In the News

Sunflower Performing Arts at Hesston College Makes a New Start

It hasn’t been an easy year for a lot of folks. And the performing arts have had an especially hard time. When you make your livelihood with your body and your breath, and when your audience has traditionally gathered in confined, close quarters to hear and see you, finding ways to entertain others while keeping everyone safe can be a challenge.

So, in a year when everything changed, Hesston’s long-running arts and music series made some changes as well, including shifts in partnership, a new name and for the first time in its history, a postponed season.

As it was when the series first began in 1982, Hesston College is now the sole presenter of the 38-year performance series. What was then known as the Hesston Performing Arts (HPA) series was then expanded to include a new partner in 1998: Bethel College. Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts (HBPA) shows alternated between the two campuses for two decades until, after the 2019-20 season, Bethel left the partnership.

This new arrangement meant the venerable arts series needed a new name. Working with stakeholders and the college, director Holly Swartzendruber decided on a new name for a new era: the Sunflower Performing Arts at Hesston College, or SPA. Swartzendruber says that “the name ‘Sunflower Performing Arts at Hesston College’ both acknowledges the beloved state flower of Kansas, and signifies a fresh start for the series.”

Though the series has a new name and a new configuration, its long history of excellence will continue. “HPA and HBPA established a tradition of providing world-class artistry for Harvey County and the surrounding area,” said Swartzendruber. “The performing arts should reflect society: help us see who we are and who we can be. With the series, we hope to highlight especially the vocal/choral and theatre arts, as Hesston College has strong academic programs and performing opportunities in both of those areas.”

While Sunflower Performing Arts may not be a familiar name as yet, the series has a long history and many loyal patrons. And Swartzendruber intends to put together seasons that keep them coming back.

“Personally, finding a balance of familiar favorites and the new and unexpected in each season is one of my favorite aspects of my job as director,” Swartzendruber said. “I compare creating a season to putting together a jigsaw puzzle—occasionally challenging, always rewarding.”

Swartzendruber looked forward to experiencing a first under the name Sunflower Performing Arts alongside her fellow music and theatre lovers. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced a change of plans.

“While we were obviously saddened to do so, we decided to postpone the 2020-21 season,” Swartzendruber said. “We felt this was the safest route to take.” The scheduled slate of performers, including Canadian Brass and Mad River Theater Works, will return to Kansas for the 2021-22 season.

The first concert of the 2021-22, featuring renowned chamber ensemble Canadian Brass, will occur on December 5 at Hesston Mennonite Church. Further scheduling information can be found at the SPA series’ Facebook page @SunflowerPerformingArtsHC.

Bryan Kehr Named Athletic Director

Hesston College has appointed Bryan Kehr as the Larks’ new athletic director. Prior to the appointment, Kehr served as interim athletic director during the Fall 2020 semester, as well as coach for the women’s soccer team.

Prior to his hiring as Hesston’s women’s soccer coach in 2010, Kehr served as athletics director and instructor at Bethany Christian Schools in Goshen, Ind. Kehr launched the varsity girls’ soccer program at Bethany and subsequently led the team to four sectional titles and one regional title.

“It has been my honor to work closely with Bryan in this interim role as he navigated COVID realities for our Athletics department,” said Dr. Joseph Manickam, president of Hesston College. “Bryan’s willingness to keep the program engaged with all parts of campus and his ability to clarify complex issues allows the Hesston College Athletics department to move forward despite COVID uncertainties.

“He has developed crucial new strategies to bring greater alignment between our Athletics program and the college’s mission,” Manickam said.

“I look forward to building bridges between the Athletics department and the rest of the college,” said Kehr. “Hesston athletes participate in their education both on and off the playing field. The Hesston experience develops the whole person, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I look forward to fielding competitive teams and educating the next generation of leaders.”

Kehr accepted the interim athletic director role last summer and will continue to serve as women’s soccer coach through the spring of 2021.

Follow the Larks at hclarks.com.

College’s School of Aviation Invited to Join Prestigious Intercollegiate Organization

Hesston College’s School of Aviation has been invited to join the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA). Membership in NIFA offers Hesston College aviation students invaluable opportunities to compete and network with students from some of the largest and most prestigious collegiate flight programs in the United States.

According to the NIFA website, the organization was formed “…for the purposes of developing and advancing aviation education; to promote, encourage and foster safety in aviation; to promote and foster communications and cooperation between aviation students, educators, educational institutions and the aviation industry; and to provide an arena for collegiate aviation competition.”

In November, Hesston College received a formal invitation to join NIFA as a member of Region VI, which spans much of the northern Great Plains and upper Midwest. Other member schools in Region VI include K-State Polytechnic, Iowa State University, University of North Dakota and University of Wisconsin.

Three juniors – Jessica Buckwalter, Ellie Yoder and Austin Kunert – participated in two NIFA competitions, both conducted virtually. Though it was the college’s first intercollegiate flight competition, Buckwalter, Yoder and Kunert competed well with students from other Region VI institutions. Hesston College aviation students will be preparing for additional competitions to be held nationwide in February and March 2021. Due to COVID-19, all flight skill competitions have been cancelled for the remainder of the academic year.

