In the News

Golf benefit to honor lasting legacies and feature Hustler’s newest product

For the last five years, Hesston College has teed off to open Homecoming Weekend with the Homecoming Golf Benefit. Thanks to the generosity of Excel Industries, Inc., longtime friend and partner of the college, in sponsoring the event, and organizer Floyd Sowers, each year’s efforts greatly benefit the Hesston student experience and the college’s operations.

The 2017 benefit on Sept. 21, will honor three longtime Hesston College athletic department coaches and administrators – Joel Kauffman, Art Mullet, and Gerry Sieber.

Kauffman served at Hesston for 27 years in a variety of roles including women’s basketball coach, athletic director, softball coach, instructor, Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid and Vice President of Student Life. He left the college in 2015.

Mullet served at Hesston for 31 years as baseball coach and athletic director before retiring in 2011.

To date, Sieber has served at Hesston for 30 years over two different stints in roles including men’s soccer coach, track coach, men’s basketball coach and, most recently, as cross country coach since 2010. Sieber was inducted into the NJCAA Soccer Hall of Fame in 2015.

Registration for the event is $125 per person. The deadline to register is Sept. 18. Hole sponsorships are also available. Homecoming Golf Benefit information and registration.

The fifth year for the event will also be marked with some changes as it will be the last year of sponsorship for Excel and for Sowers’ efforts. It will also feature the company’s newest product as an auction item – The Hustler MDV utility vehicle.

The MDV, which retails for $15,000 to $20,000, will be auctioned off at the dinner following the afternoon of golf with a starting bid of $10,000. Bidders do not have to golf in order to bid, and absentee bidding will be accepted. To arrange absentee bidding, contact sheri.esau@hesston.edu or call 620-327-8147. See specs on the MDV.

The history between Hesston College and Excel dates back to the company’s earliest days in the 1960s when men associated with Hesston College, alumni Roy Mullet and Doug Stutzman and social sciences instructor Cal Redekop, became involved with the company as owners and employees. The Mullet family bought a partial interest in the company in 1961, and members of the family who are also Hesston College alumni continue to be involved as owners and senior management, including Paul Mullet, president and CEO; Bob Mullet, senior vice-president and COO; and Luke Roth-Mullet, vice president of operations and continuous improvement.

Over the last 58 years, Excel has supported the Hesston Experience, including giving lead gifts on recent capital renovation projects. In gratitude for the company’s faithful support, Hesston College named the campus entry, constructed in 2015, Mullet Drive in honor of the family and the company.

“We are grateful to Excel and the Mullet family for their commitment to the Hesston Experience and the college’s mission over several decades,” said Mike Zucconi, Hesston College director of Development. “Their support encourages us in our work. We are also grateful to Floyd for his work in organizing a successful event every year.”

The golf benefit is part of Hesston College’s Home Sweet Hesston homecoming, Sept. 21 to 24. See full Homecoming Weekend schedule and registration information.

Homecoming 2017 to be historic event with inauguration of ninth president

Hesston College’s annual Homecoming celebration Sept. 22 to 24, will be one for the history books as it will also mark the inauguration of the college’s ninth president, Dr. Joseph A. Manickam.

The special weekend for alumni, friends and the wider community will carry the theme “Grounded in Community, Globally Engaged,” which speaks to the tradition of a strong campus community, the college’s role in the larger Hesston community, and the global perspectives and connections Dr. Manickam brings to the role of president.

Manickam understands the need for global vision well as his work and life have taken him across the world and into different cultures and traditions. Most recently, he served as director of the Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace and faculty member for peace studies at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It’s a perspective that serves as a strong guide as he leads the college into a context that reaches beyond local boundaries.

“Community is an important part of what we do here,” said Manickam. “But it’s also a concept that goes beyond what is local. It’s beyond campus, beyond the city limits and stretches to all parts of the world. We want our students to be global citizens who are able to understand others’ points of view, have respectful dialogue with those whom they disagree, and develop their own informed opinions and ideas.”

Manickam’s inauguration will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, at Hesston Mennonite Church.

Guests from across the country and around the world, including all four living former presidents, Laban Peachey (1968-80), Kirk Alliman (1981-92), Loren Swartzendruber (1993-03) and Howard Keim (2005-16), are expected on campus for the weekend’s events and to help celebrate the college’s community and international reach.

Lark Athletics collecting items to support those in need around the world

For the length of the 2017-18 Hesston College athletic seasons, when fans attend a Lark athletic event, they can also help provide assistance to those in need around the world. At home games throughout the school year, Lark Athletics will collect donated items for hygiene kits that will be sent worldwide.

