Snowfall at Bethel: Beauty and Challenges
Staff and students reflect on the recent snowfall
The past few weeks have brought significant snowfall to North Newton, transforming Bethel College into a winter wonderland while also creating challenges for students and faculty. From icy walkways to freezing temperatures, the snow has been met with both admiration and frustration.
Damon Klassen, director of Bethel College Theater, commutes from his farm 20 miles away and has had to adjust his schedule to deal with the conditions. “The commute got pretty interesting,” he said. “I stayed home an extra day after President Gering canceled one day last week, mainly just to maintain heat in the buildings that have plumbing on the farm. Gotta keep the pipes from freezing.” Despite the difficulties, Klassen has a deep appreciation for winter weather. “I honestly love the snow. This last blizzard left such beautifully carved waves and drifts,” he shared, while also admitting he is ready for warmer temperatures.
For students, the snow presented different challenges. Jack Denton-Cardew, originally from Los Angeles, experienced his first major snowfall. “For the first hour, I was in awe, but after that, I slowly started to realize that it was going to get worse,” he said. “The hardest thing was walking and driving in the Mods parking lot and some pathways to class that were covered in ice.”
Tyson Chupp, who is more familiar with winter weather from his home state of Indiana, also noted the difficulty of navigating campus. “I definitely have to walk a lot slower so I don’t fall, leading to less time to get to class,” he explained. “I don’t even leave campus when it snows this much. The most difficult thing is staying warm. I can feel my hands freeze just on a short walk around campus.”
While the snowfall has created obstacles, it has also provided a picturesque scene on campus. Whether appreciating the beauty of freshly fallen snow or struggling to stay warm on the walk to class, Bethel students and faculty have certainly felt the impact of winter’s arrival.