The Clarion

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Featured Writers

Luca Lombardi

Luca Lombardi is a Business Marketing major with minors in Photojournalism & Spanish at Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He likes eating homemade Argentine food, going for walks around …

Morgan Day

I am a junior studying English Literature & Writing and Communication Arts & Literature Education (5-12) at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I like discussing challenging topics with my …

Michael Harjo

Soraya Keiser

Hello! I’m a senior journalism and international relations student at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I like reporting on social justice issues, writing features on unique people and learning …

Giovanna Contreras

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have a passion for capturing images and videos related to racial justice issues, sports, and …

Lily Noonan

I’m a freshman marketing student with a social media minor at Bethel University. I enjoy taking interesting pictures to add to stories, finding unique angles and brainstorming what words fit …

Latest Articles

Have you met Barbara Josephs?

Before I had my first conversation with Barbara Josephs, she told me she didn’t understand why I wanted to write a story about her. Before I asked my first question, she said I should interview Malia Beilby, an All-MIAC soccer player. It’s not that Josephs has anything to hide; she …

By Taylor Hanson
26th December 2025 • The Clarion

Crush and burn

Griff Bangston was a 5 ‘9 curly-headed hockey player with blue eyes and a bad attitude. Always the leading scorer on the ice but never in the classroom. Although he made up for his lack of effort in school in the dating scene. It was almost impressive. Griff turned the …

By Emily Christiansen
13th November 2025 • The Clarion

Bethel students, alumni respond to Alpha News post about professor Chris Gehrz

“Gretchen, come look at this.” Senior history and psychology major Gretchen Mugglin rushed into her dining room. Her roommate, Bethel alumna Mild Du, sat frozen at the table; her eyes fixed on her cellphone. Mugglin stood behind her and squinted. A Sept. 20 Facebook post from the Minnesota-based independent news …

By Emily Christiansen
12th November 2025 • The Clarion

Bethel alum announces run for governor

State Representative Kristin Robbins’ campaign aims for fiscal responsibility and improved education.

By Rachael Van Rossum
30th October 2025 • The Clarion

Discounted tuition, discounted students

This is my testimony to the true costs of Bethel’s tuition repositioning. “Sometimes you just have to be grateful for the gifts that God has given you,” was a statement I wasn’t expecting to hear from the Financial Aid Office, especially not at Bethel University. Sitting in the small office …

By Kailey Tan
14th October 2025 • The Clarion

Turning Point USA returns to Bethel with a goal of civility

Student members say they hope to revive respectful political discourse amidst a growing national divide.

By Rachael Van Rossum
14th October 2025 • The Clarion

Bethel faces backlash for George Floyd scholarship

Hundreds of Bethel alumni and community members took to social media to express their disapproval, and some their support, of a new scholarship for Black students in memory of George Floyd. By Emma Harville Bethel University received support, but mostly criticism, from alumni and community members on social media following …

By Jaimee Barnhart
5th August 2025 • The Clarion

The Egg, Ep. 6: May 13, 2020

Inspired by theSkimm, longer than the E-announcements, created with your short attention span in mind. By Jaimee Hood Re: Missing intentional community :/ It has officially been two months since the last “normal day” of on-campus activity. Although Bethel culture has drawn criticism in the past for its sometimes-cheesy buzzwords …

By Jaimee Barnhart
5th August 2025 • The Clarion

Target on their backs

Grant Nelson positions himself in lane 6 on an indoor track in Rochester, N. Y., waiting for the pass in the final leg of the 4×400 meter relay. As teammate Victor Lelinga bolts down the final stretch of the 200 meter indoor track, Nelson knows he’ll have to make up …

By Cj Wrzesien
29th May 2025 • The Clarion

[PHOTO] Government dismantles DEI, Bethel University responds

In the wake of the government dismantling the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [DEI] program, Bethel University and those involved in the DEI program on campus, known as Inclusive Excellence, are reevaluating its policies on who is included as well as making sure no laws are violated. An executive order was …

By Luca Lombardi
26th May 2025 • The Clarion

[PHOTO] Bethel’s accessibility has come a long way, but has more to go

Freshman Hill has no accessible dorm rooms. Not every bathroom on campus has Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant push buttons that automatically open the door. There is only one lift across the entirety of Bethel University’s campus. These things all pose a challenge for sophomore Ashton Lafleur. Lafleur uses …

By Luca Lombardi
26th May 2025 • The Clarion

Beyond the border

The first thing Coco Nolen noticed at the border wall during her deployment was the smell. “There’s people who try to cross and they just don’t make it,” her guide told her. “A lot of dead bodies get brushed up along the shore.” Nolen’s heart dropped to her stomach. What …

By K Bierma
22nd May 2025 • The Clarion

Government dismantles DEI, Bethel University responds

In the wake of the government dismantling the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [DEI] program, Bethel University and those involved in the DEI program on campus, known as Inclusive Excellence, are reevaluating its policies on who is included as well as making sure no laws are violated. An executive order was …

By K Bierma
22nd May 2025 • The Clarion

Why aren’t students doing the reading? Bethel English professors tell us why.

