In the News

2018-19 year to start with Opening Weekend activities

The summer lull on the Hesston College campus will soon come to an end as students arrive for the 2018-19 year, which launches with Opening Weekend activities August 17 to 19, and the first day of the fall term on August 20.

Community members are welcome to join the campus community for several weekend community-building activities, including:

• Opening Celebration, 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17, Hesston Mennonite Church
• Maroon and Gold volleyball scrimmage, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 18, Yost Center
• Opening Worship with the Hesston Mennonite congregation, 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 19, Hesston Mennonite Church
• Mod Olympics, 6:45 p.m., Aug. 19, Hesston College soccer field, which features on-campus students competing in their mod groups in lighthearted games that promote community and new friendships

See the full Opening Weekend schedule.

Those interested in keeping up to date with on- and off-campus college events and activities, can see or subscribe to a public events calendar.

One campus event of note for the 2018-19 year is Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 27 to 30. The weekend will feature a celebration of 60 years of Lark intercollegiate athletics, including:

• The attendance of Evan Oswald, “father of Hesston College Athletics”
• Launch of a Hesston College Athletic Hall of Fame
• Homecoming Golf Benefit Register
• Recognition of Kansas City General Hospital/Hesston College alumni
• Manickam Mosey Two-Mile Run/Walk Register
• Kids Festival and free community picnic meal
• The Steel Wheels concert, a leading American folk music group from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Buy tickets through the Hesston College Bookstore in person or online.

See a full Homecoming Weekend schedule.

Mutual partnership produces a college class in Philadelphia

Kingdom Builders Network, Mennonite Mission Network and Hesston College – three organizations who five years ago had very little in common, have been on a journey of discovery toward mutual partnership. That partnership paved the way for a Hesston College course taught by Kingdom Builders Network leaders in Philadelphia.

Kingdom Builders Network counts almost fifty diverse Philadelphia Anabaptist churches and non-profit organizations in its network, who gather monthly to read the Bible and pray together, and occasionally sponsor events like the annual Pentecost service (and it is very much like Pentecost). It is an amazing collection of cultures, languages and perspectives woven together.

“We are an ethnically diverse group of urban and inner city churches that is Christ-centered and Anabaptist,” said Pastor Juan Marrero, co-chair of the organization.

Co-chair Amy Yoder McGloughlin added, “What makes Kingdom Builders Network so incredible is that our congregations are learning to see each other as resources and share what we have.

Enter Mennonite Mission Network.

Del Hershberger, Director of Christian Service, was commissioned by MMN to listen and learn from immigrant churches and churches of color in cities across America to see how they could partner with parts of the church that were often not served well.

As he began to visit urban churches around the U.S., he often made his way to KBN meetings in Philadelphia.

“It’s been exhilarating for MMN to work with such a dynamic group,” Hershberger said. ”There’s a synergy here. We share our gifts, learn from each other and everyone benefits.”

Building trusting relationships takes time, but after Hershberger’s regular participation in the monthly meetings, and testing some ideas for collaboration, the KBN Executive Committee identified three areas that the broader church might offer to strengthen the churches of Philadelphia – Anabaptist theological education, resources for conflict transformation and job skills training/job creation.

It was obvious that the Kingdom Builders Network also had a lot to offer the broader church for mutual benefit.

Enter Hesston College.

Mennonite Mission Network encouraged Kingdom Builders to ask Hesston College to consider teaching their introductory Bible course, Biblical Literature, or Bib Lit, to Anabaptist Christians in Philly. In turn, indigenous leaders from KBN would teach Hesston College students, given their expertise in missional church leadership and cultural competency. And undergirding all their dreams? The vision of mutual partnership.

Working with Bible Professor Michele Hershberger, the Bib Lit dream began to take shape.

“Juan Marrero and I have team-taught Bib Lit three times now in Philadelphia, and each time I’ve gained so much,” said Hershberger. “I typically begin the history of a certain part of the biblical story and then Juan contextualizes it for urban and hood life. And the story just comes alive for me. And the participants receive as well. They get the gift of seeing the Bible as one big, connected story. They hear the biblical foundation for their Anabaptist-Mennonite beliefs and values.”

