There's more to life at Bethel than classes & seminars

Beyond the green is a place students to share the joys and hardships of being a Thresher.

  • Mudslam, AKA The Dirtiest Volleyball You Have Ever Played

    Mudslam, AKA The Dirtiest Volleyball You Have Ever Played

  • Mod Life: Finding Fun Amidst Stress

    Mod Life: Finding Fun Amidst Stress

Concert Choir Tour 2015

Concert Choir Tour 2015

The choir's annual spring break tour took them into churches of various denominations in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, where they experienced amazing hospitality from an equal variety of people.
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Bethel in bloom

Bethel in bloom

It seems like we just turned around and suddenly it's spring all over the Bethel campus.
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Spring Fling 2015

Spring Fling 2015

Above is a photo from 2015's Bubbert Awards fun. The Bubberts capped off Spring Fling week, which also included Ultimate Trivia, laser tag, Capture the Flag and Bethel Olympics. Plus an Iron Chef Cook-off with a secret ingredient...
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The end of another school year

The end of another school year

Wrapping up, finishing up and moving out, as another school year ends. Our bloggers appreciate coffee, friends, beautiful coffee, summer plans, study breaks and ... coffee.
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What I’ve Learned From Being a Student-Athlete

At a certain point in my senior year of high school, I had decided that I was going to come to Bethel. The strength in the science departments is what drew me most, since I am hoping to go to medical school after graduating from Bethel. However, I was pretty sure that I was NOT going to run cross country at Bethel.

The team (last year).

The team (last year).

My coach was persistent, and not too long after my recruiting visit, I was signing to run in college here at Bethel. Some days, right in the midst of an excruciatingly difficult practice, I question my decision. Overall, though, I am so glad that I decided to be a student-athlete. Here’s why:

  1.  Freshman 15? Don’t have to even worry about it — especially when you’re running what feels like 100 miles a week (not really) and sweating half your body weight out every day. Plus, exercise has been proven to reduce stress (college=stress [but it’s also fantastic and amazing]). I feel a lot better physically and mentally if I exercise, and I know that if practice weren’t built into my schedule, I’d be slacking off big time.
  2. Instant friends. My best friend is also my teammate, and we met on the very first day of preseason camp. One of my other friends came in as a freshman this year, and we also met on the first day of being at college while checking out our XC warmups. Sometimes it’s hard to put yourself out there and force yourself to go talk to new people, but fortunately, sports do all that hard work for you.
  3. Time-management skills. There are so many days when I feel like I’m running out the door to get to breakfast then class on time, running to work, running back to my room to change for practice, running A LOT once I get to practice, and running to make it to evening obligations. Some days I’m so exhausted at the end that I just want to give up on everything. But then I realize that this is my current version of real life. I’m learning how to manage my time and schedule things appropriately and how to sometimes say no to things if they don’t fit my schedule. Finding time to do homework, work, class, extracurriculars and athletics while trying to grasp everything that college life offers is often difficult. The benefits of this type of lifestyle have already become so apparent in my time at Bethel though, and it’s definitely worth every minute.
  4. Scholarship. I would say most people that participate in collegiate athletics get some type of scholarship. And the beauty of being an athlete at Bethel is that you can get an athletic scholarship in addition to scholarships in theater, academics, art, music, forensics, etc. Sometimes a good way to look at doing athletics is like it’s your job. You are getting paid to participate in your sport, so go for it with all your heart and take it seriously.
  5. Long-term benefits. Sometimes I wonder how my life would be different if I weren’t a student-athlete. Would it be easier? Would I have more free time? The answers to these questions might be yes, but I never ponder them for too long because I see the benefits that running cross country in college has for me now and in the future. When you give your resume to an employer and it shows that you participated in college athletics, that will say a lot about your character, discipline and work ethic. So even when times get tough in your sport, remember what your ultimate goal is, and how athletics will help you reach that goal.
This is what XC looks like. Plz don't judge.

