by Rachel Jantzi, Ken Rodgers ’85 and Joshua Cross

Despite all of the changes Hesston College has undergone, the presence and tradition of fine arts remain. Between theatre, music and visual arts, there is a variety of events in fall 2024 that will celebrate the strong roots of the performing arts and visual arts departments.

This will be the first time in many years that the fall theatre production aligns with homecoming. The opportunity to showcase our students for a demographic that specifically makes its way here once a year is cause for celebration. We are looking at shows that will challenge our students and take us physically out of the theater and into various areas on campus and in town. The Golden Gables Luncheon and Program -The History of Theatre at Hesston College will also be featured during the annual celebration. Thanks to the facilities team and our new Theatre Patron Program, which is continuing to grow, we have been able to build out our new costume shop, which will be operational next fall.

Bel Canto Singers will once again perform in homecoming’s Sunday morning service. Music has been and will continue to be one of the great unifiers at Hesston College, pulling in students from every area of campus. Collaborative experiences will also be an important part of the music department next year, including a concert with the Central Kansas Master Chorale on September 15 and the annual Masterworks concert in November. Community members and alumni are always encouraged to join the choir for the Masterworks concerts; it is a great way to make music while getting to know our current students.

A special event celebrating the past, present and future of creativity and sustainability at Hesston College is in the works. The Roots and Branches art auction and exhibit will begin September 23 and run through the week of homecoming. The auction will benefit the Paul Friesen Collection to allow the art program to bring in visiting artists and commission new pieces to grow the collection and continue Paul’s ideas on sharing one’s creative gifts. Local and national artists, including some alumni, have been invited to create pieces using wood from trees harvested from our campus, and from Paul’s own stockpile that he did not get to see transformed, to be part of the event.