More than 500 Hesston College alumni and friends came together Sept. 28 to 30 for Homecoming Weekend 2012. Nearly 300 alumni reconnected with classmates at 13 class reunions.
The weekend celebrated the performing arts and included a Performing Arts Showcase with performances, presentations and concerts by alumni professionals, students and faculty. A highlight of the weekend was the original radio show The Fragrant and Velvety Air, written by performing arts faculty members Bradley Kauffman and Laura Kraybill. The show was a parody on the college’s 103-year history complete with humor, live music, reader’s theatre pieces, off-beat commercials and audience participation.
Other events included the annual alumni banquet, Partner luncheon, athletic events, children’s theatre activities, a barbecue picnic and family festival, jam session, student and alumni choir under the direction of father-son duo Ron, class of 1966, and Joel, class of 2004, Garber and Sunday worship service featuring mother-daughter duo Michele (Schrock), class of 1981, and Tara, class of 2006, Hershberger.
“Start Here,” the new Hesston College song, written by JD Martin (Jerry Derstine ’68) and performed by Martin and Jan Garrett
“The Fragrant and Velvety Air” radio show written by faculty members Bradley Kauffman and Laura Kraybill and performed by students, faculty and staff
JD Martin performs “Start Here,” Hesston College’s new school song
Members of the class of 2002 see changes and updates on a campus tour. More than 500 alumni and friends were on campus for the weekend.
Members of the class of 1972 share updates with classmates during their reunion on Saturday. About 300 alumni gathered for 13 class reunions and alumni banquet.
Students, faculty and staff perform during the original radio show The Fragrant and Velvety Air, written by performing arts faculty members Bradley Kauffman and Laura Kraybill.
Reader’s theatre members perform PASSION, stories of Israeli and Palestinian peacemakers based on recorded dialogues written by former theatre instructor Robert Hostetter, as part of the Performing Arts Showcase.
Mother-daughter duo Michele (Schrock) ’81, faculty and Tara ’06 Hershberger delivered the Sunday worship service message through drama. Tara also led children’s theatre activities Saturday afternoon.
Talashia Keim ’02 Yoder lights candles as part of the Evensong worship service. The service included music and dramatic elements for congregation participation as well as pieces performed by Bel Canto Singers.
JD Martin ’68, Jan Garrett and Molly Simmering, former staff, perform a concert of original songs by JD and Jan, who are multi-award winning singer-songwriters. JD wrote a new college song Start Here, which he introduced at Friday chapel with Garrett, Simmering and students. Garrett wrote the choral piece I Dreamed of Rain, performed by the Alumni/Student Choir under the direction of Joel Garber ’04 at the worship service.
Zach ’02 and Mary (Wittmer) ’02 Kooker visit with other Partners at the Saturday Partner luncheon.
Joel Garber ’04 directs the Alumni/Student Choir at the Sunday worship service. Joel shared directing duties with his father, Ron Garber ’66.
