Creating a legacy: Bethel through the lenses of three generations
From Duane to Anne to Elizabeth, my family has an extensive history in North Newton. Here's a trip down memory lane.
Bethel College is a special place for many reasons, and one of the most important things that has shaped the school into the community that it is today is its rich history. Many students who currently attend Bethel have relatives who attended the college before them. This happens to be the case for me and my family.
I wanted to learn about how the Bethel experience has impacted people who have attended the school at different points in time. So, I talked to three different generations of people from my own family that are all Bethel graduates: Duane Friesen, Anne Friesen Birky, and Elizabeth Friesen Birky.
My grandpa, Duane, graduated from Bethel in 1962 where he majored in English and philosophy. He participated in many special groups and activities including the choir, Philosophy Club, and peace activities. Some of his most memorable highlights from his time as a student include hearing Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Mem Hall in 1960, protesting against atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons with other students in 1962, meeting his lifelong partner Liz Friesen, and participating in many pranks such as raiding the women’s dorm with pillows.
Then, he returned to Bethel in 1970 and began his 42-year-long journey as a faculty member. He served as a professor in the Bible and Religion Department and Peace Studies from 1970 through 2005 and continued teaching part-time until 2012.
In talking with him, I gathered that some of his favorite memories while teaching include having his daughters and their spouses in some of his classes while they were students at Bethel, initiating the Basic Issues of Faith and Life (BIFL) course with other faculty and staff members, starting the Peace Studies Major at Bethel, and teaching the Religion and Human Identity course.
Duane had a unique Bethel experience in that he was able to understand the college from the lens of a student, as well as from the lens of a professor.
My mother, Anne, graduated from Bethel in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in art. She spent much of her childhood on campus since her dad, Duane, was a professor at the college. She fondly recalls time spent at the old Kaufman Museum exploring the collections and animal dioramas, students coming by the house for discussions and snacks, and going to volleyball and football games and dramas — among many other things.
While at Bethel, my mom was involved in many musical groups and productions including the small chamber ensemble “Madrigal Singers,” playing the violin in the Mid Kansas Orchestra, and participating in “Broadway at Bethel.”
She shared that some of her core memories from her time at Bethel were taking art classes such as her favorite: printmaking and Life Drawing (which met in the attic of Goerz House which is now where President Goering lives), traveling to New York City with her “Broadway at Bethel” interterm course, and developing lifelong friendships and relationships with people like her roommates, inspiring professors, and her husband (my dad) Brett Birky.
Now, my mom uses her educational foundation and art degree from Bethel to reinforce her work as an artist and art educator.
My sister, Elizabeth, graduated from Bethel in 2020 and double majored in Communication Arts and Art History. During her time in college, she was a part of the concert choir and was a vocalist for the Jazz Band. She shared some of her favorite memories from her time at Bethel, including touring around Europe with the concert choir and traveling to Italy with the Renaissance Art History course.
After graduation, Elizabeth interned at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. and is now working at the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art in Denver, Colo.
When I asked my family to describe the impact that Bethel has had on their life and what sets Bethel apart from other schools, they had common answers: it’s a uniquely small community that fosters meaningful lifelong relationships, critical, creative, and holistic thinking, and endless connections and opportunities.
