December 2012

Four senior business majors spent a chilly but “enlightening” weekend at the recent Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) annual convention.

Phil Mason, assistant professor of business, and the four students attended the event, Nov. 1-4 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

For Sean Claassen, Elmira, Ore., “the MEDA conference was an enlightening experience. The seminars I attended expanded my knowledge of business practices and provided me with alternative perspectives to my current education.”

Claassen was particularly intrigued with plenary speaker Jeff Van Duzer, dean of the School of Business and Economics at Seattle Pacific University and author of “Why Business Matters to God (And What Still Needs to be Fixed),” InterVarsity Press, 2010.

“He spoke on the nature of ethics in today’s workplace and explored the question of why good people end up doing bad things,” Claassen said.

“Another great experience was the student case competition,” he added, “in which we were given the opportunity to critique a real-life business plan, develop solutions to address challenges within the plan and present our findings in person to the owner of the business.”

The Bethel students competed as a team and came in a close third out of seven, all from Mennonite colleges in Canada and the United States.

Fine out more about more about the students’ time at the MEDA convention.

Alumni, friends of Bethel and their family members are invited to two special Bethel basketball events in early December.

The Alumni Council will host Alumni and Friends Night at the women’s and men’s games against Tabor College on Saturday, Dec. 8, in Thresher Gymnasium. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., members of the council will offer giveaways at the door. They will also conduct a drawing for prizes at halftime of the men’s varsity game.

The varsity women play at 5p.m. and the varsity men at 7p.m. A men’s junior varsity game at 3p.m. precedes the two varsity games. Regular admission prices apply to all games.

At 7p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12, the varsity men’s team will play former Bethel men’s basketball players in a scrimmage in Thresher Gym. The event is free and open to the public.

Anyone who wants to join the Thresher alumni team should contact Alonzo Jamison, head men’s basketball coach, at 316-284-5391 or ajamison@bethelks.edu.

As a spectator and/or a participant, join the Bethel basketball fun!

A new double CD titled “Nights of Wonder: Music of the Christmas Fests at Bethel College” is now available and would make a great Christmas gift for BC alumni and friends. All proceeds benefit the college through the Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA), which is helping with promotion, distribution and financial support.

The set can be purchased for $20 (plus tax) at the college bookstore in Schultz Student Center, open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3-7, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10-21, closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2013. To order by mail or for more information, contact BCWA president Donna Becker ’70, North Newton, at dbecker@bethelks.edu or 316-284-5327.

The popularly titled Christmas Fests began in 1968 and ended in 1999. The CD set includes live recordings from nine of the 20 most recent fests, selected on the basis of recording quality (the first in 1979) and featuring a variety of vocal and instrumental groups. Examples include “Gloria” performed by the Concert Choir, a brass ensemble and percussion in 1983; an excerpt from Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” played by the Sinfonia in 1990; “O Holy Night” by the Concert Choir and Sinfonia plus Newton Community Children’s Choir in 1995; and “I Saw Three Ships” featuring the Concert Choir, bells, percussion and four-hand piano in 1996.

Marles Preheim ’55, North Newton, professor emeritus of music who taught at the college from 1977-99, led the CD project. Ilene Schmidt ’54, North Newton, longtime administrative assistant in the President’s Office, provided assistance. Robert W. Regier ’52, professor emeritus of art, designed the cover.

Alumni and friends of Bethel would enjoy receiving the new history book, “Bethel College of Kansas 1887-2012,” written by longtime history professor Keith Sprunger in observance of the college’s 125th anniversary this year.

Through stories, historical accounts and images, the 300-page, hardcover account tells the story of the oldest Mennonite college in North America from its beginnings in 1887 to the present time. It delves into such fascinating topics as Bethel in the 1960s, the presidency of Dr. Harold J. Schultz and the college in the 21st century.

Robert W. Regier ’52, professor emeritus of art, designed the dust jacket and a color photo gallery inside.

“Bethel College of Kansas 1887-2012” is available at the bookstore in Schultz Student Center for $39.95 (plus $3.32 tax), and can be shipped for an additional $9.50 (U.S. rate). The bookstore is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3-7, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10-21, closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2013.

Sprunger, who is Oswald H. Wedel professor emeritus of history, served Bethel for nearly 40 years in the Department of History and spent nearly five years researching, conducting interviews, compiling photos, and writing and editing the new history.

On Dec. 9 from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Isaias McCaffery, a history professor at Independence Community College, will give the third Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program to complement the special exhibition “Threshing Stone: Mennonite Artifact & Icon.”

McCaffery will speak on “Rural Kansas Women at Work (1850-1900).” He is author of the book “Mennonite Low German Proverbs from Kansas,” available for purchase in the museum store. The speaker will sign copies following the presentation.

Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum programs are free to the public through a grant from the Kansas Humanities Council.

“Threshing Stone: Mennonite Artifact & Icon” will be on display through Jan. 20, 2013. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. It will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Forget Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Come to Kauffman Museum to do your Christmas shopping.

The museum store carries something for every age -- puzzles, jewelry, children’s toys, books, calendars, gift items, peppernut presses and much more. New this year are colorful socks made from recycled cotton; nifty, reusable nylon shopping bags (great stocking stuffers or hostess gifts); and kids’ play tents made by Crystal ’04 and Joel ’06 Gaeddert, North Newton.

The books “Leave No Threshing Stone Unturned” by Glen Ediger ’75, North Newton, and “Bethel College of Kansas 1887-2012” by Keith Sprunger are both in stock. In conjunction with the current special exhibition, “Threshing Stone: Mennonite Artifact & Icon,” wheat weaving Christmas tree ornaments made by Felice Goering ’59, Moundridge, will also be for sale.

Store hours are the same as regular museum hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. The museum and store will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Come visit -- and shop -- over the holidays!

While you’re in the holiday giving mood, give a gift to Bethel in recognition of its 125th birthday as 2012 -- also the end of the tax year -- comes to a close. Any gift from $12.50 to $125 to $1,250 or beyond will be appreciated.

You may give online through our gift page or mail your donation to Development Office, Bethel College, 300 East 27th Street, North Newton, KS 67117. A tax-deductible receipt will be sent. Thank you.

President Perry White, Dalene White and the campus community wish a Merry Christmas to all Bethel alumni and supporters of the college. Their online greeting can be found on our website.

The electronic card features a recent photo of the Lighting of the Green, the annual Sunday night service when students, faculty and staff form a circle at the center of the campus and light candles in observance of Advent.

Accompanying the image is the German Christmas classic “Nun ist Sie Erschienen,” arranged by Elvera Voth ’46, North Newton, and sung by the men’s a cappella group Open Road on their 2006 CD, “Assemble.” The beginning lyrics can be translated as “Now appeareth the Heavenly Sun in its glory” (“The Youth Hymnal,” Faith and Life Press, 1956).

May God fill your life with light and joy this Christmas season.