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 8

Education Majors Inspire Young Learners Through Art
Amid the Trees, Vol. 1 Issue 7
Alumni Stories
Hear Why Past Graduates Love Education at BLC
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
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
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
Ashley (Schwichtenberg) Landru, Class of 2011 and an Elementary Education major, brings care and creativity to her role teaching sixth grade students. She loves teaching social studies and language arts to young students, sharing her passion for books and learning every day. Beyond classroom instruction, Ashley engages with her school
Hai Trieu Phan, a 2018 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College with a major in Engineering Sciences, has built an international career that bridges cultures, industries, and disciplines. Originally from the Czech Republic, Hai was drawn to Bethany for its rigorous academics and close-knit community. He credits the college with providing
Peter Bockoven, a 2018 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College with a major in History, has followed a path shaped by deep faith, rigorous study, and joyful service to the church. After completing his undergraduate education at Bethany, Peter enrolled at Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mankato, Minnesota, where he completed
Nicholas Chopp graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Bethany Lutheran College. During his time at Bethany, he helped build and develop the College’s Audio/Video Studio, gaining experience that bolstered his work ethic, leadership abilities, and practical skills in broadcasting and production. Following his graduation, Nicholas
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
Madison Barber graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies. During her time on campus, she actively pursued opportunities to grow—most notably through Bethany’s mock trial program, where she developed courtroom confidence and sharpened her public-speaking skills by competing alongside motivated peers. “I
Lydia Scruggs graduated in 2019 with a degree in Elementary Education from Bethany Lutheran College, earning Minnesota state licensure for K–6 teaching with a 5–8 endorsement in social studies. Today she teaches sixth grade at Hills Beaver Creek Elementary School, where she supports her students’ academic, emotional, and personal growth:
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
Anna Kempfert, Class of 2010, earned her degree in English with Secondary Education Licensure and Communication Arts Certification at Bethany Lutheran College. She later joined AmeriCorps VISTA as a Volunteer Coordinator at the University of Maine. In this role, Anna planned service projects and after-school programs, wrote grants, recruited and
Seth Hueckman, a 2007 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, majored in Engineering Sciences and has since built a career rooted in technical expertise, integrity, and hands-on problem solving. Now a civil engineer with Barr Engineering, Seth works on landfill, dam, and mine site projects, Seth has developed a deep understanding
Cynthia Krause completed her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Bethany College in 2019, where she focused on harp and organ performance. After graduation, she spent two gap years working before pursuing a master’s degree in harp performance at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. In December 2022, she
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
MacKenzie Lindstrom, Class of 2018, majored in Business Administration at Bethany Lutheran College. She now serves as a Business Banking Credit Analyst and Assistant Vice President for US Bank, where she gathers and analyzes financial information for both current and prospective commercial customers. Her daily responsibilities include reviewing financial statements,
Michael Knepprath, a 2010 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, earned his degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Media Arts. What began as a passion for visual design gradually evolved into a robust career at the intersection of design and technology. Today, Michael works as a Staff Software Engineer
Abigail Vance, Class of 2015, earned her Psychology degree from Bethany Lutheran College, inspired by a desire to build a career centered on helping people. “I was first drawn to psychology just because I knew it generally had to do with people, and I’m a people person,” she explains. “I
Bethany alumnus Alfonso (Fonzie) Mayfield is driven by a desire to affect change for people in his community. Mayfield grew up in the urban Milwaukee. It’s well documented that inner city Milwaukee has its problems, and opportunities for Mayfield in the Milwaukee public school system were muted. Through an opportunity
Clinical Mental Health is often overlooked and stigmatized throughout the world, even though it is something everyone deals with. There is no shame in seeing a doctor for a physical ailment, but people often feel shame when seeking help for their mental health. Furthering my education allows me to better
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
Stephanie Sewanoude, Class of 2010, graduated from Bethany Lutheran College with a degree in History. Her journey since then has been marked by a commitment to service, global engagement, and professional growth. Shortly after graduation, Stephanie joined the Peace Corps and served in Benin, West Africa. There, she taught English
Jacob B. Weber, a 2010 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College with a degree in Church Music, has dedicated his life and career to sacred music, worship leadership, and teaching the faith through song. He currently serves as Associate Editor of Music/Worship at Concordia Publishing House (CPH) in St. Louis, Missouri,
Danielle Burley, a 2018 graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, earned her degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in English. While her career began in public education—teaching across various grade levels—Danielle now serves as the Next Gen Life Lead for 9th–12th Grade at Hosanna Church in Mankato, Minnesota, where she
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