Four of your Bethel University professors list their summer memories, childhood dreams and favorite Royal Grounds drinks.

By Molly Wilson | News Editor

Walking into your first college class can be intimidating, but knowing your professors can help ease some nerves. Ever wonder how they take their coffee or what they wanted to be as an eight year old? Some of them teach QWILT or Humanities – a series of courses fulfilling the general education requirement. Some of these professors teach the first-year classes for the most popular majors at Bethel from nursing to business to biokinetics. Or they teach classes with tags (the letter behind the number on some classes) that you will probably take this year. But more than anything, they are excited to meet you. No need to be scared (Trust me, I know, I was you once). Meet them here and learn some Bethel lingo along the way. Find the professors in your major and the ones teaching your classes this year. 

Patricia Kelly | Music

Intro to Creative Arts and Orchestra

Favorite summer memory: Traveled to the island of Haida Gwaii

Favorite Bethel tradition: Festival of Christmas — of course!

Freshman memory: Learning to play the viola da gamba, then traveling to Italy to perform.

What they wanted to be as an 8-year-old: Professional baton twirler with a marching band 

Christine Osgood | Wellbeing

Introduction to Wellbeing

Favorite summer memory: Got an OONI pizza oven and started a tradition of “Friday pizza nights”

Favorite Bethel tradition: Welcome Week move-in day always chokes me up.

Favorite place to be alone: Trees up by Sem hill

Teaching essential: At least one cup of coffee has to be ingested prior to class time

Heather Bren | Art and Design

Introduction to Creative Arts and Clay Forms

Favorite RG drink: Vanilla latte with an extra shot of espresso

Favorite Bethel tradition: Raspberry Monday — the annual art department scholarship show

Teaching essential: My Fanny pack around my waist! Try to catch me without a Fanny pack! I have at least 15 of them — one for every occasion!

Jessica Samens | Communication Studies

Inquiry Seminar, Health Communication and Public Speaking

Favorite place to be alone: Hiking — my goal is to hike 2022 miles this year!

Freshman memory: Meeting my best friends — taking classes with them and later becoming roommates

Teaching essential: My two favorite pens are the brand Muji and the free pen you get when you stay at a Fairfield hotel.

[Editor’s note: Some answers have been edited for grammatical errors and clarity.]