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Chapel

Photo 1: one of Bethel College’s founders, dr. J.A. huffmAn, Addresses students And fACulty At A ChAPel serviCe in 1947. during the eArly yeArs, ChAPel serviCes were held in whAt is now the BAsement of the AdministrAtion Building. the huffmAn AdministrAtion Building wAs dediCAted on June 3, 1951, After the seCond And third floors were Added. for A numBer of yeArs, ChAPel wAs held on the third floor.

Photo 2: the reverend PAul erdel ChAllenges the Bethel Community At A ChAPel serviCe in goodmAn Auditorium in the eArly 1970s with dynAmiC stories from the mission field.

Photo 3: dediCAted in 1996, the everest-rohrer ChAPel/fine Arts Center now houses ChAPel serviCes three mornings A week. students Also PArtiCiPAte eACh fAll semester in A sPirituAl emPhAsis week, while the sPring sChedule inCludes the deePer life ConferenCe And world ChristiAn ACtion ConferenCe. the Bethel College ChAPel BAnd, ComPrised of student musiCiAns, hAs Pro-duCed seven live PrAise And worshiP reCordings.

Library

Photo 4: Bethel’s first direCtor of liBrAry serviCes, frAnCes shuPe (right), monitors students in the first liBrAry on CAmPus (1947). the liBrAry wAs housed Along with the ACorn in whAt wAs origi-nAlly A CluBhouse for the Previous lAndowners. the CluBhouse, then nAmed Building 16, is still loCAted Behind “the BArn” on the north side of CAmPus. it hAs sinCe Been used As A reCreAtion hAll, the musiC And Art Building, And home of the BeACon And helm, Among other funCtions.

Photo 5: evelyn slAvik (PiCtured here in the mid-1970s) enJoys her Position As liBrAriAn At the Bethel liBrAry on the third floor of the huffmAn AdministrAtion Building. when first moved to the AdministrAtion Building, the liBrAry oCCuPied only the south hAlf of the third floor, But lAter exPAnded to the whole toP floor.

Photo 6: the Bowen liBrAry, ComPleted in 1984, now ContAins some 120,000 volumes. during the summer of 2007, A Corner of the mAin room of the liBrAry wAs renovAted And Converted into A reAding room, with hArdwood floors And ComfortABle seAting. the room, whiCh BoAsts A BeAutiful view of the CAmPus, wAs nAmed “mAe’s Corner” in honor of the ProJeCt’s finAnCiAl donor.

“The Barn”

Photo 7: one of the few originAl Buildings from Before the founding of the College, “the BArn” hAs remAined funCtionAl throughout the yeArs in A vAriety of CAPACities. in 1947, the Building, whiCh wAs onCe A horse stABle, wAs remodeled And Converted into A 14-room men’s dormitory.

Photo 8: in the mid-1970s, “the BArn” served As the Bethel Bookstore.

Photo 9: now, ProsPeCtive students CAtCh A glimPse of Bethel history in the newly deCorAted home of the offiCe of Admission.

—joy noel lightcap (‘03)

ScrapbookThrough the Years

years

Bethel Collegecelebrating

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15fall 2007

the Ake fAmily:

three stories, one legACy

BruCe

Bruce Ake (’83, ’91) believes peer pressure helped cement

his ties with Bethel. “For four years, I can remember my twin

brother begging me to come to Bethel,” he says.

Eventually God and family had their way; Bruce gradu-

ated with his first Bethel degree in 1983 — and birthed the

beginning of a legacy. In 1989, he along with his wife, Sherry,

returned with their daughter to serve as resident director of

Oakwood Residence Hall.

During this time, Bruce threw himself into Bethel life, earn-

ing a second degree in church music, working in several depart-

ments and serving as chapel music director.

He remembers how God moved during his time at Bethel.

“What a blessing it was for me to be leading the music in the

service when the spiritual revival broke out … in 1990. God

changed so many lives on that day, and His Spirit is still

moving, even today.”

sherry

Most graduates leave Bethel and return only for

Homecomings. Sherry (Turner ’76) Ake returned twice to live

and work here. After her marriage to Bruce in 1977, she worked

in institutional advancement, wrote Lilly grants and directed the

Gospel Team to put Bruce through school.

