TOTY | A passion for students and service: Jantz named Thresher of the Year
Students and faculty praise Jantz’s unwavering support, impactful teaching, and heart for service.
On April 10, The Collegian voted on Allen Jantz, professor of education and director of teacher education, as the recipient of the 2025 Thresher of the Year award. The honor is given annually to a student, faculty, or staff member who exemplifies what it means to be a Thresher—someone who consistently goes above and beyond in service, leadership, and dedication to the Bethel College community.
The winner was selected from a list of nominations submitted by members of the Bethel community, highlighting individuals whose presence makes a tangible and lasting impact on campus life.
Jantz’s influence has been widely felt across campus, both inside and outside the classroom. Students spoke warmly about the ways he has impacted their lives. Mason Bolen, a sophomore from Sumner, Wash. shared, “His biggest, and my favorite quality is how caring he is. Even if you do not know Allen, he would go out of his way to help you out in any way he can.”
Samuel Hernandez, a sophomore from Liberal echoed this sentiment, saying, “His kindness has made me feel at home and [he] has been a father figure to me while being at the college.” He also added, “His detail to support us in our extracurricular activities makes us feel important and that we matter.”
Jantz’s professional dedication and strengths as an educator were also praised. Moses Sawatzky, a junior from Goshen, remarked, “His work ethic is very strong, he works hard and has good teaching skills. His classroom management is amazing and students like to learn from him because they like him.”
Hernandez emphasized Jantz’s thoughtful and inclusive teaching style, stating, “He teaches with such patience and makes sure that we understand what he is explaining to us and comprehend us enough to know when we are struggling.”
Outside the classroom, Jantz’s compassionate presence and service-oriented mindset continue to meaningfully shape the campus community.
Bolen noted, “Allen has contributed by making his life full of service. There isn't a day where he doesn’t love what he does.” He added, “He has contributed towards my success in more ways than one. By being the most encouraging professor you could ask for.”
Sawatzky highlighted the respect Jantz commands among both students and colleagues, “He is one of the most loved or respected members on the faculty. I haven't heard anyone say anything bad about him and he holds the education department pretty well. He is always around and communicates with students in a positive way.”
Faculty members, too, spoke to Jantz’s admirable character and professionalism. Lisa Janzen Scott, associate professor of education and mathematics, described him as someone who “is caring, organized, diplomatic, approachable, respected, curious, receptive, open-minded. But what really sets him apart is his passion for teaching and the success of his students.”
Janzen Scott also acknowledged his leadership and service within the institution as a whole. “He has led the Teacher Education Department through several state/national accreditation visits, most recently this past March. He supports students through attendance at athletic and fine arts events. As a faculty member, he has served on many committees during his years at Bethel.”
Janzen Scott concluded with three powerful words that summarize his impact: passionate, relationship-focused, and caring. “He cares so deeply for education and for his students. He teaches that relationships are the foundation of successful teachers and he models that in and out of the classroom.”
“He cares so deeply for education and for his students. He teaches that relationships are the foundation of successful teachers and he models that in and out of the classroom.”
Lisa Janzen Scott
Through his unwavering compassion, dedication, and commitment to the well-being of others, Allen Jantz embodies what it means to be a Thresher. He not only reflects Bethel College’s core values—he lives them out daily, cultivating a community grounded in kindness, service, and connection.