In the News

Aviation students make first in-person appearance, perform well in regional competition

Students from Hesston College’s School of Aviation traveled to Mankato, Minnesota on Tuesday, Oct. 19, to participate in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region VI SAFECON competition. The three-member team, including Tobias Yoder ’23, Joshua Fleming ’24 and Matthew Manickam ’24, placed highest in the flight simulation event.

Sophomore Joshua Fleming ranked highest overall for Hesston College, coming in second out of 24 competitors in the ground trainer/flight simulation event. Manickam finished eighth and Yoder finished 11th out of 24 contestants.

The flight team also participated in computer accuracy and simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation events but anticipates expanding its participation into all competitive events, including all flight activities, next year.

In the computer accuracy event, Tobias Yoder placed highest for Hesston College, coming in 17th place out of 36 students. Fleming finished 23rd and Manickam finished 25th. On simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation, Manickam finished 26th, Fleming 31st and Yoder 32nd out of 37 competitors.

Hosted by Minnesota State University – Mankato, the competition featured schools from North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota and Kansas.

“Hesston College flight team members represented the School of Aviation with excellence and integrity as they participated in three distinct aviation-related events,” said Mike Baker, director of aviation at Hesston College.

Hesston College School of Aviation participated in NIFA Region VI virtual competition last year, but this year marks the first time the team attended an event in person.

The NIFA organization works to develop and advance aviation education and to promote, encourage and foster safety in aviation.

“The Hesston College flight team continues to prepare for next year’s Region VI SAFECON event, which will be hosted by the Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus,” Baker said.

In the upcoming months, the Hesston College School of Aviation will provide additional information on how community members can support the Hesston College flight team, to ensure that our students can both train, and participate in all NIFA-sanctioned competitions.

Masterworks concert inspired by theme verse, features works by Bach, Brixi, Mozart and Handel

The Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, joined by community members and a professional orchestra, will present Hesston College’s annual masterworks performance on Saturday, Nov. 13, at Hesston Mennonite Church. The 2021 iteration of the concert will feature works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frantisek Brixi and George Frederic Handel, rather than one large work.

The program consists of Bach’s cantata “Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seine,” BWV 148; Brixi’s “Organ Concerto in F”; Mozart’s “Exsultate, Jubilate,” K165; and will conclude with Handel’s “Hallelujah, Amen” from “Judas Maccabaeus.”

Performing works from the Baroque to early Classical eras will allow participants to perform naturally with a smaller number of singers – a choice that director and Hesston College music faculty member Russell Adrian said was made with COVID-19 restrictions in mind.

“The choice of literature started with the Bach Cantata,” said Adrian. “When Bach began his tenure in Leipzig, he wrote five cycles of cantatas that followed the lectionary text of the church calendar. The text for BWV 148 comes from the seventeenth Sunday after Trinity, which includes Ephesians 4:2-3 – the theme verse for this year at Hesston College.”

Soloists include Virginia Revering, mezzo and Jonathan Ray, tenor, for the Bach Cantata; Hesston College music faculty and organist Ken Rodgers on the Brixi organ concerto; and Hesston College music faculty and vocalist Holly Swartzendruber on the Mozart concerto.

“To round the concert off, all forces will return to the stage for the final chorus from Handel’s ‘Judas Maccabaeus,’” Adrian said.

All performers will be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and will perform without masks. Audience members are required to wear masks. No tickets are required, but a free-will offering will be accepted following the performance.

First Sunflower Soirée to feature local artists as 2021–22 Sunflower Performing Arts series kick-off

The Sunflower Performing Arts series will begin Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. with the first-ever Sunflower Soirée, a concert of local and regional artists that also promotes the season ahead and kicks off the organization’s annual patron drive.

Free of charge, this event will feature the following artists: pianist Karen Schlabaugh; The Sunflower Trio; flautists Kristin Shaffer and Kenna Graber; guitarists Howard Glanton and Excier Rodriguez; soprano Holly Swartzendruber and pianist Karen Unruh; and musicians Ken Rodgers and Russell Adrian.

