Bethany. Values. Me.






Bethany Lutheran College provides Christian higher education in a challenging academic environment where personal mentoring guides students to pursue knowledge, truth, and discernment for productive and fulfilling lives.






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Discover Bethany
The Bible serves as the foundation for Bethany’s Christian Mission and worldview, shaping our approach to education, spiritual life, daily living, and our partnerships with those who share these values—making Bethany a natural choice for students and families seeking a faith-centered college experience.
Christian Mission
Faith is at the heart of everything we do—from academics to community. Learn how our mission shapes life at Bethany.
Campus Life
Make lifelong friends, grow in your faith, and enjoy a vibrant, close-knit college community.
Majors & Minors
Discover a wide range of Christ-centered majors and minors designed to develop your talents.
Academics
Explore Christ-centered academics that prepare you for a fulfilling career and a life of purpose.
Arts
Find opportunities to challenge and reward your unique talents and develop that love into genuine excellence.
Athletics
Join a winning tradition—whether you’re competing, cheering from the stands, or staying active and fit.
Masters Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
We’re happy to offer 3 on-campus residencies and asynchronous, online courses for a flexible, yet personal educational experience.
What’s Happening at Bethany
Stay connected with the latest campus news, events, and stories. From student achievements and faculty updates to concerts, games, and community gatherings—this is your window into life at Bethany.

Amid the Trees, Vol. 1 Issue 4

Fall Festival 2025 Wrap Up

Amid the Trees, Vol. 1 Issue 3
Alumni Stories
Hear Why Past Graduates Love Education at BLC
Brittany Fenrich, a 2015 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, currently shapes minds as an Adjunct Professor of English at Palo Alto College, a position she began in January 2023. Before transitioning to higher education, she taught high school English in the Comal Independent School District in San Marcos, Texas, where
Jordan Poff earned his Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Sciences from Bethany Lutheran College in 2019, where he also minored in Mathematics. While at Bethany, he embraced hands-on learning in the engineering labs and also balanced academics with competition on the men’s tennis team—an experience that shaped his discipline and

Jonathan Sehloff graduated in 2019 from Bethany Lutheran College with a degree in Computer Science. He developed technical skills through his involvement with Bethany’s live broadcasting studio, hands-on training that fueled the trajectory of his professional life. Today, he designs comprehensive broadcast systems for Alpha in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. His
Daniel Halvorson graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2018 with a major in Engineering Sciences, joining the inaugural cohort of the program. He had previously been part of the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) during high school and chose to remain at Bethany when the new degree launched. The opportunity to
Jessica Berlinger graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2019 with a major in English and a secondary education licensure, including coaching credentials in secondary education. She went on to teach high school English in Springfield, Minnesota, where she engages both freshmen and seniors—guiding young writers, encouraging public speaking development, and
Katherine Totten graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2016 with a major in Biology, then pursued advanced study in molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. She earned her PhD and now serves as a graduate researcher in an infectious diseases laboratory, where she explores the therapeutic potential of bacteriophages—viruses that target
David Hicke, Class of 2010, earned his degree in Engineering Sciences at Bethany Lutheran College. He now serves as an Off‑Road Vehicle Systems Engineer, where he designs cooling systems for all‑terrain vehicles—ensuring engines maintain proper temperature and prevent overheating. His daily work involves component selection, system design, project support for
Caitlyn French graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts from Bethany Lutheran College, where she developed foundational skills in camera work, storytelling, and graphic layout—gains she carried forward into her first roles in community journalism. Today, she serves as a news reporter for a regional daily
Amanda Rose, Class of 2007 with a major in Music Composition and Technology, now composes sacred music by commission or on her own initiative. She has created works for ensembles such as a college wind symphony and women’s choir, and writes for choir performances that bless congregations. She also sings

Kaleb and Tamara Schmidt, graduates of Bethany Lutheran College, are building lives rooted in faith, music, and education in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tamara, who graduated in December 2023 with a degree in music, now teaches K–8 general music at Central Lutheran School. Her days are filled with leading band and
Why is Clinical Mental Health a passion of yours? When I completed my undergraduate degree in Expressive and Therapeutic Arts at Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, I volunteered for a local program, Grief Relief. Supporting grieving children quickly became a passion of mine, to the extent that immediately
Shelby Latusek graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Bethany Lutheran College. Inspired early on by her mother’s career, she became a second-grade teacher at Zumbrota-Mazeppa Primary School in Minnesota, where she brings learning alive through teaching core standards and coaching middle school softball and
John Brown graduated from Bethany in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science. Inspired by his own experience as a physical therapy patient, he felt called to help others reach their goals through movement and healing: “After a long history of having physical therapy myself, I became very
Jerome Wardlow Sr. made history in 2005 as the first Black graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree from Bethany Lutheran College, completing a B.A. in Broadfield Social Studies. Prior to that, he spent three seasons (2001–2004) as a student-athlete on the Vikings men’s basketball team. During his senior season, Jerome
Taylor Friehl, a 2016 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College with a major in Studio Art and a minor in Art History, has crafted a dynamic career at the intersection of sustainability, design, and storytelling. At Bethany, she excelled not only in the classroom but also as a standout on the
Fourth-Grade Teacher | Basketball Coach | 2020 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Finalist Omar McMillan’s passion for teaching and mentorship has shaped countless lives in the Richfield, Minnesota community. A finalist for the 2020 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award, Omar serves as a fourth-grade teacher at Richfield STEM School
Patricia Lilienthal, Class of 2018 with a major in History, is making history come alive through her work as a Collections Coordinator, Exhibit Designer, and Administrative Assistant. She reflects on her daily responsibilities: “I never really have an average day at the museum. I bounce between updating and preserving our
The bachelor of science in nursing program at Bethany is producing exceptional graduates who are making immediate impacts at the health care facilities they are working for. Among those graduates is Tessa Chambers (’21). A native of Princeton, Minnesota, Chambers first learned about Bethany, and the nursing program, through her
Cody Hardin, Class of 2011, earned a double major in Communication and Music from Bethany Lutheran College, with emphases in TV & Film Audio and Theory & Composition. He now serves as a Senior Audio Operator at a ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut. In his role, Cody mixes live audio for
Emily Heintz graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2012 with a major in Elementary Education. Today, she enriches the lives of students as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Immanuel Lutheran School in Courtland, Minnesota. In her classroom, Emily teaches nearly all core subjects, including English Language Arts, science, social
Jenna Albrecht, a 2016 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, earned her degree in Business Administration and now serves as an Institutional Onboarding and Client Service Specialist at Parametric Portfolio Associates. In this role, she works with institutional clients across the country, helping them navigate the onboarding process and ensuring a
Hayes Schneider graduated in 2018 from Bethany Lutheran College with a degree in Media Arts, specializing in motion graphics and animation. At Bethany, he built early momentum through national-level media events and hands-on student broadcast work, including producing Maverick Hockey Weekend content—experience that launched his multimedia career. He now works
Anna Cepek, Class of 2012, earned her major in Mathematics at Bethany Lutheran College. She completed a Ph.D. in Mathematics at Montana State University and then traveled to South Korea for a postdoctoral fellowship focused on research in configuration spaces of manifolds. In her role as a graduate student and
Avis Van Zomeren, a 2019 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, majored in Psychology and now serves as a Marketing Strategist at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa. In this role, she brings creativity, communication, and critical thinking together to craft strategic messaging that connects clients to financial services in
Take your Virtual Tour!
Take a virtual tour of our beautiful campus in Mankato, Minnesota! We would love to show you around in person, so schedule your campus visit today!