Red and gold banner with stars reads: “Celebrate Bethany 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala at Bethany Lutheran College, Minnesota.”.

Ways To Give

Celebrate Bethany

Bethany’s 2nd Annual Fundraising Gala

Illuminate A Star – March 13, 2025

This year’s theme is Illuminate A Star, which will highlight and provide support for student scholarships. Meet with current scholarship recipients to hear about how you can help make a difference in the lives of students for years to come. Join us to learn what Bethany has in store for students and the Mankato community.

Celebrate Bethany is an annual fundraising event that brings together the Bethany and Greater Mankato Area communities to celebrate the many blessings at Bethany Lutheran College. It is our hope that the relationships formed through this gathering will explore and create additional partnerships that benefit Bethany students to lead and serve in our community.

Thank You For A Great Event!

Celebrate Bethany Gala 2025

Thank you to all who attended and supported the inaugural Celebrate Bethany Fundraising Gala on March 13, 2025. The event was a tremendous success! We are thrilled to report that over $106,000 was donated to assist in the student experience at Bethany Lutheran College. 

We are already looking forward to Celebrating Bethany at the 2026 gala!

Live Auction Items

Diagram showing the labeled cuts of pork.

Half Hog

  • Valued at $400
  • Donated by Nick & Emily (’01 Flantz) Peters

Bid price includes pork only. Buyer to pay for processing at the time of pickup. Processing contracted with Schmidt’s Meat Market, Nicollet, Minnesota—ready for pick-up early April.

Bethany auction item featuring Target Field and Minnesota Twins logo.

Minnesota Twins Ultimate Game Day Experience

  • Valued at $700
  • Donated by the Minnesota Twins and Dr. Eric Peterson (‘08)
  • Package includes TWO separate Twins game exclusive experiences.

Package 1: Two (2) tickets in the Delta Sky360° Suite – Saturday, June 21 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers (1:10 p.m.)

Package 2: Four (4) tickets to a mutually agreed upon game, pregame private tour of Target Field, and on-field access for batting practice.

Bethany auction item featuring Timberwolves game and Club TI access.

Four Minnesota Timberwolves Club TI Tickets

  • Valued at $750
  • Donated by Performance Foods – Nate Lindesmith (‘99)
    2025-26 Season (game to be scheduled)

Package includes two parking passes.

Four glasses of white, rosé, red, and dark red wine on a wooden surface.

A Private Wine Tasting with Friends

  • Valued at $700
  • Donated by Heidi Lyman (’88)

Combine your love for fine wine with friends! Bethany alum Heidi Lyman (’88), a 26-year veteran of the wine and spirits industry with a CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine) accreditation and a WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) Level 2 qualification, will come to your home for a private wine tasting for up to 10 people. Heidi will feature six to eight wines each with a starting retail price of $15 and higher, along with insights on the creation and location where they come from. Heidi will also work with the winner to feature preferred wines in terms of red to white, dry to sweet, etc. This will be a fun and informative evening that is sure to create wonderful memories. (Location must be within a 75-mile radius of Owatonna, Minnesota. Not available Saturday or Sunday nights. Blackout dates from April 14-May 31.)

Two landscaped backyards in Mankato, Minnesota featuring the work of Revival Outdoor landscaping.

Landscaping Certificate – Revival Outdoor

  • Valued at $1,000
  • Donated by Revival Outdoor, Mankato – Aaron Madson

Certificate good for residential or commercial application in the Greater Mankato Area.

Bethany Lutheran College auction item featuring a classic arcade machine.

Retro Replay Classic Video Arcade Game

  • Valued at $1,700
  • Donated by Matt Coulsey (‘01) and Retro Replay Arcades

Retro-style full-size arcade game with 5,000+ games. 32″ LED screen and LED-lit buttons.

Bethany Lutheran College auction item featuring a scenic stay at a Boreal cabin overlooking the water.

Stay Boreal – Northshore Getaway

  • Valued at $1,500 – Three-night stay
  • Donated by Alex and Rae Schauer

Ultimate North Shore getaway located right on Lake Superior. Brand new, modern and luxurious, comfortably suited for two but can accommodate four. Your choice of either cabin – Jarvi cabin or Kalliot A-Frame. Private Sauna at each. (Blackout dates: US National Holidays. Valid in 2025)

Minnesota Timberwolves logo featuring a howling wolf, green star, and blue basketball.

Four Minnesota Timberwolves Tickets in the Lexus Courtside Club

  • Valued at $1,900
  • Donated by Taylor Corporation

Wednesday, March 19, 2025, vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Four (4) Tickets in Section 131, Row B (center court) The seats are part of the exclusive Lexus Courtside Club, which includes dinner and valet parking.

Bethany Lutheran College students watch a baseball game at the stadium with a large orange T behind home plate on a sunny day.

University of Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Experience

  • Valued at $1,400
  • Donated by Tyler Johnson (‘89) and University of Tennessee Athletics

Up to six tickets for weekend series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee. Package is for three SEC series games including premium hospitality area. Travel not included.

A scenic green golf course in Minnesota features a tranquil pond in the foreground, bordered by lush trees and set beneath a clear blue sky.

Golf for Four at Minnesota Valley Country Club, Bloomington

  • Valued at $800
  • Donated by Gaby Accad (‘90)

Foursome will be accompanied by member Gaby Accad. Golf carts are included. Does not include food or beverages.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Program Sponsor

Social Hour Sponsor

Event Co-Sponsors

Tom and Fran Hill

Table Sponsors

  • First National Bank Minnesota
  • Bruce Gratz
  • Greater Mankato Rotary
  • Independent School Dist. No. 77
  • ISG
  • Metro First Call
  • Daniel Mundahl
  • Papa Murphy’s – Pi Squared LLC dba
  • Traverse Des Sioux Garden Center

Contact the Sponsorship Team

Whether you’re interested in sponsoring Bethany’s Annual Fundraising Gala or have questions about giving opportunities, our team is here to help. Reach out to learn how you can make a meaningful impact.

Bruce Gratz

Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Jake Krier

Director of Alumni Relations

Art Westphal

Senior Development Officer

Don Westphal

Director of the Bethany Fund