“The partnership with Michele through Hesston College is a mutual blessing because the Bib Lit class brings the narrative of scripture to life in a way that all of the ethnic groups present can relate to and apply to their own cultural settings,” said Marrero.

The second dream of Kingdom Builder leaders resourcing the wider church began when Hesston students came to the city this past May for a three-week intensive class that focused on cultural competency and empathy.

Said Hesston College student Mariana Martinez Hernandez, “I learned that all our stories matter—and that is so powerful. We witnessed firsthand this unconditional love that transcends cultural barriers and generational gaps.”

Freeman Miller, former pastor of Diamond Street Mennonite Church and Professor in Urban Studies at Messiah College, coordinated the educational efforts and led the class in discussions about urban life and the Bible.

“I think most people don’t realize how God has been joining cultures to create a People of God out of all people groups,” Miller said. “This makes cross-cultural relations and reconciliation top priorities for the church today and it’s the reason why classes like this are so important.”

The students concentrated on a different culture each week. The first week they worked with Juan Marrero, Pastor of Christ-Centered Church and Crossroads Community Center in the Fairhill neighborhood. The students learned about this Puerto Rican and African-American community and how the church has responded to the Holy Spirit guiding them toward the gifts and the needs of the neighborhood.

Aldo Siahaan, Pastor of an Indonesian Mennonite church called Philadelphia Praise Center, led the group during the second week. The class interacted with several Asian-American congregations and heard beautiful and challenging stories about immigrants and the struggles they go through.

The third week was led by Leonard Dow, former pastor of Oxford Circle Mennonite Church and Stewardship and Development Specialist for Everence. He helped the students interact with the African-American Philly culture and grapple with the continuing effects of slavery and racism. Like the previous weeks, Dow helped the students see hope and strength in this indigenous community.

And all parties hope the partnership continues.

“There really are no words,” said Michele Hershberger. “My life has been changed as I experienced stories of pain and victory, saw the complexities and beauty of urban life—as I found God in the city.”

Marrero reflected, “The Urban Life and Culture class was a mutual blessing with cultural understanding taking place from both sides. God is present in the city and in Hesston College, and we all share this big God.”

by Michele Hershberger in cooperation with Kingdom Builders Network

Interim plans in place following administrative resignation

Rob Ramseyer, Hesston College vice president of Student Development and athletic director, announced his resignation effective June 29 as he will become athletic director at Friends University in Wichita.

Ramseyer started at Hesston in 2011 as head baseball coach, leading the Larks for four seasons before transitioning to the vice president role in 2015. In 2014, he also served as interim dean of students during a year of transition.

“This new position is very fitting for Rob as he continues to pursue his academic interest and his wish to serve as an athletic director at a four-year institution,” said President Dr. Joseph A. Manickam. “We will miss Rob’s collaborative spirit and his ability to lighten up even the most challenging of situations. We wish him well as he continues his journey.”

In December 2017, Ramseyer completed a Doctor of Education degree through Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.). The topic of his dissertation was, “A Peculiar Institution? A Multi-site Case Study of Athletic Department Cultures at Small Christian Institutions.”

The college has put in place an interim leadership structure to fill the void until the positions Ramseyer held can be filled.

Effective July 1, Mark Landes, vice president of Finance and Auxiliary Services, will fill the interim athletic director role. Juli Winter, dean of students, will fill the interim vice president of Student Development role.

Applications for the athletic director role are being reviewed immediately while the hiring process for the vice president of Student Development role will begin during the upcoming fall semester.

Hesston College Aviation prepares to welcome new program director

Hesston College Vice President of Academics, Brent Yoder, has announced Mike Baker, Andover, Kan., as the new director of aviation. His first day will be July 9.

Baker comes to Hesston from the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Wichita Flight Standards District Office (US DOT/FAA – FSDO) where he has served as front line manager in the General Aviation Operations Unit and Flight Safety International Certificate Management Unit since 2014. In his role, Baker supervised principal operations inspectors and aviation safety inspectors, conducted or assisted with accident and incident investigations, pilot deviations, complaints, waiver issuance and provided safety oversight for aviation events in a jurisdictional boundary.

