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president's column

What endures

by Barry C. Bartel '84

This issue of Context is all about relationships.

Most Bethel graduates would agree that relationships were a key aspect of their Bethel experience. In fact, I believe that relationship development is one of the competitive advantages that small, residential colleges have over large universities. Small classes; opportunities for participation in athletic teams, choirs, forensics and clubs; and life in the residence hall contribute to the forging of lifelong friendships. You will read about some of those friendships in this issue.

But small campuses that place a strong emphasis on good teaching don’t just facilitate relationships between and among students. Lasting relationships between students and faculty and staff are also one of the significant benefits of a college like Bethel. When faculty and staff understand their commitment as one of service; when professors focus on teaching for student success; when coaches are committed to the development of the whole person, lasting relationships are the inevitable result.

Those of you who were fortunate enough to attend the Baccalaureate service at Bethel College Mennonite Church May 24 saw clear evidence of this. The planning committee of students who worked with Patty Shelly, professor of Bible and religion, to design the service intentionally chose to highlight the mentoring relationships that had been formed in this community, especially in the brief reflections by Allison Boehm, graduating biology major, and Wayne Wiens, retiring professor of biology; Josh Chittum, graduating elementary education major, and Aaron Chappell Deckert, vice president for student life; and Max Wedel, graduating double major in Bible and religion and history, and Brett Dewey, assistant professor of Bible and religion.

Wayne Wiens commented:

“As graduates, you have again achieved levels of development that evoke, in the faculty who taught you, feelings of amazement and awe (not always, but often enough). We celebrate that with you.

“So enjoy this stop-and-smell-the-roses point in your life cycle. But one thing you need not celebrate at commencement is completeness. If you or your family feel that all the development hoped for has not yet happened, don’t fret. Ideas planted don’t necessarily grow right away. And many of your abilities will emerge well after graduation, stimulated anew by the novel environments you will encounter.

“Just know that we will continue to be interested in your development. Our lives are now interconnected with yours. We will follow you as you leave this place, to see what happens next. Our best hopes and prayers go with you.”

Josh and Aaron, in a moving dialogue, talked about how the tragic death of a student during Josh’s freshman year had drawn them – and the entire campus – closer together.

And Brett demonstrated that this issue of relationships is not a one-way street, as he paid tribute for four students whose friendship had been especially meaningful for him this past year.

As you read this issue of Context, think back on the relationships that changed you at Bethel, and whisper a little prayer of thanksgiving for those relationships that have endured.