Notable Alumni of Bethel University: Shaping Diverse Fields
Bethel University, Minnesota, stands as a prominent institution, ranking 2892nd globally, 989th in North America, and 935th in the United States, based on the aggregated prominence of its alumni. Its commitment to fostering intellectual, spiritual, and social potential in a Christian environment has produced graduates who have made significant impacts across various sectors. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse achievements and contributions to society.
Arts and Entertainment
Bethel University has nurtured creative talents who have excelled in the entertainment industry.
Joel Hodgson: A 1981 graduate, Joel Hodgson is an American writer, comedian, and television actor. He is best known for creating Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) and starring in it as the character Joel Robinson. In 2007, MST3K was listed as "one of the top 100 television shows of all time" by Time.
Politics and Public Service
A significant number of Bethel University alumni have pursued careers in politics and public service, demonstrating leadership and commitment to their communities.
Yemi Mobolade: Blessing Adeyemi Mobolade, born in Nigeria in 1979, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Bethel University. He is a Nigerian-American businessman and politician. He is the 42nd mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, being sworn in on June 6, 2023.
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Sean Duffy: Represented Wisconsin's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019.
Mary Pawlenty: Mary Elizabeth Anderson Pawlenty is an American lawyer, judge, and public official. She was a state court judge who served on Minnesota's First Judicial District from 1994 to 2007. As the wife of Governor Tim Pawlenty, she was First Lady of Minnesota from 2003 to 2011. She previously worked as a private-practice attorney and in 2009 became the director at a medical nonprofit. She has been a mediator with Gilbert Mediation since 2007.
Jessica Benham: Born in 1990, Jessica L. Benham graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication studies and political science. She is an American politician and disability rights activist serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 36th District. She is the first openly LGBTQ+ woman and first openly autistic person elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. She cofounded the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy in 2014.
Jeff Hayden: Jeffrey D. Hayden is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 62, which includes portions of south Minneapolis in Hennepin County in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Sheldon Johnson: Sheldon Johnson is an American politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 67B, which included portions of the Dayton's Bluff, Beaver Lake Heights, Highwood Hills, Mounds Park, Conway, Eastview and Battle Creek neighborhoods of Saint Paul in Ramsey County in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
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Harvey Wollman: Harvey Lowell Wollman studied at Bethel University from 1954 to 1955. He was an American politician who served as the 26th Governor of South Dakota from 1978 to 1979. He was the first Lieutenant Governor in the history of South Dakota to succeed to the governorship. To date, he is the last Democrat to serve as South Dakota's governor.
Mark Johnson: Mark Johnson is an American lawyer, politician, and member of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, Johnson represents parts of Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Norman and Roseau counties in northwestern Minnesota. He previously served as acting majority leader of the Minnesota Senate and now serves as minority leader.
Ron Tschetter: Ronald A. Tschetter was the 17th Director of the Peace Corps.
Linda Runbeck: Linda Runbeck is an American politician who served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1989 to 1993 and again from 2011 to 2021. She was also a member of the Minnesota Senate from 1993 to 2001.
Other Notable Fields
Bethel University alumni have also made their mark in various other fields, reflecting the breadth of the university's impact.
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Jeff Nelson: Jeffrey Brian Nelson is an American former professional baseball umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB), who was named to the National League (NL) staff prior to the 1999 season and worked throughout both major leagues from 2000 until his retirement after the 2023 regular season.
Joshua Becker: Joshua Becker is an American author, writer, and philanthropist known for his writings on minimalism and simple living.
Wes Modder: Wesley James Modder graduated with a Master of Divinity. He was an American retired United States Marine Corps officer and military chaplain in the United States Navy. Modder was also occasionally an author in ETHOS, a US Navy newsletter.
The Enduring Impact of a Bethel Education
The achievements of Bethel University's alumni demonstrate the institution's success in cultivating leaders, innovators, and change-makers. The university's emphasis on Christian values, combined with a commitment to academic excellence, equips graduates to make a positive impact on the world.
Bethel University encourages its alumni to stay connected and contribute to the ongoing success of the institution. Alumni engagement is vital for current and future students, as it provides a network of support and inspiration.
Alumni giving supports current and future students as they journey toward achieving success and becoming who they were truly meant to be. The Referral Program is a way for Bethel Alumni to share their story and encourage others to apply to Bethel University. No matter where you are in life, you'll always be a part of the Bethel family. We invite you to offer your time and talents to strengthen your connection to our passionate community and discover how our alumni and friends support one another.
Bethel University annually seeks and accepts nominations for the 4 Under 40 Alumni Achievement Award.
Stories of Alumni Success
Bethel University's alumni are faithfully living out God's call as they go about their day-to-day lives.
Kristie Cerling: Kristie Cerling, Ph.D., is Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and a Professor of Education at Houston Baptist University, where her primary teaching focus is executive educational leadership and secondary literacy and teaching strategies. She has studied Holocaust Education through the National Writing Project and The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights. She has consulted and presented on a range of topics in the United States and abroad, including effective teaching strategies, leadership development, women in leadership, and Holocaust education. During her time at Bethel, she was instrumental in bringing the Kindergarten Lab to campus - a collaboration with School City of Mishawaka that allows a Kindergarten class to meet on our campus, giving Bethel education majors the opportunity for hands-on interaction with students. Her upcoming book Authentic Assessment in Action: An Everyday Guide for Bringing Learning to Life through Meaningful Assessment co-authored with Dr. Katie Alaniz and published by Rowman & Littlefield will be out early next year. In addition to her professional successes, Cerling has invested heavily in her colleagues, students, and friends.
Shirley and Jim Miller: Shirley is a retired, beloved elementary school teacher and retired Children’s Ministry Director at Cass City Missionary Church, where she is now focusing on serving the women of the church. Jim is a handyman, served for many years on the Church board, and was a song leader. Jim and Shirley volunteer at a local community mission called Revive Ministries Common Grounds Café, which was started by the church and provides a café where anyone can come in and eat. They have also been delegates to the Missionary Church Conference and are the backbone of the Cass City Missionary Church, where they have served for 50 years.
Allison (Beachy) Baylis: During her time at Bethel, Allison (Beachy) Baylis was a part of the first study abroad group to travel to South Africa. After graduating from Bethel, she returned and spent one year serving at a children’s home near Johannesburg. She then came back, married her husband, fellow Bethel graduate Jacob Baylis, and worked at an autism center and earned her master’s degree in applied Behavior Analysis in 2019. She is now a Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in Salt Lake City, supporting children with Autism and their families by providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
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