MCKENZIE, TN – Vice President Cindy Mallard announces Sandy Louden as the new Dean of Student Development, College of Arts and Sciences
Upon the recent retirement of Dean James Stewart, Bethel initiated a search for a new College of Arts and Sciences Dean of Student Development on the McKenzie campus.
Dean Louden received her Bachelor of Science degree from Murray State University and a Master of Arts in Education from Bethel College. She began working at Bethel in1992 as part of a grant from the Department of Education Trio Program and went on to become Director of College Orientation Experience with faculty status. Dean Louden actually designed and implemented the College Orientation Experience course for incoming freshman to assist with the transition into college, in addition to, Career Orientation Experience for seniors preparing for the workforce. She went on to be Assistant Dean of Freshman year while also working in the areas of tutoring, career placement, and academic advising.
Vice President Mallard stated, “I am excited to announce our new Dean of Student Development, Mrs. Sandy Louden. Dean Louden has been with Bethel for 29 years and during that time, she has worked closely with all of our departments in Student Life as well as with Academics. She brings to the position an awareness of policy and procedure but more than that, Dean Louden supports the mission of Bethel University. It is evident that she has a passion for Bethel, and I know that she is committed to helping our students become whole persons.”
Dean Louden commented, “I have been blessed and humbled to have worked with so many awesome students and colleagues throughout my 29 years at Bethel University. I have always had an overwhelming pride in being a part of the Bethel family, and it has been a huge part of my life. I love Bethel, and I believe in Bethel and its mission statement. The students are my passion, and I love to watch them succeed and become the whole person they are created to be. Further, my number one goal in life is to serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to the best of my ability and make sure He is first in all that I do.”
Dean Louden is married to Bethel Archery Coach Kenny Louden who is also the pastor at McRae’s Chapel Outdoorsmen Baptist Church in Big Sandy, TN. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law, Sam and Kayla Watson and Hunter Louden. All three are graduates of Bethel. The Loudens have two grandsons, Cooper and Creek. In addition to her work at Bethel, Dean Louden is the Associational Director for the TN Baptist Women’s Missionary Union and Site Coordinator for the Christian Women’s Job Corp.