$20 million gift from Barb and Rollie Anderson enables university’s expansion into faith-centered, interdisciplinary health sciences education

Bethel University’s bold reimagining of healthcare education is taking shape with the official launch of the Anderson Family College of Health Sciences, made possible by a record-setting $20 million donation from Barb and Rollie Anderson and their family.

The transformative gift—the largest in the university’s history—has become a cornerstone of Bethel’s strategic expansion into faith-centered, interdisciplinary health sciences education.

As of this month, the Anderson Family College is fully operational and integrating all of Bethel’s healthcare-related programs under one unified academic structure. Encompassing disciplines such as nursing, applied health sciences, public and community health, counseling, social work, medical sciences, nurse-midwifery, and physician assistant studies, the college is emerging as a leading hub for healthcare training grounded in Christian values.

In July 2025, Bethel launched a new Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology—the latest addition to its expanding healthcare curriculum. The program is designed to meet the growing demand for speech-language pathologists in schools, clinics, and hospitals and reflects the university’s broader commitment to addressing critical regional workforce shortages.

Appointed in April 2025, Dr. Matthew Vraa now serves as the college’s inaugural dean. A seasoned healthcare educator and physical therapist, Dr. Vraa brings expertise in academic leadership and accreditation, spearheading new program development and expansion initiatives.

The Anderson family’s donation is also making a tangible impact on affordability. Bethel has significantly reduced undergraduate tuition—from $44,050 to $25,990 for the 2025–26 academic year—and is funding new clinical training spaces and student scholarships to increase access for aspiring healthcare professionals.

“This gift is more than financial—it’s visionary,” said President Ross Allen. “The Andersons’ generosity is helping Bethel prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders who will serve with both competence and compassion.”

The college’s launch is part of a broader institutional transformation, with Bethel restructuring into four new academic schools and aiming to raise $40 million to support long-term excellence in health sciences education. The Anderson family, whose multigenerational ties to Bethel include numerous alumni and deep roots in healthcare and philanthropy, sees the gift as a way to invest in both students and the health of communities across the Midwest.

As the Anderson Family College of Health Sciences continues to attract students, faculty, and strategic healthcare partners, Bethel is positioning itself as a premier center for faith-based healthcare education in Minnesota and beyond.