This is what XC looks like. Plz don’t judge.

These are just a few of my musing about athletics here at Bethel. If you play a sport, I would highly encourage giving it a go in college.

-Kiley

Strength in Community

Sometimes Bethel College feels like the safest place on earth. Living in a quiet town with low crime, many students worry most about their next test.

Sadly, no community is immune from tragedy. Students and faculty alike were shaken with the news that one of our students had passed away in a car accident coming back from fall break. In my four years as a student here, this was the first time we had to receive an e-mail with this kind of news.

The Bethel community responded like only it could. An informal meeting was held in the freshman residence hall in remembrance of the student that night. I, like many students, chose to attend despite not ever having the pleasure of meeting Qadrey.

The lounge was so incredibly full that students spilled out into the foyer. Even more amazing was that it was not just students who attended. It was professors and faculty members as well. Many in attendance were not there because Qadrey had changed our lives. Instead we were there because Qadrey had changed the lives of people who had changed our lives and who we considered to be friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Losing a teammate, a roommate or a friend is devastating in itself. However, trying to cope with death alone can be unbearable. Whether it was the vice president humbling himself before students as he expressed his sorrow or teammates of Qadrey giving heartfelt testimony to her character, everyone who attended that night was made vulnerable by their own choice. In doing so, a community of strength developed like I have never seen in my life.

Tuesday night’s remembrance ceremony was followed with a chapel service dedicated to Qadrey on Wednesday morning. Neither Easter nor Christmas has ever brought the numbers and the energy to chapel that today’s service brought.

Gatherers once again featured people from all walks of life joining hands together because when a part of our community hurts, we all hurt. Strength is supposed to lie in numbers and we had lots of numbers in that chapel service (people standing in the aisles, in fact).

To me, our strength did not come from the number of people that attended either service. Instead, the strength produced was a result of people putting their own pride, pain and schedules to the side in order to provide a community for one another.

There is nothing that was done or could have been done that will erase what has happened but Bethel can take pride in providing an environment in which an energy developed that I hope will carry over throughout the year. Others’ needs were put first, kind words were abundant and all were allowed to display their emotions without worry of ridicule. I am proud to be a Bethel Thresher.

Oh death where is thy sting —

Eric

How to Fall Break at Bethel

Fall break is a great time of the year on Bethel’s campus. You have almost made it through the semester and you are looking forward to your Thanksgiving and, more importantly, Christmas vacation. As you enjoy the latter half of the semester it is comforting to receive a two-day relief from classes.

Everyone has their own use of these two days. Some people take the opportunity to go home and see family for a few days. Others do as only college students can, and stay up late, sleep in and watch movies all day. Others still, like myself, find a balance between catching up on schoolwork and rest while enjoying the season of fall.

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It sometimes feels like fall never really happens in North Newton, Kansas. One day, it’s blistering hot summer and the next day it’s cold and bleak winter. Of course this is an exaggeration, but one can get so caught up in the extremes of the seasons that they forget to relish the brisk autumn afternoons.

The views on campus are truly one-of-a-kind this time of year. The many trees on campus are shedding their colorful leaves and leaving us with the opportunity to add a crunch to our walk to class. It’s the perfect college weather when everything from shorts to sweats to T-shirts to coats are all acceptable. So open your books, take your naps and bundle up on your walks. Fall break is only two days but it’s a great two days to be at Bethel.

Until next time –

Eric

Top 5 Best Places on Bethel’s Campus

It’s inevitable — we’ve got ourselves one beautiful campus. Whether it’s the great outdoors, the modern architecture or the historic landmarks that occupy Bethel’s grounds that make you fall in love with the place, I’ve got a few of my own favorites that I’d like to share.

1. The Sand Creek Nature Trail 

Of course, the diverse and refreshing beauty of nature around Bethel is probably what inspires me most about campus. Sand Creek Trail offers a nicely mulched walking/running path with countless types of trees and plants along the way (not to mention the critters that scurry about close to sunrise and sunset!). The creek that the trail is named after enhances the aesthetic of the area and the rushing sound after a big rain is one of the best sounds in the world. I run this trail usually several times a week for cross-country practice, yet it never gets old.

