Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 12
Home Page
The activities began April 12 with the graduation banquet. Outgoing athletic director, Doug Wegren shared the life story of basketball player and coach Calvin Duncan, encouraging people to model his selfless commitment to Jesus.
The musical, One Voice, directed by faculty members Susan J. Schmidt and Tim Huebert, was presented Saturday afternoon. A cast of 30 students, occasionally joined by the oratorio choir, told the story of Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea and their journey to faith in Jesus. These lead roles were played by Corwin Thiessen and Michael Siebert. All cast members and members of the oratorio choir were dressed in period costumes. A mostly brass 16-member ensemble provided accompaniment. The performance was given a standing ovation.
Approximately 700 people filed into Bethany Place for the Saturday evening concert of Praise. An evening of mostly music and a mix of dramatic sketches, the concert featured Bethany's three ministry teams: the Chorale, a mixed choir; Paradox, a drama troupe; and Mirror Image, a mixed ensemble. President Doug Berg led in a prayer of dedication for the teams, which toured western Canadian churches in the weeks following graduation.
On Sunday afternoon, a crowd of 500-600 attended Bethany's 69th commencement ceremony. Robert Radtke, pastor of Forest Grove Community Church in Saskatoon, gave the commencement address. Radtke focussed on the year's theme, "Becoming Disciples". He identified the need for strong personal convictions as a prerequisite for living victoriously in a morally challenging world.
President Doug Berg briefly highlighted faculty changes for the coming year. Leaving Bethany are Doug Wegren and Tim Huebert. Wegren served for two years as athletic director, while Huebert served for two years as interim music director with Phil Siebert away on a sabbatical study leave. Gordon Nickel, who has served as part-time missions director for two years is now coming on full-time. Jacki Petker will be working half-time as director of admissions. Doug Heidebrecht takes on interim responsibility as academic dean with Ben Wohlgemut on sabbatical next year. Pending Board approval, two new faces will join the faculty beginning with the 1996-97 school year. Shirley Isaac, Toronto, will teach in the area of spiritual formation and theology. She is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in theology. Karen Sawatsky of Saskatoon takes over as half-time athletic director.
Forty second-year students received the diploma of biblical studies, while sixteen students were awarded the three-year Bachelor of Christian Ministries degree. With recent curricular changes, this year's degree graduates were the first to graduate from a chosen specialty track.
Two students received special acknowledgement. Diploma of biblical studies graduate Kelly Dale Henschel, Dawson Creek, B.C., received the Governor General Bronze medal (highest cumulative grade point average). The Pi Alpha Mu award of the Association of Canadian Bible Colleges was awarded to Kerri Lynn Schellenberg, of Hepburn. The award admits Schellenberg to the Honour Society of ACBC.
George Dirks, director, Learning Resources
Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 12
Home Page