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China tour still has openings

Several slots still remain open for the trip to China for Bethel College alumni and friends. The trip for up to 25 participants is scheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 16, 2009 (a slight change in dates from what was announced earlier). It will be led by experienced tour guides Jim ’57 and Shirley (Suderman) ’57 Goering, North Newton, with international air travel arranged by Byron Ediger ’66, Newton, of MTS Travel.

“Thank you again very much for such a wonderful, enlightening experience,” wrote a Bethel alumni couple after going on the Goering’s November 2008 trip, the most recent of their 17 tours to China. “The trip exceeded our expectations; which were quite high! You did an amazing job of planning and implementing the events. We are now much more aware of events that take place in China, which I am sure is one of your objectives.”

Cost for the trip totals $5,225 per person (double-occupancy lodging) for those flying out of Wichita. The entire group will depart from Chicago and return via San Francisco, with airfare varying according to individuals’ home locations. The price does not include such things as passports, personal items, insurance, gratuity for the national tour guide, etc.

The deadline for an initial deposit of $400 U.S. per person (which goes toward the total) is March 16. To ensure participation on a first-come-first-served basis, those interested may send the deposit immediately, plus payment of $170 U.S. per person for the required China visa (also included in total above).

If deposits toward a roster of 25 are not received by March 16, individuals not affiliated with Bethel (in addition to alumni and friends) will be given the opportunity to participate on a first-come-first-served basis.

To express interest, ask questions, request more information or make a deposit, contact Shirley Goering, 301 Bluestem Street, North Newton, KS 67117, (316) 284-0786, shirleyg04@juno.com.

High school students and parents invited to visit campus

High school students and their parents are invited to visit campus Monday, Feb. 16 -- the President’s Day holiday -- to meet professors and students, hear a financial aid presentation, eat lunch in the cafeteria and visit with admissions counselors. The event is geared primarily to seniors and juniors.

Call the Admissions Office at 1-800-522-1887, ext. 230, to request a schedule or to make reservations, or register online at www.bethelks.edu/visit. Financial aid and audition appointments are available upon request.

Two additional visit days that are specifically for juniors are also scheduled this spring: Friday, March 6, and Friday, April 17. Families and high school students of any age are also welcome to schedule individual visits at any time.

Two art exhibits to open this month

February brings two new art exhibitions to Bethel, one at Kauffman Museum and the other in the Fine Arts Center on campus.

Two works by professor emeritus of art Bob Regier ’52, North Newton, will be featured in the special exhibition “Hot and Cold: Images of America in Conflict,” which will open at the museum Feb. 20. “Fallout,” an intaglio created in 1960, and “The Hero,” a relief print from 1962, are included as examples of art made during the Cold War. They represent Regier’s early foray into printmaking. James W. Johnson, a Wichita art consultant, curated the exhibition, in which the art references more than a century of conflict -- from the Civil War to the current war in Iraq.

Adjunct assistant professor of art Rachel Epp Buller ’96, Newton, will present “Looking at Protest Art” as a Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program at 3:30 p.m. April 19, the closing day of the exhibition. For more information, contact Kauffman Museum, (316) 283-1612, kauffman@bethelks.edu.

The first exhibit of the new year in the Fine Arts Center Gallery will be the fourth in a series honoring Professor of Art Gail Lutsch.

Mark Goertzen, a native of Goessel and a potter now living in Constantine, Mich., will open “Of the Earth,” an exhibit of vessel-oriented forms in wood-fired stoneware and porcelain Feb. 6. The public is invited to a reception for the artist that afternoon from 3-6 p.m. outside the gallery.

Goertzen is a 1988 graduate of Bethel who has participated in pottery workshops in Tokoname, Japan, and Christchurch, New Zealand. His work is in private collections in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Action by Bethel Board propels long-term vision via near-term process

During a special session Jan. 24, the Bethel College Board of Directors empowered President Barry Bartel, in concert with faculty and staff leadership, to develop an operating model sustainable at varying enrollment levels, to be presented to the board during its spring meeting April 2-4.

“Our opportunity, and our goal, is to build a sustainable model for Bethel. I truly believe this will help us become a stronger institution, ensuring that we can continue to serve students and prepare them to tackle the world’s problems,” Bartel said during a campus-wide meeting Jan. 28.

The board action stems from the economic reality of the past months, resulting in the need to meet the challenges posed by the current decline in the stock market which has had a negative impact on the value of the endowment and could have a negative impact on enrollment.

Join other alumni on Third Thursdays

Bethel College alumni continue to enjoy monthly networking at Reba’s Restaurant, 301 North Main, Newton, every third Thursday of the month, and you’re invited to join them. The networking time is 7-9 p.m., though the restaurant is also open for normal business then.

The Young Alumni Committee initiated the project in October, but alumni of all ages are invited. On third Thursday nights, the restaurant offers a “buy one tapas, get one for half price” special to Bethel alumni. The offer is good through May 31.

Feel free to contact the alumni office at (316) 284-5251 or alumni@bethelks.edu for more information. Join the fun Feb. 19 and beyond!

Wanted: Names of students’ grandparents

Bethel’s 26th annual Grandparents Day is scheduled for Friday, April 24. Last year more than 130 guests attended.

Members of the Student Alumni Association (SAA) plan and host the event. Morning activities include time to visit with students over coffee and rolls, attend classes and convocation, enjoy a talent show and eat lunch with students. Additional optional activities are offered in the afternoon.

So that all grandparents of current students might receive an invitation, parents as well as grandparent are asked to e-mail the following to dlin@bethelks.edu by Feb. 20:

  1. name of current Bethel student,
  2. name(s) and address(es) of the student’s grandparent(s) and great grandparent(s) who would appreciate receiving invitations.

If needed, family may also e-mail a request that grandparents NOT receive an invitation due to health or travel concerns (they may be on the invitation list from the past).

For more information, contact SAA advisor and director of alumni relations Dave Linscheid, (316) 284-5252, dlin@bethelks.edu. Thank you.

New summer camp to focus on money skills

Bethel will again offer a wide range of camps for students of all ages this summer, including a new one, Money$kills Camp.

The one-week, half-day camp will help students learn more about saving, spending, investing and understanding money. Sessions will include hands-on activities, projects, investigation and take-home assignments. During the week, students will be encouraged to develop a business plan for their own small business.

Students who have completed grades 5-6 may attend June 15-19, with those who have completed grades 7-8 invited to attend June 22-26.

Representatives from the Department of Business and Economics are also available to speak to school, church and community students (grades 5-8) about critical money issues. To learn more, visit the Money$kills Web site or e-mail Dr. Allison McFarland at moneyskillscamp@bethelks.edu.

For more information on Bethel’s other summer camps -- music, theater, sports, science and museum -- go to www.bethelks.edu/community/summercamps/index.php.