Bethel University (Indiana)
Bethel University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Mishawaka, Indiana. It was established in 1947 and is affiliated with the evangelical Christian Missionary Church.[2]
Motto | With Christ at the Helm |
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Type | Private |
Established | 1947 |
Religious affiliation | Missionary Church |
Endowment | $7.8 million[1] |
President | Dr. Gregg Chenoweth |
Students | 1,650 |
Undergraduates | 1,100 |
Postgraduates | 550 |
Location | , , United States 41.6777°N 86.1932°W |
Campus | suburban: 75 acres (0.30 km²) |
Athletics | NAIA, NCCAA — Crossroads League |
Nickname | The Pilots |
Affiliations | Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, Council of Independent Colleges, Higher Learning Commission |
Sports | 19 teams |
Website | www.BethelUniversity.edu |
Organization and administration
Bethel is a part of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the Council of Independent Colleges. It is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. The institution also has specialized accreditation by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).
Currently, Bethel is organized into three academic areas: Division of Arts & Sciences; Division of Humanities & Social Sciences; School of Nursing. Additionally, there are four graduate programs administered in conjunction with the schools through the Office of Adult and Graduate Studies.
There are approximately 2000 students distributed across these programs. About 1300 are traditional students pursuing bachelor's degrees right after high school. 650 are adult students who take classes on evenings and weekends which lead to bachelors or associate degrees. 250 are enrolled in graduate programs. The Bethel University faculty is composed of about 115 full-time members.
Bethel College changed its name to Bethel University upon the end of commencement exercises on May 5, 2019.
Academics
Bethel University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult degree programs across the spectrum of disciplines that characterizes American higher education at small colleges. The traditional academic majors include a substantial general education component which is typical of most liberal arts institutions. With some variation by major program, these students take courses in history, literature, philosophy, fine arts, communication (oral and written), psychology, sociology, science, mathematics, physical education, and foreign language. Furthermore, because of the university's identification with Christianity, all students take courses in Bible (Old and New Testament) and an introductory theology course. These general education courses provide a broad background across the disciplines upon which more depth is pursued in a major (or majors).
Athletics
Bethel University teams are known as the Pilots. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) (NAIA Division II for basketball) and competes in the Crossroads League, (formerly known as the Mid-Central College Conference). The Pilots also compete as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Basketball, baseball, and softball games are broadcast by the Regional Radio Sports Network.
The Pilots offer eight men's sports, nine women's sports, and two coed sports:
Men's sports:
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Women's sports:
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Coed:
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The most recent sports added were men's and women's bowling and swimming & diving. These additions were announced in Spring 2018 and will began competing in the 2019–2020 school year.
Athletic accomplishments
- 3 NAIA National Championships (Men's DII Basketball)
- 29 NCCAA National Championships
- 3 NAIA Individual National Champions (1 Women's Golf, 2 Men's Track)
- 211 NCCAA Individual National Champions (Tennis and Track & Field)
- 229 NAIA All-Americans
- 435 NAIA Scholar-Athletes
- 15 NAIA National Players of the Week
- 33 National Coach of the Year awards (NAIA & NCCAA Combined)
- 60 Conference Regular Season Championship
(List is current through the 2015-16 school year).
In addition to athletic competition, Bethel University encourages athletes to undertake short-term missionary work. Over 45 short-term missions trips/task force teams have been taken by teams within the athletic department.
Notable people
- Marci Miller, Film and television actor. Currently Abigail Deveraux on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives.
- Eric Stults, retired, former pitcher for the L.A. Dodgers, Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves
- Justin Masterson, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals
- Mike Lightfoot former men's basketball coach at Bethel College. He coached from 1987 to 2016. He was the fastest-winning coach in college basketball history, having reached the 300, 400, and 500 win plateau faster than any other coach. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2009. His son Ryan Lightfoot took over as coach in 2017
- Joel Runyon[3] ’09 founded Impossible X. Runyon is an internet entrepreneur, author, publisher, podcaster, and philanthropist.
References
- https://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_1787_brief.php
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-07-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-08-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Further reading
- 1 endowment "America's Best Colleges 2006". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved January 19, 2006.