In the News

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

Commencement weekend to feature birtual and online elements

Hesston College has finalized plans for commencement activities on Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, blending virtual and in-person events in an effort to balance a celebration of student achievement with a continued need for safety.

Hesston’s commencement weekend kicks off on Friday, April 30, with musical events occurring throughout the day. Baritone Ethan Klassen (Mountain Lake, Minn.) and tenor Alex Miller (Arlington, Kan.) will livestream a sophomore vocal recital at 2 p.m. At 4 p.m., sophomore Tanner Unruh (Washington, Ill.) will present a piano recital via livestream. A day of music will be capped with an outdoor block concert by Bel Canto Singers at 7 p.m. The public is invited to gather in a socially-distanced manner at the Mullet Drive parking lot, or to tune into the livestream of the concert at hesston.edu/livestream.

Saturday, May 1, features a full slate of activities both online and on campus. Nurses will participate in an outdoor pinning in the morning. The Hesston College Performing Arts department will present a livestreamed theatre showcase at 1 p.m., followed by a livestreamed vocal recital by sophomores Kara Longenecker (soprano, Harrisonburg, Va.) and Caleb Oesch (baritone, Caldwell, Idaho) at 2 p.m. From 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., graduates and their guests are invited to a reception at the Hesston College hangar to commemorate the first class of HC aviators to receive a bachelor of science degree in Aviation – Professional Pilot.

Saturday’s events will conclude with two commencement activities. In mid-afternoon, graduates are invited come to receive their diplomas from Dr. Joe Manickam, president of Hesston College, and take pictures with select guests. At 7 p.m., Hesston College will celebrate its most recent class with a virtual commencement, streamed at the college’s website and featuring music and student speakers.

“Recent progress in vaccination at the state, county and campus level allowed us to add in-person features to the virtual events we had already planned,” said Dr. Brent Yoder, vice president of Academics at Hesston College. “While it’s not the fully in-person event we dreamed of having when we started the school year last August, we’re pleased to open the campus for select events.”

For more information on Hesston College’s commencement schedule, links to livestreams and information on public events, visit hesston.edu/commencement. Schedule changes will be posted as needed.

Hesston College announces spring semester honors

Hesston College Registrar Sandra Hiebert announced the names of full-time students whose spring 2021 semester grades earned them a place on the Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00 GPA) and Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA).

Dean’s List – first-year students

David Beachy, San Nicolas, FIN, Philippines
Sara Bianchi Muschio, Trento, Italy
Natalia Bochenek, Warsaw, Poland
Fortesa Hysenaj, Istog, Kosovo
Keara Kieso, Park City, Kan.
Bethany Masters, Dundee, Ohio
Kelly Miller, Archbold, Ohio
Jessica Raharjo, Semarang, Indonesia
Aidan Swartzendruber, Henderson, Neb.

Dean’s List – sophomores

Aidan Boettcher, Benton, Kan.
Jacob Boller, Kalona, Iowa
Alyssa Burkholder, Hillsboro, Kan.
Bella Dietrich, Wichita, Kan.
Alisha Dorsing, Othello, Wash.
Myley George, Woodland Hills, Utah
Ethan Hildebrand, Stafford, Kan.
Destiny Kessay, McNary, Ariz.
Natalie Ladd, Hesston, Kan.
Grace Litwiller, Hopedale, Ill.
Kara Longenecker, Rockingham, Va.
Kanade Morita, Chigasaki, Japan
Claire Moyer, Thompsontown, Pa.
Alyssa Nolt, Dalton, Ohio
Caleb Oesch, Caldwell, Idaho
James Peters, Hesston, Kan.
Tanner Unruh, Washington, Ill.
Hannah Williams, Corning, Calif.

Dean’s List – juniors

Sydney Bontrager, Milford, Neb.
Kaydi Copple, Salina, Kan.
Keiara Evancho, Newton, Kan.
Olivia Galbraith, Millersburg, Ohio
Anna Myers, Sedgwick, Kan.
Dara Ness, Goddard, Kan.
Andrea Pickering, Wichita, Kan.

