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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Iron Chef 2!

Last spring I posted about Iron Chef because it was so much fun and I thought it was so cool that we had such an awesome and different event on our campus.  This year, it was announced that Iron Chef would again be part of Spring Fling — a week of activities toward the end of the school year.  I wasn’t going to participate in Iron Chef this year because I was feeling the pressure of assignments and end-of-the-year tasks to complete.  However, I got asked to be on a team and I agreed to join in.  I’m so glad I did!  Not only was Iron Chef a blast, but my team ended up winning first place!

We were given 45 minutes to cook up an entree that had to contain 3 secret ingredients: chicken, avocado, and pineapple.  We also had access to a HUGE variety of other foods and spices to help make our dish delicious.  There were things like eggplants, strawberries, mangos, rice, eggs, and so many other foods available for us to use.   We had a burner to cook on, as well as pans, bowls, knives, and several other kitchen utensils.

My team consisted of myself and 4 of my fellow SGA members.  We ended up making an Asian-Pacific grilled chicken on a bed of sauteed greens with a side of avocado pepper salsa in a mango bowl.  We knew our dish was good, but we didn’t think we’d win first place!  The judges scored team’s dishes based on several factors, including taste and presentation.  I guess ours had it all!

We had more teams participate this year than we did last year.  I think everybody that was there would agree that this event is one that needs to keep happening every year!

What’s there to do around Newton?

If you’re new to Bethel or not from around the area, you may find yourself wondering what fun stuff Newton, Kansas has to offer.  Although it is a pretty small town, there’s more to do than you might think.  If you’re needing to get off campus for a while and go have some fun, you’re reading the right blog post!

1. Half-price appetizers at Applebee’s.  I never fully understood the beauty of getting a full order of mozzarella sticks for $4 until college.  My friends and I average going to Applebee’s about once a week.  The food is cheap, and really good.  Plus, it’s really nice sometimes to just go out and eat at a restaurant with your friends late at night!  You can get half-apps on weeknights 9pm – midnight and weekends 10pm – midnight.  

2. Druber’s Donut Shop.  This is a beloved Newton classic that’s been around for a number of years.  This unique donut shops opens its doors at 11:30pm every night (except Saturday night) and stays open until 2:30 pm the next day, and Saturdays they stay open until 11am.  The donuts are the best and  are very affordable on a college student budget.  If you’re craving something sweet at 2am, go check out Druber’s.

download

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2622643782725908443

3. CaNewton.  As you may know, the Sand Creek runs through Newton and has become a popular place for walking and fishing.  Last summer, I discovered that a couple had opened a canoe and kayak rental business from their backyard, which overlooks the creek.  My boyfriend and I rented a couple canoes and set out on the Sand Creek for a couple hours and it was a blast!  There are plenty of canoes and kayaks to rent for a good price.  With the weather getting warmer, it’s the perfect time to check out CaNewton on Facebook and get out on the water!

4. Kauffman Museum.  Located right across the street from Bethel, this place is one you’ll want to visit during your time at Bethel.  They’ve got great permanent and traveling exhibits, as well as a tallgrass prairie reconstruction with a great grasses and wildflowers.  The museum is even open on weekends!  Next time you need a study break on a Sunday afternoon, head on over to Kauffman.

5. Disc golf courses.  As you probably know, we have our very own disc golf course on campus that is just incredible.  What you may not know though, is that it’s been expanded to 18 holes now!  If you’re an avid disc golfer and want to check out other courses in the area too, there are a few others around.  About a half-mile away from campus is the 9-hole course at Centennial Park just off of Kansas Avenue.  Out south of town, there’s a 24-hole course at Camp Hawk.  If you’re willing to drive a few miles, Hesston (north of Newton) has a 10-hole course on the Crosswind Conference Center property.

6. Dyck Arboretum.  Located just a few miles north of Bethel in the town of Hesston, the arboretum is a large and beautiful area for walking, biking, running, or laying out a blanket and reading!  There are lots of trees and so many interesting plants.  There’s a large pond in the middle that’s known to have turtles that love to be fed bread crumbs too 🙂

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kansas/kansas-gardens/

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kansas/kansas-gardens/

This list is just a glimpse of the fun things to do around the Newton area.  Newton also has a bowling alley, several restaurants, parks, and places to shop!  My friends and I sometimes go to Wichita for a fun day or night out also.  Wichita is big and has tons of things to do.  One of my favorite things in Wichita is Botanica — a beautiful and large botanical garden.

