Alumni Testimonials

Alumni have graduated from these Majors:

Theology	Secondary Education, Language Arts	History
Social Sciences	Chemistry	Philosophy
Computer Science	Political Science	Economics and Finance
English Lit. & Writing	Theatre Arts	Biblical and Theological Studies
Math	Physics	Communication
Music Ed., Vocal K-12	Biology

What our almuni are doing now?

Pursuing Master's and/or Ph.D.s at graduate schools around the United States, such as Princeton Theological Seminary, University of Colorado at Boulder, the University of Minnesota, and Marquette University. Some of the disciplines include Theatre, History, Structural Engineering, Computer Science and Medieval Philosophy

Ministry-related work. Examples include: volunteering with ProLife ministries; providing music for masses at Stillwater Prison or involvement in other music ministries; working as a Youth Worker for St. George's Church and Centre in London, UK; Youth and camping ministries; working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Teachers. There are teachers at elementary, junior high and high school levels around the United States, and one has even gone to teach ESL at a high school in China. One graduate is teaching CWC at Bethel University, as well as serving as TA moderator and working in Bethel's AESC office.

Adventurors. Several are taking extended cross-country car trips around the U.S. to visit friends and family and to see the sights; One is recording a CD; One served as a canoe guide in the BWCAW for a summer with her husband; One went out to Oregon to work for a while

Business-related work. Examples: Senior Financial Analyst for a manufacturing company in St. Paul; Advertising for radio stations; Manager of Express clothing stores.

Other: Writer/editor for Publications Dept. at North Central University in Minneapolis; Research Assistant-Editor and Book Service Coordinator at Christians for Biblical Equality; Case Assistant (paralegal work) at Faegre & Benson

Their Future plans:

Graduate school. (Plans include: Computer Science, Christian Ethics, Public Policy, Law, American Studies, Statistics/Applies Mathematics, Theatre, Education, Reference Librarian, Business, Communication, Int'l Relations, Chemistry, TESOL; Seminary)

Ministry-related work (ESL/Missionary work; Relief organizations; Church ministries)

Teaching (Elementary, Secondary and College-level; In US and overseas)

Writing (Scholarly journal articles, plays, historical fiction novels…)

Having a family

Comments on the Honors program:

"The honors program at Bethel College enhanced my undergraduate education in two primary ways. First, the program served as a network of sorts in which students, with a variety of academic interests, could come together for stimulating and challenging dialogue. Second, the honors program allowed me to further explore areas of interest through special projects, under the guidance of someone knowledgeable in the field. This one-on-one interaction with the supervising professor was a very enriching experience that otherwise would not have occurred." -Christina Busman '01

"The Honors Program was a great experience for me, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. The Program, or more appropriately, the people and classes pushed me in my thinking and eventually in my doing. Education is not meant to remain in the classroom, unfortunately too often we see it as esoteric mumble jumble, helpful if you stay in academia, but useless in the "real" world. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Rather education in the classroom is the beginning and continuation of the readings and thinking and discussions that will last a life time. The discussion ethics of science, scientists, politicians, and us that began in the Atomic Bomb class continues as North Korea builds a bomb, America girds itself for war, and bioengineering advances are announced weekly.

The Honors Program taught and honed my skills in discerning and learning about the world and, more importantly, about my self. All knowledge and learning is useless unless we turn inward to discern what is in our heads, hearts, and guts. Knowledge without wisdom is dangerous. At Bethel and in the Honors Program that is implicitly understand, so we learn not just to know facts and figures and books, but to become wise. To see that our learning is not objective or independent of self, but is part and parcel of who we are and what we shall be." -Nathaniel Taylor '02

"The Honors program was an essential part of my college experience. By being a part of the program I was able to tap in to a community of interesting, creative, and motivated people from across the disciplinary spectrum. It helped to foster friendships and intellectual relationships with students who I may not have otherwise met. As a student I felt that I had resources in other departments to whom I could go with questions, thoughts, or ideas. In the honors classes themselves, it was interesting to discuss broad issues in a thoughtful and truly interdisciplinary environment.

After having graduated, I realize how valuable the honors program experience really was. The experiences and people I encountered in the program help to give me confidence in discussions about the sciences, arts, and humanities. Also being in a room filled with so many intelligent and thoughtful peers helped to teach me how to listen. It helped me to understand that education was something that could not only be understood vertically -- from professor to student.-but also, and perhaps more importantly, it could be understood horizontally - from student to student to professor to student etc. - with all players in the educational experience on equal yet unique ground. This idea is common educational theory, but in its best moments, the honor program allowed for this idea to be modeled and practiced . . .

I also appreciated the fact that, as students in the honors program, we were allowed to take some ownership in the program. The fact that we were able to play a part in how the program was to take shape and what it was going to mean, was an important experience. It allowed us to continue to think about the various circles of community in which we lived and how we - as a group and as individuals - were going to live in an affect those communities. I hope that the relative fluidity of meaning which the program had in its earliest days continues throughout its existence. I think that worst thing that could happen to the honors program would be that it becomes merely a set or requirements that students go through to get "Honor's Program Graduate" on their transcripts." - Sam (Musel) Mulberry '99

"I'm grateful for the Honors Program. The community of professors and students provided a safe place for me to take intellectual risks. I was afraid the program would just mean additional coursework, but instead I found that the program challenged us to greater depths of learning. I also enjoyed the interactive and relational nature of the program, which encouraged us to learn from each other and provided us with a network of people who loved to interact with ideas.