Sunflower Performing Arts season tickets can be purchased or picked up at the concert. Tax-deductible donations can also be made to Sunflower Performing Arts during this time. In place of a spring pie reception for season ticket holders, light refreshments will be served.

Formerly the Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series, the Sunflower Performing Arts series will continue to feature world-renowned artists. The 2021-22 lineup includes: Canadian Brass on Dec. 7; Mad River Theater Works Presents: Freedom Riders on Jan. 28; VOCES8 on Feb. 22; and Stephen Lancaster, baritone, and Kevin Vaughn, organ, on Mar. 27. All concerts will take place at Hesston Mennonite Church.

During the 2021-22 SPA season, COVID-19 precautions will be taken. Attendees will no longer be able to reserve specific seats, but will instead be offered general admission seating in two sections. Audience members and staff are required to wear masks while inside the church and the visiting artists will wear masks when not rehearsing or performing.

Bel Canto Singers to present “Deep Peace” fall concert

The Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will present its fall concert, “Deep Peace,” on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church.

The program is inspired by this year’s theme verse at Hesston College, Ephesians 4:2-3, in which Paul calls Christians to lift each other up in community: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

“The music on this program has common themes of supporting each other and building community,” said director Russell Adrian. “Students were already dealing with many issues related to stress and anxiety that were only multiplied over the past two years due to COVID-19. Now we need to be intentional about how we build positive relationships and, in a way, rebuild our sense of community following so much social distancing.”

The “Deep Peace” program will include a variety of genres, including pieces by the Harrisonburg-based band The Steel Wheels, and the British vocal ensemble VOCES8, who will perform as part of the Sunflower Performing Arts series this February.

“Many of the pieces on this program are what I would consider to be stress relievers,” Adrian said.

The 19-voice mixed chamber choir was selected by competitive auditions. Adrian is in his seventh year as a music faculty member and is director of Bel Canto, Hesston’s top vocal ensemble. All performers are fully vaccinated and will perform without masks. Audience members are required to wear masks.

Bel Canto members include Anna Banman of Lenexa, Kan.; Bethany Masters of Mount Eaton, Ohio; Kelly Miller of Archbold, Ohio; Addy Powers and Isaac Tice of Buhler, Kan.; Rachel Teeter of Hesston, Kan.; Alyssa Burkholder of Goessel, Kan.; Meg Beyer, Kara Longenecker, Ginny Miller, Luke Huyard and Sam Groff of Harrisonburg, Va.; Alyssa Nolt of Dalton, Ohio; Sadie Oesch of Caldwell, Idaho; Luke Allison of Freeman, S.D.; Jack Shingler of Kidron, Ohio; Abraham Cadillo Quispe of Yokohama, Japan; Jesse Kanagy of Lancaster, Pa.; and Aidan Swartzendruber of Henderson, Neb.

Hesston College welcomes new faculty and staff for 2021–22 year

Hesston College announces new faculty and staff joining the campus community for the 2021-22 year.

Faculty:

• 
  Ashley Christensen, professor of English
• Joan Griffing, interim academic dean
• Navanté Peacock, professor of psychology
• Luke Taylor-Gilstrap, professor of English

Staff:

• 
  Julie Banks, executive coordinator, president’s office
• Kellory Blanchard, campus counselor
• Joe Capuchino, cross country head coach not pictured
• Paulina Diaz Solano, visit coordinator
• Veronica Esparza, dining services assistant not pictured
• Thomas Gaskell, women’s soccer head coach not pictured
• Luke Go, institutional data and media services administrator
• Alma Huerta, admissions counselor
• Mary Jantz, environmental specialist
• Holly Kendall, environmental specialist
• Melissa Landis, library assistant
• Jen Lehman, development officer
• Lisa Longacher, development officer
• Zach McCloud, baseball assistant coach not pictured
• Elizabeth Miller, resident director
• Tim Parrish, facilities specialist/plumber
• Kassidy Pflughoeft, volleyball interim head coach
• Sara Jane Phillips, preschool assistant not pictured
• Tim Shuart, director of information technology
• Jace Snodgrass, staff flight instructor not pictured
• Lowell Stephens, men’s golf head coach
• Dominic Visentin, baseball assistant coach not pictured
• Christina Wankum, admissions counselor
• Mattie Warner, graphic designer
• Keli Wray, preschool assistant not pictured

