September 10, 2007
More than 500 alumni and friends of Hesston College are expected to attend A Hesston College Homecoming September 21-23.
Friday activities include morning class visits by visiting alumni and prospective students; an 11 a.m. chapel address by 1987 graduate Jeff Smith, pastor of Central Mennonite Church, Archbold, Ohio, and music by his wife, 1987 graduate Kathy (Reber) Smith; an afternoon Pastoral Ministries program update and reception; an art exhibit of ceramics by and an evening reception for Hanna Eastin, Newton, Kan.; and an evening tailgate picnic and festival activities.
Also starting Friday is the eight-team Hesston Invitational Volleyball Tournament, which runs through Saturday.
Highlights Saturday include class reunions, a story-telling session with Hesston College centennial history writer and history faculty member John Sharp, an auction of various candlehouses and campus items, afternoon baseball and softball games and a golf outing, an evening men's soccer game, and an evening alumni banquet, followed by a Gala Concert at Hesston Mennonite Church at 8 p.m.
In celebration of this new facility now available to the church and college, the Gala Concert will feature music performers from both. The concert includes the college's Bel Canto Singers, pianist Jordan Voth, the church's bell choir, the college's wind ensemble, the college's new traveling theatre company, baritone Tony Brown, and the Sunflower Trio.
The homecoming weekend ends Sunday with a 10:30 a.m. morning worship service featuring the dedication of the new Hesston Mennonite Church facility. The service will be led by a variety of church and college persons and includes a message by sisters Marilyn (Kauffman) Miller and Bonnie (Kauffman) Sowers, plus selections by the college's Bel Canto Singers directed by new music faculty member Bradley Kauffman..
For more information, or to make reservations, contact Dallas Stutzman, director of alumni relations, at 866-437-7866 (866-HESSTON), or e-mail alumni@hesston.edu. Registrations can also be made online on the Alumni page at www.hesston.edu.
Homecoming schedule and other information