In the News

Hesston College Theatre to present “Charlotte’s Web”

The Hesston College Theatre department will five performances of Charlotte’s Web, a dramatization by Joseph Robinette based on the book by E.B. White. The show is directed by theatre professor Celaine Worden. Performances will take place at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains Sept. 23 to 27 with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday shows staring at 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday shows at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $5 for children and students, $10 for adults and can be reserved through the Hesston College Bookstore website and purchased on site.

Seating is limited and will be socially distanced by families or individuals. No seating provided; blankets or lawn chairs are encouraged.

The play runs for approximately 50 minutes. Masks are required for the duration of the show, which will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

The Sunday, Sept. 27 performance was postponed to Sunday, Oct. 4 due to rain.

New faculty, staff join college community

Hesston College announces new faculty and staff joining the campus community for the 2020-21 year.

Faculty:

• Debbie McAlister, director of business education
• Johann Reimer, director of engineering education
• Celaine Worden, theatre and communication professor

Staff:

• Alexis Avalos, assistant resident director
• Nathan Bartel, director of marketing and communications
• Gail Catlett, custodian
• Jacob Gibbs, sports information director/intramurals coordinator
• Makenna Grow, resident director
• Max Heddin, custodian
• Matt Hiebert, men’s basketball head coach
• Holly Kendall, Dining Services assistant/cook
• Taylor Littleton, volleyball head coach
• Will Miller, executive coordinator, president’s office
• Kyle Olson, baseball head coach
• Hannah Wheeler, Dining Services assistant/cook
• James Womack, assistant resident director
• Stephen Worthington, systems and media services administrator

County confirms COVID-19 cluster at Hesston College

The Harvey County Health Department, in conjunction with Hesston College, has confirmed a cluster of COVID-19 cases on the Hesston College campus.

The cluster includes five confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been 17 individuals tested. Two test results are pending.

The individuals have self-isolated off campus. Hesston College, along with the Health Department, will regularly monitor the health of the individuals, as well as identify and quarantine all close contacts.

Hesston College has several preventative measures established to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The college utilizes single rooms for all dorming students, staggered move-in and registration days, requires face masks in common areas and daily self-screening.

“Our students, faculty and staff have done a wonderful job planning for and adapting to the challenges of reopening in the current health climate,” said Hesston College President Joe Manickam. “Our COVID response team, along with state health officials, has put tremendous effort into a rapid and comprehensive program of contact tracing to create a welcoming, successful and safe educational environment on our campus.”

Hesston implemented the restricted phase of the college’s five-level CARES Level of Concern planning rubric when the first on-campus cases were confirmed. Information and updates on Hesston College’s COVID-19 response can be found at www.hesston.edu/covid-19-response.

“Hesston College consistently communicated with the Health Department as it developed and planned for its reopening this fall,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington. “The college was proactive in quarantining students to prepare for in-person instruction, and remains diligent as it fulfills its action plans to aid and care for individuals isolating as a result of testing positive for COVID-19.”

Individuals positive for COVID-19 who are Harvey County residents, or identify the college as their current place of residence, will be included in Harvey County’s COVID-19 statistics. Out-of-county individuals that are able to isolate at home will be counted in the statistics of their respective county of residence. All individuals will be included in the total count of the cluster.

College raises CARES level of concern as two students test positive for Coronavirus

Hesston College raised its CARES Level of Concern on Monday from “Active” to “Restricted” in response to two positive COVID-19 tests completed late last week.

The two students who tested positive will quarantine in an off-campus location as the campus initiates their planned response at the “Restricted” level. Off-campus visits are restricted to prospective students, and students cannot stay overnight off-campus unless they are going home to complete a period of quarantine or isolation. Outdoor spaces on campus remain open, but may be closed as staff identify areas of infection and transmission.

In an email message to students, faculty, and staff about the shift, Vice President of Student Life Deb Roth said “we knew that a positive case would eventually appear on our campus, and we have plans in place to manage this situation.

“Our goal is to keep [the college community] as informed as possible,” Roth said, “while at the same time honoring the confidentiality of all individuals involved.”

According to the Hesston College website, the “Restricted” level is initiated by “a positive test result of student(s) or employee who has had contact with others on campus.” At that point, college officials reach out to the Harvey County Health Department to determine next steps.

In partnership with the Harvey County Health Department, the college’s COVID response team developed the CARES Levels of Concern plan to provide a roadmap as students, faculty, and staff returned to campus in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening plan included isolating and testing all students who exhibited symptoms of COVID-19.

