Hesston College invites you to spring community day – fun, food and Lark athletics!

Hesston College is rolling out the welcome mat for its Spring Community Day, and the entire community is invited! Join the campus community on Saturday, March 8, for a day of exciting Lark athletics, delicious food, family fun and a chance to connect with friends and neighbors. Best of all – admission to athletic events is FREE!

Community Day Lineup:

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Grill Club fundraiser, Oswald Field
1 p.m. – Special performance by Little Larks Dance Clinic participants, Oswald Field
1:10 p.m. – Baseball vs. Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa, Oswald Field
7 p.m. – Theatre Department Spring Musical: “Urinetown,” Black Box Theater (ticket purchase required at the door or online at hesston.edu/bookstore)
Throughout the afternoon, fuel up with tasty eats from the Grill Club, offering lunch as part of a fundraiser, and Salted Creamery will also be onsite selling their locally-sourced handmade ice cream!

“Whether you’re a longtime Lark supporter, a Hesston College alum, a proud parent or a local community member curious to see what campus life is all about – this day is for you,” shares Lisa Longacher, acting vice president of advancement. “Bring your family, grab a friend and celebrate spring with the Larks!”

Hesston College Community Days are made possible by the generous sponsorship of IdeaTek. For more information, visit our Community Days page.

Moundridge artist Brad Voth showcasing dynamic visual storytelling at Hesston College

Hesston College is pleased to announce its next exhibit featuring the work of local artist Brad Voth. The show is open and will run through March 14, with an artist reception March 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Hesston’s Regier-Friesen Gallery in Laban Peachey Center (325 S College Dr, Hesston). The public is invited to attend the reception, meet the artist and gain insight into his creative process.

Voth, of Moundridge, Kan., brings a fresh, energetic style to the gallery with his mixed media works in which he displays his passion of crafting narratives through dynamic visuals. His art is inspired by classic comic strips and the expressive energy of comic and caricature artists, as well as some fine artists.

“My art is a vibrant explosion of fun, exaggerated caricatures brought to life through mixed media,” Voth says. “I employ a range of techniques, from playful ink washes to bold digital coloring, to create characters and scenes that are both humorous and emotionally resonant.”

What makes this exhibit particularly compelling is Voth’s inclusion of process pieces that reveal the steps behind his finished works. Visitors will get a rare behind-the-scenes look at his artistic journey.

“This exhibit is particularly interesting because multiple pieces show the process that an artist goes through to get to the final product and have it ready for presentation,” explains Joshua Cross, Hesston College art professor. “The viewer gets to see everything from the initial pencil sketch, to digital add-ins, inking and finally on to color and how a piece changes along the way.”

Cross also noted the uniqueness of Voth’s work in the gallery space. “Historically, comics and graphic novels have been seen as ‘low-level art’ only suited for children. The level of artistry has always been very high in the industry and it needs to be celebrated. We have an excellent example of that right in our backyard.”

The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact joshua.cross@hesston.edu.

Mark Landes named 10th president of Hesston College

Following a national search, Hesston College announced today local businessman and former college administrator Mark Landes will serve as its next president.

Landes, who is currently the market president of Citizens State Bank in Hesston, faithfully served Hesston College from 2013 to 2019, primarily as the vice president of finance and operations. During his tenure, he also held multiple interim roles: twice as acting president, as well as a two year stint leading fundraising efforts as the interim vice president of advancement.

“Mr. Landes was chosen for his business and financial acumen, as well as his history and experience serving the college in various capacities,” states Luanne Southern, presidential search committee chair and Hesston College board member. “His knowledge of the broader Hesston College community and his investment in the college’s mission as a faith-based institution of higher education also contributed to his selection.”

Following extensive interviews with final candidates and a period of prayerful deliberation, Hesston College Board of Directors was united in their final decision as every member voted in favor of Landes as the 10th president of Hesston College.

“The board of directors is unanimous in its belief that Mark is uniquely called and gifted to lead our institution into its next season of growth and impact,” says Ken G Kabira, Hesston College Board of Directors chair. “Under Mark’s leadership, we envision a future marked by academic excellence, superior student outcomes, financial stability and a strengthened presence within the broader Anabaptist, professional and regional communities.”

Landes is equally enthusiastic about his return to Hesston College.

