In the News

Bel Canto Singers to embark on spring tour, “Songs of Hope for a World in Need”

Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will travel across Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois in March for their 2026 spring tour, sharing a program titled “Songs of Hope for a World in Need.” The choir will present concerts from March 15 to 24, concluding with a home performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Hesston Mennonite Church in Hesston, Kansas.

Under the direction of Interim Music Director Greg Bontrager, the ensemble’s tour centers on music as a transformative force for justice, mercy and peace.

“Through the gift of singing together, we seek more than beautiful sound, we seek transformation,” Bontrager says. “When voices rise in unity, barriers soften and hearts open, creating space for deeper understanding and shared humanity.”

The program reflects themes of compassion and faith, offering what Bontrager describes as “an offering of hope,” reminding a weary world that compassion still lives and love still endures.

Students participating in the tour collectively expressed the belief that music is a joyful, restful and fun way to share peace, prayer and mercy, and they look forward to bringing this experience to every stop along the tour:

• Sunday, March 15 at 8:30 and 11 a.m., Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, 1552 S High St., Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Sunday, March 15 at 4 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Ave., Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m., Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, 333 Delp Rd, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m., Plains Mennonite Church, 50 W Orvilla Rd, Hatfield, Pennsylvania
• Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m., Salem Mennonite Church, 3363 Zuercher Rd, Dalton, Ohio
• Thursday, March, 19 at 7 p.m., East Goshen Mennonite Church, 2019 E Lincoln Ave, Goshen, Indiana
• Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m., Greencroft Goshen Community Center, 1320 Greencroft Blvd, Goshen, Indiana
• Sunday, March 22 at 9:30 a.m., Mennonite Church of Normal, 805 S Cottage Ave, Normal, Illinois
• Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 S Main St, Hesston, Kansas

Hesston College Theatre to present disco-rock musical “Xanadu”

Hesston College Theatre will bring sparkle, roller skates and chart-topping hits to the stage this spring with its production of “Xanadu.” Performances will take place at 7 p.m. March 5 to 7 and at 2 p.m. March 8 in Keim Center’s Black Box Theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $12 for adults and seniors, available at the door or in advance at hesston.edu/showtix or by calling 620-327-8104.

Directed by Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi, the high-energy musical plays a larger part in the overall message Jantzi wishes to convey throughout this year’s performances.

“I wanted to keep with the theme we had established with the fall play and Christmas show of fantastical stories and light-heartedness,” Jantzi says.

Set to the electrifying soundtrack of the 1980 cult film, the Broadway musical version of “Xanadu” by Douglas Carter Beane reimagines the story with sharper comedy, a streamlined story and additional characters. The show follows Greek muse Kira as she descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif., on a quest to inspire struggling artist Sonny Malone to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco.

“It took all the best stuff the movie offered – romance, roller skating and an incredible soundtrack, and ditched the poor special effects and loose storyline. He tightened it by introducing additional muses, which created clearer conflict, comedic relief, and he let the music really tell the story,” Jantzi explains. “After all, this movie soundtrack had five chart-busting hits in 1980 and all of them are in this show.”

Audiences can expect glittering costumes, infectious choreography and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor.

“This is a disco-rock musical,” Jantzi says. “Anyone born in the ’70s or earlier who knew this movie or music will experience some sweet nostalgia. Anyone born after the ’70s will either know it from their parents, or they will simply appreciate the comedy and the music that is still heard today. And really, how many shows can a director pull out a disco ball and a pegasus? Have I mentioned the awesome music?”

