The Bethany Lutheran College Alumni Board’s purpose is to strengthen relationships between BLC and its alumni, providing opportunities for alumni to serve their college, and for the college to serve its alumni. The board serves in an advisory capacity to Bethany’s Manager of Alumni Relations and the Advancement Department.
*Learn more about the Bethany Alumni Board at the bottom of this page
Meet the Board
Alyssa (Wiechmann) Messner - Chair
Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Class of 2012
Viking to Viking Committee
Second Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- Business Administration (BA)
- Parametric Portfolio Associates – Director of Institutional Client Onboarding
Brent Fassett - Vice Chair
Baxter, Minnesota
Class of 2009
Bethany Fundraising Committee
Second Term Ends 2026-2027 Academic Year
- Business Administration (BA)
- History (BA)
- Owner – Brent Fassett Thrivent Financial Agency
Dustin Lange - Secretary
Robbinsdale, Minnesota
Class of 2008
Bethany Awards Committee
Second Term Ends 2023-2024 Academic Year
- Business Administration (BA)
- Enterprise Applications Manager, Horton
Jacob Schneider - Past Chair
Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Class of 2016
Bethany Fundraising Committee
Second Term Ends 2023-2024 Academic Year
- Business Administration (BA) (Communication Minor)
- Vice President/ Retail Manager at Greenwoods State Bank
Cindy (Hall) Costello
Zimmerman, Minnesota
Class of 1977 (AA)
Bethany Alumni Events Committee
Second Term Ends 2023-2024 Academic Year
- BA in Paralegal Studies and minor in History from Winona State University
- Retired from Maslon LLP; probate paralegal
Karena Verbitsky
Anchorage, Alaska
Class of 2021
Viking to Viking Committee
First Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- Legal Studies (BA)
- Contracts Administrator for Taylor Corporation
Eric Christenson
Madison, Wisconsin
Class of 1970 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
Second Term Ends 2026-2027 Academic Year
- Retired teacher
Derek Peterson
Farmington, Minnesota
Class of 2013
Bethany Fundraising Committee
Second Term Ends 2026-2027 Academic Year
- Financial Advisor – Mutual of Omaha Investor Services
Dr. Carrie Ketel Opheim
Hopkins, Minnesota
Class of 1997 (AA)
Bethany Fundraising Committee – Chair
Second Term Ends 2025-2026 Academic Year
- Normandale Community College (Bloomington, MN), Biology faculty
- B.S. University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Ph.D. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
James Otten
LaGrange Park, Illinois
Class of 1995 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
First Term Ends 2023-2024 Academic Year
- Automotive Mechanic
Carole (Honsey) Falconer
Bloomington, Minnesota
Class of 1972 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
Second Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- Retired Sales and Marketing Rep. for Avnet Electronics and Purchasing agent with Data Card Corp.
Donald Lehne
Mankato, Minnesota
Class of 1987 (AA)
Bethany Fundraising Committee
Second Term Ends 2025-2026 Academic Year
- BA in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Retired – Mankato Fire Department – Operations Commander
Lauren Zimmerman
Mankato, Minnesota
Class of 2021
Bethany Alumni Events Committee
First Term Ends 2025-2026 Academic Year
- Engineering (BA)
- Mechanical Engineer for Minn Kota/Johnson Outdoors
Mary (Theiste) Farquhar
Plymouth, Minnesota
Class of 1980 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
Second Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- B.S. Business Administration major, Mathematics minor – Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Master of International Management – University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.
- Self-employed Marketing Director
Zak Fick
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Class of 2012
Viking to Viking Committee
Second Term Ends 2023-2024 Academic Year
- Business Administration (BA)
- MBA from the University of Sioux Falls
- Paul Fick Homes (Sioux Falls, SD)
Channing Handberg Jr.
Appleton, Wisconsin
Class of 1984 (AA)
Bethany Alumni Events Committee
First Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- BS in Science, Business, Real Estate, Insurance from Minnesota State University – Mankato
- Owner of Handberg Insurance Agency
Rev. Wayne Halvorson
Albert Lea, Minnesota
Class of 1961 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
Second Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- English and History Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary
- Ministry in the ELS since 1966
Jerusha (Londgren) Cascione
Boerne, Texas
Class of 2007
Bethany Fundraising Committee
Second Term Ends 2026-2027 Academic Year
- Music (BA)
- Currently, a Homemaker and has served music director and organist positions, as well as marketing & communications positions for several non-profits and a law firm.
Dr. Willis Anthony
Saint Peter, Minnesota
Class of 1955 (HS), 1958 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
First Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- BA – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Master’s in agricultural economics – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Ph.D. in agricultural and applied economics – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
- Agricultural Economist for the United States Department of Agriculture
- Professor of Agricultural and applied economics at the University of Minnesota
- Owner of Anthony Farms, Inc. and Josie’s Pork Farm
Judith (Maginnis) Kuster
New Ulm, Minnesota
Class of 1962 (HS), 1964 (JC)
Bethany Awards Committee – Chair
Second Term Ends 2023-2024 Academic Year
- BS and MS speech pathology – UW-Madison
- MS counseling – MSU-Mankato
- Retired Professor – Minnesota State University, Mankato
Jennifer (Brassow) Schwartz
Mankato, Minnesota
Class of 1992 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
First Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- BA in Accounting from Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Senior Vice President of U.S. Bank Corporation
Dr. Eric Peterson
Plymouth, Minnesota
Class of 2008
Bethany Alumni Events Committee – Chair
Second Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- Chemistry and Human Biology (BA)
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from New York University College of Dentistry
- Dentist, Lake Dental Care (Big Lake, MN)
Nathan Birr
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Class of 2020
Bethany Alumni Events Committee
First Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- Business Administration (BA)
- Safety Certification Administrator – Life Time Inc.
Rev. Erling Teigen
Mankato, Minnesota
Class of 1958 (HS), 1960 (AA)
Bethany Awards Committee
Second Term Ends 2024-2025 Academic Year
- Retired ELS Pastor, and Bethany Professor
- Currently oversees Bethany Lutheran College Archives
Bethany Representatives and Support
Jake Krier
Bethany Director of Alumni Relations
Class of 2006
- Business Administration major
- Jake assists the Bethany Lutheran College Alumni Board in their work, and offers the necessary support so they can accomplish their mission.
Brooke Wolanin
President of the Bethany Student Senate
Senior
- Majoring in Legal Studies
About the Alumni Board
All members of the Bethany Lutheran College Alumni Board are selected to this position based on demonstrated involvement, support, and commitment to BLC.
Terms
A term is three years with the option of reappointment for a second term (three additional years) with the approval of the Alumni Board. No board member will serve more than two consecutive terms.
Requirements
All members must have graduated from Bethany Lutheran High School, College, or both.
Board makeup
The board will consist of no more than 26 alumni members, which includes an executive committee consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. There is no requirement to live in close proximity to serve on the Board. The current President of the Bethany Student Senate will have a seat on the Board as well. All members are required to attend and actively participate in the first semester meeting (First Saturday of November), second semester meeting (Last Saturday in April), any special meetings that may come up, and their subcommittee meetings during their term. They are encouraged to attend BLC alumni events when able, act as an ambassador/greeter for the College, remain engaged between meetings, and respond to inquiries from the institution.
Nominations and Elections
The members of the Alumni Board are elected by the current board at the annual second semester meeting. Nominations can come from anyone affiliated with Bethany Lutheran College, but must be submitted to the Bethany Manager of Alumni Relations one month prior to the second semester meeting.
For more information on the Bethany Lutheran College Alumni Board, please contact Jake Krier in the Advancement Department.