BETHANY, W.Va. (Aug. 29, 2025) – Bethany College is pleased to announce that Professor of History Emeritus Dr. Gary Kappel, Class of 1974, will return to campus as the featured speaker for the 2025 Fall Convocation. A professor, historian, and longtime campus leader, Kappel’s address, “Yes, It Is All About You,” will welcome the newest generation of Bison while honoring Bethany’s tradition of liberal arts education.
Kappel holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Bethany, summa cum laude, and earned his MA and Ph.D. from West Virginia University. He returned to Bethany in 1983 to assist with technical theatre and went on to serve the College for more than three decades as professor of history, the Perry E. and Aleece C. Gresham chair in liberal arts, and a pillar of academic leadership.
Throughout his career, Kappel taught a wide range of courses in European and military history, history of ideas, and Bethany’s own institutional history. He championed experiential learning through study abroad programs in the United Kingdom, Vietnam, West Africa, and beyond. His administrative contributions included two terms as interim dean of the faculty and leadership of multiple institutional accreditation efforts.
Known for his wit and strong devotion to his students, Kappel continues to reside in Bethany with his wife, Stephanie, Class of 1995.
Fall Convocation will be held on Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. A livestream will be available on Facebook Live during the event, with a recording accessible afterward. The event marks the beginning of the academic year and celebrates the intellectual tradition and community that define the Bethany experience.
Info
Visit
Apply
Deposit