Bolen, Broxterman named as Co-Editors-in-Chief of The Collegian

Mason Bolen and Ava Broxterman set to lead Collegian in 2025-26

On Monday, The Collegian announced that Mason Bolen and Ava Broxterman had been selected as the organization's next Co-Editors-in-Chief. Both students bring a strong background in campus involvement and a shared commitment to supporting student and community voices across Bethel College.

Mason Bolen and Ava Broxterman

Bolen, a junior from Sumner, Wash., and Broxterman, a sophomore from Lindsborg, are no strangers to the student-run newspaper. Bolen spent last year as a sports writer, spending most of his time writing about the men’s and women's soccer teams, as well as the men's basketball team. He was awarded second place in “Best Sports Article” at the 2025 Golden Leaf Awards with his article Maksimovic's hat trick leads Thresher men's soccer over Bulldogs. He is studying English Education at Bethel, with hopes of becoming a middle-school English teacher.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help lead The Collegian this year,” said Bolen. “I’ve always had a deep passion for English and storytelling, and I’m excited to bring that energy into the work we do as a newspaper. I’m especially looking forward to collaborating with Ava Broxterman. We bring different strengths to the table, and I truly believe we’ll be a strong, balanced team. I can’t wait to see how our ideas, along with the ideas of our staff, come to life in each issue.”

Broxterman steps into her new role, coming from a design editing background. She is known for enhancing the way The Collegian looks and feels, with attention to detail and a focus on design. Ava was awarded first place at the 2025 Golden Leaf Awards for photography. Additionally, she received first place in “Best Sports Game Photo.” Broxterman’s work as a photographer for Bethel College Institutional Communications and Marketing is often on display following many on-campus events.

“I could not be more excited and blessed to have the opportunity to serve and lead the Collegian with Mason,” said Broxterman. “As a former design editor and photographer, I found a passion for journalism and the success of our student-run newspaper. Mason and I will make a great team, and I cannot wait to make our ideas become a reality.”

Following former Editor-in-Chief Micah Wenger’s transfer, Bolen and Broxterman have stepped into leadership roles with the newspaper.

​​“I have great faith in Mason and Ava at the helm of the student newspaper,” said Collegian Faculty Adviser and Professor of Communication Arts Christine Crouse-Dick. “Both are committed to truth-telling and community-building. It will be exciting to watch them grow as journalists and leaders.”