Figuring out how to finance college education can be one of the most stressful aspects of a student’s college experience. So, it can mean a lot to have the experience and caring touch of someone like Elynda Bedney to help guide the way. Bedney has helped Andrews University students manage their accounts and figure out how to pay for college for the past 18 years. When Andrews needed a new Student Financial Services director, Bedney was just the one for the job.

Before coming to Andrews, Bedney was a student at Oakwood College, in Huntsville, Ala., where she graduated with a B.S. in business administration. After spending three years as an administrative assistant at Pine Forge Academy in Pine Forge, Penn., Bedney came to Andrews to join the staff as Student Accounts manager in 1987. In 1989, Bedney took the position of associate director of Student Accounts. Following the merger of Student Accounts and Student Financial Aid, Bedney became associate director of Student Financial Services, a position she held until July 2005 when she was appointed director of Student Financial Services.

Amid the busy life of a Student Financial Services full-time staff member, Bedney was able to complete a M.S. in administration with an emphasis in management from Andrews. In 2005, Bedney received the Employee of the Year award, evidence of her years of leadership, hard work, service, and dedication to the students of Andrews.

“I am excited about the challenge of helping Andrews' students access all available financial resources to help them obtain a Christian education,” Bedney notes.

Beverly Stout, University Relations correspondent