Brent Brockmueller, resident director, campus activities director
brentb@hesston.edu
A.A., Hesston College
B.S., Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.)
My name is Brent Brockmueller and I am a resident director for men in Erb and KC. To clear up any confusion, if you hear a student talk about Dogg, that is also me. I am beginning my fourth year and my excitement for the students continues to grow. Also, I look forward to beginning the year with a new co-director of campus activities. To be honest, I have the best job in the world. As an RD I get to spend time with the students in their mods as well as hanging out in my apartment. Other roles include planning activities, planning meetings with resident assistants and when necessary, meeting with students about lifestyle issues.
I am a 2001 graduate of Hesston College and a 2003 graduate of Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.). Freeman, S.D., is where I call home; however, Hesston College is the next best place to be. Some day I plan to return home to Freeman to live on our family farm.
Neal Friesen, resident director
nealf@hesston.edu
B.A., Goshen (Ind.) College
Some students think I get paid to play Ultimate Frisbee here at Hesston College. That's only partially true. With a year of experience under my belt, I'm really looking forward to all of the possibilities that the 2008-2009 school year holds for me as a resident director. It was sad to see my first group of sophomores leave, but I know that they're going to change the world for the better and that we've got a new batch of wide-eyed freshmen coming our way who will find a home here for the next couple of years.
I grew up in Kansas' favorite neighbor to the north in the town of Henderson, Neb. From there I went on to spend three indecisive years at Kansas State University studying architectural engineering, psychology, education, chemistry, and physics. Going into my fourth year of college, I decided that I should put my cognitive efforts in a different direction, leading me to transfer to Goshen (Ind.) College where I graduated with a degree in Bible/religion/philosophy with a focus in youth ministry.
This summer I joined a friend of mine on a little bicycle trip that took me about a third of the way across the country. I pedaled my bike west across Kansas, north through Colorado, diagonally northwest through Wyoming into Grand Teton National Park, across southern Idaho, to end in Boise. From there I flew back to the Great Plains where I spent a couple weeks at Swan Lake Christian Camp near Viborg, S.D. When camp was over, I saddled up on my bicycle again and came back to Kansas to a warm bed and the anticipation of a campus full of enthusiastic and eager students.
Todd Lehman, campus pastor
toddl@hesston.edu
B.A., Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.)
I am excited about being called to serve in campus ministries at Hesston College. The student life office is a great place to be and I look forward to working with the other staff. I am excited about meeting and forming relationships with the students as they arrive on campus. I hope and pray that we will grow as individuals and as a community throughout this year.
I graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in culture, religion, and mission, which was not the plan when I enrolled at EMU. In the middle of my EMU years, I took one year off to travel and volunteer in Australia. That year changed me and the course I have pursued since.
I grew up in Kidron, Ohio, but have lived in Kansas since 2001 when I was called to serve as youth pastor for First Mennonite and Trinity Mennonite churches in Hillsboro until 2007. I live in Hesston with my wife Julie. We enjoy entertaining others in our home, sharing a meal with friends, and playing games (especially Settlers of Catan and euchre). One of my favorite hobbies is running – 5k to marathon and anything in between. Look for me on the streets of Hesston or in my office where the door is always open.
Dave Osborne, director of international student
life
daveo@hesston.edu
A.A., Hesston College
B.S., Kansas State Teachers College
M.Ed., Wichita (Kan.) State University
My responsibilities here at Hesston College include several areas: recruitment and admissions of international students, classroom teaching, and Director of international student services, in which I am part of the student life department.
We are available to provide a wide range of individual assistance for our international students, including housing, medical appointments, employment assistance, travel arrangements, TOEFL testing, transfer assistance, passport and visa advice and assistance, and much more.
We also arrange group activities for international students, including shopping trips, sightseeing trips, dances, recreation, social activities, special meals. The annual International Festival, a highlight each year, includes a special meal for the entire Hesston College campus, plus a program of cultural presentations (dances, music, martial arts, traditional clothing, etc.)
I have worked at Hesston College for approximately 25 years, and I very much enjoy my job because I have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with young people from around the world. I have lived outside the U.S. for 11 years, and I know what it’s like to adapt to a new culture and language. Hesston is my hometown. It’s a good place to live. Hesston College is a good place to work.