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Need a study break or a breath of fresh air? Go check out the trail! 🙂

2. The third floor of Mantz Library

Yes, all of the third floor is really cool. But have you ever been way back in the corners where people don’t usually go, even further than the study rooms and NY Times room? Above the MLA, there are comfy couches and chairs tucked away in a cozy reading corner complete with lamps that give off a warming glow that’s perfect for studying, relaxing and the occasional between-class library nap.

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3. The chapel

I’m not sure if it’s the stained glass windows, the rustic history or the beautiful organ that makes the chapel such an inviting place, but whatever the case, it’s definitely a spot that everyone should visit. There’s something about seeing the sunlight shine on the Wednesday morning chapel speaker’s face that seems to give me a feeling of newness and light. The chapel is somewhere I know I can go in the middle of my busy week and feel refreshed by God’s presence.

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4. Thresher National Disc Golf Course

I am somewhat of a noob at disc golf, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love getting out on Bethel’s very on disc golf course for some exercise and fresh air. My boyfriend Eric introduced me to the sport last January and I haven’t been able to get enough of it since! We’ve got 9 holes on campus currently, and 9 more tee locations will be added soon. While walking around from hole to hole, you really get a broad view of Bethel’s campus and the beauty it has to offer.

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5. The Green

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Our blog is so aptly named after this wonderful location! 🙂 The Green is a place you can do a variety of activities. Play Ultimate Frisbee, study for a test and, if you’re feeling like it, you could even throw up a hammock on a nice evening and relax. The Green is the central hub of Bethel’s campus, and it offers a picturesque quality that is second to none.

Kiley

 

 

 

Finding Joy in All Hours

Bethel students are known for being busy. Seriously, not like your average college student busy, I mean really busy. As a small liberal arts college, Bethel encourages one to get involved with their college experience.

Bethel students also happen to be incredibly driven and skilled in many areas. The result is, as I said, lots of busy students around campus. As someone who often feels overwhelmed with a busy schedule, I was struggling to be completely happy with my life of moving from one class, job, practice, etc. to the next.

This is due in part to the way I would view my schedule. There were three categories: free time (time to watch TV, sleep or whatever else I want); homework time; and scheduled time (practice, class or work). Free time is hard to find in my schedule and I found myself only able to be truly happy during this time. All other time was hours I had to grind through in order to get to my next block of free time.

Recently, I decided to make a switch in the way I perceived my time. All time, regardless of the category, was an opportunity to find happiness. Rather than surviving class or begrudgingly walking into work just waiting for my shift to be over, I decided to look at these hours as part of my happiness.

When I study, I make it a point to take breaks and talk to people or study with a small group of people. While I am focused in class, I try to participate and engage classmates in discussion. Suddenly the busy schedule seems like less of a burden and more of a blessing.

Like everyone else I enjoy my free time and time alone. I have come to find that the students at Bethel are incredibly special, and the more I talk to people, the more I want to understand their thoughts and beliefs or simply share a laugh with them.

My advice to my fellow Bethel students and future Bethel students is to embrace the busy schedule and the stress that comes with it. Find ways to experience joy and happiness through it all.

Bethel surrounds its students with caring professors, diverse and intelligent students and opportunities for work as well as play. My days left as a student at Bethel are numbered but I look forward to each one.

-Eric

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The picture captures the joy of waking up early to photograph a Kansas sunsrise.

 

A little shy…But willing to try!

Hi everyone! My name is Cassandra Josselyn. Most people know me as Cassie here on campus.

I am a freshman from Plymouth, Nebraska.

I intend to major in social work and hopefully get into law school after graduation. That’s my plan for now anyways — who knows, in the next four years, I may change and have a brand new plan altogether!

