In the News

Hesston College fills new academic role

Hesston College has announced Dr. Carren Moham as the new Associate Academic Dean. Dr. Moham will start her new role at the beginning of August.

The role of Associate Academic Dean is a newly formed position at Hesston, replacing the Dean of Student Success position that was formerly held by Deb Roth, who was named Vice President of Student Life in May. Moham’s role will be to coordinate student success initiatives within academics, provide time and attention to faculty development and mentoring and work alongside the Vice President of Academics.

“Dr. Moham’s work in faculty development will help us to boost the level of our programs and teaching in all areas, and particularly as we continue to explore four-year degree options,” said Dr. Brent Yoder, Vice President of Academics. “She also brings experience that will benefit Hesston College as we work to accommodate and assist with the needs of students from all backgrounds and cultures and be a truly welcoming place for all.”

Moham earned a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree in vocal health and black music history from the Ohio State University (Columbus), as well as a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Oklahoma (Norman) and a bachelor’s degree in education from Northeastern State University (Tahlequah, Okla.).

Moham served on the faculty of Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington) for 16 years where she taught private voice and held administrative roles as junior faculty advisor and mentor, vice chair of the faculty development committee, student academic advisor, co-chair of the multicultural study group, and advisor and fundraiser for the offices of the president and provost. She has presented at conference on topics ranging from closing the achievement gap to student retention, and has led workshops on cultural competence and college preparedness.

Sharing cultures: Reflections from an International Volunteer Exchange Program participant

Hesston, Kansas is used to seeing young adults from around the globe through the many international students who attend Hesston College every year. But David Cortes’ purpose in Hesston was a little different.

He came from his home in Colombia to serve, to work, to immerse himself in the community and to come to deeper understanding of what service to the world looks like. A very similar set of values and goals Hesston College holds.

Cortes was hosted by Hesston College for almost a year as a participant in Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP), a cultural exchange opportunity for young, Christian adults. Instead of focusing primarily on academic study at Hesston College, Cortes put the university background he gained in Colombia to work in the college’s Information Technology (IT) department.

“I like learning about different cultures and languages, and my youth group at home always promoted service, so I was drawn to IVEP because it would give me the opportunity to serve in and explore a different culture,” said Cortes.

Likewise, with an increased emphasis on global engagement, hosting an IVEP participant provided Hesston College with an opportunity to expand cultural understanding for students, faculty and staff alike on its own campus.

David’s role as support staff in IT gave him opportunities to connect with all campus groups – students, faculty and staff. Living off-campus with a host family during the fall semester gave him a connection point to the wider community and a local church, Whitestone Mennonite Church. Even though he finished his university degree from a distance in October, he also took a few classes and ate lunch with students which resulted in new friendships. Moving on campus for the spring semester allowed those relationships to deepen even further.

“Even though my role on campus was different from a typical student, I made friends with students from all over the world,” said Cortes. “I was excited to find such a large population of international students and I enjoyed being able to share and connect with people from so many countries, cultures and backgrounds.”

Cortes admits that his initial reaction to his placement in Hesston was accompanied by some apprehension.

“I wasn’t sure about being surrounded by American students,” Cortes said. “I had an image of extravagant American culture and focus on possessions, but when I got here and began to connect with people and understand life here, I found similarities to Colombia. We have the same kinds of struggles and fears and hopes and aspirations. My ideas of Americans as strict and serious also changed when I only found warm, friendly and welcoming people.”

That kind of discovery of a common humanity across the globe is what Hesston College anticipates will be an outcome for students of the transcultural experiences and other global engagement opportunities that are increasingly becoming part of the student experience.

As he reflected on the experience on his last day on campus on Tuesday, Cortes said overall the year helped him grow both professionally and personally.

“This was my first job after university and the most serious work I’ve had,” he said. “I learned what it’s like to have professional responsibilities that others rely on me to complete. Overall, I feel like I’m part of something bigger than just myself and the reality I’ve always known. It motivates me to work harder and do whatever I can to serve others. I’ve really appreciated the experience.”

Avalos, Hartley named Lark Athletes of the Year

The Hesston College athletic department announces the 2018-19 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Lexi Avalos and Cal Hartley. Avalos was an outfielder for the Lark Softball Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) regular season champions and Hartley was a guard for the men’s basketball team.