Theatre department to stage “The Game’s Afoot,” a whodunit comedy set on Christmas Eve

Hesston College Theatre will present four performances of the murder mystery comedy “The Game’s Afoot” as the fall play from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3, at the Keim Center Black Box Theater. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 3. The play is rated PG.

“The Game’s Afoot” won the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Awards for best play. William Gillette, an acclaimed actor of the 1930s, invites his Sherlock Holmes co-stars to his eccentric Connecticut mansion for a Christmas Eve celebration. When one of the guests is murdered, Gillette employs the persona of the master detective he’s made famous on the stage as he and the others work to solve the mystery.

“It’s such a fun show,” said director Celaine Worden. “Not only is it a murder mystery, but it’s also a comedy. There is a lot of physical humor, and it allows people to laugh. Now more than ever, we could all use a laugh.”

Ticket prices are $5 for students and $10 for adults and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online in advance online or by phone at 620-327-8105. Seating is limited and will follow Hesston College health guidelines.

This Hesston College production is part of a seasonal lineup centered on “the home,” and stars eight student actors: Quinton Yoder as Gillette; Kayla Gunn as Martha; Isaac Tice as Felix; AnDena Collins as Madge; Josh Fleming as Simon; Phoebe Kolb as Aggie; Savannah Zink as Inspector; and Smilla Burkin as Daria.
 

Opening weekend features games, gatherings and masks

Hesston College students, faculty and staff returned to campus to participate in gatherings and games, all while masking indoors to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The college marked the return of students to campus with an opening celebration on Friday evening, August 13. The event, which featured music from Bel Canto Singers and reflections from staff and students, focused on the 2021-22 theme verse from Ephesians 4:2-3, which speaks of “bearing with one another in love.” This year’s event returned to the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church. Masks were required and every other row of pews was left empty to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“When we look at this grand universe that God created, which way is up, and which way is down?” President Joe Manickam asked, pointing to an image of an upside-down map projected on the sanctuary screen. “My challenge to you is: Are you ready to see the world in a slightly different way, bearing with one another in love?”

Faculty, staff and students at Hesston College had looked forward to a school year with fewer COVID-19 protocols in place. But with the rise of the delta variant and a sharp increase of cases in Harvey County, college administrators followed the guidance provided by the Harvey County Health Department. Hesston College employees, students, and visitors to campus are required to mask indoors when in common spaces, regardless of vaccination status. New and returning students provided proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test.

Opening weekend events continued with student registration, an outdoor community-wide picnic and the long-standing tradition of Mod Olympics, where groups of students who live together on campus compete in outdoor games while wearing theme costumes.

Hesston College prepares to launch women’s flag football with grant support

The Hesston College athletic department announced today the addition of women’s flag football as a varsity sport at Hesston College, with an official launch for the 2022-23 academic year. A grant of $10,000 has been provided by the NJCAA Foundation, NFL FLAG and RCX Sports to facilitate the launch of the women’s flag football program. Women’s flag football will become the Hesston College athletic department’s 11th varsity program.

“Women’s flag football is a fast-growing sport, and Hesston College is excited to provide opportunities for young women to play flag football at the collegiate level,” said Bryan Kehr, Hesston Athletic Director. “We are grateful for the support of the NJCAA Foundation, NFL FLAG and RCX Sports which helps to make the addition of this sport at Hesston possible.”

For the NJCAA Foundation, NFL FLAG and RCX Sports, fostering collegiate flag football has multiple benefits.

“The NJCAA expanding NFL Flag opportunities for female student athletes at member institutions demonstrates clearly that football is for all,” said Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations Troy Vincent, Sr. “The values, fun and competitive environment of football can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone who wishes to participate. It is exciting to see junior colleges offer NFL FLAG as a varsity sport to female athletes.”

