The Clarion on Journo Portfolio

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

Hardcore community

Twin Cities vinyl shops provide Gen-Z music fans with in-person alternative communities in the digital age.

By Kathryn Kovalenko
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

Bethel University cancels 2026 Thailand Study Abroad program

The January Thailand program for next year is no longer being offered after the 2025 class did not meet best practices.

By Kathryn Kovalenko
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

20 songs to get you up on a cold morning

It’s almost spring, but with more snow in the forecast, here are 20 songs to get you out of bed when it’s below freezing outside.

By Kathryn Kovalenko
18th March 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 Amanda 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?

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 Tigger the …

By Amanda Holmberg
16th December 2024 • The Clarion

Homecoming happiness: Puppies on campus!

Cayla Paumen remembers coming to Bethel University as a freshman and leaving her dog, Gunner, behind. In the wake of her new life without Gunner’s presence, Paumen got involved with her campus’s mental support system, “Be Well.” She helped organize an event that brought the joy of dogs to campus: …

By K Bierma
16th December 2024 • The Clarion

From Neenah to Bethel: The fight continues for Matt Jung

It’s a cool October afternoon, and the Bethel University Royals football team is playing Augsburg University in a MIAC Skyline division matchup. Auggie quarterback Ryan Harvey drops back to pass. He floats the ball over the middle, where Bethel linebacker Taylor Glynn tips it into the air. The ball appears …

By Cj Wrzesien
16th December 2024 • The Clarion

Confessions of a former college dropout

I walked through the halls of Bethel University wearing blue shorts and a Bethel t-shirt. As I made my way through the school, I gave out fist bumps and high fives, acknowledging every familiar face that smiled at me. As a junior Missional Ministries major, I felt untouchable – this …

By Hudson Parker
16th December 2024 • The Clarion

Rematch in annual tug of war competition

Junior commuter EJ Shannon’s hands burned as he tugged the rope with all his might. Sweat dripped down his face as he and the rest of the commuters tugged on the rope to the cadence of their coaches’ voices, chanting “Pull, pull, pull.” The commuter team had one thing in …

By Arissa Rydberg
16th December 2024 • The Clarion

Combat and Christ: Bethel’s interpretation of a popular tale

Senior Cadie Logston entered stage left. Her blue and white makeup glistened under the spotlight and her long fur cape dragged behind her as she walked to center stage. Logston stood there, towering over her minions, who awaited her next orders. Her voice echoed off the walls of Bethel University’s …

By Luca Lombardi
16th December 2024 • The Clarion

The Clarion

Featured Writers

Anna Pearson

Cj Wrzesien

Makenna Cook

Pete Collova

Michael Harjo

Michael Harjo

Latest Articles

Target on their backs

[PHOTO] Government dismantles DEI, Bethel University responds

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

Beyond the border

Government dismantles DEI, Bethel University responds

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

The ROTC Experience

The ROTC Experience

Bethel University cancels 2026 Thailand Study Abroad program

Letter from the editor

Hardcore community

Everything is embarrassing

Bethel University cancels 2026 Thailand Study Abroad program

Will anybody read it?

The BSG boost: What’s changing next year?

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

20 songs to get you up on a cold morning

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

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

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

Today is a gift

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

Ready set vote

Bridging the gap

Am I woman enough?

Homecoming happiness: Puppies on campus!

From Neenah to Bethel: The fight continues for Matt Jung

Confessions of a former college dropout

Rematch in annual tug of war competition

Combat and Christ: Bethel’s interpretation of a popular tale

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