Avalos stepped up to help lead the softball team to the best season in school history. She was first team all district and second team conference, her second all-district selection. She ended the year with 53 hits including two home runs. Avalos scored 35 and finished with 55 RBIs. For her career she tops the Larks with 118 hits over her two years. Avalos is a nursing major who will be a two time Academic-All American.

“Lexi was unquestionably our team leader, something she did not ask for,” said coach Andrew Sharp. Avalos will continue her education at Hesston College as she plans to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Cal Hartley had a great year for the Lark men’s basketball team. He was a captain and leader on and off the court. Hartley earned second team in both the KJCCC and the NJCAA Region. In the NJCAA Cal ranked 8th Nationally in 3-pointers made (108) and 4th in free-throw percentage (88.1). He sits in the top 10 of the Hesston College all-time leaderboard in several categories including three pointers shot, three point shooting percentage and minutes played. Hartley is also a two time NJCAA Academic-All American with a 4.0 GPA. He will attend Drury University where he will continue his studies in business and play basketball.

Spring 2019 academic honors

Hesston College announced the names of full-time students whose spring 2019 semester grades earned them a place on the Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00) and Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89).

Dean’s List – First-year

Gabriella Audrey, Semarang, Indonesia
Willow Baer, Marshallville, Ohio
Erin Beachy, Middlebury, Ind.
Sabrina Bellar, Conway Springs, Kan.
Jessica Buckwalter, Yona, Guam
Simone Burgess, Los Angeles, Calif.
Matthew Byler, Shipshewana, Ind.
Levi Geyer, Oxford, Iowa
Dimitri Giannakopoulos, Cypress, Texas
Brett Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, Kan.
Alyssa Hershberger, Wellman, Iowa
Mio Hirata, Kani, Japan
Hannah Klusman, Ford, Kan.
Jaden Lais, Grantsville, Md.
Sadie Leatherman, Kouts, Ind.
Brayan Martinez, Soyapango, El Salvador
Rachel Miller, Freeman, S.D.
Masataka Miyake, Tatebayashi, Japan
Jo Anne Mulatre, Hinche, Haiti
Michael Mullet, Lagrange, Ind.
Jonathan Ortiz, Wichita, Kan.
Tobie Plett, East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada
Raelynn Reeves, Abilene, Kan.
Justus Sneary, Harrisonburg, Va.
Rei Vuksani, Tirana, Albania
Ellie Yoder, Seattle, Wash.

Dean’s List – Sophomores

Erica Baer, Wooster, Ohio
Lucas Comfort, Salina, Kan.
Jenna Denlinger, Lancaster, Pa.
Will Gaby, Goshen, Ind.
Jade Gleason, Brush, Colo.
Annalys Hanna, Fraser, Colo.
Grant Harding, Louisburg, Kan.
Cal Hartley, Benton, Kan.
Kaylen Haynes, Trophy Club, Texas
Jaden Hostetter, Harrisonburg, Va.
Laura Huang, SanMing, China
Leah Huyard, Staunton, Va.
Kylee Kasselman, Claflin, Kan.
Hugo Kinebuchi, San Diego, Calif.
Cassidy King, Cochranville, Pa.
Ivonne Ledesma, Wichita, Kan.
Chris Lichti, Shickley, Neb.
Taylor Longenecker, Rockingham, Va.
Jenna Magana-Garcia, Hutchinson, Kan.
Faith Manickam, Hesston, Kan.
Lindsay Manwell, Wichita, Kan.
Sophie Miller, Goshen, Ind.
Rio Mori, Osaka, Japan
SungHyoun Nam, Gyounggi-do, South Korea
Joel Plank, Syracuse, Ind.
Dylan Brubaker Slabach, Harrisonburg, Va.
Zachary Smisor, Valley Center, Kan.
Hudson Smith, Waukomis, Okla.
Sarah Teeter, Hesston, Kan.
Lily Wait, Parker, Colo.

Dean’s List – Juniors

Ashley Call, Wichita, Kan.
Nicole Cutler, Hutchinson, Kan.
Autumn Gehman, Adams, Tenn.
Arianna Herrick, Moundridge, Kan.
Kallie Provost, Wichita, Kan.
Sally Wilson, Wichita, Kan.

