By SALINA POST
LINDSBORG - Bethany College has received a $300,000 scholarship endowment in memory of two of its alumni.
The college announced this morning that it had received the gift to establish an endowed scholarship in the memory of the Rev. Rolland and Gene Christenson, both Bethany College Class of 1950 alumni.
"This is the sixth endowed scholarship given to Bethany College by the Christenson family. Three generations of the family have felt the influence of Bethany College in the Smoky Valley either by attending classes or cultural and sporting events. The family has a legacy of service to the community as they pursued careers as pastors, missionaries, teachers, nurses, farmers, and artists," Bethany College noted in a news release.
The following biographical information about the Christensons was provided by Bethany College.
The Rev. J. “Rolland” Christenson and Aileen “Gene” Christenson were passionate alumni of Bethany College and supporters of the Lindsborg community, as well as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The Christensons, who could be found actively participating in the life of their church, campus, and community, modeled for their three children the joy that is found when contributing time and talents to their passions. All three children would later attend Bethany College and two would meet their spouses there.
The Christenson family has a deep and generous connection to their faith and their support of Bethany College has been felt for generations. Rolland wrote of the profound impact that Bethany College had on his family of Swedish descent as they homesteaded in the Smoky Valley.
This scholarship, in memory of Rolland and Gene, will ensure the continuation of the Christenson family values of “loving, serving, and using one’s gifts for others.”