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Osborn Selected to Lead Men’s Basketball Program

Osborn Selected to Lead Men’s Basketball Program

by | Apr 15, 2026

Bethel University is pleased to announce the hiring of Head Coach David Osborn to lead the Bethel Men’s Basketball Program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Osborn as the new Head Coach of our Men’s Basketball Team at Bethel. David is a seasoned coach and servant leader who exemplifies what we strive to be every day … Bethel men’s basketball is in great hands and we look forward to welcoming David, Amber and their children to the Pilot family,” said Jason Lewkowicz, Director of Athletics.

Osborn most recently served as the Head Coach for Trinity Christian College, where he lead the Trolls to a 17-13 winning record in his sophomore season.

Well-acquainted with the Crossroads League, Osborn previously served as an assistant coach for the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats for six seasons.

Bethel University Men’s Basketball has a rich history of NAIA National Tournament runs, most recently advancing to the second round against Georgetown College. In his time at Indiana Wesleyan, Osborn led the Wildcats to a 2018 NAIA National Title.

“I am honored to be named the next Men’s Basketball Coach at Bethel University. I want to thank Director of Athletics Jason Lewkowicz, Vice-President Dr. Shawn Holtgren, and President Dr. Dee McDonald for giving me the opportunity to lead the program,” Osborn shared.

He continued, “We (Osborn’s family) inherit a program with a rich history and a supportive community. We were excited about Bethel’s desire to build and sustain athletic programs that are Christ-centered, culture-driven, and competitively excellent. It was important to me to find an institution where there was a shared vision and administrative alignment. We found that here at Bethel and are thankful to be returning to Indiana.”

Osborn is also the founder of TRU Basketball Camps, also known as The Rock University. These faith-based, youth basketball camps stem from Matthew Chapter 7, in which Jesus describes the importance of building each of our lives on Him.

For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, visit bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X by searching @bupilots or using #TheRightWayToPlay.

Faculty Piano Recital to Celebrate United States’ 250th Anniversary

Faculty Piano Recital to Celebrate United States’ 250th Anniversary

by | Apr 15, 2026

Join pianist Dr. Siwon Kim, adjunct professor of music, as we celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary with a recital of American masterworks. This concert, which is free and open to the public, will take place Wed., April 22 at 7 p.m. in the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium on Bethel’s campus.

Enjoy Gershwin’s beloved melodies, reimagined by Earl Wild, along with the iconic Rhapsody in Blue and Samuel Barber’s powerful Piano Sonata. This program highlights the richness and variety of American music, moving from lyrical songs and jazz-inspired rhythms to the depth of modern expression. Be part of this vibrant and expressive musical journey.

About the Artist

Dr. Siwon [see-one] Kim, a native of Seoul, South Korea, began studying piano at the age of three in Seoul under Young-Ja Lee. She continued her musical studies at the country’s most prestigious music schools, such as Sunhwa Arts School, Seoul Arts High School and Seoul National University. She received multiple merit-based scholarships throughout her studies, as she consistently ranked first in her class. Her teachers during this time included Youngsil Kim, Sekyoung Park and Hyoung-Joon Chang. After graduating from Seoul National University with a Bachelor of Music degree, she moved to the United States, joined the Toradze Piano Studio at Indiana University South Bend and received an Artist Diploma and Master of Music degree. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, under the guidance of Prof. Arthur Greene. Kim serves as the music director at Grace United Methodist Church in South Bend and as an adjunct professor of music at Bethel University in Mishawaka, Indiana.
She appears as a guest artist at the invitation of such festivals and concert series as the Harbin International Piano Music Festival (China), SNU Chopin Concert Series, SNU Piano Duo Ensemble Series (South Korea) and Ultreia Stage Concert Series (USA). She performed in the Prokofiev Piano Sonatas Marathon at the Toradze International Music Festival in 2023. Dr. Kim has appeared as a soloist with orchestras worldwide, including the Gunpo Prime Philharmonic Orchestra, South Bend Symphony and The Mariinsky Orchestra. She has performed under the batons of maestros, including Jakyung Year, Tsung Yeh, Dean Whiteside and Valery Gergiev. (siwonkimpiano.com)

Zartman Named Assistant Director of Athletics for Facilities & Operations

Zartman Named Assistant Director of Athletics for Facilities & Operations

by | Feb 17, 2026

Head Baseball Coach Seth Zartman will transition to a new role as Assistant Director of Athletics for Facilities & Operations this summer. This is a newly created, full-time position that will serve the athletic department in a variety of capacities, including facility supervision, game day operations, and sport supervision. Coach Zartman will continue to lead the men’s baseball program until the completion of the 2026 season and will begin his full-time Assistant Director of Athletics position in July. In the meantime, a nationwide search to find Bethel’s next head baseball coach will take place this spring.

“When I first arrived at Bethel, one of my first priorities was establishing a strong leadership team and it became quickly evident that Coach Zartman needed to be a part of that,” says Jason Lewkowicz, Director of Athletics. “Coach Zartman embodies what it truly means to be a Bethel Pilot – Christ-centered, relationally driven, with an understanding of the importance of community and culture. I am grateful to our university leadership for understanding the vision behind this new role, and to Coach Zartman for using his gifts to continue to be a blessing to Bethel in an expanded capacity.”

