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Bethel Welcomes New Professors in STEM

Sean McGuinness, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics, brings a dynamic blend of research, teaching and national service experience. to Bethel. Most recently a professor at Ivy Tech Community College, McGuinness also spent three years with the National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) after earning his Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics from the University of Notre Dame, where his research focused on medical applications of low-energy nuclear physics.

Cody A. Ruiz, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, brings a strong interdisciplinary background in molecular biology and anthropology to the classroom. He most recently taught genetics and general biology as an adjunct professor at Bethel and has served as a research assistant in the Molecular Anthropology Lab at Kent State University since 2015. He earned his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology at Kent State, an M.A. in Biological Anthropology from Kent State and a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame.

Heather Hostetler, CNM, joins Bethel University as an assistant professor of nursing, bringing over two decades of experience in nursing, women’s health and maternity care. A certified nurse midwife since 2014, she has served with Beacon Medical Group OB/GYN. Hostetler is also a proud Bethel alumna, having earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2002 before completing her Master of Science in Nursing, with a focus in Nurse Midwifery, at Frontier Nursing University in 2014.

Bethel Welcomes New Athletic Director

Jason Lewkowicz, was named Athletic Director for the Bethel Pilots, beginning his tenure July 1, 2025. Lewkowicz brings a wealth of experience to the role and has an extensive background in Christian higher education, most recently at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina. He follows former Athletic Director Tony Natali, who retired in May 2025 after 26 years of service to Bethel. Read more at BethelUniversity.edu/Lewkowicz.

Bethel Welcomes New Vice Presidents

Adam Banter, MBA, was named Vice President for Finance & Operations and CFO at Bethel University, and began his tenure August 25, 2025. Banter is a strategic and mission-driven leader with 20+ years of experience in banking, finance, operations, higher education, real estate and business ownership. He is committed to Christ-centered service, institutional growth and the responsible stewardship of resources in support of academic and student success. Read his full release at BethelUniversity.edu/Banter.

Joel K. Johnson, Ph.D., was named Vice President for University Advancement and began his tenure September 8, 2025. Johnson is a mission-driven advancement executive with 21 years of experience in Christian higher education, specializing in major gifts, donor engagement and strategic campaign leadership. He most recently served as Director of Advancement at the Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Fla. Read the full release at BethelUniversity.edu/Johnson.

Bethel Welcomes New Admission Leadership

James Savannah ’24, ’25, is a two-time Bethel graduate, receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bethel. He began as director of admission February 23, 2026. Savannah comes to Bethel with a distinctive background in university admissions, organizational leadership, financial services and community-focused media. He most recently served as a high-performing admission counselor at Trine University in Angola, Ind., where he oversaw a geographic territory, managing inquiries, developing partnerships and guiding prospective students from initial contact through enrollment.

Bethel Awarded NetVUE Grant for Faculty/Staff Development

Bethel University has been awarded a professional development grant through NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education), a program run by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). This $24,890 grant will go toward faculty and staff professional development, providing opportunities for collaboration, resources and trainings, an extended faculty retreat and more. This is a one-year grant that will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026

Estepp Publishes Article in Athletic Journal

Mary Estepp, assistant professor of kinesiology, contributed to an article published in the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics. The article, “NCAA DI athletic trainers’ perception and use of psychological techniques during sport injury rehabilitation,” was a finalist for the Most Outstanding Article Award with the journal.

Retirements

Patti Fisher, retired in October 2025 after serving for nearly 13 years as senior director of information technology.

April Hart, associate professor of nursing, will retire after 24 years of preparing the next generation of nurses at Bethel.

Profé Nan Hussey, Ph.D., associate professor of Spanish and German, will retire after 15 years of service.

Terry Linhart, Ph.D., associate vice president for adult, graduate & extension studies, will retire from higher education at the end of the academic year, after 27 years of dedicated service to Bethel.

Norm Spivey, Ph.D., professor of psychology, will retire after dedicating 38 years of service to Bethel.

Miriam Wertz, retired in December 2025 after 22 years of service dedicated to Bethel, most recently as executive assistant to the president