By SALINA POST
LINDSBORG - Bethany College topped $11 million in gifts and pledges, as it ended its fiscal year on June 30, but its efforts won't stop there.
During a gathering last week, Bethany College President Elizabeth Mauch told faculty, staff, and board of trustees members of a new five-year strategic plan - Path to Your Purpose - that will focus on fundraising and student experience in three areas:
●Prioritizing the success of a diverse student population
●Elevating high-impact practices for every student
●Strengthening community relationships by connecting with business and industry partners
Additionally, what is being called "a core component" of Path to Your Purpose is the plan to have 100 percent of Bethany students participate in a service-learning experience by 2026.
"As Bethany College continues to rebuild after several financially fragile years, there are many significant financial improvements. The Bethany College Trust Fund has grown 16 percent over the same time last year, the college established a new quasi-endowment allowing for short-term projects to be financed and finished the fourth quarter of 2022 with a 25-percent increase over the previous year’s fourth quarter fundraising efforts," the college noted in a news release.
These efforts enabled the college to make significant renovations to several buildings and other campus spaces.
"Both Warner and Gregory Resident Halls were renovated by a special gift from Roy and Donice '73 Applequist," the college noted.
Additionally, Nelson Science Center and the Athletics Complex also received updates and improvements.
The college also transformed programs.
"The Path to Your Purpose initiative was implemented to connect Bethany students with pathways to career successes by providing experiential internship opportunities in new areas," the college reported. "A bridge program was expanded to further support rural areas in summer school programs and a task force was formed to explore ways to better support first-generation students at Bethany College."
Areas of tradition also were developed and strengthened. Bethany College was able to launch a search for a fulltime campus pastor thanks to an anonymous gift to the Campus Chaplaincy. Additionally, the successes of the Messiah Festival and the Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley "further enriched Bethany College's musical heritage," the college noted.