Personnel Changes at Bethany

New Positions Filled

Tara Shepherd-Bowdel will begin as a regional advancement officer at Bethany on March 14, 2016. This new position will focus on strengthening Bethany’s relationships with donors and congregations in the eastern United States. Shepherd, who earned an MDiv from Bethany in 2015, is a licensed minister in the Church of the Brethren and currently serves on the Virlina District Executive Committee as chair of the Commission on Nurture. She has most recently worked for Wells Fargo Bank, coordinating and supporting activities of strategy leaders and credit consultants.

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Bethany Theological Seminary has named Brian Mackie of Hagerstown, Indiana, as coordinator of 2016 programs for the Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults. From March 1 to July 31, 2016, he is serving the Seminary as a part-time independent contractor, focusing his efforts on two Institute programs: Explore Your Call, a summer discernment program for high school students, and Immerse!, a Bible immersion experience for jr. high students. A 2007 MDiv graduate of Bethany, Brian brings experience as pastor of the White Branch and Nettle Creek Churches of the Brethren in Indiana and as a former campus pastor in Michigan. He will continue in his congregational ministry while working with the Seminary.

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Brian Schleeper was promoted to coordinator of student financial services and Title IX on January 13, 2016. In addition to ensuring that Bethany maintains legal compliance with the US Department of Education, his responsibilities include granting student financial aid and coordinating the Seminary’s participation in the Federal Work-Study Program. Schleeper has served in the Student and Business Services Department since coming to Bethany in 2007.

Resignations

Having accepted the call to serve as university pastor at Manchester University, Bekah Houff will resign her position of coordinator of outreach programs at Bethany on April 29, 2016; she began working in a half-time capacity March 1. Houff began her employment at the Seminary in June 2012, having earned her MDiv from Bethany that year. She has worked primarily with programs of the Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults, including EYC, Immerse!, and young adult events, and has also coordinated the reinstated Bethany Peace Essay Contest for the past three years.

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Monica Rice has resigned as administrative assistant for institutional advancement and coordinator of congregational and alumni/ae relations at Bethany Seminary, effective March 11, 2016. A 2011 MA graduate of Bethany, Rice began serving as administrative assistant for institutional advancement and coordinator of congregational relations in September 2011 and had recently taken on additional responsibilities for alumni/ae relations.