I’ve never really had a blog so I apologize if this blog sucks, but I will try my best to write about some fun things!

I guess since this is an introductory blog post, I should start by telling you all a few things about me. I am 18 years old with high interest in volunteer programs that involve helping people and animals. Right now, I am serving my Service Learning Scholarship at Heart To Heart, a child advocacy center in Newton, and I would also love to help out at the homeless shelter and/or animal shelter.

I also love to write. I write for The Collegian, and am a copy writer for this year’s Thresher yearbook. My campus job also involves writing — as the News Service assistant, I write publications for certain upcoming events at Bethel.

If you’ve seen me around campus, you might notice that I am a bit shy and not very outgoing. This comes from me having a bit of social anxiety around new people.

My favorite color is blue, which happens to be the same color as my hair! A lot of people ask me why I decided to dye it this color, and the answer is simple! I just wanted to try something new 🙂

My favorite movie is A Walk To Remember and my favorite author is, of course, Nicholas Sparks. My favorite two books though, would have to be Dreamland and Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen. And yes, I like to read for fun, when I have time.

I love listening to all kinds of music, from alternative punk rock, to classic country music, but my favorite band by far would have to be Pierce The Veil. I saw them at Warped Tour this last summer, and they were amazing!

My favorite television show is American Horror Story, for those of you who haven’t seen it, it is the most intense show I have ever watched and yes, okay, it might all be more of a fantasy-type program, but you will get addicted if you give it a chance!

The only thing I am allergic to are arrogant people and know-it-alls. I can’t stand people who think they are better then everyone else.

Now that you know a bit more about me, come say hi anytime when you see me around 🙂

Mega Saturday

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Yesterday was, as student event staff manager Brenan Erb calls it, “Mega Saturday.” It’s one of maybe two days each year when the sports schedules align and drop a bomb of competition and chaos on Bethel’s campus.

Yesterday, volleyball played McPherson College, soccer (both men’s and women’s) played York College and football played Bethany College — all at home. That is a lot of activity on the small campus of Bethel College. Wisely, it was also designated as Family Weekend. There were families traveling from all over to come visit their sons and daughters as the season begins to change to fall.

The college planned an outdoor meal on the plaza for lunch, and a tailgating meal for dinner before the football game. Turnout was outstanding and the weather was pristine but Family Weekend of 2015 will be memorable for more than just the sunshine and community.

This was Mega Saturday and a chance to reiterate the turnaround of Bethel’s sports programs. Mega Saturday provided four opportunities for Threshers to win in front of large home crowds. If there was any doubt whether Bethel athletics were moving in the right direction, yesterday put those doubts to rest. Volleyball won, women’s soccer won, men’s soccer won and football won.

What has been at times the exception is quickly becoming the norm in North Newton. Bethel sports are winning and the effect on campus is truly astounding. Support from families, fellow students, faculty and staff creates a community of support and joy in each other’s successes that is like no other.

It is important to mention that the Bethel cheer squad has grown in size and talent again this year. Their halftime performance was a glimpse into the future of what has and will become a cornerstone of Bethel athletics.

There was much to celebrate on Family Weekend and Mega Saturday. Thanks to everyone who did their part by supporting, working and competing for Bethel this past weekend. Days like yesterday are part of the reason why so many of us believe this college is an amazing place to go to school.

Until next time –

Eric

Project Semicolon

Many of you may have seen people around campus wearing light grey shirts with a big maroon semicolon on them. Maybe you even have one yourself.

These shirts were given out last week at the National Suicide Awareness Day event here on campus. Do you know what the shirts really mean, though?

I got the idea to write about the semicolon project when my best friend asked me what the shirts actually mean.

I had a little bit of knowledge of what the semicolon meant already, but I decided to do a little more research into it.

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“;” represents a faith-based movement known as Project Semicolon. It was launched in 2013 by Amy Bleul. Amy lost her father to suicide, and she personally struggled with mental health crises such as bullying, depression and rape. Amy strives to share the love of Christ with the world, and she prays that her story will inspire others.