“We are extremely pleased to join Region VI of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association,” said Mike Baker, director of aviation at Hesston College. “Membership in NIFA affirms Hesston’s fifty-year tradition of rigorous aviation education. We look forward to a time when Hesston aviation students can fellowship with other aviation students from across the nation.”

Board of Directors Appoints Dr. Joseph Manickam to Second Four-Year Presidential Term

Hesston College’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Joseph Manickam to a second four-year term as president during the college’s fall board meetings, held virtually in late October 2020.

Manickam was named as the ninth president of Hesston College in fall of 2016 and assumed office on July 1, 2017. Previous to his appointment, Manickam served as director of the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace and faculty member for peace studies at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Manickam and his family moved to Hesston from Thailand in 2017.

During his first four-year term, Manickam has overseen the completion of a major capital campaign, the construction of new and refurbished buildings on campus, and the creation of new four-year programs in nursing and aviation. Under Manickam’s leadership the college will further explore offering four-year degrees in business and engineering, as outlined in the college’s “Vision 2025” growth plan.

Manickam’s reappointment signals a continued commitment on the part of the college’s leadership to Manickam’s vision of an expansive, inclusive, globally engaged Hesston College. Primary among his tasks has been evolving Hesston from a “college for Mennonites” to a “Mennonite college for all.”

“The board’s unanimous vote to reappoint Dr. Manickam to his second term is not just an affirmation of the work he has done for Hesston College in the past four years, but a vote of confidence and endorsement of the strategic direction for the next four years,” said Ken G Kabira, Bartlett, Ill., chairperson of the Hesston College Board of Directors. “Under President Joe’s leadership, we are confident Hesston will not just survive the current pandemic but emerge stronger and more capable of living its mission to educate and nurture every student in a Christ-centered community.”

College Proactively Elevates CARES Level of Concern in Response to State, County and Campus COVID-19 Landscape

In response to rising COVID-19 community spread across Harvey County and the rest of Kansas, as well as an uptick in on-campus cases, Hesston College will proactively raise its CARES Level of Concern on Saturday, November 21, from “R – Restricted” to “E – Elevated.” An “Elevated” level is initiated when “community spread of a COVID-19 outbreak affects students across campus.”

Hesston College’s Administrative Council initiated the rise in CARES level out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to ease the potential burden of care on local healthcare systems. Harvey and surrounding counties have increasingly raised alert levels and tightened restrictions on gathering sizes, and the college has recently experienced a slight increase in active COVID cases. Current active COVID-19 cases at the college include eight students and two employees. Students and employees with COVID-19 are isolating at off-campus locations.

According to the Hesston College website, an “Elevated” CARES level further restricts on-campus gatherings. Classes and campus activities may go fully online, all athletic practices are suspended and access to campus is closed to the community. Students may return home over the pre-Thanksgiving weekend if they wish and complete the semester online. The college’s revised plans were finalized in consultation with the Harvey County Health Department.

“Hesston students were already scheduled to return home over Thanksgiving break and complete fall semester classes online,” said Deb Roth, vice president of Student Life. “Given the timing, it makes sense for us to offer students the opportunity to head home early without penalty, if they so choose.”

2021 Memorial Run Goes Virtual and Adds Challenge

2020 has been a different year. The 2021 Neuf Memorial Run will be a different race in response to the global pandemic as it moves to a virtual 9K or 2-mile run on Jan. 9, 2021. The fourth annual event honors the memory of Russ Neufeld, a long-time Kansas resident who passed away on Jan. 21, 2017 after an 18-month fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The event raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Russ Neufeld Memorial Scholarship at Hesston College. Over the first three years of the Neuf Memorial Run, the race has raised over $35,000 from race proceeds and donations.

For an entry fee of $35, all registered participants for the virtual 9K or 2-mile run will receive a personalized digital bib through RunSignUp, a commemorative lightweight running hat, and a digital finisher’s certificate.

In addition, prize categories for the virtual event include the following nine categories: best costume, most creative place to run, most creative time to run, best beard (real or otherwise), best kilt, best display of Neuf branding, bravest running outfit, best “spread the love” message, best family/group themed costume.

The Neuf has added the 2021 Virtual Neuf Challenge to encourage increased physical activity during the holiday season. The challenge is to run/walk 90K (or more) between December 9, 2020, and January 9, 2021. The Virtual Challenge includes entry in the Virtual Neuf Run along with a commemorative quarter-zip long-sleeve pullover for an entry fee of $90.

For local participants, packet pickup for the 2021 Virtual Neuf Run and the 2021 Virtual Neuf Challenge will be at the shelter at Cottonwood Park located on the corner of 24th Street and Minnesota Avenue in North Newton, Kan., just south of Mojo’s Coffee Bar (2500 N. Main Street, North Newton, Kan.) from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 8, 2021. For everyone participating from afar, race items will be mailed after race day.