So get out there and explore.  See for yourself all of the great things in South Central Kansas!

What’s in my backpack?

 

I guess it’s kind of a popular thing right now for blogger/vloggers/whoever to talk about what’s in their bag.  I watched a doctor who maintains a popular blog and Instragram account that I follow do a video of what’s in her bag and I really liked it.  So I’m going to share with you what’s in my backpack!

Most days, I leave my room in the morning and don’t return until the evening or night.  Although it’s at most a 5 minute walk from anywhere on campus to my room, I don’t usually make the trip back during the day.  Between classes and work, I’m usually going right from one place to the next, so I like to have everything I need for the day with me in my backpack.

Laptop + case + charger (picture)

There are lots of places on campus where you can use a computer.  Sometimes though, it’s nice to know that I can use my laptop no matter where I am.  Plus my files that aren’t on Google Drive are on my laptop, and all of my favorite sites are bookmarked in my browser.

Folder

Textbook(s)

Big spiral notebook

I buy big notebooks with dividers so that I can keep all of my notes in one place and not have to use different notebooks for different classes.  It’s easier for me to keep track of that way!

Planner

When a professor assigns homework or tells us when an upcoming exam will be, I can pull out the planner that Bethel gave everyone at the start of the school year to write it down.  I forget things if I don’t put them in my planner or in my phone!

Pens + pencils + highlighters

I’ve got all kinds of colored pens.  I’ve heard that color helps with memorization, and I’ve seen this to be true for me.  So sometimes I take notes or make study guides in color to help me remember the material and also just make it more fun to look at.

Sticky notes

Flash drive

Chapstick (picture)

Hand lotion

Hand sanitizer

Earbuds

My online homework requires an audio portion, so I need earbuds for that.  Sometimes picking a good study music playlist on Spotify and earbuds is the best way to hit the books, too.

Tea bags

So I can have my favorite cup of tea while I’m studying in the library!

Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen

For when a stress/caffeine withdrawal headache hits 🙁

Double-walled cup (picture)

So I have something to put my tea or coffee in.  Oh and water (although I don’t drink nearly enough!)

Things I’m Involved in and Why I Love Them

Everyone is different, but for me, being busy means feeling happy and like I’m making a difference.  I did not learn this until I got to college.  I don’t mean that being super stressed out all the time is what brings me joy, because it certainly doesn’t.  However, doing things — be it activities or work — that benefits others as well as myself gives me a feeling of satisfaction and purpose.

Getting involved in college can help you meet people — friends, mentors, etc.  Campus involvement can also build up your resume, earn your some extra cash, and also just be really fun!

Of course, the amount of involvement and how it correlates to one’s happiness varies from person to person.  Here’s just a list of what I’m involved in, why I do it, and how you can get involved if you’re interested.  

There is a lot more to Bethel than just the things I’m involved in though, so I’ve provided a link that can help you find out what all Bethel has to offer you.  Whether your interests are in theater, math, board games, or anything and everything in between, Bethel’s got something you’ll love.

Student Government Association.  

Once I got to college, I decided that I was going to get involved.  This was one of the best decisions of my life.  I had heard about this thing called Student Senate (now called SGA), and found out that elections were coming up, so I decided to run.  I got elected as a Freshman Senator and immediately loved the atmosphere of the meetings and loved the work that this group was doing that I got to be a part of.  I just got elected as the Vice-President of the Study Body, and I can’t wait to start on my work in my new role.  I, along with the other members of SGA, get to be a direct part of making changes that students want to see at Bethel College, and that to me, is so cool.  We get to meet with Administration and lots of other important and amazing people at the college, as well as work with our other SGA members and peers who we can learn so much from.

Plus, being on SGA is a great way to gain leadership experience.  It’s not only a resume booster, but it’s also an opportunity that you can gain experiences from that will last you a lifetime.  

If you’re interested in being a part of SGA, check out our website.  You can also chat with current SGA members to find out what SGA is like and what we do.

