Bethel University will celebrate its 2026 Homecoming with a family reunion-style gathering on September 25 and 26, with activities for the whole family.
Highlights of the weekend include Alumni Chapel on Friday, September 25 at 10 a.m., honoring our 2026 alumni award recipients and faculty emeriti. The day will continue with the Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet at 6 p.m., celebrating the 2026 Hall of Fame Class, followed by an ice cream social with students at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 26 begins with the annual Rise’n Run 5K at 9 a.m. (open to the community; registration is $15 for adults, $10 for Bethel students and participants 11-17, free for kids 10 and under), followed by alumni reunions for baseball, basketball and nursing, a free estate planning workshop at 12 p.m., baseball scrimmage (with free admission) at Jenkins Stadium at 1 p.m. and women’s soccer game at Morey Field at 4 p.m.
The weekend will conclude with the Alumni Dinner: Family Reunion Edition at 5 p.m. in Gates Gymnasium on Saturday. Enjoy Nelson’s Port-a-Pit Chicken, fun programming and a Bethel edition of Family Feud, hosted by Dr. Barb Bellefeuille, former president of Bethel University. Families are welcome, and a kids’ zone will be available for children 11 and under during the programming. Tickets are $15 for adults and children 12+; $5 for children 4-11 and free for children 3 and under.
For full details and to sign up, visit our Homecoming page.
Alumni Award Recipients
Alumnus of the Year: Lynn Coleman ’15
Lynn Coleman is a Bethel University alumnus whose career has been defined by decades of public service and community leadership. He served for 23 years with the South Bend Police Department, where he was recognized as Police Officer of the Year, before continuing his service as Assistant to South Bend Mayor Stephen Luecke, helping lead neighborhood development and community engagement initiatives. Coleman currently serves as a Trauma Liaison for Memorial Hospital with a mission to stop the cycle of violence in our community. Beyond his professional career, Coleman founded and led organizations including Let’s Turn It Around and Men of Scars, mentoring youth and strengthening families throughout the South Bend community. His lifelong commitment to service has earned him numerous honors, including induction into the South Bend Community Hall of Fame and multiple community leadership awards recognizing his impact on youth and civic engagement. As a member of Bethel University’s Board of Trustees, Coleman has continued to invest in his alma mater by providing strategic leadership and advancing the University’s mission.
Young Alumnus of the Year: Ryan Lutz ’19
Ryan Lutz is a Bethel University alumnus whose leadership in ministry has already made a significant impact on the Church and the communities he serves. A former Bethel varsity basketball player, Lutz now serves as senior pastor of Bethany Missionary Church in Elkhart, Ind., where he is committed to helping people grow in their relationship with Christ through biblical teaching, authentic community and intentional discipleship. He also serves as the North Central Region Director of Residency for the Missionary Church, mentoring and equipping emerging leaders as they discern and prepare for full-time ministry. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Lutz serves on the Hubbard Hill Board of Directors and is a sought-after speaker at Prairie Camp, demonstrating his commitment to leadership both within and beyond the local church. Together with his wife, Sara, and their two sons, Lutz exemplifies Christ-centered servant leadership through his investment in families, future pastors and the broader Missionary Church.
Timothy Award for Outstanding Service: Rob Bjorkland ’79
Following his retirement from Advanced Cleaning Service and Supply, Rob Bjorkland and his wife Jean dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to serving Bethel University’s baseball program and the students it impacts. As a volunteer coach, recruiter, mentor and advocate, Bjorkland has invested countless hours into developing student-athletes both on and off the field. Meanwhile, Jean invested in the players’ families attending a majority of the games both home and away, hosting meals, providing the senior dinner and connecting with parents. They both played a pivotal role in raising funds to transform Bethel’s baseball facility with a turf playing surface and have personally contributed generously to the program’s continued growth and success. Beyond facilities and fundraising, Bjorkland has consistently sought opportunities to help students secure financial assistance, connect them with needed resources, and encouraging them through personal relationships rooted in genuine care.
Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class includes:
- David Haverstick ’00 (Basketball/Baseball)
- Clay Yeo ’17 (Basketball)
- Jamal Henry ’02 (Basketball/Baseball/Tennis)
- Coach John Dendiu (Tennis)
- Randy Klotz ’71 (Basketball)
- Jessica Layman ’12 (Golf)
- Erik Escobedo ’18 (Track and Field)
Tickets are $25 per person.
Read more about the 2026 inductees
Faculty Emeriti
- Sally Erdel, Associate Professor Emerita: Nursing
- Bro. Timothy Erdel, Professor Emeritus: Religion & Philosophy
- Dr. Bob Laurent, Professor Emeritus: Religion
- Victoria Garrett, M.M., Associate Professor Emerita: Music
- Dr. Robert Rhein, Associate Professor Emeritus: Music
- Dr. Rod White-Stevens (posthumous), Associate Professor Emeritus: Chemistry
- Dr. Bryan Isaac, Professor Emeritus: Chemistry
- Dr. Elizabeth Beldon, Associate Professor Emerita: Deaf Studies
- Connie Cramer, Associate Professor Emerita: Nursing