Working with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) through the Central States office in North Newton, Kan., the kits will be sent to places throughout the world to help individuals and families who have fled their homes because of disaster or war and are struggling to afford necessary supplies, and to schools and orphanages to encourage healthy habits in children.

“We talked as an athletic department last year about working with one organization throughout a school year to make a difference,” said Rob Ramseyer, Hesston College athletic director. “We have so many athletes and events each year, we felt that if we concentrated our efforts, we could make a significant impact.”

A hygiene kit includes the following:

• One adult toothbrush
• One large bar of soap
• One finger nail clipper
• One dark colored hand towel

All items must be new and in the original packaging.

Hesston College student-athletes will also help MCC pack the kits and prepare them for shipping.

Those attending Lark athletic events can bring their donated items to any home game.

Photo release - The start of something new – Opening Weekend 2017

caption - Hesston College resident assistants (clockwise from front) Garrett Roth (Hesston, Kan.), Angus Siemens (Newton, Kan.), Curtis Oesch (Caldwell, Idaho) and Keegan Cook (Whitewater, Kan.) help a new student move into the dorms during one of the move in times throughout the week leading up to Opening Weekend.

captions - (left photo) President Dr. Joseph Manickam runs the “official Mod Olympics torch” on its final leg to declare the opening of the 108th Mod Olympics; (right photo) A mod works to untangle themselves during the “Human Knot” game at Mod Olympics, the final kick-off event of Opening Weekend prior to the start of classes. Each mod’s uniquely themed style of dress and the nonsensical games allow students to have fun and get to know one another in a laid back setting.

Hesston College celebrates solar eclipse as a unifying event

Hesston, Kan., missed the path of totality of the 2017 solar eclipse on Aug. 21 by about 149 miles, but that didn’t stop Hesston College from giving students, faculty, staff and alumni a chance to experience the extraordinary event.

Even though it meant missing the first day of classes, 75 math, science, education and music students traveled 174 miles north to Shickley, Neb., where they were joined by about 90 Hesston College alumni and friends as well as students, faculty and staff of Shickley Public School, Shickley community members and members of Salem Mennonite Church (Shickley) for an eclipse presentation, lunch and eclipse viewing.

In total, about 450 people participated in the day’s activities hosted by Shickley Public School, a PreK-12 school with about 135 students in the small village that boasted a population of 337 in the 2016 census.

For the main eclipse presentation, Hesston College chemistry professor, Dr. Jim Yoder, collaborated with the Bel Canto Singers, under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian, to explain the science of the eclipse while also celebrating the event through song.

Dr. Yoder explained how every person is connected to the cosmos through the atoms and minerals produced in stars, but also through observing the same sky, sun and moon.

“This total eclipse is a good time to remember how we are all united rather than how we are different,” Yoder said in his closing remarks.

The TED-style talk was followed by lunch and the eclipse viewing on the school’s football field, allowing the groups to intermingle and share with one another. Just as Yoder predicted in his presentation, cheers and expressions of awe erupted at totality as each person experienced the eclipse physically, spiritually and personally, but also in community with one another.

Other programming throughout the day allowed Hesston College education students to observe in classrooms, and Hesston students and faculty to present panel discussions to Shickley juniors and seniors about preparing for college, as well as careers in the STEM and music areas.

The idea for the event was spurred by Hesston College science, math and education faculty during the spring 2017 semester. Education professor Heidi Hochstetler, who grew up in Shickley, connected with the administration at her high school alma mater to arrange the day’s programming. The Hesston College Alumni department further extended the invitation for alumni and friends to join in the day, and 90 individuals from a radius of about 175 miles accepted the invitation.

caption - Hesston College chemistry professor Dr. Jim Yoder and the Bel Canto Singers present an eclipse program to a crowd of about 450 at Shickley (Neb.) Public School. Groups involved in the day included Hesston College science, math and education students, faculty and staff, Shickley Public School students in grades PreK-12, faculty and staff, Hesston College alumni and friends, and members of the community of Shickley and Salem Mennonite Church (Shickley).

