Student Life Staff
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 and create spirited connections.
Dr. Shawn Holtgren – Vice President for Student Development
For over seventeen 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: John Kaehr
John graduated from Bethel College in 2001 with a degree in Christian Ministries and returns to Bethel as a Resident Director after 10 years in pastoral ministry. His passion is to see college students grow in knowing Christ, while walking with them on this great journey. John is married to his lovely wife Melissa and they have a beautiful one year old daughter Hannah who will be enjoying Resident Life with them. John likes the outdoors, Ultimate Frisbee and anything caffeinated. He would love to share a cup of coffee with you and get to know more about what God is doing in your life. Contact John
Resident Director: Travis Beam
A Kansas native, Travis begins his seventh 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 seven years. Contact Travis
Resident Director: Reed Lyons
In 2010, Reed graduated from Bethel College with a degree in Communication. Originally from Carol Stream, IL, Reed couldn't stay away from the Bethel Community and returned as a Resident Director and Student Activities Director in 2012. He has previously worked as an Athletic Director with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County, in Fresno, CA, and as a middle school teacher with the Mishawaka Crossing Educational Center. He enjoys collecting hobbies and loves to learn new things. He is athletic, intellectual, and handsome, or at least his wife, Jess, thinks so. Reed is pumped to lead alongside the guys of Founders as they grow in their relationship with Christ and learn what it means to be a man of God. Contact Reed
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 the Lodge. Contact Sara
Resident Director: Katie Neilson
Katie graduated from Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida in 2007 with a degree in Church Ministries. After completing her Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership in 2009, she moved home to her family in Millersburg, Indiana. While at Southeastern, she worked in Student Life, coordinating and developing the Department of Spiritual Formation. The past few years, she has served at Voice Ministries in Elkhart as the Director of Events and Development. She also enjoys working at Penn High School in the colorguard program, watching Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and Do-It-Yourself projects.Contact Katie
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
