HESSTON, Kan. – Hesston College’s monumental homecoming celebration Sept. 22 to 24, is just around the corner. The weekend will be filled with numerous events for those on campus and the surrounding community as well as college alumni and friends from near and far.
Friday Forum to connect with 2017 Hesston community common read, 11 a.m. Friday
The Friday, Sept. 22 forum will kick off homecoming with Joel Kempf, class of 1997. Kempf will share a few of his Start Here, Go Everywhere experiences. Having worked with Mennonite Central Committee in Mozambique doing sustainable agriculture consulting, Joel will tie his presentation in with the 2017 Hesston community common read, Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis.
Friday afternoon activities will include an Interfaith Relationships conversation from 3 to 4 p.m. in Hesston Mennonite Church. The conversation will feature a few different perspectives from panel members on how interfaith relationships on- and off-campus have challenged and enriched their lives.
Global Voices Showcase, 7 p.m. Friday
A concert in Hesston Mennonite Church will feature music, drama and stories from students and alumni of Hesston College. The concert will include many languages from around the world and will recognize Dave Osborne (Hesston Academy class of 1964, college class of 1966) for his outstanding work directing the international student program since 1986.
Presidential inauguration, 3 p.m. Saturday
Dr. Joseph A. Manickam, Hesston College’s ninth president, will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Hesston Mennonite Church with a reception to follow in the church community center. The inauguration will take place after several morning events including alumni class reunions and the “Manickam Mosey” two-mile run/walk, named after the new president. (Register for the Manickam Mosey at hesston.edu/2mile).
Following the inauguration, Saturday evening’s activities will continue to connect with this year’s inaugural theme “Grounded in Community, Globally Engaged.”
Community wide Global Tastings meal, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday
A community children’s festival will take place on the lawn south of the college tennis courts with games, bouncy houses and face painting from 5 to 7 p.m.. During the same time 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., a “Global Tastings” meal in the Campus Activities Center will offer foods from around the world as well as an East Indian tea biscuit dessert and homemade ice cream. The cost of the meal is $5.
International music concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
The international music concert, featuring music from around the world, will wrap up the evening. Starting at 7:30 p.m. in Hesston Mennonite Church, the performers will include La República, A Terra Plana, Waswahili Band and the Regier Family Bluegrass Band.
La República, including Daniel Moya (Hesston College class of 2008), is a Colombian alternative rock band influenced by the Latin genres of rhythm, blues and classic rock. Currently touring throughout Colombia and the United States promoting their new album “Solitarios Soñadores (Lonely Dreamers),” La República has been featured on Latin television, has performed at the Metropolitan theatre and has made their way into the “Top 100 Colombian Songs” by Vive Colombia Media Group in 2017.
A Terra Plana is a quartet formed out of Wichita, Kan. and is known for their Brazilian Choro style, described as the “New Orleans jazz of Brazil.” The quartet instruments include flute, pandeiro (similar to a tambourine), soprano saxophone and guitar.
The Waswahili Band will offer an introduction to African culture, which they believe can only be shared through music. Each member of the band comes from a different culture and the music will represent this diversity as well as the diversity of Africa.
Lastly, the Regier Family Bluegrass Band from Newton, Kan., will perform. The six members of the family include father, Ken, on bass guitar, mother, Amy, on vocals, Erin on viola, Austin on banjo, Addie on guitar and Eli on mandolin.
Concert tickets can be purchased at the Hesston College Bookstore or at the door. The cost is $10. Youth and student admission is free.