Seth Zartman enters his 23rd season with the Bethel Pilots this spring, and looks forward to extending his reach throughout the Bethel community in his new role.

“Coaching has always been about relationships and growth. Stepping into administration lets me expand that impact, supporting more student-athletes, coaches, and staff while assisting in strengthening a culture where academics and athletics flourish,” says Zartman. “Though the role is new, the mission remains the same: build strong programs, invest in people, and develop servant leaders who influence their teams, campus, and the world for Christ. It has been a true honor to serve as the baseball coach at Bethel for the past two decades. Our athletic department is a special family with Christ at the Helm, and I’m deeply grateful to God for the blessing of being part of such an incredible place.”

Thank you to Coach Zartman for leading the Pilots through 23 seasons!

Staff Spotlight: Mondesi Kirkland ’18

Staff Spotlight: Mondesi Kirkland ’18

by | Feb 16, 2026

Mondesi (Walters) Kirkland ’18 graduated from Bethel University with a degree in sign language interpreting and came back one year later to serve as a staff interpreter – a job she’s loved for more than six years. Her role combines interpreting for Bethel’s Deaf faculty members, mentoring students, leading labs, coaching students as they prepare to interpret for chapel and plays, teaching a fundamentals of interpreting course and so much more.

“I strongly believe that God equips the called,” she says. “I’ve always had a love for Bethel and I think that comes out through my interpreting. This job is really unique in that I get to see students through their whole process.”

Kirkland herself was led to Bethel and Sign Language Interpreting through her experiences with Deaf students at their high school in Archbold, OH, and a student from her hometown who studied interpreting at Bethel before her. She had the opportunity to study Signing Exact English in high school and co-led a Deaf Bible study with middle and high school girls. When it came to choosing a college, Bethel was a top choice – especially because it’s one of only two colleges in Indiana with an interpreting program, but it was the campus visit that confirmed her decision.

“I felt very much at home at Bethel. This was where I wanted to be,” she says.

At Bethel, Kirkland continued to develop what she describes as her “Deaf heart,” a deep passion and love of the Deaf community she gets to serve. She also has a passion for sharing Jesus with the Deaf community. Now, discipling future interpreters comes as part of her job.

“For many freelance interpreting jobs, you show up to an assignment, and then you go back home,” she explains. “So, it’s really fun to be able to not only walk through the academic life of the student, but the spiritual life of the student … the conversations I get to have, praying over the students – all of that is really life-giving to me.”

One of her favorite things about her job is helping students develop foundational relationships with their Deaf professors as underclassmen. Kirkland gets to interpret lectures and the entirety of the Deaf Culture class.

“It’s really fun helping students get to know these amazing professors and building that relationship with them.”

Outside of work, Kirkland can be found hanging out with her husband Kevin, whom she met playing Wind Ensemble at Bethel, or snuggling with her dog Coco or reading a good book.

30 Years of Sign Language Interpreting

Bethel University is one of only three interpreting programs in the state of Indiana. Now in its 30th year, the program recently celebrated co-founder Dr. Elizabeth Beldon during a reunion as part of Homecoming Weekend in the fall of 2025. There, they launched a $20,000 fundraiser with the goal of raising funds to upgrade computers and lab equipment to help better equip interpreting students for their future careers. Once enough funds are raised, the lab will be named for Beldon, to honor her service to Bethel.

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Faculty Feature: Kiel Boynton

Faculty Feature: Kiel Boynton

by | Nov 19, 2025

Kiel Boynton, assistant professor of kinesiology and associate head baseball coach, has been able to merge his passions for teaching and baseball at Bethel University. In fact, one of his favorite classes to teach – Administration and Organization – just put on a baseball benefit game at Four Winds Field, where the Bethel Pilots took on IUSB, raising money for local veterans through an organization called Troop Town.

“The students get hands-on experience working toward something and giving to an organization. This year we raised $3,250 for Mishawaka Troop Town,” he says.

This is the third year his class has put on a benefit; two years ago, they raised $1,540 for Belle’s Brigade (for a child with cancer), and last year they raised $2,100 for Ella Hunt (a local teen with spinal muscular atrophy).

Boynton originally came to Bethel to coach in 2015, while he was also worship director at Grace Church. In 2022, a position in sport management opened up, which led him to where he is today.

Working hard and helping others comes second-nature to Boynton, who has lived with Cerebral Palsy his entire life, but hasn’t let it hold him back. He credits his success, in part, to his parents, who treated him normally and encouraged him to pursue his passions, including football, baseball and basketball.

“I grew up with the mentality to always push myself and strive to be my best. My Cerebral Palsy is mild but all the muscles on the right side of my body are weaker,” he explains. “I’m right-handed, was a pitcher and use my right leg to drive. I always felt like I had to work twice as hard just to be an average athlete.”