STEM

A.k.a. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  This is a scholarship that people who are interested in STEM fields receive from Bethel.  However, it’s so much more than just a scholarship!  If you get the scholarship, you get to be involved in undergraduate research through the STEM Learning Community, which is something that not a lot of larger universities can offer to many students.  STEM Learning Community students get to work directly with seniors on their Senior Seminars, as well as create posters for the projects.  These experiences are crucial to learning research techniques as well as how to present scientific findings.  Being in this community also means having great opportunities to form close relationships with professors, which can turn into even more opportunities.

If you’re interested in learning more about STEM, talk to any of the professors in the science department.  

Even if you’re not interested in a STEM field, check out what other departments have to offer students as far as scholarships and extracurricular activities.  A lot of departments have opportunities for participation outside of the normal class schedule.

SAA

A.k.a Student Alumni Association.  SAA is a large organization on campus that is involved with all kinds of events ranging from Fall Fest to the Annual Alumni Phonathon to the Mudslam Volleyball Tournament in May.  Through SAA, there are tons of opportunities to give back to the Bethel community, meet and connect with alumni, serve in leadership positions, and even make some money calling alumni!

Professors and coaches nominate students for SAA.  There are lots of people involved in SAA, so if a professor or coach sees that you would be a good fit for the group, then you might just get nominated.

Collegiate Athletics

I’ve dedicated a whole post to this one before.  Being a college athlete, no matter the sport, can offer you a wealth of opportunities.  From learning time management, to helping you stay in shape, to allowing you to meet more people, athletics does it all and more.  I run cross country, and I owe it to the sport for helping me make friends and get involved at Bethel.  

If you’re interested in playing a sport, talk to the coach of that sport or people already on the team.

Shadowing

This is something that is so valuable that is usually done on your own time, outside of the classroom.  Shadowing has been so beneficial for me, because it helps me see what it’s really like to be a doctor and what the dynamic is like inside of a hospital.  No matter what field you’re interested in going into, following someone around who has the job you want can teach you a lot more than just doing a Google search of your future career.

Bethel also offers a grant to students who are willing to sacrifice the time that they could be working and making money to doing an unpaid internship/shadowing position.  

If you’re interested in learning more about the grant, talk to your advisor.  You can also ask them about connections that they might have with alumni or businesses that would love to have a Bethel student come shadow them.

Jobs

Finally, jobs are a great way to get more involved with campus, and make money!  My on-campus jobs include my job within SGA, working both the chemistry and the biology departments, working as a library assistant, and blogging for Bethel (what I’m doing now).  Through these jobs, I have met a lot of great people and formed connections that I’m very thankful for.  I’ve also gained a lot of really valuable skills (and made money!).  

If you’re interested in getting a campus job, check out the campus jobs database here.  Also keep an eye on the emails sent out by Career Services, as they often have on-campus jobs as well as off-campus opportunities for students.  You can also talk directly to professors and other employees at Bethel to see if they could offer you a job in their department.

These are just the things that I am involved in on campus, but there are so many more opportunities out there!  Check out this list of campus organizations to find out more ways to get involved and find what works for you.  Also, if you are wanting to start your own organization, check this out.

“Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

 

Choir Tour- Monday, March 21

Monday was a day of exploration and relaxation. We left Beatrice with relatively few hiccups at around 8 and were dropped off in downtown Lincoln nearly an hour later.
Faced with nearly six hours of free time before an evening concert, students broke into groups and entertained themselves with varying degrees of creativity and energy. A good portion of us passed through The Mill: a winding, brick-walled coffee shop with chandeliers and wi-fi. I myself spent the entire time there, enjoying multiple cups of hot chocolate and indulging my more introverted side.
Other students called a cab and went to the zoo where they discovered that it was closed and moved on to the Natural History Museum. Another group visited the Haymarket baseball stadium and even managed to get into the stands. The Haymarket area of Lincoln’s downtown (where we were dropped off) boasted other attractions, including (but not limited to) a multitude of restaurants, a Ten Thousand Villages, and a feminist bookshop.
In the evening we gave a concert. First Mennonite Church’s small congregation welcomed us into their worship space and then into their homes afterwards.

