Bethel’s top stories of 2025

2025 was a year of meaningful growth at Bethel. Record-breaking enrollment, bold commitments around career outcomes, new academic leadership, and standout alumni stories all pointed in the same direction: a Christ-centered education that’s clearer, more accessible, and more impactful than ever.

Here are 10 of the year’s most-read stories—the ones that captured our community’s hearts and showed what God is doing in and through Bethel.

#10 Bethel launches career commitment to support graduates after college

The Bethel Career Commitment is our bold commitment to students’ futures—and one designed to help them graduate with a purpose and a plan. Every student in the College of Arts & Sciences receives robust career preparation from day one, so no student will have to navigate their future alone. If students still need additional help, they may be eligible for up to eight graduate-level credits at no cost in select Bethel programs or transitional employment opportunities at Bethel, based on staffing needs and availability.

Rooted in The Studio for Vocation and Calling and powered by our alumni network, this new model and Bethel’s clear price answer two of the biggest questions families ask: What will college cost? Is it worth it?

#9 Bethel makes history with 1,124 new undergraduate students

This fall, Bethel welcomed 1,124 new undergraduates—the largest class in university history. Total undergraduate enrollment grew by 7.6%, with increases across first-year, transfer, BUILD, and PSEO students. The enrollment surge reflects Bethel’s emphasis on clarity and value: a repositioned tuition price of $26,700, new career outcomes support, and a renewed focus on transformational academics in a vibrant Christ-centered community.

#8 Stacie Stanley GS’13 returns to lead the district that shaped her

2022 Alumna of the Year Stacie Stanley GS’13 stepped into a new role as superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools—Minnesota’s second-largest district and the school system that educated her and much of her family.

Her career journey has been marked by a commitment to equity, literacy, and dignifying every student and staff member. In a season shaped by personal loss and deep spiritual discernment, Stanley leaned on her faith and the leadership foundations formed in Bethel’s Ed.D. in K-12 administration program to say yes to this calling.

#7 “Over the moon!” Bethel students embrace new opportunity to play women’s flag football

Women’s flag football officially arrived at Bethel. Partnering with the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL, Bethel joined five other regional universities to launch a collegiate women’s flag football league as a club sport. Led by coach Tavian Swanson and run through Student Life and Bethel Student Government, the team competed in spring jamborees, embodying Bethel’s commitment to growing opportunities for women in athletics.

#6 Bethel announces inaugural dean of the Anderson Family College of Health Sciences

The Anderson Family College of Health Sciences marked a major milestone with the appointment of its first dean, physical therapist and educator Matthew Vraa, PT, DPT, Ph.D., D.Sc., MBA. With extensive experience in program development, accreditation, and mission-driven leadership, Vraa will guide the college’s growth in enrollment, reputation, and impact while preparing healthcare professionals who pair clinical excellence with Christ-like compassion.

#5 Bethel’s new dean for the school of business is “right leader for this formative moment”

Bethel named scholar and seasoned academic leader Tom Brown, Ph.D., as the first dean of its new school of business. With more than 30 years of experience at a top public business school, Brown brings a track record of enrollment growth, launching industry partnerships, and shaping high-impact, market-relevant programs.

 #4 Meet Bethel’s newest faculty members

Twenty new full-time faculty members joined Bethel this fall, strengthening programs across nursing, history, English, math and computer science, music, education, ministry, and more. They bring experience from major universities, healthcare systems, churches, and industry—as well as a clear sense of calling to invest in students. Their arrival points to Bethel’s continued investment in academic excellence and mentoring relationships.

#3 Karen Swallow Prior is named Bethel’s 2025–2026 Karlson Scholar

Author, speaker, and professor Karen Swallow Prior was selected as Bethel Seminary’s 2025-2026 Karlson Scholar, joining a lineup that includes Francis Chan and Christopher Watkin. Known for her work on calling, imagination, and evangelical culture, Prior will teach, speak in Chapel, and appear on the “Whole & Holy” podcast. As Karlson Scholar, she’ll help Bethel students and church leaders wrestle with vocation, narrative, and spiritual formation.

 #2 Big dreams. Bigger taters.

From the BUILD program to the Minnesota State Fair, David Kaetterhenry BUILD’19 is turning his love of food—and his larger-than-life personality—into a flourishing business. As co-owner and “chief executive tater officer” of Greater Tater, a food truck selling giant stuffed tater kegs, he’s serving crowds at festivals, fairs, and now the State Fair itself.

David’s story is deeply tied to Bethel’s BUILD program, which recently celebrated 10 years as a faith-based Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program (CTP) for students with intellectual disabilities. Through BUILD, he gained independence, job skills, and a strong community.

#1 How Bethel graduate TJ Therrien ’07 turned birth order into comedy gold

Topping this year’s list is the story of social media comedian and Bethel alum TJ Therrien ’07, whose short sketches about birth order now reach tens of millions every month. With about three million followers across platforms, he’s built a career around clean, family-centered humor that resonates with parents and kids alike.

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