The cast features lead actors Anja Martinez of Topeka, Kan., and Angel Sinnett of McPherson, Kan., as Kira and Sonny Malone. Ashleigh Williams of Eaton, Co., portrays Calliope; Rey Tipton of Hesston, Kan., plays Melpomene; Evelyn Gaertner of Newton, Kan., is Erato; Sebastian Pavlovich of Lindsborg, Kan., appears as Thalia; Adam Wonser of Goessel, Kan., plays Terpsichore; and Chloe Robinson of Moore, Okla., portrays Euterpe. The cast also features Josh Fleming ’25, Hesston College flight instructor, as Danny McGuire; Cindy Smith of Park City, Kan., and Constance Feldt of Wichita, Kan., in multiple ensemble roles; and Brody Hutto of Bel Aire, Kan., appearing as Hermes.

The production team includes stage manager Alyssa Coonce, of Hutchinson, Kan.; assistant stage manager and dramaturg Brody Hutto of Bel Aire, Kan.; lead carpenter Sam Setiawan of Goshen, Ind.; co-costume designers Evelyn Gaertner of Newton, Kan., and Chloe Robinson of Moore, Okla.; hair and makeup designer Constance Feldt of Wichita, Kan.; and props chief Ava Huynh of Lam Dong, Vietnam.

Recommended for audiences of all ages, “Xanadu” promises an evening of laughter, nostalgia and unapologetic fun.

Becky Ruth - A legacy family story

For many families, Hesston College isn’t just a place — it’s part of the story that gets passed down.

One alum, Rebecca “Becky” Ruth Ac59, ’62, recently shared her family’s Hesston College legacy — a story that spans four generations and nearly a century. It’s a reminder of how deeply HC can become woven into a family’s life.

While Hesston College started out as a Mennonite school and drew primarily Mennonite students for decades, Becky’s family didn’t fit the mold. All four generations that attended HC were not Mennonite. In addition to Becky, her family story includes:

• Her parents, Robert “Bob” Ruth Ac29 and Cecile (Stratton) Ac33 Ruth
• Her sister, Mary Catherine Ruth Ac55
• Her daughters, Rachel (Regier) ’89 Short and Molly (Regier) ’91 Anderson
• And her granddaughter, Tess Anderson ’21

Growing up just steps from campus, Hesston College was part of everyday life for Becky’s family.

“Having grown up in Hesston on the corner of Main Street and Academy, HC was, for all these years, an integral part of my life,” she shares.

While some buildings from her time are gone or have changed, Becky’s memories are vivid and joyful. She remembers watching basketball games in Athletic Hall, attending lectures and concerts in Hess Memorial Hall, roller skating on campus sidewalks, attending open houses in the dorms, playing at the bird sanctuary and even sliding down the concrete ramp behind Hess Hall.

“I do remember when Hess Memorial Hall was completed and thinking that it was a rather ‘grand’ place,” she recalls.

But what mattered most wasn’t just the campus — it was the sense of belonging.

“Even though being non-Mennonite and living off campus, I always felt a part of the academic community,” Becky explains. “Good friendships were formed during my six years at HC, and I continue to this day to cherish good memories of class time and the wonderful teachers and professors who were an invaluable part of my education.”

That feeling — of being known, welcomed and shaped — is still at the heart of Hesston College today.

Melva Kauffman Lecture Series to explore “slow peace” with Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach March 25 and 26

Hesston College will host the annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series March 25 to 26, 2026, welcoming internationally recognized peace studies scholar and Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach for a three-part series titled “Slow Peace: Lessons from Grassroots Peacebuilders in Colombia.”

The 2026 lecture theme addresses a striking global reality: 2025 marked one of the most violent years since World War II, with the highest number of armed conflicts recorded in seven decades.* Dr. Lederach will draw on these global trends, alongside stories of courage and resilience from Colombia, to offer reflections on what she calls “slow peace,” a patient, community-rooted approach to building peace with justice in difficult contexts.

“Grassroots peacebuilders in Colombia have spent generations cultivating hope and sowing the seeds of peace amid ongoing violence,” says Dr. Lederach. “Through this lecture series, we will hear their stories, feel their pain. Their patient dedication to the everyday work of building peace with justice will give us critical insight into the possibilities for transforming our own cycles of violence and cultivating a more livable and just future.”

