Bethel’s 14th annual Alumni/Student Career Night saw a marked increase in the number of participants this year. Fifty-three professionals (compared to 37 last year) and 148 students (compared to 107 last year) engaged in lively conversation from 7:30-9 p.m. in Memorial Hall auditorium Nov. 19. Pictures of the event are in the photo gallery.
“I have been participating in Career Night for a few years, and this year was the best one ever,” said Richard Walker ’70, Newton, district judge in the Harvey County District Court. “I was busy virtually the entire time. Students were interested, asked good questions and seemed receptive to my comments. I think I even recruited one or two for my spring U.S. Government class at Bethel!” Walker is also adjunct instructor of social science.
Several alumni professionals traveled from a distance to participate. Elizabeth Hafoka ’03, Lawrence, is assistant district attorney in the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office. Paul Rudy ’84 is professor of composition at the Conservatory at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Todd Zerger ’00 is an optometrist at Eye Care Associates of Salina.
Hafoka, Rudy and Zerger were there for the first time, as were a number of other alumni: Todd Flory ’04, McPherson, Web reporter for the Salina Journal; Monty Graber ’01, Newton, a teacher at Santa Fe Middle School; Kira Kindall ’03, Newton, cost accountant for Hospira Pharmaceuticals; Kendra Morford ’01, Newton, owner of Healthy Baby Boutique; Bret Preheim ’88, Wichita, graphics manager at KAKE TV; Clint Stucky ’73, Wichita, occupational therapy instructor at Newman University; Dave Stucky ’05, Newton, associate attorney with Adrian and Pankratz; Lauren Symmonds ’05, Wichita, school psychology intern at Jefferson and Irving Elementary Schools; Margaret Toews ’73, North Newton, programmer analyst at CCH Inc.; and Amanda Voth ’03, Goessel, assistant district attorney/prosecutor for Reno County.
Next year’s Career Night is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2009. Alumni who are interested in volunteering should e-mail their name, mailing address, home and work phone numbers, profession/title and company name to alumni@bethelks.edu, and indicate that they would like to receive an invitation to attend.