This fall, the pleasant chiming of bells and music joined the repertoire of sounds from campus when a carillon system was installed, enhancing the auditory and spiritual atmosphere.
Designed by Schumerich Carillon Co. in Quakertown, Pa., the carillon system is a digital system of regular clock chimes that are used throughout the day, along with a music selection each day and ending at the close of the evening.
“The alumni relations department is pleased to be able to add this significant and quality auditory instrument to campus as part of the recent campus transformation, and for the Hesston community’s enjoyment as well,” said Dallas Stutzman ’76, director of Alumni and Church Relations.
The idea for a carillon system has been a topic of discussion since the college’s centennial celebration in 2009. With the development of the north campus entrance, the college decided it seemed appropriate to give the campus a symbolic auditory element to the visual change of the new north entrance.
The carillon system can also be used to broadcast campus alerts for emergency preparedness.
Fall 2015 enrollment shows increase in returning students and higher academic achievement
A greater percentage of students returned to Hesston College in the fall of 2015 for more of the Hesston Experience as compared to returning students a year prior. Hesston College’s official fall 2015 enrollment numbers show higher than anticipated fall to fall retention by about 10 percent in nearly all primary areas.
Hesston students also continue to perform better academically as the average GPA for new students is 3.30 compared to 3.19 for new students in 2014, and the average ACT increased 1.1 points.
“We believe that the strong retention numbers are indicative of the high-quality experiences that our students are having at Hesston College,” said Rob Ramseyer, vice president of Student Development.
There are 295 students living in the dorms, or about 72 percent of the total student population.
First BSN class
Hesston College Nursing marked a historic moment Aug. 20, with the first class period for the first bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) course, Holistic Assessment I taught by Gregg Schroeder ’86. Bonnie (Kauffman) Ac65, ’67 Sowers, Nursing Program director, welcomed the 21 students and reflected on the significance of the moment. Brent Yoder ’98, vice president of Academics, congratulated the nursing faculty and staff for the work that went into launching the program and thanked the students for choosing to be part of the first BSN nursing class. Charles Hostetler ’89, who recruited many of the students, also greeted the group. Sowers offered a prayer of dedication to close the celebration and officially launch the new program.
Students and staff sort and package books for Ethiopia Reads, a program that collaborates with communities in Ethiopia to build schools, plant libraries, train educators and boost literacy.Students serve community
Hesston College students participated in Community
Involvement Week Sept. 8 to 14. Led by the First-Year Experience course, about 150 students were involved in more than 15 service projects throughout the local area, including activities with elderly residents at neighboring Schowalter Villa, serving meals at the Lord’s Diner in Wichita, picking up trash along the highway and participating in recreational art projects at Youthville – a secure care facility for girls in Newton.
Bestselling author speaks to packed house
About 700 people gathered at Hesston College Oct. 5, completely filling the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary, to hear New York Times bestselling author Regina Calcaterra share her story of child neglect, interaction with the foster care system and how small acts of caring make a difference to a child in need. Led by the college’s First-Year Experience course, Calcaterra’s memoir Etched in Sand has served as the community read for the college and greater community during the fall 2015 semester. Along with the college community and many interested individuals, groups participating in the community read included book clubs from the Hesston Public Library, Newton Public Library and the Moundridge High School senior English class.
Bestselling author speaks to packed house