Bethel College - Graymaroon Yearbook (North Newton, KS)

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DAVID GOERZ. Rev. David Goerz came to America in 1872 and first made his lionie at Halstead, in Harvey Co., Kansas. Since lie has always been a strong advocate of education, he early became identified with the school which was established at Halstead. Upon the discontinuance of that school, he at once became the chief promoter of the school at Newton. It was largely through his unceasing labor and untiring perseverance that Bethel College became a possibility. The large sum of money necessary for this great enterprise was collected almost exclusively by him. From the beginning of the school he assumed the duties of business manager and in this capacity he has served with greatest devotion and self sacrifice. His utmost desire has been to bring Bethel up to the required standard of a College and to this end he labored incessantly. In the fall of 1909 he suffered a nervous breakdown from overwork and it became evident that a recreation was absolutely necessary. Consequently, he, with Mrs. Goerz, took an extended tour to the Orient. Upon their return, although much recuperated, Mr. Goerz was forced to give up all mental work, much to his disappointment, and go west for his health. In the fall of 1910, after nearly twenty years of faithful services, he resigned his position as business manager of the College, causing a vacancy very keenly felt by the corporation. Besides his work connected with the school. Rev. Goerz has also been a very prom- inent leader in church affairs. He has devoted much time and energy to the spiritual as well as the intellectual welfare of the Mennonite people. At present he is at home in Upland, California.

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HISTORY OF BETHEL. Any institution, founded upon a proper basis and promoted by true motives cn the part of tliose connected with it, can perform its -lunctions completely and will eventually attain to that plane of perfec ion where it can stand alone and cope with its equals. This we can proudly say of Bethel College. Early in the 70 ' s large numbers of Mennonites poured into Kansas from other states in the Union and from Europe. When once permanently located, they soon realized the vast importance of an ed-icational institution among their people. Immediately steps were taken to promote the establishment of such an institution. Its inimejiate purpose should be to prepare teachers for parochial schools and district schools, ministers and missionaries, and to develop true Christian characters in all who go out from the school into the various y alks of life. A school was opened temporarily at Alexanderwohl in 1882, but a demand for more room and a very favorable proposition made by Halstead, caused the school to be removed to that place in J 883. In 1887 a project was started to locate the school permanently at Newton. The city subscribed f20,000 in cash, donated many city lots, and a fcrty pcre tract north of the city. The project was submitted to the Kansas Conference which declined to accept the offer, but in turn submitted the proposition to an association. This association was organized for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a Menuonite school at Newton. It took hold of this important enterprise with enthusiasm, incorporated, and at once began to raise the necessary funds. The difficulties and obstacles with which they met were neither trifling nor few. Yet the untiring efforts of this associa- tion were crowned with success and cn Oct. 12, 1888, midst hopes and prayers, the corner stone of our stately edifice, Bethel College, was laid. Indeed, there were those who predicted that such an institution could end only in total failure. But on the other hand there were such who faithfully hoped and believed that such an institution would be a success, and prove to be a blessing to the Mennonite people. The hopes of the latter were largely realized when on Sept. 20, 1893. this grand institution was dedicated to its noble cause; it opened its halls and bade welcome to any who would enroll. The number of students the first year was comparatively, small. The courses offered included work as lew as the sixth grade with little above the Academy. The faculty consisted of no more than five members and the number of students did not reach the one hundred mark. Slowly but steadily the school has grown, until this year no less than one hundred seventy students have enrolled. The corps of instructors consists of twelve members and it has been agreed that four additional members be added for the year 1911-12. As time passed on, the lower branches were eliminated and more advanced were added. With this progress made. Bethel College can, with all honors, confer upon her pioneer seniors the Baccalaureate degree in the spring of 1912.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rev. Abr. Ratzlaff Moundridge, Kansas H. P. Goertz Mt. Lake, Minnesota Rev. H. Banman Canton, Kansas D. .J. Regier Moundridge, Kansas Jacob Isaac Moundridge, Kansas Dr. R. S. Haury Newton, Kansas OFFICERS President — Abr. Ratzlaff Secretary — Jacob Isaac Vice-President — R. A. Goerz Treasurer — J. G. Regier R. A. Goerz Newton, Kansas J. J. Krehbiel Newton, Kansas Rev. J. C. Goering Moundridge, Kansas Rev. J. W. Penner Hillsboro, Kansas J. G. Regier Newton, Kansas BUSINESS MANAGER Prof. G. A. Haury Representative for H. P. Goertz Honorary Member