“During my six years at Hesston College, I developed a deep appreciation for the richness of our 100-plus year history and the distinctiveness of the Hesston Experience,” Landes shares. “I am honored and excited to come back to Hesston College, and I look forward to joining a leadership team who is actively focused on stabilizing our position and securing Hesston College’s future.”

As president elect, Landes will begin engaging with the college community in the coming weeks and months for a gradual transition back to campus. He plans to complete his responsibilities with his current position during this time and then assume the president’s role by May 1, 2025. During the transition period, Landes will focus on reacclimating himself with the college and its constituents while offering his financial expertise to the business office.

Hesston College launched its search for a president last spring following the resignation of former president Joseph A. Manickam. The extensive nationwide search was led by Academic Search and overseen by the presidential search committee. Their diligent efforts culminated with on campus visits in November 2024 with three final candidates. The search committee’s findings were then shared with the board of directors who voted unanimously for Landes. Dr. Ross Peterson-Veatch, the college’s interim president, will continue in this capacity throughout the transition period and will return to the vice president of academics position as Landes assumes the president’s role.

More About Mark Landes

As a graduate of Goshen College in 1999, Mark Landes began his career in finance and administration which would continuously intersect with higher education. His professional experience includes nearly a decade engaging with all sectors of higher education while working at JPMorgan and Wells Fargo.

In 2013, Mark came to Hesston College and spent the next six years as an administrator. His primary role was vice president of finance and operations, and he also held several interim roles while at Hesston College. He served two short periods as interim president, oversaw athletics for a year and led fundraising efforts as interim vice president of advancement for two years. During his time leading advancement, the Be Greater Capital Campaign was conceptualized, launched and successfully executed upon. Mark’s time at Hesston College originally ended when he and his family chose to serve abroad in Colombia, South America with Mennonite Mission Network. Upon return to Kansas in 2020, he began working as the market president for the Citizens State Bank in Hesston.

Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and also his M.B.A. from Goshen College. He believes in Anabaptist education and the wonderful potential for growth that exists within the liberal arts environment. He is drawn to organizations where mission, purpose and challenging work can intersect in meaningful ways. He lives in Hesston with his wife, DeeDee, and their three children. He enjoys staying active with his family, friends, church and community.

Annual lecture series invites thought-provoking topic on faith and politics

Hesston College is excited to host Greg Boyd, senior pastor at Woodland Hills Church, for its annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series where he will present a three part series on “What’s So Bad About Being a Christian Nation?” on January 26 and 27 at Hesston Mennonite Church. The community is invited to attend and explore critical questions about faith, politics and the role of Christianity in governance.

• The Opportunities of Anabaptism in the 21st Century, Sunday, January 26, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
• A Different Kind of Kingdom, Monday, January 27, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
• The Challenges Anabaptists Face in the 21st Century, Monday, January 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Boyd will challenge long-held assumptions, such as whether the United States should be considered a “Christian nation” and what happens when the church becomes entangled with political power. Drawing from the life and teachings of Jesus, Boyd’s thought-provoking insights offer a fresh perspective on how Christians can remain true to their faith while navigating societal structures.

“At first glance, the idea of being a Christian nation seems like a good thing,” says Michele Hershberger, co-campus pastor and event coordinator, who then explains, “But did Jesus work through the Roman government to bring God’s Kingdom? No, he didn’t. He was killed by that government. Nor did Jesus try to legislate his moral teachings.”

This timely conversation comes on the heels of an election season that saw significant church involvement in politics. Boyd’s presentations will explore whether this kind of power aligns with Jesus’ teachings or mirrors the temptation Jesus faced to control earthly kingdoms.

This annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series is held in honor of Melva Kauffman, a 1936 graduate of Hesston Academy and a 1939 graduate of Hesston College, who was also an English and education instructor at Hesston College from 1944 to 1977. Following her death in October 2003, her family established this lecture series to continue supporting Kauffman’s lifelong interests in learning and the humanities.

This series is free and open to the public and the sessions will be live streamed on the Hesston College Media Services YouTube channel. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of living out faith in today’s complex world.

For more information, contact Michele Hershberger.

Hesston College to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with special events

Hesston College invites the community to participate in two meaningful on-campus events Monday, January 20, 2025, to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These events aim to bring people together for reflection, prayer, worship and action inspired by Dr. King’s vision of justice and unity.