Dean’s List – Seniors

Kristy Bell, Andover, Kan.
Kaitlin Diaz, Wichita, Kan.
Krystan Miller, Hutchinson, Kan.
Sophia Miller, Newton, Kan.
Ashley Rohleder, Salina, Kan.
Vanessa Steckly, Milford, Neb.
Lilian Trifena, Tangerang, Indonesia
Megan Thomason, Independence, Mo.

Honor Roll – First-year

Jacob Bontrager, Smithville, Ohio
Thomas Brown, Valley Center, Kan.
Muskan Budha Magar, Ghorahi Dang, Nepal
Alik Gillman, Lanesville, Ind.
Trey Greening, Wichita, Kan.
Kyoya Himori, Yamamoto, Japan
Disleve Kanku, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Voldie Kanku, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Sarah Keck, Topeka, Kan.
Ellena Lehman, York, Pa.
Dane Milburn, Lincoln, Neb.
Reese Nebel, Hesston, Kan.
Amber Petrie, Murdock, Kan.
Parris Rawls, McKinney, Texas
Mackenzie Smith, Richmond, Texas
Stephen Waltner, Freeman, S.D.
Dayton Watkins, Valley Center, Kan.
Laurine Yeboah-Appiah, Lancaster, Pa.
Ejona Zogu, Lezha, Albania

Honor Roll – Sophomores

Alexis Avalos, Yucaipa, Calif.
McKenzie Brown, Estes Park, Colo.
Rina Fukada, Yokohama-shi, Japan
Risa Fukaya, Kanagawa-ken, Japan
Faith Hallmark, El Dorado, Kan.
KaDrea Hulett, Atlanta, Ga.
Denazia Jeffers, McKinney, Texas
Lily Kauffman, Mountain Lake, Minn.
Misato Kawamoto, Ibaraki-ken, Japan
Kaylen Lassley, Salina, Kan.
Ian Lecki, Overland Park, Kan.
Mariana Martinez Hernandez, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Brant McCune-Wall, Manhattan, Kan.
Jared Oyer, Hubbard, Ore.
Kendall Pelton, Cheyenne Wells, Colo.
Camryn Roth, Canby, Ore.
Seth Rudeen, Osage City, Kan.
David Ryan, Tulsa, Okla.
Jenna Schneider, Lodi, Calif.
Kenton Schroeder, Harper, Kan.
Malachi Swartz, Overland Park, Kan.
Samantha Trejo, Lyons, Kan.

Honor Roll – Juniors & Seniors

Jacob Aich, Hutchinson, Kan.
Hannah Brewster, El Dorado, Kan.
Lauren Clark, Sedgwick, Kan.
Jennifer Decker, Newton, Kan.
Makenzie Farnham, Little River, Kan.
Lora Ferguson, Hesston, Kan.
Nicole Loewen, Hutchinson, Kan.
Katherine Ropp, Hutchinson, Kan.

New logo to represent Lark Athletics

Hesston College and Lark Athletics unveiled a new, official logo on Friday, replacing the existing mark that has represented the brand since 2004. The new logo refreshes the Lark head with an updated and classic appearance.

“There are exciting changes happening within Hesston College Athletics, and the new logo is a part of those improvements,” said Rachel McMaster, Director of Marketing and Communications. “With several major athletic facility projects in the works, this was a good time to also give the Lark a more modern look.”

Hesston College is in the midst of major renovations and additions to some of the athletic facilities, including a renovation of the Yost Center gymnasium, as well as the addition of a new building entry and a weight room and fitness center that will be available to both Lark student-athletes and the wider student population. A new on-campus softball field is also in construction, and a new athletics website is planned for a late summer rollout.

The new Lark and other elements of the new athletics visual brand, including a customized font, was created by Hesston College graphic designer Marissa Unruh over the 2018-19 year.

“We wanted the new Lark to be a representation of Hesston College and Lark Athletic values,” said Rachel McMaster, Director of Marketing and Communications. “Our goal with the new logo was to portray personality and determination while holding true to the features of the Kansas state bird the Hesston College Lark represents and maintaining connection points to the outgoing Lark.”

Hesston Athletics will start implementing the new logo immediately, with expectations of an ongoing process over the next few months and beyond. Roll-out celebrations will be planned on campus with the start of the 2019-20 academic year in August.