The race celebrates community as Neufeld described in his final Facebook post: “Take all this love you have and share it,” he wrote. “It only multiplies and there are so many who could use it…just spread the love folks – it’s the only thing in this world that endures.”

The January run and the 9K distance are as unique as Neufeld. A transplanted Canadian, he relished the cold weather, and Neuf — “nine” in French — was a nickname for Neufeld. His car’s stick shift handle was a 9-ball.

Visit runtheneuf.neuf.ca for more information and to register for the run. Run the Neuf!

Contribute to the Russ Neufeld Memorial Scholarship

College Announces Reopening Plan for Spring 2021 Semester

The Hesston College reopening workgroup has announced its plan for the return of students to campus for the spring 2021 semester.

The reopening plan includes a recommitment to safe and responsible behavior during the six weeks between the end of fall semester and the start of spring semester. Each student will be screened for COVID-19 seven days prior to their return to campus. In the event of a positive test result, the student will be asked to isolate in place until a local medical professional or public health official releases them.

On-campus students will participate in a two-week modified quarantine upon arrival at Hesston College in January. Student-athletes and those involved in performance areas such as choir can leave their rooms to practice, students will pick up food from the college’s dining service and will be able to participate in nursing labs, clinicals, and off-campus training where appropriate. During the modified quarantine period students may meet outside assuming they remain socially distanced and masked.

The plan builds on successful initiatives put in place by the college to minimize the occurrence and spread of COVID-19 on campus, including housing on-campus students in single rooms, hybrid online/in-person coursework, and the modification of classroom layouts to better accommodate social distancing and disinfection.

Hesston College employees will also be asked to commit to healthy measures and practices over the winter holidays, and those who work closely with students during the modified quarantine period will be asked to participate in COVID-19 testing prior to returning to work.

“We’re confident the reopening plan sets us up for a safe and successful spring semester,” said Deb Roth, vice president of Student Life and head of the Reopening Workgroup at Hesston College. “The national, state and local landscape necessitates a more aggressive approach than we used in August. We must redouble our commitment to caring for ourselves and each other to ensure Hesston students can live and learn together in a healthy and supportive environment.”

Bel Canto Singers to Present Socially Distanced Block Concert on October 18

Bel Canto Singers, the top vocal group at Hesston College, will present a socially distanced block concert in the Mullet Drive parking lot on October 18 at 4 p.m. The public is invited.

The concert will feature solos, small group performances, and choral works featuring a variety of musical genres. Attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and will be asked to wear masks for the duration of the concert.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hesston College Performing Arts has reimagined much of its traditional schedule in the interest of public safety. The Bel Canto Block Concert is the first public performance given by the group this school year. In September, Hesston College Theatre gave performances of “Charlotte’s Web” for audiences outdoors at Dyck Arboretum.

“The realities of the pandemic required us to rethink how we were going to practice and present music at Hesston College,” said professor of music Dr. Russell Adrian. “We are performers, and we can’t wait to do what we love: sing for others.”

Many of the songs chosen for the performance speak to resilience, community and love for others. These themes are particularly important, given current world events.

“Music draws people together,” Dr. Adrian said. “It gives them hope. By now we know how to take care of one another at public events like this. Not only will the event be safe; we hope it brings comfort and healing to those who listen.”

College Features New Programs and Expanded Opportunities for Participation Amidst Global Pandemic

Students play water balloon volleyball during Mod Olympics, Opening Weekend 2020.

Hesston College welcomed 177 new students to the campus community for the 2020-21 year. A decline in international student enrollment, largely caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, was offset by steady domestic student enrollment numbers.

Official enrollment numbers released following the 20th day of classes show a total student enrollment of 363 from 28 U.S. states and territories and 23 countries. The domestic student population includes 51 percent from Kansas and 35 percent from other U.S. states and territories. International students comprise 13 percent of the population. The percentage of domestic minority students continues to climb, rising from 25 percent of the total student population in Fall 2019 to 28 percent this year.

“The 2020-21 school year has brought with it much newness, uncertainty and promise,” said President Joseph A. Manickam. “Many international students who had planned to attend Hesston in person were unable to do so because of our current global reality. We look forward to welcoming those students to campus in the near future. We’re happy to report that many of those students are attending Hesston through online coursework, which is a first for our college. A vibrant culture of learning and growth continues here at Hesston.”

Hesston’s Center for Anabaptist Leadership and Learning (or CALL), a hybrid ministry program focused on disciple-making, launched this fall with its first cohort. The online/in-person hybrid program welcomed students from all walks of life, including ministers, farmers, nurses and teachers enrolled in classes aimed at building a missional Church. Students can earn a Missional Leadership Certificate at the completion of the CALL curriculum.

Junior and senior students continue their studies in nursing and aviation, with the first four-year professional pilot degrees to be awarded this academic year. Hesston students can also take advantage of expanded extracurricular options. A DECA Emerging Leadership Team provides opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded students who want to improve their leadership skills through experiential learning, including business-related DECA competitive events.

“Our campus continues to innovate, grow and change in positive new ways during a world-historical pandemic. It is a testament to the resilience of the Hesston College community,” said Manickam.