Hesston College students return to campus amid strict COVID-19 protocols

After months of planning and preparation in response to the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic, Hesston College opened its doors to new and returning students last week.

The college marked the return of students to campus with an Opening Celebration on Friday evening, August 14. This year’s event was held at Sieber Soccer Field on campus.

“We are Hesston College,” President Joe Manickam told the socially distanced crowd. “This field is not Hesston College. That building is not Hesston College. You, me, flesh and blood, created in God’s loving image, together: we are Hesston College.”

And together, Hesston has approached COVID-19 with a careful protocol for returning.

All incoming students completed online self-screening a week before heading to campus, and students arriving from areas with widespread community transmission quarantined in Kansas for 14 days prior to moving in. The college provided meals and housing for quarantining students. Students began arriving on campus on Tuesday, August 11. The college staggered move-in times across six different dates, and on-campus students moved into single rooms. Staff and faculty greeted students and parents with a temperature check at a drive-through screening area.

Hesston College moved to online learning on March 23 in response to the growing pandemic. Most students stayed home for the rest of the semester, while some stayed on campus in single rooms. All completed their semester classwork online.

Manickam noted that the world won’t go back to the way things were. But “God is here with us,” Manickam said. “I want you to lean on God. Feel God’s presence in those around you. For you are not walking alone.”

Hesston College announces reopening plans for new academic year

Hesston College announced that it will welcome students back to campus and hold in-person classes for the 2020-21 academic year. The year will start with the first day of classes on August 17, which was the start date on the originally planned academic calendar.

Planning for the year will come with extra health and safety measures to protect against the transmission of coronavirus. The academic calendar will shift to eliminate semester breaks like fall break. On November 25, just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, in-person fall semester classes will end and move to asynchronous online learning for the final week and a half of the fall semester.

“We have been closely monitoring the impact of coronavirus in our community and in the region, as well as recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and we are confident that by taking extra precautions, we can welcome students back to campus for the new academic year,” said President Joseph A. Manickam.

A 12-person Reopening Work Group made up of faculty and staff representatives from key campus departments meet regularly to plan the logistics for a safe reopening, as well as policies that will ensure continued health and safety for the campus community moving forward.

“Welcoming our campus community back for the academic year will look different than we are used to,” said Deb Roth, vice president of Student Life. “We will have to make changes to many of the community practices that are part of Hesston College, but we recognize that this is for the safety of all, and we will find new, creative ways to prioritize community, which is foundational for our student experience.”

The college will leverage its smaller size to implement physical distancing practices wherever possible, including assigning single rooms at no additional cost to all students living in the college’s primary dorms, Erb Hall and Kauffman Court.

To accommodate single occupancy dorm rooms, the college will open and use every available housing unit, known as a mod. Hesston College also worked with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) to construct an extra room in the lounge area of each of the Kauffman Court mods, adding an additional 13 dorm rooms to campus.

Physical distancing practices will also be implemented as much as possible in classrooms, the dining hall and during chapel times. A new face mask policy will require mandatory face masks for all students, employees, contractors,and guests on campus where physical distancing practices are difficult to maintain.

In the dining hall, table configurations will allow for six feet of space between diners. Buffet-style service will be eliminated and will switch to cafeteria-style serving. More to-go meal options will also be offered for those who prefer to not eat meals in the traditional dining hall setting.

Chapels have traditionally been held with the entire campus community gathering in person two times per week for 30 minutes. The format for the 2020-21 year will separate students into “chapel houses” with a maximum of 30 individuals, including two faculty and/or staff leaders. One day per week, chapel will be a discussion-based time in chapel house groups, and the other chapel for the week will be an online presentation format.

“We are fortunate that we were able to test some of these physical distancing practices on a small scale during the spring 2020 semester with the students who remained on campus,” said President Manickam. “Those weeks spent with just a fraction of our students on campus allowed us to see what methods worked best and were safest for our campus community.”

While the majority of students during the spring 2020 semester returned to their homes for the last quarter of the year, about 50 students with legitimate reasons to stay, remained on campus to the end of the academic year. During that time, practices such as single rooms and dining hall staff service were implemented.

Roth reported that the remaining on-campus students reported that they felt safe on campus during the spring coronavirus outbreak with the practices the college had in place to ensure health.

“The college did the best job, in my eyes, to take care of my needs as a student as well as my personal needs,” said first-year student Kaytlen Keough, who remained on campus for the duration of the 2019-20 year. “Hesston College went above and beyond to make sure campus was safe and healthy for us.”