Hurst to lead Hesston College spiritual life

Hesston College announces the appointment of Micah Hurst as campus pastor. Hurst’s work experience reflects a passion for youth and the ministry of young adults. He will join the Hesston community in mid-July.

Hurst is a graduate of Hesston College, earning an associate of arts in Bible with a youth ministry concentration in 2000. He then completed a bachelor of science in camping, recreation and outdoor ministries from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.) and a master’s in church leadership from Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

Since 2015, Hurst has served as Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at Weavers Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Va., as well as a Ministry Affiliate with Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) for the last year. Other experiences include youth pastor work and summer camp ministry staff positions. Hurst also spent four years serving as a youth work coordinator in Tasmania, Australia, and a year serving as a ministry servant and youth ministry consultant with organizations in Sydney, Australia.

Hurst succeeds Todd Lehman, who served Hesston College as campus pastor for 11 years.

Administrative appointments announced

President Joseph A. Manickam has announced the appointments of three vice presidents in Hesston College’s administrative structure.

Stepping into the role of Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance is Lisa George. George was most recently a business teacher at Newton (Kan.) High School. She is a Hesston College graduate, and holds a master’s degree in business education.

“Lisa brings real-world business leadership experience and an academic background to this role,” said Manickam. “I have been struck by the energy she brings to the position and the possibilities it holds in supporting and shaping Hesston College’s future.”

George replaces Mark Landes who served in the role for six years. Landes and his wife, DeeDee, will be serving in a year-long assignment with Mennonite Mission Network in Colombia.

Deb Roth has accepted the Vice President of Student Life role. No stranger to Hesston College, Roth has served in a variety of student success roles for 17 years, including education professor and, most recently, Dean of Student Success.

“Deb has championed student success in some form or another on our campus for many years, and I am excited by the strengths and gifts she brings to this role,” said Manickam. “She has extensive worship planning experience at both a congregational and denominational level. Such leadership will be important as we continue to develop the spiritual formation aspect of the student experience. Also, as we shift to increasing the junior and senior class population on our campus, I believe Deb will bring much wisdom to shaping the academic, social and spiritual aspects for those two years.”

Roth is a Hesston College graduate and holds a master’s degree in adult and continuing education. She replaces Juli Winter, who served as Interim Vice President of Student Life for a year, and at Hesston College for four years as dean of students.

Rachel Swartzendruber Miller has accepted the role of Vice President of Advancement. Swartzendruber Miller has served as Vice President of Enrollment at Hesston College since 2011 and has also been serving in an interim role of Vice President of Advancement since the middle of March following the departure of Byron Rupp.

“In the two months we have been discerning the future of leadership for the Advancement and Enrollment positions, it has become clear that Rachel has the energy and vision to lead the Advancement team,” said Manickam. “In her eight years in Enrollment, she has proven to be a creative leader with an excitement for new ideas and energy and energizing her team. I look forward to what she will bring to Advancement and working with a different constituency with similar goals.”

She is a Hesston College graduate and holds a Ph.D. in leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration.

A search will be launched for a new Vice President of Enrollment, which Swartzendruber Miller will continue to fill in the interim.

Hesston College Aviation and MEDA to partner for learning event

A joint event with Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) and Hesston College Aviation, on June 4 will provide an opportunity for those with interest in international economic development or the aviation industry to learn more about opportunities within south central Kansas.

Hesston College Aviation will host the MEDA Kansas Network Hub for its quarterly gathering and catered meal at 5:30 p.m. at the Hesston College hangar at the Newton City/County Airport, 502 N. Oliver, Newton, Kan. The evening programming and meal are free though donations are welcome to help with expenses. Reservations are required by Friday, May 31 at meda.org/kansas-event or by contacting sballard@harperindustries.com or 620-896-7381. Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted until maximum capacity is reached.

The evening’s programming will include tours of the Hesston College Aviation facility and airplane fleet, meeting the instructors, and demonstrations on the Redbird MCX Advanced Training Device. Program director Mike Baker and other college representatives will also share about Hesston College’s 48-year history in training pilots and the recent addition of a four-year bachelor’s degree track in aviation-professional pilot, which will be offered as an option along with the two-year associate degree track beginning in fall 2019.