“Mike has extensive experience as a pilot, instructor and inspector within the aviation industry, and his experience and connections will serve the department well as we prepare to launch a bachelor’s degree program in aviation,” wrote Yoder in an email to campus announcing Baker’s hire.

Baker succeeds Dan Miller who served as director of aviation from 1999 until his unexpected death in April 2017.

A 1993 graduate of Hesston’s aviation program, Baker assumes his new role as the college is working toward expanding the program to a four-year bachelor’s degree program by fall 2019.

“The Director of Aviation position at Hesston College is truly the culmination of my professional and academic ventures,” said Baker. “This role provides an invaluable opportunity to facilitate student growth and development from both a theoretical and empirical perspective through the dissemination of substantive, engaging and encouraging instruction. Integral to this growth is the creation of an environment that not only challenges and solidifies each student’s aviation knowledge and expertise, but also collectively encourages each individual through their own spiritual journey. As a Hesston College graduate, it is a great blessing and privilege to be able to serve in this capacity.”

Baker’s other work experiences include roles within US DOT/FAA – FSDO such as principal operations inspector, aviation safety inspector, ground/simulator/aircraft instructor with FlightSafety International (Wichita), and manager, flight trainer/chief instructor/instructor pilot with International Flight Training Academy (Bakersfield, Calif.).

He also holds a masters of business administration degree from Tabor College (Wichita, Kan.) and a bachelor’s of science – professional pilot from Utah Valley State College (Orem).

Hesston College has operated a pilot training program since 1970, and added an air traffic control program in fall 2009, which is one of 36 FAA-approved Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) programs nationwide and the only one in Kansas. The program offers a private pilot certificate, instrument rating, commercial pilot certificate, multiengine rating, certificated flight instructor – airplane, certificated flight instructor – instrument and certificated flight instructor – multiengine.

Students recognized for spring 2018 academic honors

Hesston College announced the names of full-time students whose spring 2018 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 – Freshmen

Sam Bartel, Hesston, Kan.
McKenzie Brown, Estes Park, Colo.
Jenna Denlinger, Lancaster, Pa.
Rina Fukada, Yokohama, Japan
Jade Gleason, Brush, Colo.
Cal Hartley, Benton, Kan.
Jaden Hostetter, Harrisonburg, Va.
Ruoran Huang, Sanming, China
Leah Huyard, Staunton, Va.
Kylee Kasselman, Claflin, Kan.
Lily Kauffman, Mountain Lake, Minn.
Rebecca Kaufman, Hillsboro, Kan.
Cassidy King, Cochranville, Pa.
Maria Kwee, Central Java, Indonesia
Kaylen Lassley, Salina, Kan.
Ivonne Ledesma, Wichita, Kan.
Taylor Longenecker, Rockingham, Va.
Faith Manickam, Hesston, Kan.
Sophie Miller, Goshen, Ind.
Rio Mori, Osaka, Japan
SungHyoun Nam, Gyounggi-do, South Korea
Caitlyn Nichols, Mesa, Colo.
Hannah Rosenbaum, Richmond, Texas
Jenna Schneider, Lodi, Calif.
Zachary Smisor, Valley Center, Kan.
Morgan Sterner, Sandy, Utah
Harune Suzuki, Osaka, Japan
Bryson White, Fort Worth, Texas