Through the many courses taken in my Bethel career, one thing seems to remain the same: No one ever wants to do the class reading. I’d argue it’s easier than ever to not do the readings, with AI and SparkNotes and endless digital distractions. I once had a peer who, …

By Laura Hunt
19th May 2025 • The Clarion

The ROTC Experience

Ashlyn Erickson looked out her window as her neighbor came home from work. His arms were full, carrying his work equipment. Her best friend, Lucy Helgestad, came running out to greet her dad. Erickson watched as the father dropped everything and knelt to hold his little girl. Helgestad’s dad wasn’t …

By Michael Harjo
19th May 2025 • The Clarion

The ROTC Experience

Ashlyn Erickson looked out her window as her neighbor came home from work. His arms were full, carrying his work equipment. Her best friend, Lucy Helgestad, came running out to greet her dad. Erickson watched as the father dropped everything and knelt to hold his little girl. Helgestad’s dad wasn’t …

By Michael Harjo
19th May 2025 • The Clarion

Bethel University cancels 2026 Thailand Study Abroad program

Lulu Shwe sobbed in Grace Johnson’s arms. The rumors were true: the 2026 Study Abroad Thailand program had been canceled. “Thank you for letting us share our culture with you,” Shwe said. WCCO-TV published a news story “Karen refugees attending Bethel University reconnect with culture on transformative trip to Thailand” …

By Taylor Hanson
16th May 2025 • The Clarion

Letter from the editor

I have sobbed every night this past week. The driver’s seat of my car, mile six of my 10-mile run, the rocking chair in my living room. Tears. Everywhere. I don’t even know how I still have tears in my body. Laugh out loud. My two roommates are graduating in …

By Taylor Hanson
16th May 2025 • The Clarion

Everything is embarrassing

“Emily Christiansen, go sit in the take-a-break chair.” My heart pounded in my tiny chest. I had been twisted around in my seat, talking to my friends in the back of the classroom. But I watched their faces turn from laughter to fear as they gazed at the figure creeping …

By Emily Christiansen
9th May 2025 • The Clarion

Will anybody read it?

I totaled my first car 30 days ago. I got Dewy, my 2008 white Subaru Legacy, when I turned 16. Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled with the selection that my parents had made for me. I had always made fun of people who drive Subarus. But it took about 2.3 seconds …

By Taylor Hanson
8th May 2025 • The Clarion

The BSG boost: What’s changing next year?

Student government leaders look forward to higher pay as Bethel adjusts its finances to support student activities.

By Rachael Van Rossum
8th May 2025 • The Clarion

The office reshuffle: Who’s going where and why it matters

Bethel Student Government (BSG) and Clarion leaders opened their computers Thursday Jan. 16 to find an email from Vice President of Student Experience, Miranda Powers, detailing several office space moves...

By Rachael Van Rossum
11th April 2025 • The Clarion

Love is a towed car, PACER test and a stale candy heart

Love is a stale candy heart. My cousin Porter is in second grade, and today, he asked a girl to be his Valentine. I’m 20-years-old, and the last time I got a Valentine’s from a boy was in sixth grade. The card was simple, straight to the point. It read: …

By Emily Christiansen
4th March 2025 • The Clarion

Bethel University graduate Josie Harms takes on the position of South Dakota press secretary

21-year-old Josie Harms achieves her dream job, but gives all the credit to God.

By Sadie Buteyn
3rd March 2025 • The Clarion

Rivalry renewed: Royals and Oles set for playoff battle once again

The 2023-24 season was a historic one for the Bethel University men’s hockey team, who finished the regular season with a 17-5-3 record good for a .733 winning percentage—the best in program history. The Royals appeared primed to win the MIAC for the first time since 2007, even defeating the …

By Cj Wrzesien
27th February 2025 • The Clarion

Today is a gift

On a wet and soggy field at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex in early November, the Bethel University men’s soccer team’s historic 2024 season came to a close. It was one that saw the Royals earn their most wins and conference wins since 2004 and host the first ever MIAC …

By Cj Wrzesien
27th February 2025 • The Clarion

1-1 series secures Royals and Oles’ rematch in the MIAC semifinals

BLAINE, Minn. – The crowd at the National Sports Center watched for flying pucks, nets and bodies Friday, Feb. 21 as intensity built during the Bethel University Royals’ hard-fought 3-1 win against the St. Olaf College Oles in the first game of both teams’ final regular season series. Aside from …

By Amy Holmberg
25th February 2025 • The Clarion

Ready set vote

Click. Bethel University student Noah Schmit turned off his TV in the middle of the first presidential debate. When the second debate aired he couldn’t bring himself to watch it. The theatrical nature and lack of policy description left the new voter disappointed in the 2024 election. “I’m definitely turned …

By Taylor Fruetel
26th December 2024 • The Clarion

Bridging the gap

Alivia Wulff and Grace Christensen stood behind a table surrounded by boxes of fresh greens. Flurries of people came through the line: a young couple, a man wearing glasses fogged from the cold and a teen in Mario Bros. pajamas. Wulff and Christensen offered bags of grapes and boxes of …

By Taylor Fruetel
26th December 2024 • The Clarion

Am I woman enough?

OPINION - As a long and lanky, gap-toothed kid, I thought very little about my appearance. My mom let me dress myself, so I wore whatever I wanted. The most trouble that got me into was being chased by a boy at the park because I was wearing my fleece …

By Amy Holmberg
16th December 2024 • The Clarion