New faculty and staff appointments announced for 2017-18

Hesston College announces the following new faculty and staff appointments for the 2017-18 year:

• Megan Baumgartner, female resident director, is a Hesston College graduate and completed a B.S. at Goshen (Ind.) College.
• Becky Bartell, M.S.N., R.N., C.N.E., director of Nursing Education, earned an M.S.N. from Fort Hays (Kan.) State University and a B.S.N. from Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.). She has served as a nursing professor at Hesston since 2010.
• Mark Diller, development officer for the western United States, is a Hesston College graduate and has a bachelor’s degree from George Fox University (Newberg, Ore.) and a master’s in business administration from Corban University (Salem, Ore.)
• Jaecy Friesen, flight instructor, is a Hesston College graduate.
• Jeff Giroux, assistant men’s soccer coach, earned a master’s degree in psychology of sports and exercise from Leeds (England) Beckett University and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Oklahoma Wesleyan University (Bartlesville)
• Marissa Hochstetler, graphic designer and assistant female resident director, is a Hesston College graduate and has a B.A. in communication studies with a minor in graphic design from Goshen College.
• Sheryl Hodge, registrar and dean of assessment and accreditation, holds a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis in educational research and psychology and a M.A. in educational research and psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
• Christie Hoskisson, bookstore manager, holds a B.S. in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in business and accounting from Central Methodist University (Fayette, Mo.) and is an alumna of Butler County Community College (El Dorado, Kan.).
• Amy Hulse, R.N., adjunct nursing professor, holds a B.S.N. from Bethel College and plans to complete a M.S.N. in 2018.
• Thomas Kellner, baseball pitching coach, is a graduate of Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
• Jason Klanderud, multimedia projects manager, is completing a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Tabor College.
• James Komakech, men’s and women’s tennis coach, is an alum of Barton County Community College (Great Bend, Kan.) and Bethany College (Lindsborg, Kan.).
• Cindy Lapp, adjunct nursing professor, is a Hesston College graduate and is working on a M.S.N. through Tabor College-Wichita to be completed in 2018.
• Fritz Lehman, flight instructor, is a Hesston College graduate.
• Peter Lehman, history professor, holds a M.A. in American studies from Pennsylvania State University (Harrisburg), a B.A. in history from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.) and is pursuing a Ph.D. in American studies from Pennsylvania State University. He has taught English courses at Hesston since 2015 and will continue in that role.
• Ben Miller, plumbing/facilities specialist.
• Jeptha Miller, flight instructor, is a graduate of Hesston College and Goshen College.
• Jessica Miller, food service director, holds a B.A. health and physical education from Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.) and a B.S. in dietetics from Kansas State University (Manhattan).
• Monica Miller, director of human resources, is a Hesston College graduate and holds a B.A. in business administration with a minor in psychology from Goshen College. She is completing a M.S. in employment law from Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).
• Paula Miller, nutrition professor, holds a M.S. from South Dakota State University (Brookings) and a B.S. from Kansas State University.
• Christy Miller Hesed, adjunct mathematics professor, holds a Ph.D. in environmental anthropology from the University of Maryland (College Park), a M.S. in sustainable development and conservation biology and an undergraduate degree from Goshen College.
• Austin Mitchell, intramural director, is a Hesston College graduate and holds a B.A. in business administration, management and marketing from Bethel College.
• Diana Mitzner, M.S.N., R.N., adjunct nursing professor, holds a M.S.N. in nursing education from the University of Phoenix (Tempe, Ariz.) and a B.S.N. from Southwestern College (Winfield, Kan.).
• Susan Mungecho, food service.
• John Murray, director of international admissions, is a Hesston College graduate, holds a master’s in theological studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.) and will complete a master’s in interfaith action from Claremont (Calif.) Lincoln University in September.
• Brandy Quinn, admissions visit coordinator, holds a B.A. in education from Emporia (Kan.) State University.
• Corey Regehr, special services manager with Campus Facilities, is a Hesston College alumnus.
• Mary Schanbacher, food service.
• Andrew Sharp, history professor, is a Hesston College graduate and holds a M.A. in sports administration from Wichita (Kan.) State University and a B.A. from Millersville (Pa.) University. He will continue his role as softball coach at Hesston.
• Bonnie Sowers, M.S.N., R.N., nursing professor, is a Hesston College graduate and holds a M.S.N. from Ohio State University (Columbus) and a B.S.N. from Goshen College. She served Hesston College as director of nursing education from 1980 to 2017.
• Holly Swartzendruber, music professor and vocal music coordinator, holds a D.M.A. in vocal performance from the University of Kansas (Lawrence), a M.M. in vocal performance from Ohio University (Athens) and a B.A. in music from Goshen College.

Science and music to mark total solar eclipse with special program

To mark the rare occurrence of the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse path over North America, the Hesston College music and science areas will team up for a special presentation at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, August 19, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. The program is free and open to the public.

The special programming will feature eclipse-themed music by the Bel Canto Singers and a TED-style talk about the solar event by natural science professor Dr. Jim Yoder.

The last total eclipse viewed from the contiguous United States was on Feb. 26, 1979, passing through states in the northwest as far east as North Dakota. The next total eclipse will be on April 8, 2024, with totality visible from Texas to Maine.