The first event is a prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. in Bontrager Dining Hall Sauder Rooms. Community leaders and participants are invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast and engage in lively conversation and prayer for the well-being and unity of our community.

Then, from 10 a.m. to noon, join the campus community for Worship, Word and Action in Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Be inspired by a morning of worship and reflection featuring a gospel choir, poetry and visual art, followed by a message from Reverend Jerrell Williams, pastor of Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton. The event will conclude with small group discussions focusing on actionable ways to embody Dr. King’s message. Participants will then gather to share and debrief as a community.

Both events are free and open to the public, offering an opportunity to come together in fellowship and to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring impact. For more information, contact Michele Hershberger at michele.hershberger@hesston.edu.

Hesston College Theatre receives prestigious honors from KCACTF

Hesston College Theatre is celebrating a landmark achievement as the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) selected a scene from their fall production of “Antigone” to perform at the Region V Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, this January. With roughly 30 scenes in consideration from hundreds of productions in the region, Hesston’s is one of only nine that were selected to perform. This recognition marks the first time Hesston College has been invited to showcase its work on this stage.

In addition, two student actors from the “Antigone” cast have earned Irene Ryan Scholarship nominations for their standout performances, a competition that is regarded as one of the most prestigious collegiate acting events. Senior Josh Fleming of Raymore, Mo., who played Creon, and sophomore Caroline Miller of Arlington, Kan., who portrayed Antigone, will compete against more than 300 nominees at the regional festival, with the competition narrowing to just 16 finalists.

“This recognition is significant for Hesston College Theatre,” says Rachel Jantzi, director of theatre at Hesston College. “I can’t wait for these students to experience the opening ceremony and see their photo up there with the University of Nebraska, KU and other larger schools. It’s a validation of our students’ dedication, hard work and talent.”

The invited scene features a powerful confrontation between Creon and his son Haemon, as Haemon challenges his father’s decision to condemn Antigone, the woman he loves, to death. Fleming will reprise his role as Creon, alongside freshman Christian Ryan of Topeka, Kan., as Haemon. The performance will be staged with a simplified scenic design for travel.

Reflecting on the significance of this achievement, Jantzi shares, “It’s incredible to see our students and program honored on this scale, and it’s a way to show future students the caliber of opportunities they can experience here.”

While the chance to see Hesston College’s theatre students perform “Antigone” has passed, the community can still take in this talented group at its next production, “Urinetown,” a Tony Award-winning dark comedy about love and greed to be staged March 5 through 9, 2025. For more information, visit hesston.edu/theatre.

About the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival:

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is a national program that recognizes and celebrates the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs. Region V is the largest of the eight regional festivals, involving students from seven states.

Nursing Club spreads joy with Scentsy Buddy donation drive

Nursing club members Bobbijo Ceniceros, President Kyndal Simpson, Eliana Rivera and Vice President Brianna Hicks prepare to distribute nearly 80 Scentsy Buddies to children at Wesley Hospital.

The Hesston College Nursing Club recently completed a heartwarming donation drive, delivering nearly 80 Scentsy buddies to pediatric patients at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. The initiative was fueled by the club’s deep compassion for others and their desire to make a positive impact on children undergoing medical treatment.

During the first nursing club meeting of the academic year, the group discussed ways to do something special for the kids at Wesley Medical Center, one of their clinical sites. Several club members have personal experiences that brought this concept to fruition.

“We spent time reflecting on our time as a pediatric patient or caring for pediatric patients, and ultimately decided these children in the pediatric units at Wesley could use some joy,” explains Brianna Hicks, nursing club vice president. “We then thought what better way to bring a smile to children’s faces than a stuffed animal — because who doesn’t love stuffed animals?”

The drive aimed to brighten the days of children in the hospital’s pediatric areas including the intensive care unit (ICU), emergency room (ER), sedation and general floors. Throughout October, club members worked together to collect donations which included clip-on buddies, blanket buddies, smaller-sized plush toys and larger full-size buddies. These donations were then distributed by nursing club members in early December, ensuring each child in the pediatric units received a Scentsy buddy to comfort them during their hospital stay.