While the example may come from abroad, it’s a message that will hit home.

“Here in the U.S., we need to hear that peace truly works,” says Michele Hershberger, HC Bible professor and event coordinator. “True peace comes slowly and I believe it only comes through the help of the Spirit. And true peace always includes challenging the oppression in the system — it’s hard work — but it does work. What a gift of hope for us today and also what a great challenge.”

Churches, community members and campus guests are invited to attend any or all sessions. Congregations with regular Wednesday evening adult programming are encouraged to consider relocating their March 25 gatherings to the 7 p.m. lecture session, making it a shared learning experience for classes, small groups or entire church bodies.

All events are free and open to the public and will be held at Hesston Mennonite Church (HMC) at 309 S Main in Hesston, Kan., unless noted otherwise. The event schedule is as follows: 

Wednesday, March 25

11 to 11:30 a.m. — “Cultivating Abundant Life: Guardians of Hope in Times of Violence”
HMC sanctuary

7 to 8:30 p.m. — “Learning to Feel the Grass Grow: Building Slow Peace in Colombia”
HMC sanctuary
Reception to follow in the HMC community center

Thursday, March 26

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Lunch with Dr. Lederach, students and community
Hesston College’s Bontrager Student Center dining hall
(Meal at your own expense.)

7 to 8:30 p.m. — “Youth Provoking Peace: Intergenerational Coalitions for Resilient Futures”
HMC sanctuary

Dr. Lederach serves as assistant professor of peace studies at the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Services at Chapman University (Orange, Calif.). Her work centers on grassroots movements, restorative justice and the long-term, relational practices that shape sustainable peace. Her research includes more than a decade of collaboration with communities in Colombia who continue to navigate the aftermath of more than fifty years of armed conflict.

Founded in memory of longtime Hesston College faculty member Melva Kauffman, the annual lecture series invites speakers who engage faith, scholarship and justice in ways that challenge and inspire the community. Dr. Lederach’s work reflects Kauffman’s commitment to thoughtful inquiry, meaningful dialogue and the pursuit of peace rooted in lived experience. For more information about the Melva Kauffman Lecture Series, contact Michele Hershberger. 

*Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program

Dr. Angela Lederach ʼ04, is a Hesston College alum and currently serves as the assistant professor of  peace studies at the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Services at Chapman University.

Winter Community Day to feature free basketball, activities and family-friendly fun

Hesston College invites friends, alumni, families and neighbors to campus for Winter Community Day on Saturday, February 14, where they can share their love for the Larks with a full day of free basketball and family fun activities in Yost Center.

Community Day is designed to celebrate Lark athletics while creating a welcoming space for the broader Hesston community to gather, connect and enjoy game-day traditions. In addition to a full day of basketball, it will feature performances by the Lark dance team, halftime activities, prize giveaways, free haircuts and free rally towels for the first 100 fans. HC President Mark Landes will even get involved in halftime competitions, going head-to-head against HC students, area youth and even his wife, Dee Dee Landes.

The day begins at 11 a.m. with women’s junior varsity basketball against Bethany College, followed by the women’s varsity matchup against Arkansas Baptist College at 1 p.m. The afternoon concludes with the men’s varsity basketball game against Arkansas Baptist College at 3 p.m. All games will be played in Yost Center and admission is free.

Fans are also encouraged to take advantage of added Community Day touches like free haircuts provided by Christy (Berkey) ’03 Pickerill of CC’s Family Hair and burgers available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to support HC’s Grill Club and flag football team. A partnership between Lincoln Perk and Sage & Juliette Coffee Co. is also bringing a coffee truck on-site for those who may need a mid-day pick-me-up.

Whether cheering on the Larks, enjoying lunch or taking advantage of the day’s activities, attendees are encouraged to come take part in the Hesston College experience. Stay up-to-date on the day’s activities by visiting hesston.edu/communityday.