Westen Gesell

Choir Tour Recap- Sunday, March 20

Sunday was our first doubleheader of the trip–we sang in Rainbow Mennonite Church in Kansas City during the service before making the trek out to Beatrice, Nebraska to sing in First Mennonite Church. The morning service at Rainbow was well attended, although some suspect that the main draw may have been the presence of the legendary Bethel golf team, who was also in attendance. The service finished on a great note, as the choir circled the congregation to sing The Lord Bless You and Keep You, and was joined by the Rainbow Choir in singing the hymn. After an amazing potluck and a refreshing nap on the bus, the choir arrived at Beatrice, Nebraska. The highlight of this performance occurred at the very beginning of the concert. In the silence following the last note of Ubi Caritas, a child in the back of the church let his deep gratitude and sincere appreciation of the music be known by calling out, “Yay!” Sometimes it’s these simple interactions that carry the most meaning and best reflect the spirit of the concert. The long day was completed with what every congregation seems to have deemed necessary for our survival– cookies!

-Ben Wiens

Choir Tour Recap- Saturday, March 19

We started off the tour with a concert in Manhattan last night. This was especially neat for me since it was at the church that I grew up in. That church was one of the most important communities in my life as I was growing up, and the Bethel choir has been a great community to be a part of in college. It was really meaningful for me to see these two parts of my life merge. After the concert, we all dispersed to the various houses of people from the congregation who were hosting us.

This morning, I went for a run. It was still fairly dark out when I left and throughout the run, I was able to watch the sun rise. It was a beautiful way to start off the day. It has only been about 14 hours since we started this tour, but there have already been some great moments of fellowship, hospitality, and beauty. As we head to Topeka now, I’m looking forward to many more of these great moments throughout the week.

-Oliva Gehring

That would never happen here

That’s what I thought to myself when I heard tragedies on the news.  My small town of 3,700 people in South Central Kansas would never have to face anything like that.  Our town had good people.  Our town did not have anything of interest for someone who would wish to cause harm.

Thursday, February 25th, my hometown of Hesston, Kansas, encountered a mass shooting.

Bethel’s text alert system sent out a notification just minutes after the shooting had occurred, informing us that there was an active shooter in Hesston but no danger was posed to Bethel’s campus.  I was at dinner in the Caf when I got the text.  The shooter was at Excel, a large company that manufactures lawnmowers.

It was a little after 5pm.  I contacted my mom, who works in Hesston just a couple blocks away from the Excel plant, to make sure she was okay and to ask if she knew anything about what was going on.  She assured me that she was fine, and filled me in on what had happened in Hesston just as she was leaving.  I was relieved to hear that she was safe. I was very saddened though to hear about the victims and those involved in and affected by the shooting.

In the hours and days following the event, the details of the tragedy became public and it was clear what had happened.  I don’t want to explain everything.  I’m sure I don’t need to explain everything, as the story made national news.

What I do want to say though, is how encouraged and impressed I am at the support surrounding Hesston.  Companies here in Newton have posted signs with “#HesstonStrong” — a symbol of support to the community.  Numerous social media posts have shared similar support, and a billboard on I-135 Southbound is currently showing love and care for the community as well by displaying the “#HesstonStrong” design.

Many people on campus who knew that I’m from Hesston asked if I was okay, and if my family and friends were safe.  They asked if I knew anyone who was affected.  The support of the Bethel community was amazing.  This community is one that shares in joys and sorrows alike, and that is really important.

Hesston-Strong

CREDIT ABIGAIL WILSON http://kmuw.org/post/hesston-sounds-resilience

It’s so comforting to live in an area that cares so deeply and is so resilient even in the face of devastation.  Hesston’s people are strong and their faith and hope is remarkable.  The surrounding communities and people across the nation have shown what it really means to be a neighbor and that is part of what makes Hesston strong.

Hesston and it’s people have endured a great deal.  They have served each other with loving hearts and helping hands and will continue to do so — all the while staying #HesstonStrong.

Tips on Saving (and Making) Money in College

One of my good friends told me the other day that she heard someone say, “The richest you’ll ever be is when you’re in college.” I was a little confused at first because I felt like I had way more money to spend on extra things when I was in high school. But then she explained to me that when you’re in college, you can really do just about whatever you want, whenever you want. She told me, “If you want to take a random weekend trip to Colorado, you just find a way to do it!”

While it may not be the case for everyone, college is often a time when you don’t have a serious full-time job, piles of bills or children to be responsible for. For those of you that do have those responsibilities, I commend you! You are an incredible human and I hope that you can take away at least a little bit from this post. But if you’re living on campus and trying not to think of the loans you’ll be paying back in a couple years or so, then your financial responsibilities are probably the lowest they will ever again be in your life.