Dean’s List – seniors

Faith Hallmark, El Dorado, Kan.
Annalys Hanna, Fraser, Colo.
Olivia McDonald, Hutchinson, Kan.
Laura Riehl, Hutchinson, Kan.
Morgan Walter, Wichita, Kan.

Honor Roll – first-year students

Katie Alaniz, Longmont, Colo.
Sierra Campos, Wichita, Kan.
Aki Fukuhara, Tokyo, Japan
Maria Gerber, Dallas, Texas
Mariah Gilmartin, Wichita, Kan.
Jeffrey Halstead, Topeka, Kan.
Hebron Mamo, Ethiopia
Aidan McGonagle, Monument, Colo.
Shunsuke Otonashi, Tenri, Japan
Adriana Rodriguez, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Samantha Stiles, Bentley, Kan.
Chyandra Teague, Claremore, Okla.
Coby Winters, Wichita, Kan.
Ren Yokoyama, Anjo, Japan

Honor Roll – sophomores

Shelby Bontrager, McPherson, Kan.
Juwaun Clifton, Conway, Ark.
Spencer Conway, Greeley, Colo.
Morgan Graybill, Freeport, Ill.
Wendy Hopson, Sanger, Texas
Madison Huber, Wichita, Kan.
Brayden Ketley, El Dorado, Kan.
Ethan Klassen, Mountain Lake, Minn.
Kauy Kuhn, Cheney, Kan.
Pin-An Lin, Taipei City, Taiwan
Jacob McKenzie, Andover, Kan.
Alexander Miller, Arlington, Kan.
Sidorela Mjeshtri, Lac, Albania
Yuya Muranaka, Hiroshima, Japan
Erica Naccarato, Hutchinson, Kan.
Daniel Ochs IV, Hutchinson, Kan.
Mikayla Ognissanti, Rocklin, Calif.
Natalie Paramo, Plumas Lake, Calif.
Mason Richer, New Paris, Ind.
Jennifer Rodriguez, Corpus Christi, Texas
Julia Seifert, Columbia City, Ind.
Tannah Tilley, Derby, Kan.
Rachel Weaver, Broadway, Va.
Jessica Wilson, Spring, Texas
Marshall Woolf, Stafford, Kan.

Honor Roll – juniors

Gabriella Audrey, Semarang, Indonesia
Muskan Budha Magar, Dang, Nepal
Alexis Silvey, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Ellie Willinger, St John, Kan.
Richell Winsky, Inman, Kan.

Honor Roll – seniors

Karen Audreyella, Hesston, Kan.
Emerald Packard, Hutchinson, Kan.

Hesston College students recognized for academic and leadership achievements at virtual LarkFest

Dr. Carren Moham, associate academic dean at Hesston College, awards Lark of the Year to sophomore Den Morita.

Hesston College students and faculty were recognized for their achievements in academics and leadership in a virtual LarkFest Awards ceremony, broadcast on April 23.

The top student award—Lark of the Year—went to sophomore Den Morita, Chigasaki, Japan, for excellence in leadership, academics and service. Students are nominated for Lark of the Year by faculty and the recipient is chosen by a faculty vote.

Other student award winners include:

