The thunderstorm passed to the north and Bethel College’s 117th commencement exercises proceeded outdoors in Thresher Stadium for the third year.
Perry D. White, Manitowoc, Wis., will become the 14th president of Bethel College. He and wife, Dalene White, will soon make their move to North Newton with his first day anticipated to be in mid-July.
Before they even arrive on campus, the Whites will attend the Bethel alumni gathering scheduled for 9 p.m. Friday, July 9, at the Western District Conference (WDC) regional Mennonite sessions in Waxahachie, Texas. All alumni and friends of the college are invited to the gathering, at which President White will offer brief remarks and answer questions. The couple will also meet conference goers and attend sessions Saturday morning and afternoon.
“The Bethel Board of Directors is excited and pleased to announce Dr. White’s appointment from a very strong set of outstanding candidates,” said Melvin Goering, Santa Fe, N.M., board chair. “The candidates were evaluated extensively by the board’s Presidential Search Committee and by the campus and wider community, with the assistance of the Mennonite Education Agency staff and board.”
White has a “lifelong commitment to faith-based private college education,” Goering said. He has a bachelor of arts in music education from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and is currently vice president for external relations and admissions at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc. Before coming to Silver Lake College in 2008, White was vice president for college advancement at Monmouth (Ill.) College.
“Dalene and I are truly honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve Bethel College. During our visit to campus, we were so impressed by the people, programs and unwavering commitment to quality higher education that is deeply rooted in the heritage and values of the Mennonite tradition,” White said. “We look forward to working with the many alumni, friends and colleagues to further the college’s mission, as we seek to prepare graduates for lives of successful service beyond graduation.”