Dean’s List – Sophomores

Landon Baer, North Lima, Ohio
Jenna Boller, Kalona, Iowa
Savannah Bontrager, Milford, Neb.
Anna Breckbill, Kidron, Ohio
Jeremy Deckinger, Wichita, Kan.
Joy Driver, Rockingham, Va.
Andre Eanes, Harrisonburg, Va.
Elizabeth Eichelberger, Geneva, Neb.
Emma Eitzen, Lititz, Pa.
Shota Funazaki, Chiba, Japan
Autumn Gehman, Adams, Tenn.
Shaelyn Headrick, La Junta, Colo.
Luke Hertzler, Harrisonburg, Va.
Katelyn Kilmer, Goshen, Ind.
Levi Litwiller, Hopedale, Ill.
Gaitan Lleshi, Lezhe, Albania
Nicole Loewen, Hutchinson, Kan.
Elizabeth Miller, Archbold, Ohio
Mackenzie Miller, Lancaster, Pa.
Sarah Miller, Freeman, S.D.
Zachary Neely, Ada, Okla.
Curtis Oesch, Caldwell, Idaho
Miho Okuda, Chiba, Japan
Brenna Peters, Hesston, Kan.
Jaelyn Rufenacht, Archbold, Ohio
Koyuki Sakamoto, Osaka, Japan
Sadie Winter, Newton, Kan.
Lindsey Yoder, Millersburg, Ohio

Dean’s List – Juniors

Ashley DeTurk, Salina, Kan.
Sophia Miller, Newton, Kan.
Kaitlyn Shaw, Newton, Kan.
Vanessa Steckly, Milford, Neb.
Lilian Trifena, Tangerang, Indonesia
Moira Wells, Elbert, Colo.

Dean’s List – Seniors

Anna Baggett, Council Grove, Kan.
Meredith Burkhart, Newton, Kan.
Amie Geist, Wichita, Kan.
Samantha McElroy, Wichita, Kan.
Darrian Mosqueda, Hesston, Kan.
Raven Noris, Maize, Kan.
Alyssa Rostetter, Hesston, Kan.
Taryn Wallace, Hesston, Kan.

Honor Roll – Freshmen

Samantha Amarante, Lodi, Calif.
Alexis Avalos, Yucaipa, Calif.
Risa Fukaya, Kanagawa, Japan
Miyane Gonda, Tokyo, Japan
Faith Hallmark, El Dorado, Kan.
Annalys Hanna, Fraser, Colo.
Misato Kawamoto, Ibaraki, Japan
Yuka Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan
Chris Lichti, Shickley, Neb.
Lindsay Manwell, Wichita, Kan.
Mariana Martinez Hernandez, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Ryan Morrissey, Bettendorf, Iowa
Kaede Nakada, Tokyo, Japan
Jared Oyer, Hubbard, Ore.
Joel Plank, Syracuse, Ind.
Camryn Roth, Canby, Ore.
Rei Vuksani, Tirana, Albania
Masemo Wakibogo, Hesston, Kan.

Honor Roll – Sophomores

Louisa Angeline, Semarang, Indonesia
Connor Atkinson, Colwich, Kan.
Sierra Broce, Goddard, Kan.
Nebiyat Demissie, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
John Ebaugh, Holtwood, Pa.
Jacob Harris, El Paso, Texas
Aya Iseki, Taito, Japan
Nadeem Jaber, Jaljulia, Israel
Lydia Jembere, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Preston Judd, Hayden, Ala.
Ryan Oostland, Goshen, Ind.
Cristina Rapisardi, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dylan Schoknecht, Woodstock, Ga.
Angus Siemens, Newton, Kan.
Carissa Slabach, Newton, Kan.
Mariah Trible, Valley Center, Kan.
Dillon Unruh, Wilmore, Kan.
Abraham Vidulich, Wichita, Kan.
Laura Wright, Norwich, Kan.
Ashley Yasin, Lake Isabella, Calif.
Payton Yehnert, Parker, Colo.
Noah Yoder, Harrisonburg, Va.

Honor Roll – Juniors

Emily McMichael, Fort Worth, Texas
Alexandra Pelz, Viola, Kan.

Honor Roll –

Seniors Krystal Duerksen, Goessel, Kan.
Lauren Dunbar, Wichita, Kan.
Terin Hiebert, Hesston, Kan.
Kaitlin McGhee, Wichita, Kan.