Lamar Roth, vice president of student life
lamarr@hesston.edu
B.A., Goshen College, Goshen Ind.
M.A., Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green)
I have enjoyed serving as Dean of Students at Hesston College since I took the position in June of 2003. I received bachelor of arts degrees in Bible and Religion and in psychology from Goshen College in 1986. In the summer of 1988 I completed my master's degree in clinical psychology from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. I was a youth minister for 10 years and a staff psychologist and outreach coordinator for a community mental health center for 16 years.
I am married to Karla Boshart Roth who is a psychotherapist. We have three children who are grown and at various stages of young adult life. I enjoy a variety of activities including flying airplanes, taking photographs, and fishing. I find it truly exhilarating to work with such outstanding young adults, as are the students at Hesston College.
Molly Simmering, director of counseling
mollys@hesston.edu
B.S., Oklahoma State University (Stillwater)
M.S., Oklahoma State University (Stillwater)
Advanced studies, Johnson Institute (Minneapolis, Minn.)
I joined the Hesston College Student Life team as campus counselor in fall of 1996. My family and I came to Hesston from Knoxville, Tenn., the previous year. We longed for community, to live in a smaller town, and to find ways to simplify our living, and to connect more with the great outdoors. We have found this in Hesston! I am originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attended college in Stillwater. I graduated from Oklahoma State University where I received a bachelor of science in psychology and a masters in family relations and child development. While doing an internship at a half-way house for my psychology degree, I became interested in substance abuse and addictions and did further studies in Minneapolis at the Johnson Institute School on Chemical Dependency.
As the campus counselor at Hesston College, I provide individual counseling for students, faculty, and staff. Counseling sessions involve the sharing of information about an issue of importance or concern. My role is to listen, clarify the issues, and aid individuals in developing strategies to successfully work with the problem. Emphasis is given to the development of a well-balanced lifestyle, including mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. These services are free and confidential.
On a personal note, what keeps me sane, fueled, and humble (when I’m not at the college) are activities like fishing, bow hunting, women’s issues, breeding and training puppies (Labrador Retrievers and Brittanies), singing, teaching arts and crafts to youth, reading, and the love and support I receive from my family. Life is good, pass it on.
Brenda Wenger, administrative assistant
brendaw@hesston.edu
A.A., Hesston College
I began working here at Hesston after receiving my associate of arts degree from Hesston College in 1979. I previously worked in what was known as the student services department (admissions and student life combined). Since that time I have been a part of the student life department working as an administrative assistant.
My responsibilities as an administrative assistant within the department include providing assistance to the campus pastor and international student director, as well as offer support when needed to the dean of students. Various other responsibilities include—coordinating and assisting with departmental events related to student orientation, Opening Weekend activities, and Thanksgiving activities, providing assistance with departmental budget, providing support to Parents Council and the parent program, updating departmental materials through the summer, as well as participate in departmental planning and activities.
My husband, Dwayne, and I live in Hesston and have three children, twin sons who are in high school and a daughter in middle school. I enjoy reading, and as a family, we enjoy traveling, camping, and going to bluegrass festivals. Through the years Hesston College remains to be a very positive place to work and experience growth within a nurturing community.
Emily Yoder, resident director, co-director of campus activities
emilyy@hesston.edu
A.A., Hesston College
B.S., Hannibal-LaGrange College (Hannibal, Mo.)
My name is Emily Yoder and I am so excited to be a part of the Hesston College Student Life Team. This fall I will start my position as a women’s resident director and co-director of campus activities, which means I get to hang out with, get to know, and have fun with college students. What could be better?
I graduated from Hesston College in 2004 with an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. After Hesston I did a year of service with MVSA in San Antonio, Texas, which was a wonderful experience. I then went back to school at Hannibal-LaGrange College where I graduated in December of 2007 with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
I grew up on a farm near Garden City, Missouri. In my spare time I love to laugh, be outside, quote stupid movies with my sisters, and enjoy a good cup of coffee with a friend. I am excited to see what God has in store for me during this new chapter of my life.