Along with pilot training, Hesston College also offers a plan of study in aviation-air traffic control, and is the only program in the state of Kansas and one of 36 nationwide to be approved as a Collegiate Training Initiative program by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Baker has served as director of Hesston College Aviation since July 2018. A graduate of Hesston’s aviation program, Baker worked with the U.S. Department of Transportation/FAA – Wichita Flight Standards District Office (US DOT/FAA – FSDO) as a front line manager in the General Aviation Operations Unity and Flight Safety International Certificate Management Unit from 2014 to 2018. He had previously served US DOT/FAA – FSDO as principal operations inspector and aviation safety inspector, as well as ground/simulator/aircraft instructor with FlightSafety International (Wichita), and manager, flight trainer/chief instructor/instructor pilot with International Flight Training Academy (Bakersfield, Calif.). He holds a master of business administration degree from Tabor College – Wichita, and a bachelor of science – professional pilot from Utah Valley State College (Orem).

For MEDA, partnering with a variety of educational and industry organizations, allows for wider awareness and support of its work being done around the world. Founded in 1953, MEDA is an international economic development organization whose mission is to create business solutions to poverty in developing regions. Last year, MEDA helped 91 million families in 60 countries around the world. Learn more at meda.org.

Larkfest awards recognize students for academic and leadership achievements

Hesston College students were recognized for their achievements in academics and leadership at the 2019 Larkfest Awards ceremony, May 3.

The top award for Lark of the Year award, went to sophomore Mariana Martinez (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) 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: Abby Busby (Bandera, Texas), Joel Plank (Syracuse, Ind.), Tobie Plett (East St. Paul, Maintoba, Canada), Rae Reeves (Abilene, Kan.), Madison Swartzendruber (Goshen, Ind.) and Jasmine Taylor (Nassau, Bahamas).
• Amateur Radio Clean Sweep Award: Grace Allen (Abilene, Kan.), Jessica Buckwalter (Yona, Guam), Gracie Hochstetler (Leesburg, Ind.), Wyatt Krom (Ulysses, Kan.), Gavin Strohm (Haysville, Kan.), Tom Tien Lo (Hualien, Taiwan), Payne Wiseman (Haysville, Kan.) and Ellie Yoder (Seattle, Wash.).
• Behavioral Science Award: Jenna Denlinger (Lancaster, Pa.).
• Bill Mason Business Scholarship recipients to receive a $2,500 scholarship for their sophomore year of business study at Hesston: Matthew Byler (Shipshewana, Ind.), Dimitri Giannakopoulos (Houston, Texas), Michael Mullet (Lagrange, Ind.) and Tobie Plett (East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada).
• Student Development Officer Awards for students who call alumni during Phonathon: Ashley Yasin (Lake Isabella, Calif.) for the most money brought in, and Laurine Yeboah-Appiah (Kumasi, Ghana) for the most completed calls.
• Clayton V. Beyler Award for Bible and Ministry students: Jaden Hostetter (Harrisonburg, Va.), Mariana Martinez (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) and Masemo Wakibogo (Hesston, Kan.).
• Daniel Gerber Peace and Service Award: Peter Harris (Lititz, Pa.).
• Outstanding Visual Arts Award: Lindsay Manwell (Wichita, Kan.) and Jared Oyer (Hubbard, Ore.).
• Dedicated Artist Award: Denazia Jeffers (Midwest City, Okla.).
• Mariann Martin Theatre Award: Leah Huyard (Staunton, Va.).
• Standing “O” Theatre Award: Colton Adams (Wichita, Kan.).
• Musician of the Year Award: Mariana Martinez (Tegucigalpa, Honduras).
• Education Award: Ivonne Ledesma (Wichita, Kan.).
• Peer Educator Award: Will Gaby (Goshen, Ind.) and Jenna Schneider (Lodi, Calif.).
• Physical Education Award: Rio Mori (Osaka, Japan).
• Nursing Excellence Award: Saralyn Oyer (Hesston, Kan.).
• Science and Math Awards: Faith Manickam (Hesston, Kan.) and Harune Suzuki (Osaka, Japan).
• Yoder/Zaid Scholarship: awarded to a chemistry student who shows promise, Stephen Waltner (Freeman, S.D.).
• Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: given to graduating international students with a 4.0 GPA, Rio Mori (Osaka, Japan).
• Resident Assistants of the Year: David Berzins (Houston, Texas) and Risa Fukaya (Zushi, Japan).