Bethel College - Graymaroon Yearbook (North Newton, KS)

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ECHOES 7 History of Bethel College. It was September 20, 1893, when after many delays and difficulties, Bethel College first opened itsdoors to those who might enroll. Ever since, its career has been one of steady growth, extending its departments and adding new ones to those already established. As the first Mennonite College in America, it was found- ed and is supported by the Bethel College Corporation of the Mennonites of North America, and is governed by the same through a board of directors, whose members, accord- ing to the statutes of the corporation, are elected at the annual meeting. Prior to Bethel College, in 1882, a Mennonite Seminary had already been established at Halstead, Kansas, by the Kansas Conference of Mennonites. This school was built to answer the demands of the large number of Mennonites who came to Kansas in the 70 ' s from Europe, and other states in the Union. They required a school in which both German and English were taught and in which instruction in the truths of the Holy Scriptui-es was given. The school should be a means for preparing teachers for district schools, for parochial schools, and for Sunday Schools, to prepare laborers for the mission field, whether at home or abroad, and it should offer special advantages to those who wish to fit themselves for the duties of life generally. In course of time, however, it was found desirable to raise an endowment fund, to increase the facilities of the school and to locate the same permanently . Therefore, in 1887, the Kansas Conference met in special session to con- sider an offer made by the City of Newton, on condition that the school be built there. The conference did not accept the offer, but favored the organization of an association having for its aim the establishment and maintenance of a Menno- nite School at Newton, Kansas. An association was formed

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4 ECHOES To REV. G. H. Wedel, A. M. This book is respectfully dedicated.

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8 ECHOES and incorporated with the object of raising an endowment fund, of erecting the necessary buildings, and of providing for the requirements of the school The result of their labors is our present Alma Mater, Bethel College. During the fifteen 3 ' ears of its activity over 1000 regis- tered students have found instruction in its halls; 5 of these are working in the mission field of India, while 10 more are active among our American Indians. About 37 have enter- ed the ministry, while over 180 are in the teaching profes- sion. The rest are scattered over the whole globe in the various walks of life. The past year marks the highest enrollment, which Bethel College has had in its history, the total number of students being one hundred and fifty-four. 1907-08 was one of its most successful years, and with brightest prospects for more growth and extension in the near future, we close this history.