Perhaps the most life-altering aspect of the program was the hands-on learning experience of King Turkey Day in Worthington, Minn. I think the significance of that event is probably obvious." -Joanne Nystrom Janssen '99

"I enjoyed the honors program, though I wish it had been taken more seriously. I often felt that classmates looked on honors classes, especially our Philosophy of Science taught by Dr. Paul Reasoner, as a slide-through class, something to show up for but not pay much attention to. I thoroughly enjoyed working with people in other majors. Though, again, it might be better if the classes weren't so humanities oriented. Or, there should be an honors history course. Something that goes beyond CWC and the history of white western europe. Or an honors art course. An honors music appreciation course would be great. And film. One of my favorite moments of Honors was our final presentations. I would like to see that happen more often, students giving presentations/lectures on their various interests. For a humanities major, I would love to see radio wave and nursing presentations. I'd like to see passion in many fields. I do heartily thank the honors program for my first sight of real theatre, at the Guthrie. We saw Much Ado About Nothing. I arrived late (got lost), and had to sit in the foyer the first ten minutes. I watched on the little TV's, and it all seemed natural, watching a play on a little TV. Then they let me in and I saw the full stage. Huge. I fought the urge to stand up and walk down to the stage, just to say hi, to be with them. No, The Doll House was my first experience. One of the two. I know I wasn't into this at the time, being an anti-social, scared college student, but the honors program really needs an identity, beyond the classes. There has to feel a core. A group feeling. Maybe a long trip, or a lounge.

I'm glad the honors program was in place when I was at Bethel. Dr. Reasoner was a great teacher. I often think of his Philosophy of Science class. I've even been rereading The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn. You are a teacher, and I don't want to bring out favoritism, but like Dr. Reasoner, if you could pull out some passionate professors from each department to teach a broad class in their field. Wayne Roosa comes to mind. Or maybe not broad, but a very localized, insightful class. Choose one problem, one area in a field, and go at it for a semester. 20th Century music. Foreign Films. Elementary Particles. Cosmology. Cancer. The Theory of Relativity. Patient Care. Standardized Tests. That would be amazing. More than you asked." - Nate Cuellar '00

"I really enjoyed the Honors Program, for several reasons. First, and most obvious, is the classes. They were very enjoyable. Second, the people in the program were great - it was wonderful to get to know everyone, and grow and develop with them throughout the years at Bethel. Third, I was thrilled at the opportunity to study at Oxford through the Honours Programme. It was the best experience of my life. Last but not least, the H-tags and senior thesis were excellent opportunities to stretch myself academically. Through one, I presented a paper at a philosophy conference. And my senior thesis became my writing submission for grad school applications. The "extra" stuff we had to do for the program helped me so much in preparation for graduate school and professional philosophy." - Carrie Peffley '02

"The Honors Program surrounded me with students that were looking for an academic challenge. As a non-traditional student, the Honors Program helped me build relationships with other students. During my job search, I was often asked about the Honors Program and I believe that it put me ahead of other candidates." -Brian Peterson '00

"I found the program challenging and beneficial, especially the one-on-one time with professors, still keep in contact with friends from the program." -Susan Detlefson, '99

"I really enjoyed the project and oral defense, as it helped me focus more seriously on my thesis and has prepared me for graduate work." -Shawna Warner '01

"The Honors Program was very influential to my career at Bethel. Prior to joining, I was discouraged with the apathy that I was encountering in my classes. The Honors Program served as an environment for probing questions, interdisciplinary exposure, and high standards. I also appreciated that the group was the same throughout the duration of our four years at Bethel. I am convinced that I am a more developed and educated person having participated in the Honors Program, than I would have been, had I not been involved." -Teka Carrao '01

"The honors program was an incredible addition to my time at Bethel, it really helped 'meld' me into the Bethel community and pushed me to finish well." -Amanda Jennings '01

"What first comes to mind when I think of the Honors Program is friends and fellowship. What a privilege to study with such a highly motivated and gifted group of students. We also had a lot of fun... attending plays at the Guthrie, celebrating Turkey Day in Worthington, and defending the honor of the Luddite broomball team. The Honors Program also pushed me to scale new academic heights. My senior research paper would've only seen the bottom of a box, except that as a condition of the Honors Program senior requirements I agreed to enter it in a competition. Amazingly enough, I was given the opportunity to present my paper at a Sociologists of Minnesota conference. The Honors Program was a great addition to my time at Bethel." -Krista Johnson '00

"Honors helped me adjust socially, spiritually and academically from high school to college. Because we were in a group together during Welcome Week, they were my first friends at Bethel. I loved all the field trips we took together the first year. I owe many of my significant college friends to Honors. The classes challenged me academically and spiritually, and stretched my thinking more than any other classes did. I contribute a lot of who I am and how I think about life and Christianity to Honors." -Julie-Ann Engen '00

"Through Bethel's Honors Program, I enjoyed discussing challenging topics with our Honors' professors and fellow classmates. The discussions really expanded my thinking and sharpened my mind." -Kendra (Berger) Turpeinen '00

Anything else you wanted to say?

"The Honors Program was great for me and to every potential Bethel student I meet I tell them to apply to Honors. I hope they are listening. As far as suggestions get the best teachers to teach honors. Let them be hard, but let them be engaging, seeking to push the students to bigger and better places. Honors students don't just need to be lectured to (though that is necessary at times) rather they need to grow, through discussion and creative activities within the classroom." -Nathaniel Taylor -02

"Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand von Oesterreich-Este and his wife Graefin Sophie Chotek von chotkova und Wognin Fuerstin von Hohenberg were assassinated in Sarajevo on the 28th of June 1914 !!! =)" -Jenna L. Kubly '02

"Thank you!" was said by several

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