Bethel University (Indiana)

For other places with the same name, see Bethel University (disambiguation).
Bethel University
Bethel University
Former names
Bethel College (1947–2019)
MottoWith Christ at the Helm
TypePrivate university
Established1947
AccreditationHLC
Religious affiliation
Missionary Church
Academic affiliations
Endowment$11.4 million[1]
PresidentBarbara Bellefeuille
Students1,339[2]
Undergraduates1,206
Postgraduates133
Location
Mishawaka
,
Indiana
,
United States

41°40′40″N 86°11′36″W / 41.6777°N 86.1932°W / 41.6777; -86.1932
CampusSuburban: 75 acres (0.30 km2)
ColorsBlue & White
   
NicknamePilots
Sporting affiliations
NAIA – Crossroads
NCCAA Division I – North Central
Websitewww.betheluniversity.edu

Bethel University is a private Christian university in Mishawaka, Indiana. It was established in 1947 and is affiliated with the evangelical Christian Missionary Church.[3]

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).[4]

Currently, Bethel is organized into three academic areas: Division of Arts & Sciences; Division of Humanities & Social Sciences; School of Nursing.[5] Additionally, there are nine graduate programs administered in conjunction with the schools through the Office of Adult and Graduate Studies.[6]

There are approximately 1,339 students distributed across these programs. About 1,200 are traditional students pursuing bachelor's degrees right after high school. 140 are enrolled in graduate programs. The Bethel University faculty is composed of about 63 full-time members.[7]

Bethel College changed its name to Bethel University upon the end of commencement exercises on May 5, 2019.[8]

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

The Bethel athletic teams are called the Pilots. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Crossroads League (formerly known as the Mid-Central College Conference (MCCC) until after the 2011–12 school year) for most of its sports since the 1981–82 academic year; while its men's & women's swimming & diving teams compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC); and its women's lacrosse and men's volleyball teams compete in the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the North Central Region of the Division I level.[9]

Bethel competes in 25 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading and eSports.[10]

The most recent sports added were men's and women's eSports and men's volleyball. Basketball, baseball, and softball games are broadcast by the Regional Radio Sports Network.[11]

Athletic accomplishments

  • 4 NAIA National Championships (3 Men's D-II Basketball, 1 Men's Soccer)[12]
  • 42 NCCAA National Championships[13]
  • 15 NAIA Individual National Champions (1 Women's Golf, 1 Men's Swim & Dive, 9 Men's Track, 4 Women's Track)[14]
  • 136 NAIA All-Americans[15]
  • 435 NAIA Scholar-Athletes[16]
  • 19 NAIA National Players of the Week[17]
  • 71 Conference Regular Season Championship[18]

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

References

  1. ^ "Bethel University". College Confidential. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  2. ^ "National Center for Education Statistics. College Navigator. Bethel University". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  3. ^ "Bethel University. 2022-2023 Catalog. "Introduction."". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. ^ "Bethel University. 2022-2023 Catalog. "Introduction."". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  5. ^ "Bethel University. 2022-2023 Catalog. "Academic Structure."". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  6. ^ "Bethel University. 2022-2023 Catalog. "Division of Adult and Graduate Studies."". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  7. ^ "National Center for Education Statistics. College Navigator. Bethel University". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  8. ^ "Bethel Magazine. Fall 2019". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  9. ^ "About BU Athletics". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  10. ^ "BU Pilots. Sports". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  11. ^ "About RRSN". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  12. ^ "BU Pilots. National Championships". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  13. ^ "BU Pilots. National Championships". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  14. ^ "BU Pilots. National Championships". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  15. ^ "NAIA. Honors & Awards". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  16. ^ "NAIA. Honors & Awards". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  17. ^ "NAIA. Honors & Awards". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  18. ^ "BU Pilots. Crossroads League Regular Season Championships". Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  19. ^ "Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress". Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  20. ^ "Bethel Hall of Famer Mike Lightfoot Inducted in Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  21. ^ "MLB. Justin Masterson #63". Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  22. ^ "South Bend Tribune. "We Knew That She Had This Potential."". Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  23. ^ Jent, Breeanna (May 10, 2023). "Colorado Springs mayor's race: Yemi Mobolade looking to blaze a new trail as 'an agent of good disruption'". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  24. ^ "MLB. Eric Stults #50". Retrieved 2023-03-08.