Now accepting submissions for Hesston College’s playwriting festival

A blank page. A bold idea. Ten minutes on stage. Hesston College Theatre is once again inviting south central Kansas playwrights to turn their stories into live performance through the return of the “Pen to Paper to Performance” playwriting festival. Open to first-time and experienced writers, the festival celebrates original voices and the creative process from script to stage.

The theatre department will accept submissions for the 10-minute play festival through March 8 and notify eight selected playwrights March 15, with their works produced as part of the final showcase event on May 1 and 2. Playwrights whose scripts are selected will receive a percentage of box office earnings.

Founded in 2017 by Hesston College Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi, “Pen to Paper to Performance,” often called P3, was designed to create meaningful connections between local playwrights, student performers and audiences. Performed by Hesston College theatre students, the festival provides a unique opportunity for new and familiar voices to be heard and shared through live theatre.

“Over the years, audiences and playwrights kept asking when P3 would return, and that’s been really encouraging,” Jantzi says. “It’s clear this is something people value, and I’m excited to continue building it as an every-other-year experience.”

One element that sets this festival apart is the post-show talkback session following each performance.

“During the talkback, playwrights have the chance to share their creative process and reflect on what it’s like to watch their words come to life on stage,” Jantzi explains. “It gives audiences insight they don’t usually get with other performances, and it deepens the connection between the writers, performers and audience.”

Past festivals have featured a wide range of styles and subjects, including nonfiction pieces rooted in personal or historical events, fictional works exploring social issues, fables and folktales and lighthearted comedies and dramas. Jantzi encourages writers of all ages and experience levels to submit a script on a topic that matters to them.

“Don’t let a lack of experience or age hold you back,” Jantzi says. “Read a play to get a sense of formatting, then start writing. Everyone has a story to tell, and this is a great place to begin sharing it.”

10-Minute Play Festival submission criteria

Scripts are accepted until March 8. Eight selected submissions will be produced in the final showcase event, “Pen to Paper to Performance,” May 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. in Keim Center Black Box Theater on the Hesston College campus. Winning submissions will be notified March 15 and will receive a percentage of the box office earnings. Rehearsals for the chosen shows will begin the following week.

Submission rules:

• No more than two plays per playwright.
• Scripts should fall between eight and 12 pages and run roughly 10 minutes.
• Suggested number of characters is three to five.
• Location and setting expectations should be minimal for the sake of logistics.
• No musicals.
• Original work only; no previously produced work.
• Submissions will be acknowledged via email, but no critiques will be offered.
• Please staple hard copies of scripts. Please no binders, covers or folders.
• Director reserves the right to edit for the sake of time or logistics in collaboration with the playwright.
• Work from outside of Kansas will not be considered.

How to submit:
Please submit both a hard copy and an emailed copy. Hard copies will not be returned. Plays should include a cover page with the following information:

• Play title
• Playwright’s name
• Playwright’s phone number
• Playwright’s email address

Deliver or mail submissions to:
Hesston College
c/o Rachel Jantzi, Keim Center
PO Box 3000
Hesston, KS 67062

Email an identical copy to rachelj@hesston.edu with “10-minute play” in the subject line.

Hesston College honored MLK Day through community service projects

In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day last week, Hesston College students, faculty and staff dedicated themselves to serving the local community by participating in more than a dozen service projects throughout Hesston and Newton.

Students and employees partnered with local organizations, nonprofits and community members to complete a wide range of projects focused on meeting practical needs and strengthening community connections. Projects included making hygiene kits for Mennonite Central Committee, assisting STEAMwSeniors at Hesston Area Senior Center, outdoor work at Camp David International, washing dishes at Hesston Mennonite Church, cleaning and window painting at Hesston Public Library, helping Newton Community for Racial Justice run an escape room at the Newton Public Library, supporting Caring Hands Humane Society in Newton, aiding in campus facilities cleanup efforts, as well as yard work for area homeowners.

