Rob Ramseyer, Hesston College vice president of Student Development and athletic director, announced his resignation effective June 29 as he will become athletic director at Friends University in Wichita.

Ramseyer started at Hesston in 2011 as head baseball coach, leading the Larks for four seasons before transitioning to the vice president role in 2015. In 2014, he also served as interim dean of students during a year of transition.

“This new position is very fitting for Rob as he continues to pursue his academic interest and his wish to serve as an athletic director at a four-year institution,” said President Dr. Joseph A. Manickam. “We will miss Rob’s collaborative spirit and his ability to lighten up even the most challenging of situations. We wish him well as he continues his journey.”

In December 2017, Ramseyer completed a Doctor of Education degree through Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.). The topic of his dissertation was, “A Peculiar Institution? A Multi-site Case Study of Athletic Department Cultures at Small Christian Institutions.”

The college has put in place an interim leadership structure to fill the void until the positions Ramseyer held can be filled.

Effective July 1, Mark Landes, vice president of Finance and Auxiliary Services, will fill the interim athletic director role. Juli Winter, dean of students, will fill the interim vice president of Student Development role.

Applications for the athletic director role are being reviewed immediately while the hiring process for the vice president of Student Development role will begin during the upcoming fall semester.