While your Facebook might be covered in your friends’ statuses giving thanks during the month of November, I thought I’d do my own version of what I’m thankful for, as a student of Bethel College. After four years here I have a lot to be thankful for, so check out my list:

1. I’m thankful for the opportunity to attend a college and especially one with as much prestige as Bethel. It’s the only private college in Kansas to be ranked on Forbes.com as one of “America’s Best Colleges,” now that’s pretty awesome!

2. I’m thankful for the professors and staff that help make Bethel such a wonderful place. I’ve been privileged to have many that encourage me to become a better student and more importantly a better person. They’ve taught me a great deal about the world and exposed me to new ideas.

3. I’m thankful to be able to play on the basketball team and along with that be coached by some great people. I’m lucky just to have the opportunity to play a collegiate sport. My coaches  at Bethel have confidence in me and push me everyday to get better.

4. In addition to that I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made on and off the court. The ladies I play with motivate me daily and inspire me to work harder. My friends are always there for me when I need to vent, study, or take a break from the stresses of college. They help me to be more outgoing and allow me to enjoy my time here.

5.  I’m thankful to live on a beautiful campus that is also abundant in squirrels (I have an obsession with them). It is truly a gorgeous campus and one that I’m pretty proud of.

6.  I’m thankful to have a cafeteria that is full of friendly people and a food service director, Nolan Corne who works to make it a welcoming place (especially on Halloween). The cafeteria has improved significantly since I first came here and for that I am extremely thankful!

7. Another part of my Bethel experience has been the time spent with my host family. Ron and Carol Peters who welcome several students into their home for meals and come support our many events. They can be spotted in the stands of basketball games or crowds of music concerts, usually bearing goodies for us!

8. While I have many things to be thankful for at this college, I’m especially thankful to be a part of this wonderful community. It is supportive of the students and provides a space for lasting relationships. I’m thankful to be a student at Bethel College and that I am able to enjoy all it has to offer.

~Samantha

I can’t believe it is so, but alas this is my fourth and final year at Bethel College! The years have flown by, I know we hear that all the time, but until now I didn’t realize just how fast my time here has gone.

I’ll give you a brief recap of my past 3 years at BC. I’ve been a member of the women’s basketball team and am currently in my fourth season. I’ve also been a writer for the Collegian (our student-run newspaper), transitioned to a sports editor, now I serve as the advertising manager. I’ve also expanded the clubs I’m involved in from FCA, to Femcore, Multicultural Student Union, and Photography club, and the Collegian.

I’ve been extremely impressed at the progress BC has made in the amount of diversity on campus, the cafeteria has improved so much you wouldn’t believe it, and the aesthetic appeal of this campus has been phenomenal.

Not only have I been involved in a multitude of organizations, but I’ve made an enormous amount of new friends. Joining those groups and being in classes with a variety of other people has provided some great experiences and lasting friendships.

I wouldn’t trade my time at Bethel for anything, I’ve grown as a person spiritually, intellectually, and physically (thanks to basketball). It’s been a great experience so far and I doubt my senior year will disappoint.

I look forward to this final year and the new adventures that it has in store for me!

~Samantha