Despite his challenges, Boynton pitched on scholarship for Cedarville University, a D2 baseball program, and thought he would pursue sports marketing. However, after college, a position opened up to coach at Cedarville and he knew that’s where he belonged.

“Once I started coaching, I realized I really loved it. As I’ve become older, I’ve realized the impact a coach has on players. I think that’s why I like teaching too. I really came full circle.”

One of Boynton’s favorite things about Bethel is that it’s evangelical – students must live by the lifestyle covenant but they don’t have to sign a statement of faith to come here. That opens up opportunities to share the Gospel and disciple students.

“I was a part of seeing one of my players accept Christ in the locker room. I never got to experience that [before Bethel]. That’s one thing that stands out most to me.”

In the classroom, Boynton is thankful he can openly share about his faith and finds it’s something that helps him connect with his students. Outside of the classroom, he also helps lead worship at St. Mark Missionary Church. He and his wife, Faith, have been married since 2008 and have three children: Parker (16), Aubrie (7) and Kylie (3).

“I love music. I love leading worship. I’ve been a worship leader since I graduated college. I’m a big supporter of being involved in church – being involved in ministry.”

Whether through teaching, coaching or leading worship, Boynton is pointing students toward Christ.

 

Faculty Feature: Kim Meyer, Ed.D.

Faculty Feature: Kim Meyer, Ed.D.

by | Oct 13, 2025

Kim Meyer, Ed.D., associate professor of education and licensing advisor, is living her dream of teaching and equipping others to serve in the classroom. She has a heart for special education and meeting the needs of diverse learners. In fact, meeting the needs of the diverse learner was the focus of her doctoral dissertation. She came to Bethel after having served in the K-12 classroom for 13 years, first as a student teacher director and adjunct professor, and then as a full-time professor in 2021.

“I have a passion for creating belonging and understanding for different culture groups, different learner groups – even on our campus. I serve on the ILE (Intercultural Learning and Engagement) Council. Those two [passions] dovetail well together. I use my voice to help others feel loved and seen and understood. I love being able to do that through the power of the classroom and equip teachers for that.”

From a young age, Meyer felt called to teach. But it was her 7th grade teacher who really came alongside her and encouraged her throughout high school to pursue higher education. As a first-generation college student, Meyer appreciates supporting and connecting with students who are on this journey as well.

“I knew early on that I was going to be a teacher. School was my favorite thing and it just felt natural to me. That was my calling. Later I would also see the handiwork of God’s design in my own creative being as God would prepare me for this vocation,” she says.

Like the inspiring educator in her life, Meyer aims to impact students in a similar way. She is currently pursuing CALP (Certified Academic Language Practitioner) certification herself – a new, unique offering for Bethel education graduates. As part of that coursework, she is tutoring elementary students in literacy, which she says has been a joy to learn and work through.

At Bethel, she teaches math and reading methods, diversity in the classroom and special education, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, among other courses. She loves walking alongside students and mentoring them – whether in their studies or in their faith.

Outside of the classroom, Meyer enjoys time at home and anywhere outdoors with her family – which includes her husband, three daughters (one of whom is a sophomore ASL major at Bethel) and three-legged dog, Buster.

“One of my sweetest blessings is having my own daughter on campus right now. A special memory is being a parent, standing around the pond and praying that blessing over her when she started as a freshman,” she says.

Faculty Feature: Dr. David Stauffer

Faculty Feature: Dr. David Stauffer

by | Sep 22, 2025

David Stauffer, Ed.D., associate professor of marketing at Bethel University, brings a rich background of experience in business and ministry to the classroom. He started his career at PepsiCo, working for the Pizza Hut division, and was promoted seven times in 15 years to eventually serve as a management executive for the Midwest and southern regions. He also spent time as a business manager for a private Christian school, a director of operations, a leadership and management trainer and a pastor for 25 years, currently at Journey Church in Plymouth, Ind. But he says one of his favorite roles has been teaching.

“For me, it’s the students. My goal is literally to educate, equip and empower students to reach their God-given potential in their chosen career,” he says.

Stauffer first began teaching at Bethel in an adjunct role in 2004 and became full-time in 2021, after teaching for six years at another college. Over the years, he has taught business, marketing, and theology classes for traditional, adult and graduate programs. He’s also spent time mentoring students – something he’s passionate about since mentors have made such an impact in his own life and career.

“When I was in business there were two or three very instrumental mentors in my life. From a leadership perspective – Dr. Mike Cramer’s influence [at New Life Church in Osceola, Ind.] is what got me started in ministry,” says Stauffer.

Outside the classroom, he enjoys spending time with his wife in “the Babe” – his 1981 black Corvette she gifted him for a milestone birthday. He also enjoys time with his three children and four grandchildren, and driving up to Redamak’s in New Buffalo, Mich. And if you see him in a coffee shop, you will find him ordering English Breakfast tea, a nod to his British grandparents.

Each year, he looks forward to the opportunity to influence the next class of Bethel business students to pursue business for the glory of God and the good of society (Col. 3:23).

“My favorite part of teaching at Bethel is the students – nothing else is even close,” he says.

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