The 2019 Bethany Lutheran College spring semester commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, May 10 at 10:30 a.m. in Bethany’s Sports and Fitness Center. One hundred two graduates will receive their bachelor arts or bachelor of science degrees.

Mr. Tim Thiele of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, is the commencement speaker. Thiele spent the majority of his career working for Lutheran organizations including Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Lutheran Child and Family Service (now known as Christian Family Solutions) in Milwaukee, and finally at Lutheran Homes of Oconomowoc (LHO) where he completed thirty-two years retiring from the position of Executive Director. During Tim’s time at LHO, the organization grew to be a service-oriented organization providing a full range of care options for the maturing adult, including efforts aimed at helping people to continue living in their own homes as long as possible.

Also, during the commencement ceremony, Mr. Darwin Beck will receive the 2019 Bethany Lutheran College Distinguished Alumnus Award. Beck, a native of St. James, Minnesota, is a 1960 graduate of Bethany. He is an accomplished and noted economist and monetary policy expert. During his 44-year career, Beck served as economist for the United States Treasury Department and Federal Reserve System, as well as Credit Suisse First Boston. His work for the Treasury Department allowed him to serve as a resident monetary policy advisor in fourteen countries. He also authored a number of articles on monetary policy for private organizations and the Federal Reserve System.

Joining Thiele and Beck on the commencement stage will be Dr. Gene Pfeifer, President of Bethany Lutheran College, Dr. Jason Lowrey, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Rev. Donald Moldstad, College Chaplain.

The ceremony will be live streamed and available for viewing on the Bethany Lutheran College website.