Winter Commencement

Bethel University recently celebrated the commencement of 296 graduating students: 93 from the College of Arts & Sciences, 71 from the College of Adult & Professional Studies, and 132 from the Graduate School.

Bethel University graduates heard from commencement speaker George Soltero ’82, who is a former member of the Bethel Board of Trustees. After graduating from Bethel, Soltero attended the William Mitchell College of Law and spent 22 years in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Arizona. In his first year, Soltero successfully argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and would go on to argue there several times, most recently in March 2015. After recently retiring from the Federal Public Defender’s Office, Soltero is now in private practice.

Soltero and his wife, Crystal ’86, were married at the Bethel Seminary Chapel in 1988. The Solteros are passionate about encouraging and enabling students, particularly students of color, toward success in higher education. They have two children, Noelle ’17 and David ’21.