Hesston alumni graduate from seminary

By AMBS

Three alumni of Hesston (Kansas) College participated in the May 6 commencement service of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), Elkhart, Indiana:

Mariah Kate Martin of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, graduated with a Master of Divinity with a major in pastoral ministry. She plans to marry Nick Bouwman in July and is pursuing a pastoral ministry assignment. A member of Defiance Church in Glenwood Springs, she attends Faith Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind. Martin previously earned an associate of arts from Hesston College in 2013 and a bachelor of arts in religious studies from Goshen College. She is the daughter of Kim and Lauren Martin of New Castle, Colorado; her father, Lauren, earned a master of divinity from AMBS in 1990.

“Leaving AMBS, I will carry with me and treasure the opportunities the seminary gave me to find my voice,” she said. “I was supported and encouraged to listen well, speak mindfully and to embrace the simple power of sitting with others in their joys and sorrows.”

Ronald Lizwe Moyo of Hesston graduated with a Master of Divinity with a major in pastoral ministry. Moyo, who completed part of his degree at a distance through the seminary’s MDiv Connect program, anticipates continuing as Outreach Pastor for Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. He previously earned an associate of arts from Hesston College in the pastoral ministries program in 2012. He is married to Sue Moyo, and they have two children.

“The ability to be informed by my academic studies and by my classmates who are coming from different cultural backgrounds has been an amazing journey,” Moyo reflected.

Daniel L. Yoder of Goshen, Indiana, graduated with a Graduate Certificate in theological studies. He plans to continue as Pastor of Christian Formation for Youth at College Mennonite Church in Goshen. Yoder previously earned an associate of applied arts and sciences in youth ministry from Hesston College in 2001 and a bachelor of arts in Bible and religion with a concentration in youth ministry from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. He is married to Talashia Keim ’02 Yoder, and they have two sons.

“AMBS has helped me appreciate how contextualized ministry is and how much joy and awe that can bring,” Yoder said. “All humans are created in the image of God and bring their own experiences, theological history, physical abilities, ways of spiritual engagement, stage of faith formation, emotional health, phase of life — not to mention which side of the bed they woke up on that morning — and all of this is a unique reflection of one element of the vastness of God.”

Of the 21 graduates honored during the commencement service, which was held at College Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana, 12 earned a Master of Divinity, five earned a Master of Arts in Christian Formation, and one earned a Master of Arts: Peace Studies. Three students received a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies, representing the equivalent of one year of study. Palmer Becker, D.Min., a church leader, pastor, missionary, author and educator from Kitchener, Ontario, gave the commencement address. Becker was director of Hesston’s pastoral ministries program from 1999-2006.

The graduating class comprised seven men and 14 women from Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Romania. Two graduates originally came to the U.S. as refugees, fleeing war in their home countries of Laos and Zimbabwe (Ron Moyo).

Eighteen of the graduates are affiliated with Mennonite Church USA; one with the Evana Network; one with the Brethren in Christ U.S.; and one with the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. One is nondenominational.

More than 70 percent of the graduates are serving as pastors or seeking pastoral or chaplaincy assignments. Four are pursuing mission or service work, and one is seeking work in faith-based community organizing. Half of the graduates served as paid pastors or congregational staff members while earning their seminary degrees.

Kabira named Board of Directors chairperson

The Hesston College Board of Directors, the governing body for Hesston College, elected board member Ken G Kabira (Naperville, Ill.), a 1981 Hesston graduate, as chairperson during the May 2018 meeting. Kabira, who has served as a member of the board since 2014, will officially begin in his new capacity at the October 2018 board meeting, where he will lead the group in guiding and supporting college processes, plans and initiatives.

In his appointment as chair of the board, Kabira succeeds Kelvin Friesen, Hesston College class of 1973. Friesen was a member of the board from 2006-18, including leading the board as chairperson from 2012-18.

“I believe Ken G will do an excellent job as board chair, working with President Manickam to move the college forward,” said Friesen. “It has been my privilege to serve on the Hesston College Board of Directors, and it is my hope that Hesston College will continue to be a wonderful experience for students to study and learn in Christ-centered community.”

