“Send me away, that I may go to my home.” — Genesis 30:25
Indeed, there is more than corn in Indiana! Bethany’s campus is located in Richmond, Indiana, where jazz came alive, rose gardens bloom, and hikers and bikers enjoy the Whitewater Gorge Trail.
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond is a midsize midwestern city that many of us call home. It is a place where students participate in the Richmond Civic Theatre, spend their lunch with a study buddy at a local elementary school, work towards reconciliation between college and local folks. . . . So as you can see, Richmond is a place where innovative and faithful ministry is welcomed and much needed from both seminary students and community leaders alike. Yes, it is a great place to study, but it’s also a great place to engage with compassion, conversation, and creativity.
Earlham College
Since Bethany’s campus is located on the northeast corner of the Earlham College campus, Bethany students have access to many of Earlham College’s resources, including Lilly Library, Earlham’s Wellness Center, and the Runyan Center (which houses the student union, bookstore, post office, an art gallery, and a theater.) Sharing our space with Earlham College also affords Bethany students the opportunities to hear nationally and internationally known speakers, enjoy a richly diverse student body, participate with a liberal arts college committed to peace and justice issues, and share mutual values of integrity, equality, harmony, and simplicity. Some Earlham College students also join us at Bethany for our weekly worship services and Peace Forum.
Bethany Center
Bethany’s campus location is enchanting! Around the plaza that leads to her brick courtyard (donated by friends and alumni/ae of Bethany) are a circle of flowering pear trees and a Peace Pole that welcome you to our sacred space. Students often walk or bike to campus, stop off in the Gathering Room for a cup of complimentary coffee or cocoa, and then take time to study in the Resource Room before or after classes, worship, meetings, and Common Meals. We care about reducing, recycling, and reusing our resources at Bethany and strive to hold one another accountable. Our space is multipurposed for academic, social, and spiritual invigoration and inspiration. To the left are photographs of Nicarry Chapel, where we worship at least weekly. In addition, at Bethany Center you’ll find all our faculty and staff offices, meeting spaces, work and study rooms, a commuter lounge, and of course, classrooms (media ready!). All our building areas are wheelchair accessible.
Earlham School of Religion
Across the plaza from Bethany is the Earlham School of Religion, including the ESR Center and the Barclay Center. Serving as the focal point for the programs of ESR, the center contains classrooms, several seminar/meeting rooms, a dining room and kitchen, Quigg Meeting Room (ESR’s worship space), space for community activities, and a 24/7-accessible computer lab for all students. Occasionally, some Bethany classes meet in the ESR Center, and some ESR classes meet in Bethany Center. Meal events for both schools take place in the dining room of the ESR Center. Named after an early Quaker leader, the Barclay Center houses the administrative and faculty offices for ESR.