More than 350 Hesston College alumni and friends gathered on campus Sept. 25 to 28 for A Hesston College Homecoming 2014: A View From Everywhere with the theme “Each other’s light: A multicultural celebration.”
The weekend featured alumni sharing their heritage and multicultural experiences in “Go Everywhere” seminar presentations, music and theatre performances and class reunions.
The kick-off event for the weekend was the Hesston College Golf Benefit for Student Scholarship Sept. 25. The benefit, sponsored by Excel Industries (Hesston), raised funds for the Dave and Sena Osborne Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for international students. The Osbornes were also honored at a Saturday evening Alumni Banquet for their combined 59 years of service to the college and their ongoing work with international students.
Tony Brown performs his one-man multimedia documentary I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in His Words and Songs” Sept. 26. Another show, Heavenly Voices, a play which tells the stories of Mennonite women of color was performed following the annual Alumni Banquet Sept. 27. Heavenly Voices was written by Goshen (Ind.) College communications faculty member Pat Lehman.The Hesston College Chamber Orchestra performs in its debut concert Sept. 25 under the direction of Rebecca Schloneger.The official opening of Homecoming Weekend 2014 was Friday morning chapel with alumnae Tony Brown ’69 and Herm Weaver ’79 sharing songs and stories that draw from life experiences that started at Hesston regarding changing perceptions of inclusion and diversity.Aaron Young, a 2012 graduate, performs as AY MusiK on the entertainment stage during a late night coffeehouse.Guest presenter Egla (Birmingham) Hassan, who taught drama at Hesston from 1977 to 80 works with Hesston College acting student Abbie DeWild (Kalona, Iowa) on a monologue Sept. 25.A young guest at the Friday evening Family Festival has her face and arms painted.La Republica, a Latino rock band with member Daniel Moya (right), a 2008 graduate, performs on the entertainment stage during the Family Festival. Also pictured are Juan Moya (left) and David Guevara (center). The band is based out of Mexico City.Hesston College President Howard Keim lines up putt during the Hesston College Benefit for Student Scholarships Sept. 25. Also pictured from left are Hesston College student caddy Kasee Tully (McPherson, Kan.), Excel Industries President Paul Mullet, Kansas State Senator Carolyn McGinn and Phil Osborne (Evanston, Ill.).