After moving into Oakwood, she became “Mom” to the

men living there. “The RAs under Bruce’s care never missed

a meeting in our apartment” she says,

“ … once they found out [I] would make

one of [my] fabulous desserts.” She

remembers that “Bethel had a

different look back then …

it wasn’t about a fancy cam-

pus, or wonderful buildings,

it was the people” — a feel-

ing that still holds true today

for the Akes’ daughter, Melissa.

melissA

Melissa’s (’11) Bethel education began at 11 months old

with the phrase, “Say ‘potato chip.’” Her teachers? The men of

Oakwood.

As a resident director’s daughter, she adapted to the

residence life routine — bedtime at 2 a.m., reveille at 11 a.m.

She mastered the cafeteria ice cream machine by observing stu-

dents. When rowdy young men destroyed the three snowmen

she made, she charmed them into building a huge replacement,

and into giving her a stuffed bunny. “I became the biggest

socialite on campus,” she says. “Mostly with the boys. They

loved me.”

Fifteen years later, Melissa came home to the school where

she first walked and talked. Currently a sophomore, she is

pursuing a degree in elementary education, a calling she knows

comes from God. “Bethel is preparing me for God’s calling on

my life. I can’t wait to keep learning and pursuing God’s will for

me.”

For the Ake family, Bethel is more than a school: “When I

go back and visit the campus,” says Bruce, “It’s like going to a

family reunion.” With Melissa attending Bethel, the Akes can

see that family a little more often. Welcome home, Akes.

—jaci miller (‘05)

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Bethel Collegecelebrating

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And then there was track. Stanley Taylor, our physical education instructor, converted some of the original horse bridle trails into a two-mile track course and we almost killed ourselves running it because we weren’t in any shape to do so.

Our music professor, David Hoover, put together a men’s glee club, which consisted of about 17 fellows. Over the spring break of 1948, we went on a whirlwind tour around Michigan singing in 21 services in 10 days. We looked pretty sharp in our black suits and ties, even the time we rushed from Detroit to Brown City and our vehicle got stuck in the mud and we had to push it out while dressed in our suits.

By 1950, the student body had grown to 200, so there was an urgency to create more space. Thus began construction of the second and third floors of the administration build-ing. I was part of the crew that prepared that building and was pleased years later to also work on the construction of Oakwood Residential Hall.

In those early years, student organi-zation was huge. We

formed clubs, such as the photo club, the

I started as a Bethel student in 1947. I had just gotten out of

the Navy and been admit-ted to another college. However, that sum-mer I attended Prairie Camp and was approached by Vernon Yousey and Ray Pannabecker. They asked me to consider going to a school they were starting that fall, So I packed my bags.

My sister was one of the first three students to register. I was number 21. Because of help from the GI bill, I was able to join the 92 other students for only $425 for that year—that included room, board and tuition. Of course, to the dis-may of some students, board consisted partly of canned goods provided by local churches.

I practically majored in ping-pong while taking 20 credit hours of classes per semester so I could finish my requirements in three years. We also played baseball, softball and football on the president’s

front lawn, where the McDonalds restaurant is now located.

Reflections on My Life at Bethel College by Don Conrad as told to Joy Noel Lightcap (’03) and A. P. Wagler (’07)

ABove: eArly ’80s – don with oldest son,

greg, At greg's grAduAtion from Bethel.

Below: lAte ’40s – As A Bethel student. don ConrAd is PiCtured on the fAr right.

left: don And ruth ConrAd At their 50th wedding AnniversAry CelBrAtionheld At Bethel.

right: dennis engBreCht,don ConrAd And stAnley tAylor At the dediCAtion of the tAylor memoriAl ChAPel.

17fall 2007

radio club, the missions and ministerial clubs, an ambassadors club and we wrote a constitu-tion for the student body. We also started the Beacon — our student newspaper — and competed to sell the most subscriptions. We sold 750 that first year to people in the churches and community curious about the new school.

The most popular hangout in town was just down the street, the White Spot restaurant. We weren’t allowed to buy anything on Sundays, but sometimes a fellow got hungry. One Monday morning, I received a slip in my mailbox from President Woodrow Goodman. My only demerit.— It seems I had been caught at the White Spot the previous night grabbing a meal without permission.

