Bethany Board Holds Spring Meeting

The Bethany Theological Seminary Board of Trustees gathered on March 21-22, 2025 for a meeting at its Richmond, Indiana campus. 

The trustees approved next fiscal year’s budget and heard reports regarding academics, student support, finances, and fundraising. Board members acknowledged the Seminary’s strong financial position, celebrated success so far of Flourish: A Campaign for Bethany Theological Seminary, applauded Bethany’s efforts to help students pursue graduate education without taking out student loans, and appreciated the faculty’s efforts to offer a variety of degree and certificate programs — including the new Master of Arts in Biblical Peacemaking which will cater to students in Nigeria, beginning next fall.

During his formal report to the Board, President Jeff Carter shared plans for a new initiative in which Bethany will formalize its partnership with the six Brethren-related colleges and universities. Bethany will soon offer students at those institutions the opportunity to take graduate courses while still undergraduates at their home institutions. All the undergraduate schools have expressed strong interest in this initiative, which will launch programs allowing students to earn both a bachelor’s degree from a Brethren-related college or university and a graduate certificate or master’s degree from Bethany during a four-to-five year timeframe. Bethany will pilot this program with Manchester University in the fall, with a small group of Manchester students joining Bethany classes.

Trustees participated in a generative conversation about diversity in higher education in light of the federal government’s new directives and a strategic discussion on new priorities and goals related to Bethany’s Strategic Vision. While most of the meeting was open to employees and students, the board also participated in executive sessions so that they could discuss some issues confidentially.

In addition to committee and full-board meetings, the trustees shared meals and fellowship time — including a Friday night dinner at Forest Hills Country Club, at which they honored departing members Chris Bowman and John Flora. On Saturday morning, they worshiped together, with student Elaine Jones preaching. The group also took time during the meeting to remember and celebrate former Vice Chair Michele Firebaugh, who died last year. 

Bethany’s Board of Trustees, which currently includes 22 members, meets once per semester. The next gathering is scheduled for September.

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