“My favorite part of the activity was just seeing the children’s faces light up,” Hicks shares. “We were able to hand deliver each and every buddy, and that made the experience even more special in my opinion. Watching their faces light up because of what we had given them was priceless. Truly something so small, like a stuffed animal, can bring so much happiness to a child who has been in the hospital. It gives them something ‘good’ to bring out of their hospital stay.”

In addition to the Scentsy buddy donations, the nursing club used funds raised during the drive to support another cause. The club adopted a young girl from a nearby community who is battling incurable, inoperable brain cancer.

“We were able to come together and buy gifts for this little girl,” Hicks says. “We were also able to provide a cash donation with the money used from the Scentsy fundraiser to help the family with medical bills or plan a special vacation. The smile on her face when gifts were delivered was priceless, and her family was very thankful we chose them for our special Christmas donation.”

The Scentsy buddy donation drive is a new initiative for the nursing club, but it’s one Hicks and fellow members are excited to continue in the years to come.

“This is the first time the nursing club has done an activity like this,” says Hicks, “but I think it is one we will be doing next year and hopefully for years to come.”

Hymn festival to celebrate Anabaptism at Five Hundred

The Hesston College Music Department invites the public to join in a historic celebration of faith, music and heritage at Anabaptism at Five Hundred: Hymn Festival on Sunday, January 19, at 3 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church.

The Hymn Festival will feature a historical narrative by Ken Rodgers, music professor, tracing the evolution of hymns and texts central to Anabaptist worship over the past 500 years. Another highlight of the event is choral and congregational singing, with singers from surrounding churches combining with audience participation to create a communal expression of faith and song. Music will be led by Dr. Russell Adrian, director of choral activities, and accompanied by Karen Unruh, performing arts staff member.

This community-wide event is part of worldwide celebrations commemorating the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism, a faith movement that began with the first adult baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland, on January 21, 1525. Those baptisms sparked the spread of Anabaptism across Europe and eventually around the globe, shaping religious history and traditions for half a millennium. The Hymn Festival also coincides with the release of the Anabaptist Community Bible, a significant new publication that reflects the shared theology and values of Anabaptist communities.

Join the Hesston College community for an inspiring afternoon celebrating a significant milestone in history through music and storytelling. For more information, contact the Hesston College Music Department at finearts@hesston.edu or 620-327-8141.

College hosts virtual ATL Experience, connecting students with sports management industry leaders

Hesston College School of Management hosted a successful virtual “ATL Experience” on December 3, a powerful online event connecting current and prospective students with industry professionals in an engaging discussion on sports management and business.

The panel featured four distinguished professionals:

• Warren Parr, vice president of ticket sales, Atlanta Falcons
• Keith Roberts, senior manager, Atlanta United
• Austin Jones, manager of corporate sponsorships, Rome Emperors
• Tyler Makins, assistant producer, NBA TV/Turner Sports

Two Hesston College students, Santiago Gonzalez and Yoshimune Goto, organized the event as their final project for their Professional Development class. Inspired by their recent trip to Atlanta for the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) conference, they coordinated the event to share insights from that experience and provide a platform for networking and mentorship.

The panel discussion offered students invaluable advice on navigating careers in sports management and beyond. Tyler Makins and Austin Jones, both former students of Dr. Preston James, director of the School of Management, candidly shared their experiences transitioning from college to the professional world, emphasizing perseverance, adaptability and resilience.

“The ATL Experience was a remarkable demonstration of the power of relationships and networking,” said Dr. James, who has also worked with both Warren Parr and Keith Roberts in the past. “The willingness of these industry professionals to give back and mentor our students speaks volumes about the connections our program fosters.”

For students, the impact was immediate. Many expressed interest in forming a sports management club and felt inspired by the panelists’ real-world examples and advice. For Gonzalez and Goto, the event was a chance to sharpen their leadership, event planning and communication skills while making a lasting impression on their peers. Their efforts brought in a mix of in-person and virtual participants, including current and prospective students, faculty, staff, coaches and community members.

“The ATL Experience highlighted not only the growing opportunities in our sports management program but also the value of integrating real-world experiences into our curriculum,” said Dr. James. “This event was a meaningful step forward in preparing our students for success in their careers.”

Hesston’s sports management program is currently pending Higher Learning Commission approval and is anticipated to be available in fall 2025. For more information about this and Hesston College’s business program, contact the admissions office at admissions@hesston.edu.