Bethel College, a Christian liberal arts college located in Mishawaka, Indiana, United States was established in 1947 and is affiliated with the evangelical Christian Missionary Church.
Organization and administration
Bethel is a part of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and the Council of Independent Colleges. Bethel is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 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 College faculty is composed of about 115 full-time members.
Academic profile
Bethel College 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 college'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 College teams are known as the Pilots. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) (NAIA Division II for basketball), the college 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:
The most recent sports added were men's rugby, women's lacrosse, and coed drumline. These additions were announced in October 2014 and began competing in the 2015-16 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 College 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 Matteson 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
- Eric Carpenter, MF for the Cleveland City Stars
- Mike Lightfoot is currently head men's basketball coach at Bethel College. He has been the coach since 1987. He is 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.
- Joel Runyon ’09 founded Impossible X. Runyon is an internet entrepreneur, author, publisher, podcaster, and philanthropist.
References
- 1 endowment "America's Best Colleges 2006". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved January 19, 2006.Â
External links
- Bethel College official website
- Bethel College official athletics website