In March, the NJCAA announced the $150,000 grant, provided by the NFL, to support the initiative of expanding women’s flag football. Since then, 11 grants have been awarded to NJCAA member colleges to grow the sport.

“The NJCAA Foundation is passionate about the value women’s flag football brings to institutions’ overall growth, the student-athlete experience, and equality across playing fields,” stated Brian Luckett, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director. “This is an opportunity for women of the association to compete at the highest level and we are fortunate to work hand in hand with NFL FLAG and RCX Sports during this exciting time.”

“As with all Lark athletics programs, it’s not just about what Hesston College can offer student-athletes; it’s also about the ways in which those student-athletes will enrich the college community,” said Joseph A. Manickam, Hesston President. “We are excited to field a team in 2022-23, and even more excited to meet the students that the Larks women’s flag football program will bring to campus.”

Women’s flag football features a schedule primarily played during the spring season. Each team plays with seven players at a time, on a football field 80 yards in length and 40 yards in width. Teams may move offensively by either passing or running the football, while the act of “tackling” is performed by pulling a flag from the belt of the ball carrier.

“RCX is dedicated to creating opportunities for all athletes to play and so that every child can gain important life skills only learned through sports,” said RCX Sports CEO and NFL FLAG Executive Director Izell Reese. “Through NJCAA women’s flag football, young women will not only be able to compete, they’ll earn a valuable education that will set them up for success after college.”

High school athletic associations across the nation have adopted flag football as a sport for women, with the sport showing particularly strong growth over the last five years. Though Hesston has never fielded a football team before, a former Lark made football history in 2017 when Katie Sowers ’06 became the first female and openly LGBT coach in a Super Bowl, as an offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Sowers currently works with the Kansas City Chiefs. Her twin sister, Liz Sowers ’06, is the head coach of the NAIA championship-winning women’s flag football team at Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan.

The search for the program’s first head coach will begin in July 2021. Hesston College will take the 2021-22 school year as an opportunity to build the program and will begin playing a competitive schedule during the 2022-23 school year.

About Hesston College
Located 30 miles north of Wichita, Hesston College is a liberal arts college of Mennonite Church USA.

About NJCAA Foundation
The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.

About RCX Sports
RCX Sports is the premier youth-sports experiences business, running and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments and events. RCX works with professional leagues, national governing bodies, sports-centric businesses and brands to reimagine youth sports experiences. RCX produces events with world-class partners including the NFL, Jr. NBA, NAIA, Rivals.com and the 2022 World Games.

RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports by enhancing the youth sports experience and creating opportunities for all athletes to play. We believe sports have the power to transform lives and that every athlete should have the opportunity to experience the value of sports. For more information, visit www.rcxsports.com.

About NFL FLAG NFL FLAG is an NFL-licensed property of more than 1,600 locally operated leagues and over 500,000 youth athletes across all 50 states. NFL FLAG is a fun and accessible non-contact program available for girls and boys ages 5-17. Players benefit by being physically active through non-contact, continuous action while learning the fundamentals of football as well as lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship. RCX Sports is the official operator of NFL FLAG.

Public notice of CCNE accreditation visit and invitation for third party comments

The Hesston College Department of Nursing will be hosting a virtual accreditation visit by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) on October 6-8, 2021. The purpose of this visit is to seek continuing nursing accreditation of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

In accordance with CCNE’s procedures, the Commission provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, third-party comments concerning a program’s qualifications for accreditation.

Written third-party comments regarding the Hesston College BSN program must be received by CCNE no later than September 15. Only signed comments are accepted by CCNE. All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE's policy on Conduct of Business in English.

CCNE shares third-party comments with members of the evaluation team prior to the visit, but at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program. During its review of the program, the evaluation team considers third-party comments that relate to the accreditation standards.

If you have comments regarding the Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) program at Hesston College, please submit to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org.

Or, if you prefer, mail comments to:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Attn: Third-Party Comments
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001