When I returned to Bethel as a faculty member in 1962, I saw it as a real minis-try opportunity. As one of 25 full-time fac-ulty members, we all had to fill multiple roles. For quite awhile, I was teaching three or four classes while working as the registrar and the director of admission. Faculty members went out speaking in churches, and student gospel teams traveled promoting what Bethel was doing. Even my dear wife, Ruth, became involved in the Women’s Auxiliary to promote the school and

help raise financial support.

A good education is just the beginning of what Bethel has given me through the years. I also spent 35 years as a faculty member. My children attended and most found their mates here. At present, there are third-generation Conrad students. To this day, our family gathers together every Sunday and I credit Bethel for much of that continued closeness.

As long as the Bethel community remains true to the original mission of the founders, we will survive as a Christian college. It is critical that we have people like those currently in administration who are determined to keep this place on fire for the Lord. Though enrollment has grown, the spirit of the school remains the same. It is the community I joined back in 1947 and the one I hold dear to my heart today.

Reflections on My Life at Bethel College by Don Conrad as told to Joy Noel Lightcap (’03) and A. P. Wagler (’07)

left: don And ruth ConrAd At their 50th wedding AnniversAry CelBrAtionheld At Bethel.

Below: eArly ’90s– the ConrAd fAmily (All Bethel grAduAtes). BACk row: ruth ConrAd, don ConrAd And Chris (ConrAd) fisher. front row: loren ConrAd, Joel ConrAd And greg ConrAd.

left: August 2007 - tAken At the 80th BirthdAy PArty for don ConrAd. ConrAd fAmily memBers thAt hAve Attended or Are Currently Attending Bethel College.

BACk row: guy fisher (Bethel College direCtor of student finAnACiAl serviCes), monA (Brown) ConrAd (Bethel College Admission oPerAtions mAnAger), Joel ConrAd, kyle ConrAd (Currently Attend-ing), loren ConrAd, Andrew ConrAd, greg ConrAd (AdJunCt Professor) And Alex ConrAd (Currently Attending).

front row: Chris (ConrAd) fisher, AlyssA ConrAd (Currenly Attending), ChelseA tAnger, dr. don ConrAd, AnnA sAlAzAr (Currently Attending) And kAthie ConrAd.

Below: President normAn Bridges (Bethel's PAst President),don ConrAd,wAyne BrennemAnAnd eugene CArPenter (Professor).

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BethelCollege.edu

Bethel College purchased 40 acres, formerly the Freeman Yeager horse farm, for the campus in 1946.

The first floor of Huffman Administration Building and 14 steelox buildings were constructed.

1940s 1950s

historical highlights

Rachel Matteson Kennedy (class of 1991) When our resident goldfish died, andrea KirKsey, jeanie elliott and i had a very solemn funeral, complete With a refrain of “amazing grace.” here We are, rever-ently Kneeling by the burial spot, right outside of shupe.

Remember When...1940s & ’50s

1952-1953 Boys in “The Barn” when

it was a men's dormitory (one phone

per dorm)

1947 Supervised Recreation

Circa 1947 Instructor, Roland Hundson, posing for one of the first promotional brochures for Bethel

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Bethel established 11 academic programs during its first decade, including the Teacher Education Program in 1955.

Intercollegiate athletics were approved in 1958, with the first intercol-legiate basketball game played in 1959 against Goshen College.

Student enrollment exceeded 500 for the first time in 1965; Bethel graduated a class with over 100 for the first time in 1968.

Paul Harvey spoke at the 20th anniversary of the college at the Indiana Club in South Bend in 1967.

1950s 1960s 1970s

historical highlights

memories from the family tree (Bethel alums)

analiese Riga (2006) the president’s visit had the Whole campus buzzing. it Was nice to see the professors and staff screaming for bush right along With the students. Whether people liKe the president or not, it’s a day they Won’t forget. i KnoW i Won’t.

MaRie siMs (1951) When i Was a student, our dorm had four bedrooms, a bathroom and a furnace room. We had to sign up on a schedule to do our laundry in a little room in the administration building, and We put 10 cents in a container each time We did it. We all had to use the same laundry room, except for a lucKy guy here and there Who had a girlfriend to do his laundry.

