Hesston College announces the following faculty and staff appointments for the 2015-16 year:

Russell Adrian, music faculty and Bel Canto Singers conductor holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.), a master of music degree in choral conducting from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) and a doctor of musical arts degree in conducting from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis).

Russ Gaeddert, Student Success faculty, will lead a task force in organizing a new interdisciplinary leadership program. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College (North Newton) and a master of education degree from Wichita (Kan.) State University. Gaeddert helped create Hesston’s Disaster Management Program and served as director from 2005 to 2015.

Elizabeth Hess, director of Marketing and Communications, holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the University of Cincinnati (Ohio).

Rachel Jantzi, theatre faculty, holds a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in dramatic arts from Emporia (Kan.) State University and a master’s degree in theatre from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater). Jantzi has taught communications courses at Hesston since 2010, and has also been involved in college theatre productions as an actor, choreographer, sound and costume designed and director.

Cleo Koop, Disaster Management Program director, holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible and religion from Bethel College (North Newton) and a master of divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.).

Joel Krehbiel, physics and physical science faculty, holds a bachelor’s degree in math and physics from Bethel College (North Newton) and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in mechanical sciences and engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Meg Leatherman, Admissions visit coordinator is a graduate of Hesston College and earned a bachelor’s degree from Bluffton (Ohio) University.

Peter Lehman, visiting English faculty, holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.), a master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University (State College) and is a Ph.D. candidate in American studies at Penn State.

Lindsey Mason, development officer, holds a bachelor’s degree from Goshen (Ind.) College.

Kyle Miller Hesed, biology faculty, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas (Lawrence) and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Maryland (College Park).

Saralyn Murray, American Sign Language interpreter, holds a bachelor’s degree in ASL from Goshen College.

Rob Ramseyer, vice president of Student Development, holds a bachelor’s degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, Kan.), a master’s degree from the University of Kansas and is completing a doctor of education degree in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.). Ramseyer served as head baseball coach from 2011 to 2015 and as interim Dean of Students during the 2014-15 year.

Terena Ronan, Food Service staff.

Kaitlin Schmidt, horticulturist and grounds manager at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, earned a bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from Bethel College (North Newton).

Kathleen Schroeder, art faculty, holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College (North Newton) and a master’s degree from Wichita State University.

Kendal Slabach, flight instructor intern, is a graduate of Hesston College.

Michael Smalley, admissions counselor, is a graduate of Hesston College and holds a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University.

Courtney Spitz, assistant baseball coach, holds a bachelor’s degree from Drury University (Springfield, Mo.).

Karla Stauffer, nursing faculty, holds a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Bethel College (North Newton) and is completing a master’s in nursing leadership and administration from Wichita State University. She is also a Critical Care Registered Nurse.

Kate Swartley, Spanish faculty, is a Hesston College graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College and a master’s degree from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University.

Madison Wiles, Women’s Soccer goalkeeper coach, holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College (North Newton), where she played soccer for the Threshers.

Juli Winter, director of Campus Life, is a Hesston College graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bethel College (North Newton) and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah (Salt Lake City).

Mike Zucconi, director of Development, holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and history from Eastern Mennonite University and a master’s of education degree in sports administration from Wichita State University.