Seize the time that you have now to make what you’re doing really count — in whatever way is most meaningful to you. For me, that weekend Colorado trip sounds fantastic. So here are a few ways you can make the extra bucks to get you there:

Get a campus job. There are seriously so many. On Bethel’s campus, there are opportunities to make money everywhere. Check out the campus jobs database to see a good list of the jobs available. Even if the database says there are no current openings, e-mail the supervisor listed if you are interested. A lot of times they will keep you in mind if there is a sudden opening or if they need extra help. Career Services e-mails out community jobs as well, such as picking up sticks at someone’s house after a storm or doing housework for an elderly couple. One of the best things about being in college and having a job (especially a campus job) is that people are extremely understanding of your schedule and are very flexible and willing to work with you. Ask around — there is something out there for everyone, even if it’s a couple hours a week.

Eat smart. If you’re on a campus meal plan, get your money’s worth! I go to the Caf almost every day for breakfast (as well as lunch and dinner most days), which is a meal that a lot of people skip. Eating breakfast not only helps me not only have energy for a busy day, but it also assures me in knowing that I’m getting what I pay for with the meal plan. If you want to do something different, try making something in the residence hall kitchens. You can buy a box of pasta and a jar of pasta sauce for pretty cheap, and cooking it/eating it makes you feel fancy. If you want to go out to eat, don’t get the most expensive thing on the menu. Take what you don’t eat back to your room and put in your fridge for when you get hungry at 11:30 p.m. (because we all do). Also check out the Applebee’s late-night menu. You can get a whole order of mozz sticks for under $5!

Have style on a budget. The shoes I’m wearing right now? Five bucks on the clearance shelf at Target. My shirt? Marshall’s, $6. My cardigan? Free — my friends hosted a “clothes swap” where we all brought things we didn’t wear any more and put them out for grabs for any of us to take. What didn’t get taken was then donated to our local thrift store. Speaking of thrift stores, they are also great, especially on a college budget. It might take some time to find stuff you like, but take a study break and go buy a couple new things for your wardrobe for super cheap (plus, thrift stores = recycling clothes = happy earth :)). I’ve found some great items at Et Cetera in Newton.

My super cheap outfit!

My super cheap outfit!

Bargain shop for textbooks. Are you buying/renting your textbooks exclusively from Amazon or Chegg? While these are great companies and do offer good deals, sometimes (not always) there are cheaper options out there. Bethel has its very own student-run Facebook page called Thresher Exchange. This is a place for students to buy and sell textbooks as well as other things such as couches, TVs, fridges, etc. If you’re in need of a book, post on Thresher Exchange and see if anyone on campus has it! They’ll probably sell it to you cheaper than the big book companies. Also, search online for deals on textbooks. I got my Molecular Genetics textbook from a lesser-known rental company called Campusrentals.com, and it only cost me $11 (versus about $30 with other rental sites).

Sell your stuff! That guitar you never play anymore and never will again? Sell it. How about your bike that you never ride, or that iPod you got several years ago, or the many textbooks from classes past? Sell them! Post them on Thresher Exchange, Harvey County Buy/Sell/Trade, or similar places to make a few extra bucks. If you’re offering a good price, someone will probably pick up what you’re putting down.

Hope this helps. I know I’ll be trying to follow my own advice and save up for that weekend trip to Colorado!

-Kiley

 

Growing to realize

Bethel College is filled with people from all different walks of life. We have Mennonites, we have atheists. We have people who have never questioned their love of Bethel and those who have considered transferring.

I am both, oddly enough, a Mennonite and someone who has considered transferring away from Bethel. Bethel was a long way from home and much different from the high school life that I had come to know and love. Doubt flooded my veins and I wondered if I would be better off at a fraternity in a big university.

My friends and my coach were instrumental in bringing me back to Bethel. My skepticism slowly turned to reassurance that I had indeed made the right decision in coming to Bethel.

Starting my sophomore year, I would grow to love Bethel not because I am Mennonite and have family history at Bethel, but because I genuinely cherished the education I was receiving, the friends I was making and the community in which I grew into the person I am today.

Growth is a part of life and it is certainly a part of college. I am fortunate to be able to have stumbled only to find an entire college ready to help me find my own path and grow in my own way. I have grown to realize that being a Thresher is something very special.