Bethany College will honor six alumni and friends with Alumni Awards during Homecoming & Inauguration festivities on October 25, 2026, with a community and alumni brunch.
The awards will recognize leadership and service that have made a lasting impact on the College and its community. Among the recipients is Olivia (Fabrizius) Peterson ’13, who will receive the GOLD Alumni Award for recent-decade alumni leadership, including past service as president of the Bethany College Alumni Council and involvement in alumni engagement, athletic support, student mentoring, and advocacy. Warren Olson ‘72 is set to receive the Alumni Award of Merit, recognized for long-term support of the College, including organizing the annual Willie Cat Golf Tournament that supports scholarships for Bethany students.
Other honorees include Linda (Cox) Martin ‘67 with the Distinguished Graduate Award for advocacy tied to music, the arts, and campus cultural traditions, and Mark Lysell ’74, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of contributions that include support for students, campus traditions, and service in leadership roles benefiting both Bethany College and the Lindsborg community.
Bethany also announced an inaugural Jane Asche Award of Excellence for distinguished friends of the College who are not alumni, naming Derek Lee and Dr. Robert Vogel as inaugural recipients.