News Release

MISHAWAKA — Bethel University will inaugurate Barbara K. Bellefeuille, Ed.D., as its eighth president at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center auditorium on Bethel’s campus.

Barbara K. Bellefeuille

Bob Laurent, former Bethel University professor, and current teaching pastor at Granger Community Church, will speak. Luminos, an a capella group started by Bethel University alumni, will perform. This event is free and open to the public.

A celebratory lunch, by invitation only, for delegates and special guests, will take place following the inauguration, in the Dining Commons, with a guest musician.

A reception for Bethel faculty, staff and students will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, in the Everest-Rohrer Rotunda.

Bellefeuille was officially named the eighth president of Bethel University on March 9, after serving as interim president of the university for nine months. She is the first female to serve in the university’s highest leadership role.

Bellefeuille first came to Bethel University in 2012, spending almost nine years as vice president for Academic Services, before becoming interim president June 1, 2021.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the inauguration of our eighth president, and first female president, Dr. Barb Bellefeuille. The Bethel University Board of Trustees and Inauguration Committee has been excited not only about who our president is and the skills she brings, but the opportunity to highlight the 75-year impact of Bethel University through its alumni, staff and faculty. All are welcome and invited to celebrate God’s faithfulness to our university and our president at the inauguration,” says Brent Lavigne, vice president for institutional advancement and chair of the inauguration committee.

For more information, visit our website at BethelUniversity.edu/Inauguration