Bethany Marks 30 Years in Richmond

As 2024 draws to a close, Bethany Theological Seminary is marking the end of its 30th year in Richmond, Indiana.

The seminary enrolls students from across the country and around the world, but in the past decade, it has placed an increased emphasis on building and fostering strong relationships with individuals and organizations in our own community. This local focus includes sponsorship local arts and cultural events, hosting meetings for nonprofits in our building, and empowering faculty and staff to take on leadership roles in local groups.

A Trusted Partner

Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and other local groups engage President Jeff Carter as a partner for events featuring local and state elected officials. From moderating question-and-answer sessions with Gov. Eric Holcomb and Gov.-Elect (and former U.S. Senator) Mike Braun to co-hosting the election night coverage on the local community television station, President Carter is seen as a thoughtful and trustworthy interlocutor who is not associated with a particular political agenda. These activities have raised the profile of the Seminary and led Mayor Ron Oler to remark of Bethany, “service is your politics.”

A Welcoming Place

Bethany Center has become known as welcoming and sought-after location for community events. A variety of business and organizations have held meetings, training sessions, and retreats in the building, including United Way of the Whitewater Valley, Richmond Civic Theatre, Ahaus Tools, Purdue University Extension, and the Stamm Koechlein Foundation. From the Gathering Area to technology-equipped classrooms, organizations find that the Bethany Center is well suited to their needs, and Bethany staff enjoy welcoming visitors to the building.

A Marquee Name

For the past several years, Bethany has been a consistent sponsor of plays and concerts at Richmond Civic Theatre and Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Supporting these organizations contributes to the quality of life in Wayne County and underscores the Seminary’s commitment to building strong relationships with key community partners. Sponsoring prominent arts and cultural events has elevated Bethany’s profile in the community, and it has dovetailed nicely with the personal interests of several employees who are involved in the arts, serving in volunteers roles with arts organizations.

A Heart for Service

Bethany is well known in the local community for its commitment to helping those in need. Students in the Bethany BOLD program partner work 12 hours per week, assisting such organizations as Bridges for Life, Girls Inc., Open Arms Ministries, and Townsend Community Center. Many faculty and staff volunteer regularly, helping serving the community through organizations like Circle U Help Center, Richmond Civic Theatre, Safety Village, and Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

Celebrating Our Knowledge Town

The Seminary is working to build stronger working relationships with other local institutions of higher education and foster a spirit of collaboration. President Jeff Carter is meeting with leaders of Earlham College, Earlham School of Religion, Indiana University East, and Ivy Tech Community College to plan new initiatives. Read more about a recent project focused on service here.

Bethany, which was founded in 1905, moved to Richmond in 1994, relocating from a campus in suburban Oak Brook, Illinois. The institution had previously had homes on Hastings and Van Buren streets in Chicago. At the time of its move to Richmond, the Seminary was struggling with finances. In moving, it sought a partnership with Earlham School of Religion, with which it maintains a strong working relationship. Today Bethany is flourishing, with strong enrollment, generous financial support from alumni and friends, and a robust academic program.

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