In grammatical terms, a semicolon is evidence of a pause that is longer than that of a comma, but is shorter than the full stop of a period, according to grammarbook.com. For Project Semicolon, the semicolon represents those who have suffered from mental illness, addiction and suicide, as well the stigmas associated with them. The semicolon also represents that their story is not over, and that life and hope will go on.

“A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. 
The sentence is your life and the author is you.” 
– Project Semicolon

Project Semicolon has spread all around the world. Many musicians support the movement, and it has been widely spread through social media as well. People have even gotten tattoos of a semicolon to represent solidarity with the Semicolon Project, as well as to remind themselves that their story is not over.

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So there’s just a little bit of information about what those T-shirts are all about. Now if someone asks you why you’re wearing shirt with a on it, you can tell them what it means!

For more information on the Semicolon Project, visit www.projectsemicolon.org.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433).

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“STAY STRONG; LOVE ENDLESSLY; CHANGE LIVES” -Project Semicolon

-Kiley

 

What I Did This Summer (Cliché, I know)

I know this is what everyone talks about at the beginning of the year. You all are probably tired of hearing about each other’s summers by now, but I’m going to go ahead and tell you about mine 🙂

This summer presented me with a lot of opportunities I never would have dreamed could be mine.

One of the most notable experiences was getting to research with one of my chemistry professors for six weeks over the summer. I was shocked at the opportunity because I was only a freshman when I got asked to participate. That just goes to show the amazing opportunities that Bethel offers to everyone — not just upperclassman.

This is me in the chemistry lab. One of the perks of my research was that my professor brought her dogs almost every day!

This is me in the chemistry lab. One of the perks of my research was that my professor brought her dogs almost every day!

I also got to be a counselor at Bethel’s Summer Science Institute. This was a great job opportunity to earn some extra cash, but also to get some leadership experience with counseling high schoolers. I was a little nervous because I’d never done anything like that before, but it turned out to be a highlight of my summer.

Group photo of campers and counselors at Summer Science Institute 2015

Group photo of campers and counselors at Summer Science Institute 2015

Another high point of summer was going on a camping trip over 4th of July weekend. I played lots of disc golf, ate some of the best barbecue I’d ever had and went to the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City. The best part was sleeping in a tent and “roughing it” out in nature 🙂

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Oh, and I also went kayaking for the first time. LOVED IT.

 

I along with some of my fellow Student Government Association members attended a conference in early August where we had a blast and learned a multitude of information. The SGA website was on my to-do list this summer as well, and as frustrating as some design concepts were, I’m glad I put the work into it.

As you can see, it was an eventful some and one to remember for sure.

Now that I’m back at Bethel and enjoying every second of it, I am in the process of making lots more exciting experiences and good times.

Until next time,

Kiley

Seeking questions

As a student at Bethel, I have matured in a myriad of ways. Some of my developments have been obvious to all and probably met with a great deal of relief that they came about. Other changes have occurred on a much more subtle level that are less likely to be noticed except by myself and perhaps the perceptive friend or teacher.

One of these seemingly minor changes has provided a new mindset for me when approaching all aspects of life. So often I was motivated to seek the correct answer. In many classes, this is the seemingly obvious calling. You know the question, find the answer.

Since I have arrived at Bethel I have noticed that it is not always that simple. In many of my courses that I take and situations I find myself in, I have noticed that the person with the greatest grasp on the topic or situation is doing more than simply answering questions. They are asking the right questions, too.

I am grateful to Bethel has a whole, to the students and professors that have challenged me and impressed me and I am certainly grateful for the natural maturation that is bound to occur on some level between the ages of 18-21. Seeking questions is a simple way to engage an entire class or group of people. It allows for creativity, discussion and discernment to take place. Answers are important, but seeking the questions that can make one stop and think; this is something that I have gained a true appreciation for in my time at Bethel.

Until next time –

Eric