Royal Report

ARDEN HILLS — As the Bethel University Royals softball team entered the MIAC Playoffs armed with a 21-game win streak, senior second baseman Izzy Wilhelm sat in the opposing dugout inside Ona Orth Athletic Complex predicting the weekend to be “absolute chaos.” That’s what some may describe the Royals softball …

ARDEN HILLS — As the Bethel University Royals softball team entered the MIAC Playoffs armed with a 21-game win streak, senior second baseman Izzy Wilhelm sat in the opposing dugout inside Ona Orth Athletic Complex predicting the weekend to be “absolute chaos.” That’s what some may describe the Royals softball …

ARDEN HILLS — As the Bethel University Royals softball team entered the MIAC Playoffs armed with a 21-game win streak, senior second baseman Izzy Wilhelm sat in the opposing dugout inside Ona Orth Athletic Complex predicting the weekend to be “absolute chaos.” That’s what some may describe the Royals softball …

PSEO, transfers, commuters and regular students share their first experiences at Bethel University, where at times it was hard to find a place where they could feel comfortable. Student Life does says it does its best to make everyone feel welcome.

Tollef and Sheila Wienke open their hearts and home to welcome seven new additions to their family from Colombia and Ethiopia. With three biological children, the Wienkes transformed from a family of five into a family of twelve within a few years.

The Bethel University CAS Writing Center is more than a place for critiquing papers — it is a space for collaboration and growth.

Growing up as a pastor’s son in Nigeria, Dr. Victor Ezigbo experienced the first-hand effects of poverty, corruption and poor leadership in his native country, inspiring him to study theology relevant to life in the 21st century.

Bethel University senior softball player Kayla Simacek finds her place on the mound. Kayla Simacek stood on the mound, grinding her cleat into the dirt and fitting her hand into the cool leather of her glove. Her fingers traced the laces of the softball. She knew this feeling. She longed …

Sophomore Ella Wienke navigates college with her family of 12 influencing her life from 280 miles away. The seven adopted siblings come from conditions that shaped them and changed how Wienke treats others.

Makayla Schmidt, a senior at Bethel University, uses swing dancing as her way to find joy within herself and with others. Makayla Schmidt quickly shut down her fellow hunting camp counselor’s idea. She was against dancing. That one terrible year of dance classes made Schmidt hesitant, but her friend insisted. …

The sun beat down on the asphalt and sidewalk as Paul Saarinen knocked on the door of the building of the Starcade Classic Arcade. He just came back from out of town the night before and things have been busy for him lately, so he needed to make sure everything …

Dan Bounds picked up a disc from the snow and wiped off the slush with his towel. He needed a good grip. He drew the disc toward his chest, lurched forward and sent it flying. It was 30 degrees at the Kaposia Disc Golf Course in St. Paul, and his …

I know you, Josie. You’re the type of mom who says she’s going completely organic, then goes to Aldi filling a cart full of organic knock-off groceries, to end up buying a bag of Cheetos at Walmart the week after.

Soraya Keiser, an international relations and journalism major at Bethel University, uses her never-ceasing passion for history, people and writing to tell important stories of diverse cultures.

The media center at Bethel University was as it usually is; quiet out of respect for those working as people filed in and out to work on various projects on their laptops or in the editing suite or recording room. The place became abuzz however when Carter Nelson ran in …

Dawn Allen, the Founding Director of the BUILD Program at Bethel University, finds purpose in supporting college students with intellectual disabilities. Though she has been in the position for nine years, Allen’s path to this career was anything but predictable.

Bethel University student Lylli Sondrol demonstrates inclusivity, hard work and kindness in her work-life-college balance.

Paw Ku snatched a T-shirt and stuffed it in her backpack without her mother noticing. She zipped it closed. Ku’s mother always dressed her in traditional Karen clothing — vibrant stitching, tassels and ankle-length material — immediately labeling her as an outsider in St. Paul Minnesota. The minute the 9-year-old …

A fifth-grade Leena Darwish watched her friend walk past with his friends. In a split second, she remembers he knows now. He knows her ethnicity. She brushes the thought away. The two of them were close and had a relationship like Tom and Jerry. They enjoyed pushing each other’s buttons. …

Geetha Peters sat in a plane full of strangers with tears running down her face. Whispers filled the air, the cramped seating was uncomfortable and her stomach longed for something other than airplane food. Peters’ daughter Lian was the only familiar thing around her. The plane would land and her …

Creator of the Bethel University graphic design program creates community and pushes students to succeed

Juan Hernandez Jr. reflects on his journey to professorship, from a boy who didn’t read to a biblical studies professor at Bethel University in St. Paul Minnesota. He discusses his plan for the future, which includes studying the Book of Revelation. Hernandez shares the story behind his ragged leather bag …

Juan Hernandez Jr. reflects on his journey to professorship, from a boy who didn’t read to a biblical studies professor at Bethel University in St. Paul Minnesota. He discusses his plan for the future, which includes studying the Book of Revelation. Hernandez shares the story behind his ragged leather bag …

Merrin Guice Gill, Director of Choral Activities at Bethel University, reflects upon her proudest moments as an educator and conductor. Carefully selecting music from a diverse array of composers, she rehearses with her students four days a week to ensure every culture’s voice is heard and celebrated.

Three students in Digital Storytelling at Bethel University ask the community the question, “If you had the world’s attention for 15 seconds, what would you say?” Their responses range from walking off the stage to sharing the Gospel. Riveting watch.

In this episode of Thoughts from the Bubble, Bethel University (St. Paul, Minnesota) students share their regrets, everything from nothing to not saying “‘I love you.”

Marion Larson reflects on how she got to Bethel University and her career as an English professor. She also speaks about her book she co-authored with Philosophy professor Sara Shady. Larson shares her passion for reading and a bit of advice to the world.

In this episode of Thoughts From the Bubble, Bethel students answered the question, “What is one thing most people don’t know about you, but you wish they did?” From figure skating to favorite movies, people have all sorts of things that are hidden just below the surface.