Paul BlosseR (1963)(oct. 19, 1960, 4:30 a.M.) four or five of us basKetball players had pitched in to help lay the gymnasium floor in old goodman hall. on october 19, 1960, at 4:30 a.m., We laid the last piece of Wood. after We finished the floor, We Were so proud of our efforts that We headed over to coach long’s house across the street to WaKe him up to see it.

stanley tayloR (foRMeR dean of college of liBeRal aRts,

RegistRaR and PRofessoR of social studies and PhilosoPhy)the first couple of years, i tooK the men’s phys ed classes to the ymca in south bend because they had a pool.

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Bethel Collegecelebrating

In 1971 Bethel welcomed the North Central Association accreditation team. Frontage along McKinley Avenue was sold to a developer of strip malls.

The Bowen Library was completed in 1984.

Norman Bridges was inaugurated President in 1989, ushering in a renaissance with record enrollments, expanded curriculum, campus development and spiritual revival.

Bethel began the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, which honors former Bethel student athletes for their athletic and academic achievements as well as their Christian commitment.

1970s 1980s 1990s

historical highlights

memories from the family tree (Bethel alums)

guy fisheR (1983) on a Whim one day, jeff veal and i tooK a bust of abraham lincoln from the library and put it in our room. “abe” accompanied us various places, including soccer games. We set him on the bench to Watch the games, complete With a bethel cap and scarf. some of the guys tooK him to macKinac island, Which Was a real treat for him. unfortunately, While riding in the trunK of a car, poor abe chipped off part of his nose. along the Way We lost tracK of him, though reportedly he is on the campus to this day.

lois luesing (1958) in the summer of 1958, i cooKed for the con-struction WorKers Who Were WorKing on shupe hall as Well as the students Who had remained on cam-pus. i’d visit farmers’ marKet in the morn-ing and then use Whatever i bought there to create the meals for the day. sometimes my little niece Would WorK With me. We all ate cafeteria style on the ground floor of the administration building.

andRew conRad (2004)in 2004 i Went to haWaii With 24 students and tWo leaders for the bethel study abroad program. While We Were there, 10 or 12 of us learned to surf With dr. stump, the academic dean.

diane howaRd (class of 1978) i Was the only girl in the bible department. in theology, professor lovell called the gentlemen by their last names, and he called me miss hoWard. one day he acci-dentally called me hoWard. When he real-ized his mistaKe, he apologized profusely. it Was too late, though, because every guy in the room Was laughing.

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fall 2007

Bethel began the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, which honors former Bethel student athletes for their athletic and academic achievements as well as their Christian commitment.

After much prayer by faithful men through the years, a new chapel was constructed in 1996.

Bethel’s academic structure was reorganized in 2006, changing from divisions to six Schools in order to allow Bethel the opportunity to grow and expand.

In 2006, Bethel rolled out the red carpet for President Bush, who spoke on campus at a dinner for Congressman Chris Chocola.

1990s 2000s

historical highlights

guy fisheR (1983) on a Whim one day, jeff veal and i tooK a bust of abraham lincoln from the library and put it in our room. “abe” accompanied us various places, including soccer games. We set him on the bench to Watch the games, complete With a bethel cap and scarf. some of the guys tooK him to macKinac island, Which Was a real treat for him. unfortunately, While riding in the trunK of a car, poor abe chipped off part of his nose. along the Way We lost tracK of him, though reportedly he is on the campus to this day.

Peggy Powell (class of 1973) i had the privilege of playing for the bethel concert choir, Which Was a great honor considering the family atmosphere, the camaraderie and the caliber of the musicians. the lord used the experience to strengthen my WalK With him.

A Walk Down Memory Lane...1960s & ’70s

1962-1963 Norman Reimer and Bill Joyce.

Playing in the snow has been a

pastime

for students thro

ugh the years.

1972 Freshman initiation-Jeanne Clothier, Carol Birdsall and Sue Draker.

1962-1963 Raymond Weaver (for whom the Weaver Rotunda and Gallery were named) with students on the fine arts class trip to Chicago (still a tradition)!