Geri Tyrell, nursing, and David Long, visual arts and design, were honored with awards for service and teaching at the end of the school year.

The first Franz Community Service Award since 2012 was presented to Tyrell, director of nursing and associate professor of nursing.

This award, named in honor of Julius and Agatha Dyck Franz, recognizes a faculty member judged to have made an especially important contribution to the college community through achievements and service beyond classroom teaching and scholarship.

Given the unprecedented experience of the Class of 2021, it’s not surprising that “life’s challenges and choices” occupied much of the commencement speaker’s address.

Because of rainy weather, the May 16 ceremony took place inside Memorial Hall rather than in Thresher Stadium.

President Jon C. Gering set the stage in his welcome when he reflected on some of the luminaries – from Martin Luther King Jr. to lyric soprano Adele Addison to Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball – who had spoken or performed in Memorial Hall over the decades.

This is the final week to see “Forthcoming,” which closes Friday, Oct. 30, in the gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center.

David Long is professor of visual arts and design at Bethel.

The reception for the exhibit was one of the few Fall Festival events that could go on in person, on Oct. 2.

Bethel will celebrate the 50th Fall Festival Oct. 3 and, as with many events this year, it will look a little different.

The most visible change will be no booths, vendors or entertainment on the Green.

Instead, planners are organizing several smaller in-person and virtual events, "still committed to being a community of Threshers," said Brad Schmidt, director of alumni engagement.

On campus, there will be the Fall Fest football game vs. Southwestern College at 6 p.m. in Thresher Stadium.