• Admissions Outstanding Ambassador Award: Anna Banman (Lenexa, Kan.), Carter Hopkins (McKinney, Texas), Kimberlin Hopson (Sanger, Texas), Alex Miller (Arlington, Kan.), Diane Soguilon (Batangas, Phillipines), Isaac Troyer (Millersburg, Ohio) and Paige Weber (Freeport, Ill.).
• Behavioral Science Award: Myley George (Woodland Hills, Utah).
• Bill Mason Business Scholarship (Receive a $2,500 scholarship for their sophomore year of business study at Hesston): Katie Alaniz (Longmont, Colo.), Alyssa Burkholder (Hillsboro, Kan.), Mari Gerber (Dallas, Texas) and Star Her Many Horses (Lawrence, Kan.).
• Student Development Officer Awards (For students who call alumni during Phonathon): Zoe Rasas (Spring Branch, Texas) for the most money brought in, and Fortesa Hysenaj (Istog, Rep. of Kosovo) for the most completed calls.
• Clayton V. Beyler Award for Bible and Ministry students: Jacob Boller (Kalona, Iowa) and Morgan Graybill (Freeport, Ill.).
• Daniel Gerber Peace and Service Award: Kara Longenecker (Harrisonburg, Va.) and Rachel Weaver (Broadway, Va.).
• Art Department Leadership Award: Shinju Baxter (Sedgwick, Kan.) Shelby Bontrager (McPherson, Kan.), Alisha Dorsing (Othello, Wash.) and Natalie Ladd (Hesston, Kan.).
• Dedicated Artist Award: Olivia Galbraith (Millersburg, Ohio), Claire Moyer (Thompsontown, Pa.), Lesly Tello (Kansas City, Kan.), Tannah Tilley (Derby, Kan.) and Jessica Wilson (Spring, Texas).
• Art Department – Craftsmanship Award: Ethan Hildebrand (Stafford, Kan.).
• Disaster Management Program Graduate: Kaytlen Keough (Albany, Ore.).
• Honors Program Graduates: Christian Becker (Marion, Kan.), Sydney Bontrager (Milford, Neb.) Morgan Graybill (Freeport, Ill.), Ethan Klassen (Mountain Lake, Minn.), Kauy Kuhn (Cheney, Kan.), Alex Miller (Arlington, Kan.) and Erica Naccarato (Hutchinson, Kan.).
• Musician of the Year Award: Kara Longenecker (Harrisonburg, Va.) and Tanner Unruh (Washington, Ill.).
• Peer Educator Award: Annalys Hanna (Fraser, Colo.) and Daniel Ochs (Hutchinson, Kan.).
• Physical Education Award: Destiny Kessay (McNary, Ariz.).
• Nursing Excellence Award: The Graduating Class of 2021.
• Outstanding Math/Science Sophomore Student Awards: Aidan Boettcher (Benton, Kan.), Caleb Oesch (Caldwell, Idaho) and Tanner Unruh (Washington, Ill.).
• Yoder/Zaid Scholarship (Awarded to a chemistry student who shows promise): Sam Otto (Orrville, Ohio) and Quinn Yoder (South Euclid, Ohio).
• Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (Given to graduating international students with a 4.0 GPA): Den Morita (Chigasaki, Japan) and Yuuya Muranaka (Hiroshima, Japan).
• Resident Assistants of the Year: Grace Litwiller (Hopedale, Ill.) and Caleb Oesch (Caldwell, Idaho).

Hesston College also gave awards to faculty for the first time during LarkFest.

• Teaching Rookie of the Year: Dr. Will Friesen, professor of chemistry
• Award for Teaching Excellence: Rachel Jantzi, professor of theatre

Bel Canto Singers to present “Lift Every Voice” outdoor music program at churches across Kansas and the upper midwest

Changes due to weather will be announced via the Hesston College Music Facebook page.

After over a year of virtual and on-campus concerts, Hesston College’s Bel Canto Singers are hitting the road to perform a program entitled “Lift Every Voice” at locations across Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota. The concerts will feature choral numbers as well as special music by soloists and small groups.

In order to meet the challenges that COVID-19 presents to traditional tour practices — acoustic performances, fellowship meals, and host home stays with congregations — the choir will use the Hesston College campus as a home base and perform a series of run-out performances to regional communities.

Bel Canto Singers will then move home base to Swan Lake Christian Camp in Viborg, S.D., in order to extend its tour reach to communities in neighboring states from which choir members come. All performances will be held outdoors and concert attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs for socially distanced seating. The concert will be broadcasted over FM radio for those choosing drive-in parking.