Hesston College is located in Harvey County, which was fortunate to see a comparatively small number of coronavirus cases during the spring outbreak. According to the Harvey County Health Department, as of June 15, 16 cases have been confirmed in the county since March, with 13 of the cases considered recovered, two deaths and one active case.

“To date, we are fortunate to be located in an area that has not been heavily impacted by coronavirus, and we pray that this continues,” said President Manickam. “Even so, we take seriously and will comply with the guidelines put in place by federal, state and local governments and public health professionals.”

Help Protect the Larks as they return to campus in August. The “Protect the Larks” campaign will help provide extra health and safety measures to campus incurred because of COVID-19.

Students recognized for academic and leadership achievements at Larkfest 2020

Hesston College students were recognized for their achievements in academics and leadership in a virtual LarkFest Awards ceremony, May 15.

The top award for Lark of the Year went to sophomore Levi Geyer, Oxford, Iowa, 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 award winners include:

• Admissions Outstanding Ambassador Award: Mauricio Cruz Cordero, Santa Tecla, El Salvador; Paulina Diaz, Cassopolis, Mich.; Raelynn Reeves, Abilene, Kan.; and Madison Swartzendruber, Goshen, Ind.
• Behavioral Science Excellence Award: Rachel Miller, Freeman, S.D.
• Bill Mason Business Scholarship recipients to receive a $2,500 scholarship for their sophomore year of business study at Hesston: Kerem De La Cruz, Wichita, Kan.; Grace Litwiller, Hopedale, Ill.; Yuya Muranaka, Hiroshima, Japan; Suhyeon Park, Pyeongtaek-si, South Korea; and Romina Xhari, Lezhe, Albania.
• Student Development Officer Awards for students who call alumni during Phonathon: Rei Vuksani, Tirana, Albania, for the most money brought in, and Laura Yeboah-Appiah (Kumasi, Ghana) for the most completed calls.
• Clayton V. Beyler Award for Bible and Ministry students: Raelynn Reeves, Abilene, Kan.
• Daniel Gerber Peace and Service Award: Levi Geyer, Oxford, Iowa.
• Dedicated Artist Award: Abby Busby, Bandera, Texas.
• Standing “O” Theatre Award: Tommy Brown, Valley Center, Kan.
• Musician of the Year Award: Jacob Bontrager, Smithville, Ohio; and Navy Widyani, Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Peer Educator Award: Autumn Gehman, Adams, Tenn.; and Michael Mullet, Lagrange, Ind.
• Physical Education Award: Maleah Sandy, Girard, Kan.
• Yoder/Zaid Scholarship, awarded to a chemistry student who shows promise: Christian Becker, Marion, Kan.
• Southwind Global Aviation Scholarship: Taitem Zeigler, Natoma, Kan.
• Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, given to graduating international students with a 4.0 GPA: Gabriella Audrey, Semarang, Indonesia; and Tobie Plett, East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada.
• Unsung Hero Award presented by the Student Advisory Board to a faculty or staff member: Brenda Wenger, Student Life Administrative Assistant.
• Resident Assistants of the Year: Rachel Miller, Freeman, S.D.; and Tobie Plett, East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada.

Summer Theatre Camp to be offered in social distancing-appropriate format for 2020

With health and safety at the forefront of consideration, Hesston College made the decision to cancel its summer theatre camp event for area young aspiring actors and tech crew in the format it has known for several years.

As an alternative, a musical theatre learning program will be offered in a social distancing-appropriate one-on-one format for a limited number of participants.

Over the last several years, Hesston College’s Summer Theatre Camp has become a popular summer event for area actors and tech crew ages 11 to 18. In 2019, the camp drew its largest enrollment to date with more than 40 participants who staged the musical School House Rock Live! over a two-week period.

Even though stay at home orders around coronavirus are being relaxed in south central Kansas, the state’s social distancing guidelines continue to limit crowd gatherings that would pose a problem for the camp’s traditional format.

The 2020 alternative event will be held from June 22 through July 3. Participation will be limited to the first 16 registrants who will meet on campus in the Keim Center with Hesston College Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi and Director of Choral Activities Russell Adrian for six individualized 30-minute acting and voice sessions, as well as two masterclass sessions. Each student’s private lessons will occur between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. during the two-week period. An individualized schedule will be communicated prior to the first class.