Kabira is a marketing and general management executive with more than 20 years of experience of accelerating customer metrics, brand awareness, revenue and profitability for leading organizations in the U.S. and abroad. He has served as a chief marketing officer in all three sectors of the economy – public, private and nonprofit. He currently serves as managing principal for TrueWorks, a Chicago-based marketing and management consultancy

Kabira has also used his expertise to make significant contributions to Hesston College, including guiding the college through a branding process in 2010, and serving as chair of the search committee that led the process to install Joseph A. Manickam as the ninth and current president of Hesston College.

“I am very honored and humbled to be selected to succeed Kelvin Friesen as the board chair,” said Kabira. “As an alumnus of Hesston College, I have benefitted enormously from the intellectual, social and spiritual formation I experienced at the college. Hesston gives a big experience to students who are making a critical transition in their lives. I look forward to working with the board, Dr. Manickam and the faculty and staff to make Hesston a Mennonite college for all.”

In addition to his Hesston College degree, Kabira also holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s of business administration from the University of Chicago.

Reflection on Philadelphia Urban Life and Culture class

The following was written by Bible and ministry professor Michele Hershberger, who is leading a three-week inter-cultural class in Philadelphia.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Do we take God to the city? Or do we find God in the city?

Those are two very different questions. They emerge from two very different worldviews.

Along with five Hesston College students, I am a part of Urban Life and Culture, an experiential Hesston College class in Philadelphia. The six of us are spending time with Philadelphia Anabaptist Christians in three different cultures: Latino/a American, Asian-American and African-American. But how we answer the question above will determine what we learn these three weeks and whether or not we do significant cultural and relationship damage.

It’ll determine whether or not we find God.

Many Christians tend to see themselves on a mission to take God into the city. They have their facts right…there are more people moving into cities and there are problems in our cities. But the Christian self-identity of bringing God to the city isn’t really Christian at all. It assumes that rural or suburban Christians have it all together and they are the only ones who have something–the gospel–to offer to others. This misconception nurtures self-righteousness and keeps us from seeing all the things urban Christians have to give to us.

It keeps us from seeing God in the city. And God is alive and well in the city.

I saw God in the city today.

I saw God in the gentleness of a mother and her small child, as they stepped on the bus. I laughed with the ladies who overseeing the Pennsylvania primary elections in our neighborhood. When I told them about our class, they said they’d pray for us. I listened as Pastor Juan said hello to everyone we passed in the hood, and they–and we–could tell he loved them.

The question you bring determines the answer you find.

When we look for God in the city, we see different things. Yes, there is still trash on the sidewalks and graffiti on the walls. But there are also gardens and murals–and beautiful people. Every person has a unique picture of God. When we look for that piece of God in each person, we find God. We are enriched. story.

Seeking God in the city makes us less judgmental. Instead of immediately judging the prostitute on the corner, we talk to her. There’s a reason she’s there, a story. Perhaps she was molested at age 11 or forced to do things she didn’t want to do. There’s always a story.

Seeing God in the city keeps us humble. We hear stories of unfailing faith, stories of God’s miraculous providence. We receive warm hospitality in the surprise gift, the warm handshake, the delicious food. We receive so much more than we give.

I see God in Pastor Juan Marrero. He walks with people from the neighborhood he grew up in, the Black and Puerto Rican neighborhood of Fairhill. He baptizes mothers and sons. He counsels young men who need jobs or to get off drugs–or both, because as Pastor Juan would say, there is a correlation. So for him and his ministry, it is about Jesus but it’s also about getting people jobs, treating others with dignity and speaking out against unjust structures that keep people in poverty. Even more, Pastor Juan knows that the people in his hood have love, faith, humor and grace to give to him and that they need to give and that he gains so much as he receives.

He looks for God in the city every day. He represents Jesus in the city every day.

It’s true that we are to “take” God wherever we go. But perhaps we don’t earn the right to tell others about Jesus until we come with humble, nonjudgmental hearts, looking for the God who is already there.

Air traffic control with a side of ham radio: A recipe for success

Someday in the not too distant future, Alex Hunter ’18 plans to be sitting in a radar control room, directing airplane traffic between its starting point and ending destination.