The itinerary and host churches are:

• Friday, April 30, 7 p.m. – Hesston College Mullet Drive, Hesston, Kan.
• Monday, May 3, 7 p.m. – Dyck Arboretum of the Plains with Marie Engle, Hesston, Kan.
• Tuesday, May 4, 7 p.m. – First Mennonite Church, Hutchinson, Kan.
• Thursday, May 6, 7 p.m. – Harper Community Park, 799 West Main Street, Harper, Kan.
• Friday, May 7, 7 p.m. – Heartland Community High School, Henderson, Neb.
• Sunday, May 9, 4 p.m. – Salem-Zion Mennonite Church, Freeman S.D.
• Monday, May 10, 7 p.m. – Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minn.
• Thursday, May 13, 7 p.m. – Banman Residence, 8538 Mette Street, Lenexa, Kan.
• Friday, May 14, 7 p.m. – Tabor Mennonite Church, Goessel, Kan.

“Spring is a season of renewal,” said Dr. Russell Adrian, director of choral activities at Hesston College. “Bel Canto has spent an entire school year giving virtual and on-campus concerts. With increasing vaccination rates and easing restrictions, we hope to bring a message of new life, resilience and reflection. These concerts will provide a space for communities to celebrate together safely. We look forward to sharing our music with new audiences.”

Directed by Dr. Adrian and accompanied by Kenneth Rodgers, Bel Canto Singers are Hesston College’s top choir. The 2020-21 year marks the group’s 37th season. The mixed ensemble carries out concert and touring schedules annually. Bel Canto offers first- and second-year college musicians a breadth of experiences typically reserved for third- and fourth-year students at other colleges. Recent juried appearances have included performances for The Swingles, Lorelei, VOCES8, Chanticleer, the King’s Singers, Charles Bruffy and the Rose Ensemble.

Theatre department to stage “Superior Donuts,” an examination of race, class and generational issues

Hesston College’s Theatre department will present five performances of “Superior Donuts,” a play by Tracy Letts. The show is directed by theatre professor Rachel Jantzi. Performances will take place in the Black Box Theater in Keim Center on Hesston College campus, April 14 to 18. Shows on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday start at 7 p.m. Sunday’s matinee show begins at 2 p.m.

“Superior Donuts” is set in the modern-day Uptown area of Chicago. It depicts the unexpected friendship between Arthur, a down-and-out donut shop owner and Franco, his enthusiastic employee. Franco brings a fresh perspective and wants to update the place, while the reluctant Arthur struggles with changing the shop and changing his ways. A comedy with heart and a bit of grit, Superior Donuts introduces us to a wide range of neighborhood dwellers and unapologetically hits on economic, racial and generational issues.

“This show has been on my mind for over three years,” said Jantzi. “The characters are deeply flawed, complicated, hilarious, tragic and very human. This play reminds the audience that not everyone’s American experience is the American dream.”

Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults and seniors, and can be reserved by phone at 620-327-8105. Tickets may also be purchased on site. Seating is limited and will be socially distanced and masks are required. The show is rated PG-13 for some language.

The cast and crew for “Superior Donuts” are as follows:

Cast . . . . . Role

Alex Miller . . . . . Arthur
Silas Nicholson . . . . . Franco
Tristan Costin . . . . . Max
Kayla Gunn . . . . . Randy
Emerson Ross* . . . . . James
Michele Hershberger** . . . . . Lady
Isaac Tice . . . . . Luther
Xavier Jang . . . . . Kevin
Josh Fleming . . . . . Kiril
* Guest student performer—WSU; ** Hesston College faculty

Crew . . . . . Position

Madison Higdon . . . . . Stage Manager
Kaytlen Keough . . . . . Assistant Stage Manager, Sound Board Operator
Jacob Hess . . . . . Lighting Assistant, Light Board Operator
Savannah Zink . . . . . Costume, Hair & Make-up Chief
Rachel Weaver . . . . . Costume Crew
Alyssa Nolt . . . . . Costume Crew
Kelly Miller . . . . . Props Master
Diane Soguilon . . . . . Head Usher