Ashley Klein named Bethel College's Young Alumni award recipient
Ashley Klein named Bethel College's Young Alumni award recipient
The Newton local is to be honored on Oct. 10.
As Bethel College gears up for one of the biggest weekends of the year with Fall Fest, another event plans to bring back alumni to recognize them for their accomplishments.
The Young Alumni Awards strives to honor and recognize the work Bethel College alumni have done since their graduation from the college. This has grown from a tradition that has lasted nearly 50 years. The first Young Alumnus Award was given in 1974 to Charles F. Claassen, a 1961 graduate. “The award recognizes character, citizenship, achievement, or service rendered,” said Brad Schmidt, Director of Alumni Engagement.
“It also acknowledges recognition received,” Schmidt said. “The recipient must be 39 years of age or younger.” In order for an alumnus to be in the running for this award, they must be nominated by another alumnus.
The alumnus must have graduated from Bethel and display a commitment to character, citizenship, achievement, and service. The nominees are then selected by the awards committee of the Alumni Council, a separate body from the rest of the alumni offices. The winners receive a plaque and are honored at the Annual Alumni Banquet, recognizing their accomplishments and success since leaving Bethel College.
This annual event hopes to bring more community recognition and success to Bethel.
“For the past several years, our awardees have been local to the Newton area,” Schmidt said. “Many times, the winner comes from across the United States. The real benefit is that it gives current students the opportunity to see the impact they can have in just a few years following graduation.”
The 2022 Young Alumni Award ceremony will be held on Oct. 10 to recognize alumni Ashley Klein for her work in her small business, Blue Skies Pet Care, and her installation of a public dog park in Newton. Students are encouraged to attend her Convocation speech on the same day.