Before Hunter had even earned his Hesston College degree in Aviation – Air Traffic Control (ATC) on May 13, he’d already moved part way through the process for the next step in an air traffic controller’s career path – the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Academy in Oklahoma City. He just needs the paperwork to be approved and a spot to open and he’ll be en route to Oklahoma for more ATC training.

“I applied to the FAA for the Oklahoma City Academy in July 2017, so it’s a long process to get through, but I’m excited I’m this far in the process now and for the day I get my call to go,” Hunter said.

As one of only 36 FAA-approved Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) Air Traffic Control programs in the country – only about 30 of which are currently active – and the only one in the state of Kansas, Hesston’s program fits a very specific niche for an industry currently in high demand.

Hesston College first introduced the Air Traffic Control Program in fall 2009, earning CTI status later that school year. Over the last couple of years, due to program restructurings from the FAA’s end, Hesston’s program quieted, but endured.

Prior to the FAA’s launch of the CTI program, the Academy would train any U.S. citizen applicant, even those with no controller or aviation knowledge. As might be expected in a highly specialized line of work, the pass rate was low. With the introduction of the CTI program, Academy acceptance changed and only individuals who had graduated from a CTI school or those with military experience were accepted. A few years later, Congress changed the rule and decided to let anyone off the street again apply, with no preference given to CTI graduates. Again the Academy pass rate plummeted. So not even a year ago, the FAA reinstated the program while still maintaining open enrollment but bringing applicants through two different pools – one for CTI graduates and military veterans, and the other for any other U.S. citizen.

“Despite all the changes with this program, Hesston has hung on,” said professor Bob Harder. “Even when the FAA stopped giving preference to CTI graduates, we still had several students go through our program who eventually went on to become controllers.”

The FAA doesn’t want CTI schools to train students as controllers, as they are trained in a very specific way once in the Academy, but rather prepare them to be successful at the Academy.

Preparing students for success is one of the things Hesston College does best, and it may be the unique experiences Hesston’s program gives students that help make the difference as they compete for the coveted Academy spot.

For starters, Hesston ATC students are also required to get their Private Pilot certificate – a requirement that is only in place at a few other CTI approved schools.

“Controllers don’t often have flight experience and don’t know what it’s like to be on the other side,” said Harder. “If they understood situations from a pilot’s perspective, they may be able to assist in ways non-pilot controllers can’t. We think having these students learn to fly is a valuable experience that goes above and beyond.”

The other unique point is an option rather than a requirement, but one that several aviation students take part in every year – amateur radio, or Ham Radio Club.

Harder, who is a licensed ham radio operator with an avid interest in contesting, started the club in the mid-2000’s, and has been wildly successful – even in the age of cell phones and ever growing technological advances.

Each November, the club competes in the School category of the American Radio Relay League November Sweepstakes, the most popular ham radio competition in the country. The club has beat out competition like Stanford, MIT and Harvard over the years, and is currently on a five-year winning streak.

“Ham radio uses the same phonetic alphabet as aviation – A is Alpha, B is Bravo, C is Charlie,” said Harder. “It’s great practice because we use the phonetic alphabet to give call signs. It can also be very fast. It’s like being in a control tower when the planes are all coming in at once. We also have to accurately log each contact on a computer.”

In the November Sweepstakes competition, participants make and record as many contacts as possible in a 24-hour period.

“I really like using air traffic and aviation students, especially air traffic because they need to talk for a living,” said Harder. “Aviation students are often scared to talk on the radio when they first get started. They are just microphone shy. They want to sound good right away, so ham radio helps them build their confidence.”

For Hunter, the dedication of the faculty to see students succeed is key in his Hesston College training and preparation for the Academy. Because he hadn’t yet completed the CTI program, he entered as a military veteran, having spent five years as a Navy medic.

“I’ve really appreciated the faculty and staff who do such a good job taking care of students’ needs, being flexible with scheduling and building personal connections,” said Hunter. “The kind of training Hesston offers is exactly what the Academy wants, and I’m grateful for that.”