Bethel College inaugurates Luther alum as its new president‏

When Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, inaugurates its 14th president on Sunday, the event will have a distinctly Luther College flavor.

Incoming president Perry D. White holds a music education degree from Luther.  So on Sunday, White will turn to longtime Luther College choral conductor Weston Noble for help at the inauguration ceremonies.  Noble will speak during the inauguration ceremonies.

"Dalene and I are so pleased that Weston will be able to join us for this inauguration," White said. "He has been a very influential figure in my life, as a mentor and a friend. He is a true treasure of Luther College, Luther College alumni and choral musicians all around the world."

Noble had a 57-year tenure as a conductor and teacher at Luther College.  He was guest director for more than 900 All-State bands, orchestras and choirs and for festivals across four continents.  In 1994, the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association established the Weston H. Noble Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Choral Art with Noble as the first to be honored by the award.

White earned a master of music in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a doctor of musical arts in choral conducting from the University of Oklahoma.