The service projects were organized by Michele Hershberger, campus pastor and faculty member, as a way to honor Dr. King’s legacy by putting his call to service, justice and community engagement into action.

“When we gathered as a whole community on the opening day of spring semester, we talked about self-righteous service versus true service,” Michele explained. “Our goal for January 19 was to serve like Dr. King served, as people willing to serve every day and as people showing honor to those we serve, respecting every person. Dr. King saw service as a lifestyle. We want to be like that, too.”

Students’ collective efforts demonstrated a shared commitment to learning beyond the classroom while contributing positively to the wider community.

Local farm owner Rachel Horst was one of several community members on the receiving end of these efforts. Her son Andrew Horst, a ʼ97 graduate of Hesston College, made a special trip to Hesston to help direct volunteers and expressed his gratitude to see the next generation of Larks involved in the community.

“I live in California. It’s hard for my mom to do all this work,” he shared. “This is one of the things that is special about the college and the kind of thing that I remember. It’s that folks show up, and even if it's just picking up sticks, that really means something and that's how we can make this warm energized place that we can all share in.”

The MLK Day service projects are part of Hesston College’s ongoing emphasis on Dr. King's values of civic duty and leadership by example. By engaging in service, students are encouraged to develop leadership skills, empathy and a deeper understanding of their role in creating positive change in their local communities.

College announces fall 2025 academic honors

Hesston, Kan. - Hesston College Registrar Heidi Hochstetler announced the names of full-time students whose fall 2025 semester grades earned them a place on the Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00 GPA) and Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA).

Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00 GPA)

First-year students


Logan Britton, Yale, Okla.

Kennedie Esparza, Erie, Colo.

Mateo Gonzalez, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain

Bethanie Haag, Wichita, Kan.

Ivin Kollabathula, Manado, Indonesia

Liam Leikeryd, Ugglum, Sweden

Violet McEntire, Derby, Kan.

Kory Meireis, Kingman, Kan.

Samuel Rojas, Cartago, Costa Rica

Jezel Sisneros, Albuquerque, N.M.

Hugo Soubran, Capbreton, France

Hugo Jakob von Sicard, Sundsvall, Sweden

Shuri Yoshida, Tokyo, Japan

Sophomores


Blen Bezuwork, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Christopher Cammllarie, Mckinney, Texas

Krysten Carter, Missouri City, Texas

Miyu Fujii, Higashinariku, Japan

Evelyn Gaertner, Newton, Kan.

Serena Hewes, Battle Ground, Wash.

Misaki Kurata, Habikigaoka, Japan

Anja Martinez, Topeka, Kan.

Isabella Milla Orridge, Plano, Texas

Keira Rankin, Frazier Park, Calif.

Suryansh Shetty, Auckland, New Zealand

Diego Taira, Pueblo Libre, Peru
Nedas Vaivada, London, England
Sakura Yamada, Tokyo, Japan
Ryan Ziesch, Goddard, Kan.

Juniors


Gresa Arapi, Cypress, Texas

Brandon Chim, Amarillo, Texas

Ethan Connelly, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Mariah Hall, Lawton, Okla.

Joshua Hylton, Centralia, Wash.

 Jaycee Mathis, Wichita, Kan.

Anna McIntire, Lawrence, Kan.

Brandi Olivarez, Burleson, Texas

Elsa Rayneau, Malang, Indonesia

Lissette Tovar, Wichita, Kan.

Ashleigh Williams, Eaton, Colo.

Seniors and unclassified students


Tana Hayworth, Lincoln, Kan.

Devin Miller, Hesston, Kan.

Alexandria Nickel, Newton, Kan.

Isabella Reece, Wichita, Kan.

Evangelina Zogu, North Newton, Kan.

Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA)

First-year students


Elita Arapi, Cypress, Texas

Brooklyn Bailey, Newton, Kan.

Jochem Bakkenes, Veenendaal, Netherlands

Julian Cruz-Torres, Snohomish, Wash.

