Residence Life
As Bethel’s Student and Residential Life team, we’re here because we believe in the Bethel experience. We strive to create a challenging, supportive growth environment for every Bethel student, and we are convinced that living on campus is a great way for students to experience this. The Residence Halls are essential for developing community life in all its guts and glory – whether that means late night study sessions, movie parties, or Wal-Mart runs; praying with a hurting friend at 2am; gearing up in Bethel blue and heading to the game en masse; or confronting roommates who (still) haven’t learned to clean up after themselves. Residential life on Bethel’s campus is packed with memorable, relational, character-building experiences, and we are excited to invite students into this vibrant community.
Dr. Shawn Holtgren – Vice President for Student Development
For over sixteen years, Shawn Holtgren has worked in the area of Student Development at Bethel College. Besides serving as Vice President for Student Development, Shawn also serves as chapel coordinator and worship leader. A licensed minister in the Missionary Church, Shawn is Pastor of Worship Arts at St. Mark Missionary Church. A 1995 graduate of Bethel (Christian Ministries), he went on to complete his Master of Ministries degree at Bethel and his Ph.D. in Educational Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Shawn is married to Katie and has three children, Autumn, Nathan and Victoria. If you have questions regarding student life, spiritual life, mentoring, or chapel, please feel free to Contact Shawn
Director of Student Life: Julie Beam
Julie has served in student development at Bethel College for a number of years, first as a resident director and director of service learning and currently as director of student life. She received her B.A. in Biology from Tabor College, and her Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University. Julie and her husband Travis enjoy interacting with students and helping them discover God’s calling for their lives. Contact Julie
Assistant Director for Student Development: Bill Bemis
Raised in Milwaukee, WI, Bill Bemis has been the Resident Director of Oakwood-Slater Hall since 2001, after working in Campus Safety for one year. Prior to Bethel, Bill was the owner of WBA Architects in Las Vegas, Nev., for 19 years. Bill and his wife Carol were married in 1971. A graduate of University of Notre Dame (1972), Bill has two grown children (both Bethel grads) and six grandchildren. Contact Bill
Resident Director: Bob Morton
From the great state of Texas, Bobby Morton is in his fourth year as a Resident Director for Brenneman and Ramseyer Halls. Initially brought to Indiana for school, Bobby is a 2006 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. His “off-the-job” activities include pursuing his Master’s degree in Ministry, playing fellow students and staff members in any sport possible, and keeping up with the Fighting Irish football program. Bobby helps lead worship for Hope Rescue Mission’s weekly chapel and enjoys errand-filled Saturdays with his wife, Heather. Contact Bobby
Resident Director: Travis Beam
A Kansas native, Travis begins his sixth year as a Resident Director and Intramural Sports Director. Prior to working for Bethel, Travis worked as a middle school history teacher in Wichita, KS. Travis holds a Bachelor's degree in History from Tabor College and a Master's in Ministry Leadership from Crown College and he is now proud to say he's a Bethel alum completing his Master's of Theological Studies in 2010. Travis enjoys strategy board games, hunting, competing in intramural sports, noon hoops, and supporting his Kansas Jayhawks. If Travis was compared to a TV character(s) his would clearly be a combination of Jack Bauer & MacGyver. Travis is married to his wife Julie of six years. Contact Travis
Resident Director: Alex Gonzalez
Alex Gonzalez returned to Bethel College in 2007 as a Resident Director and Coordinator of Multi-Ethnic Services. After graduating from Bethel with a degree in Studio art, Alex worked for Covenant Christian School teaching Art & Spanish for 3 years. Alex was born in Puerto Rico and later moved to Chicago with his family. His passions center around Christ, family and friends, artwork, and playing the drums. Alex is also an avid fisherman, a Chicago Bears fan, and he loves to play all kinds of sports. He is an active participant of Redeemer Missionary Church. He and his wife, Lori, have a daughter, Lilly. Contact Alex
Resident Director: Josh Hartsell
Josh graduated from Bethel College in 2008 with a degree in Christian Ministry. He has been a part of Bethel Student Life since and currently serves as the Resident Director in Oakwood-Slater Hall. He loves to travel and experience new cultures, and he enjoys watching other people get their first taste of traveling. The time Josh has spent among college freshmen has taught him how transformative the first year in college can be. He keeps coming back to Oakwood-Slater because he sees the impact community living has on the guys' spiritual and social growth, and because God has given him a heart for building relationships and gifted him to disciple and mentor those around him. Contact Josh
Resident Director: Janelle Crotser
Janelle Crotser returns to Bethel after graduating in 2007 with an International Studies degree. Originally from Bay City, Michigan, Janelle loves music, playing the guitar, being outdoors, playing sports and attending sporting events, and traveling to different countries. She is excited to meet students wherever they are in their journeys with God, and to help them understand more of who He is. Contact Janelle
Resident Director: Sara Loucy-Swartz
Sara Loucy-Swartz grew up in upstate New York and is an alumni of Baptist Bible College. The Lord opened the door for her and her husband Jimi to come to Bethel College in 2007, and she currently serves as a Resident Director for Eastwood, Egle, and Lambert Halls, as well as the Director of Student Activities. Contact Sara
Resident Director: Melody Rensberger
Melody joined the Bethel Residence Staff in 2010 as the Resident Director for the Lodge and Assistant Spiritual Life Director. After living with her family in South Africa for nine years, Melody graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2007 with a degree in Adolescent Ministries. Other life experiences include planning retreats for a camping organization, serving as a nanny, and working for a ballet school. Melody loves to kayak, hike, travel, read, meet new people, and spend time with her husband, Jared. Contact Melody
Resident Director: Lindsey Weber
Lindsey Weber graduated from Bethel College in 2002 and returned to serve as a Resident Director in 2008. On the road to discovering where God might plant her long-term, she spent time as a caregiver, bookstore employee, nanny, and cheerleading coach; took more classes at Bethel; completed a Master’s degree in Youth & Family Ministries at Denver Seminary; and prayerfully contemplated several dozen other things. Lindsey is passionate about helping women discover their identity, value, and purpose in Jesus Christ and is grateful for the opportunities Bethel provides her to do just that. Lindsey enjoys reading, journaling, exercising her creativity, and spending time in God’s creation. Her “someday list” includes writing a novel (or several) and adding more countries to her passport (especially Italy, Israel and New Zealand). Contact Lindsey