Participants will perform for their families in a final showcase outdoor picnic on July 3 at 5:30 p.m.

“This will be a much more intensive, but fun individualized experience,” said Jantzi. “It will not be the same theatre camp feel as past years, but we are still hoping it offers those who are excited about acting, singing and dancing a serious chance to work and shine as actors in musical theatre.”

Registration cost is $110 per person. Families registering more than one student will pay full price for the first student and $90 for each additional student from the same immediate family. If the event needs to be canceled for any reason, full refunds will be issued.

To register, contact Rachel Jantzi at rachelj@hesston.edu.

What I learned from Carla Lahey

Carla Lahey

Carla leaves Hesston College this spring after two years teaching theatre, establishing the college’s Touring Theatre Company including directing the company and taking them to perform at a host of local high schools. She also played a key role in Student Life, directing campus activities. Carla completed her Ph.D. in theatre last fall and is accepting an assistant professor of theatre position at Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.

Alex Miller, freshman biology major, Arlington, Kan.

Carla Lahey taught the first theatre class I ever attended. Unsure of what was in store for me, I began “Art of Theatre” my first semester of college. It was not long before I grew to greatly appreciate Carla and the education she had to offer us. Filling her role as both a professor and the director of the Campus Activity Board here at Hesston, Carla seemed to connect with a wide variety of students. In interactions with her, both in theatre and student life, Carla always struck me as amiable and compassionate. She embodied the type of care and affable interaction that stands out as truly meaningful.

Being in the final stages of earning her doctorate degree, Carla must have been under loads of stress, but it never impacted her teaching. Some days I’m sure held exponentially more cups of coffee but each one she met us well, both as a professional and as a friend. She held us to a high standard of academics but was understanding if a sick day was needed. She helped me navigate college and was the first to inquire about my health and wellbeing if something seemed off. I look back on this year and reflect on the qualities personified in Carla, the number one thing I will carry with me is a reminder to be compassionate.

When we students found out that Carla would not remain at Hesston next year, the cancellation of school and quarantine had already begun. We didn’t get our chance to finish the show she had just begun to direct or even to say goodbye. In lieu of wishing that farewell in person I want to send it, along with best regards, here.

So thank you Carla. For being a teacher, director, a mentor, and a friend. I wish you God’s abundant blessings as you go from Hesston and enjoy the next season of life.

Rachel Jantzi, theatre professor

Carla has been an appreciated addition to the performing arts program these past 2 years. There is something so invigorating in having a colleague who wants to create and watch a program grow, and who is willing to collaborate and question in order to try to make it the best version it can be, in that moment. Carla is good at…

• asking the questions no one has really thought about, which comes from truly focused listening.
• making sure all sides of a potential problem are addressed thoroughly and all perspectives are heard.
• letting students lead and encouraging them to be curious.
• the details. The most recent example, her twelve page document for the new hire with information about classes, recruitment, shows, conferences, etc. To have
• something so thorough and thoughtful, will be beneficial.

While Carla does all this wonderfully, the thing I will take away from her the most is the value of time.

Most have played the “I’m busier than you can possibly fathom” game. I’ve played it. You know, the one where someone sighs about the amount of work they have only to be met with an equally worn colleague who says the same thing? I like that Carla doesn’t play that game. She could have. In addition to teaching, she taught a class that toured and the scheduling of that was ridiculous. She was attending high school shows on weekends and also conferences for the purpose of recruitment, and her time with Campus Activities Board kept her evenings occupied. She also did a show here and there, and had her share of meetings, all while completing her dissertation. Carla was sometimes tired, but she would choose to appreciate the boundaries she was keeping, the nights she was able to focus on her dissertation work, the importance of keeping consistent with her church attendance and the value of her time alone. She seemed centered on this quiet time she was creating for herself, rather than the busyness. In doing this, she has unknowingly taught me that I can choose to refocus and shift my thinking. I have the pleasure and privilege of work and the responsibility to create a space for myself and family. Thank you, Carla for this and all the many things you’ve taught me and our students. Break-a-leg on your next adventure. And...Curtain.

In recent years, the Hesston College Horizon student publication has recognized departing faculty members by inviting students and employees to reflect on the impact these professors have made on their lives. With the COVID-19 campus dispersal in March and the impending departure of Horizon faculty advisor and communications prof Kendra Burkey, the college’s Marketing and Communications team has the privilege of recognizing this year’s departing faculty: Lahey; Kendra Burkey, communication prof; and Gary Oyer director of Media and Instructional Technology and archivist.