Vilde Dahlberg, Hovshaga, Sweden

Sondre Einarsrud, Holter, Norway

Brody Hutto, Bel Aire, Kan.

Kreyton Johnson, San Tan Valley, Ariz.

Michihiro Koga, Tokyo, Japan
Jonah Krumme, Wichita, Kan.
Nathaniel Lewis, Wichita, Kan.
Colby Nafziger, Canton, Kan.
Keira Pineda, Comanche, Okla.
Saul Pineda, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Vari Rua, Las Vegas, Nev.
Brody Smith, Faxon, Okla.
Jaiden Trevelyan, London, England

Sophomores


George Bates, Newton, Kan.

Akiva Brown, Plano, Texas

Arissa Cathey, Abilene, Kan.

Sequoia Cochran, Louisville, Ky.

Abigail Cox, El Paso, Texas

Hanah DeBelle, Castle Rock, Colo.

Cambry Duerksen, Hillsboro, Kan.

Lydia Foster, Copan, Okla.

Taiga Goto, Chiyoda-ku, Japan

Zachery Graham, Derby, Kan.

Hope Guinn, Wichita, Kan.

Aaron Hartman, Abilene, Kan.

Amy Hunley, Owensboro, Ky.

Kaleb Kindley, Mannford, Okla.

Trentis Lane, Houston, Texas

Devin Lewis, DeSoto, Texas

Landen Meyer, Hesston, Kan.

Moriah Ortiz, Lakin, Kan.

Tanna Owens, Durango, Colo.

Sebastian Pavlovich, Lindsborg, Kan.

Emma Pfannenstiel, Newton, Kan.

Alexander Radu, London, England

Abygail Romero, Baldwin Park, Calif.

Jay Smith, Arlington, Wash.

Jackson Sundermeyer, Parker, Colo.

Kevyn Velazco, Aragua, Venezuela

Juniors


Anton Cook, Whitewater, Kan.

Sarah Hanson, Park City, Kan.

Adrian Noriega, Marana, Ariz.

Hauw Celline Raharjo, Semarang, Indonesia

Seniors


Max Claerhout, Hesston, Kan.

Joanna Gomez Ramirez, Hesston, Kan.

Katelyn Soles, Maize, Kan.

Colleges to partner in community MLK Day commemoration and celebration

Hesston College will partner with Bethel College and other community organizations to host “Community, Commemoration and Celebration,” a series of events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, Jan. 18 and 19.

The weekend will highlight the historic connection between Dr. King and Bethel College, where he spoke in Memorial Hall on Jan. 21, 1960, delivering an address titled “The Future of Integration.” While excerpts of that speech have been played in Memorial Hall in the past, the full recording has never been publicly shared there.

The listening event is part of a collaborative effort between Hesston College and Bethel College, with additional partners including Newton Community for Racial Justice and the Newton Public Library.

Events begin Sunday, Jan. 18, with a 3 p.m. concert at Hesston Mennonite Church (309 S. Main St., Hesston). The program will feature combined Bethel and Hesston choirs, the Central Kansas Master Chorale and Bethel alumna Roz McCommon of Bellevue, Wash., along with her band.

On Monday, Jan. 19, Hesston College will host a community prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Bontrager Student Center on the Hesston College campus (301 S. Main St.). Later that day, Newton Community for Racial Justice will sponsor an interactive escape room experience at the Newton Public Library (223 E. 7th St.) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The experience will feature clues connected to the history and legacy of Dr. King’s life and work.

The weekend continues Monday evening at Bethel College in North Newton. A listening event of Dr. King’s 1960 speech will take place at 6 p.m. in Memorial Hall (300 E. 27th St.). At 7 p.m., many of the musicians from Sunday’s concert, along with the Bethel orchestra, will present “A Better World: The Journey of MLK,” a project created by McCommon.

All events are free and open to the public. Additional details will be shared at bethelks.edu/MLK as the dates approach.