen day summer intensive program that combines academic skill building with community building to support conditionally admitted students as they make the transition from high school to college.
Melissa Blake - Future Swedes! Program. The Future Swedes! Program is being developed with the purpose of connecting middle/high school students to Bethany College. The program will bring students on campus to participate in summer camps. Camps are planned to begin during the spring/summer of 2021.
Dean of Athletics Laura Moreno and Professor Ed Pogue - Esports Program. E sports is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Esports teams are co-ed and feature players for a variety of different video games, such as Fortnite, Overwatch, and League of Legends. Bethany College and the Department of Athletics plan to launch an Esports program in the fall of 2021. In addition to Esports as an athletic program, Esports is a growing field of expertise and a new degree option at many colleges and universities. Bethany College plans to introduce an Esports Management major in 2022-23.
Christi Wicks - BQ111 Student-Athletics Course. Bethany academics, athletics, and Student Success are collaborating in the fall of 2020 to create a specialized first-year core experience course targeted at groups of at-risk student athletes. The purpose of the course is to build connections with faculty members and athletic department representatives with the mission of retaining higher numbers of student-athletes after their first year at Bethany.
Professor Heather Morris and Dr. Mark McDonald - 3D Anatomy Learning Platform. A digital 3D system will allow any courses engaged in the study of anatomy unlimited access to real anatomy and active learning resources. This program will directly benefit 200 students a year.
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 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.