On the day of the eclipse, more than 75 Hesston College science, math and music students will present the same program at Shickley (Neb.) Public School, which is located in the 70-mile wide path of eclipse totality, before viewing the eclipse with K-12 students, Hesston College alumni and community members.

Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts celebrates 35 years with a wide array of performances

For its 35th season, the Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts (HBPA) series will feature a vast array of performing art and culture from some of the world’s most popular ensembles.

An improvised musical comedy will open the season on Oct. 5 at Bethel College’s (North Newton, Kan.) Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center, with Broadway’s Next Hit Musical. The unique performance features musical theatre meets “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” when master improvisers gather made up song suggestions from the audience and a create a spontaneous evening of music, humor and laughter.

Renowned as one of the finest vocal ensembles in the world for more than five decades, the Vienna Boys Choir returns to the HBPA stage for the first time since 1993 on Nov. 9, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. Made up of 23 to 26 boys who audition from around the world, the choir performs annually throughout the U.S. and world at renowned concert venues like Carnegie Hall and Chicago’s Symphony Hall.

HBPA will celebrate the holiday season with Christmas with Mirari Brass Quintet on Dec. 1, at Hesston Mennonite Church. The commissioners of multiple new works for brass, the group balances intensity, lightness, refined virtuosity and fun. Their repertoire spans many centuries and genres in celebration of the holiday season.

The British vocal ensemble VOCES8, now established as one of the world’s most versatile and best-loved singing groups, will take the HBPA stage on Feb. 9, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Touring extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia, the group performs a repertoire from Renaissance to contemporary commissions and arrangements.

The culmination of the 35th anniversary season will be classical guitarist Berta Rojas with the Newton Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra on April 8 in Bethel College’s Memorial Hall. Hailing from Paraguay, Rojas ranks among today’s foremost classical guitarists and has been praised by the Washington Post as “guitarist extraordinaire” and “ambassador of the classical guitar” by Classical Guitar Magazine 

HBPA season tickets are available from $80 to $90 for adults. Single tickets can also be purchased for individual performances. Discounts are available for students and senior citizens.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 620-327-8158 or go to hesstonbethel.org.

Started in 1982 as Hesston Performing Arts, the series expanded in 1998 when Hesston College joined forces with Bethel College for The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series. The series presents five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year. HBPA is funded in part by the Hesston Convention and Visitors Bureau, the city of North Newton, Excel Industries and Hustler Turf Equipment (Hesston), the North Newton Community Foundation, the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Area businesses and patrons provide additional funding for the HBPA series.

2017-18 events schedule offers much for the community

The Hesston College community is gearing up for the start of another year, and the 2017-18 year is shaping up to be exciting with plenty to offer to the wider community as well.

Community members and others who are interested can stay informed of on- and off-campus public events by checking or subscribing to the college’s events calendar.

The new year kicks off with Opening Weekend activities starting Aug. 18 and classes beginning Aug. 21. Community members are welcome to join the campus community to observe an evening of nonsensical fun at the annual Mod Olympics at 6:45 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20, on the Hesston College soccer field. During Mod Olympics, on-campus students compete in their mod groups in relays and games as a way to get to know one another and start the year off on a light note.

The new year also marks some significant changes and events for the college as well as those that have become annual traditions.

Dr. Joseph A. Manickam, the college’s ninth president, assumed office on Aug. 1, and looks forward to connecting with and meeting members of the wider community in a variety of ways. Dr. Manickam’s inauguration will take place on Sept. 23, during the college’s annual Homecoming Weekend. A full schedule of Homecoming and Inauguration Weekend events can be found at online.

The college’s annual Thanksgiving weekend celebration will be a new experience in the college’s recent history as Hesston will not host a Thanksgiving Weekend celebration in 2017. The calendar change reflects shifts in student demographics and refinements in Hesston’s carefully targeted recruitment strategies. The weekend’s most popular events will find new dates on the calendar, including:

• Two-mile run/walk: The Manickam Mosey, September 23. More information and registration online.
• Talent Show, Nov. 11 during Alumni/Community Day. The day will also feature men’s and women’s varsity basketball games and meal.
• Masterworks concert: “Light Eternal”, Dec. 9.

Other calendar highlights for the year include:

• Fall drama: “And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson,” Oct. 25 to 29.
• Keynote address by Cynthia Barnett, author of the community read, “Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis” (2012, Beacon Press), Nov. 2.
• Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series: “Before the Unthinkable Happens,” Feb. 23 to 25.
• Spring musical: “Hands on a Hardbody,” Feb. 28 to March 4.