In the News

A Tradition of Healing Begins at Hesston College

One year after a peaceful student walk-out on campus, Hesston College took additional steps to correct past wrongs in Title IX dealings with the first Unity Day on Monday, December 4.

“The timing of this event was chosen to mark the one-year anniversary of the peaceful student protest held last year in which students bravely shared their experiences with the college’s Title IX program,” explains Whitney Douglas, Hesston’s Title IX coordinator and Title IX Implementation Group chair. “We now want to honor the work of our students whose activism and passion drew attention to problems with the college’s Title IX program and pushed for authentic and sustainable change.”

The highlight of the inaugural event was the dedication of the Healing Circle located on the east side of Alliman Administration Center. It is the work of the Title IX Implementation Group that spearheaded this effort and made it a priority to hold this dedication during the college’s regularly scheduled Formation time to allow more students and employees the ability to attend.

Meg Beyer, a senior in the Hesston College business management program, was one of the leaders of the peaceful protest in the fall semester of 2022. Now as a member of the Title IX Implementation Group, Beyer takes pride in what the group was able to accomplish.

“I think Unity Day went well for it being our first one,” said Beyer. “It made me feel like the work we put into the demands we wrote and the walkout as a whole wasn’t for nothing. We actually did something that is making a difference on this campus.”

“There is a tangibly different feeling on campus this year and that is due to the vast efforts of the Title IX Implementation Group and countless others,” says Douglas. “We have begun to roll out a robust and holistic wellness program that promotes healthy relationships, teaches about boundaries and consent and encourages individual growth and healing emotionally, physically and spiritually.”

As part of Unity Day, the first of what coordinators plan to make an annual event, students and employees of Hesston College were also encouraged to attend workshops throughout the day. These included When Spirituality and Trauma Collide, presented by Karen Bartlett, author of “When Spirituality and Trauma Collide: A Guidebook for Practitioners of Soul Care;” Resilience in the Face of Adversity, with Jose Gloria, campus counselor; and Bystander Intervention Training, offered by Douglas.

The overall goal of Unity Day this year, and in years to follow, is to encourage collaboration and unity while celebrating the diversity of the Hesston College community. The desire of the Title IX Implementation Group is to accomplish this initiative annually by engaging in topics around social issues relevant to the Hesston College campus and the surrounding culture.

Though this is Beyer’s final year as a student, she has high hopes for the future of Unity Day and the Hesston College campus community.

“I hope we are able to cover more hot-button topics that are either happening on campus or in society with honesty and respect, making sure all feel represented and heard,” said Beyer.

Academic Restructuring FAQ – Dec. 5, 2023

Q: Why is Hesston College (HC) changing from a two-year to a four-year academic model?

It has become increasingly clear over the past decade that Hesston’s education model is not financially sustainable. This is in large part due to the many credits students are bringing with them out of high school, the reluctance students have about transferring after their sophomore year and the inability to compete on price at the two-year level. The need for this shift is even more evident as each of our historically strong prospective student markets have experienced declines. These include regional Kansas students, Mennonite and legacy students as well as adult learners. Despite the unique design of the two-year Hesston Experience, this change is necessary in light of these stated challenges.

Q: What programs are being discontinued and what is the breakdown of first-year students affected?

Updated Jan. 8, 2024

The slides presented to faculty and staff on Nov. 8 indicated 22 first-year students would be affected by the program cuts. In double checking those numbers and changes to affected programs, we identified one additional student. Below is a complete list of affected programs and the numbers of affected first-year students associated with each of the programs.

• Athletic Training – 6*
• 
  Communication – 0
• 
  Elementary and Early Childhood Education – 3
• 
  English – 0
• 
  Exercise Science – 3*
• 
  History – 0
• 
  Physical Education – 2
• 
  Pre-Law – 1
• 
  Pre-Physical Therapy – 3*
• 
  Psychology – 2
• 
  Secondary Education – 2
• 
  Social Work – 1
• 
  Sociology – 0
• 
  Spanish – 0
• 
  Sports Ministry – 0

Total = 23 first-year students

*Faculty are exploring the option of a bachelor’s degree in health science. If approved, the 12 students currently enrolled in either athletic training, exercise science or pre-physical therapy will have the option to shift their major to this four-year health science degree or transfer after their sophomore year.

Q: Why were these programs selected for discontinuation?

In response to the current financial situation, which is multi-year deficit budgets, the vice president of academics (VPA) analyzed a variety of information sources and data spanning the past 10 years, including credit hours generated by each program and enrollment information. The VPA also created a faculty task force composed of five faculty members from a variety of programs to provide input and respond to various scenarios as part of the process of developing recommendations for layoffs. Based upon their input, the VPA brought recommendations to the Administrative Council (AdCo). AdCo then presented a final scenario to the board, and the board decided to eliminate the transfer programs listed above.

Q: Are all faculty positions in these programs being eliminated?

No. In some cases program closures resulted in faculty layoffs, while others resulted in changes to faculty loads.

Q: What employee cuts actually happened and what is the timeline?

Updated Jan. 8, 2024

Five staff members were told on Nov. 7 and 8 that their positions would be affected immediately, however, they will continue to receive compensation and their current benefits package through the end of December 2023. The position eliminations affected the academic office, audio-visual and theater set design, international admissions and the library.

Seven faculty and one staff member were informed on Nov. 7 that their positions would be discontinued at the end of the academic year (May 2024). We wanted to inform these persons as soon as possible in an effort to provide them time to find a new job, which within academia, jobs are typically advertised early in the spring semester. Even though communicating these shifts as early as possible has created some anxiety and a lack of clarity with regard to what courses will be offered next fall, we prioritized early communication with our employees over having each course detail worked out. This work will continue as we move through the academic year.

Three positions within theatre, music and physical education were adjusted in some way, but remain. These individuals received this communication on Nov. 7. Changes to these positions will take effect in the fall of 2024. Each of the persons presented with an adjusted job description has been given the option to accept the new position, decline it or collaborate with the VPA to explore an alternate option. As of Jan. 8, two have accepted the updated positions and one is still deciding.

The 13 eliminated positions will be discontinued. All of these positions are linked to an organizational restructuring and were not linked to personnel performance issues in any way. We communicated to each employee that HC would be happy to provide positive references and recommendations as they pursue other employment opportunities.

Information was communicated to the campus community on Nov. 10 relaying the number of immediate cuts. It would be ideal to also share with the whole campus community what positions are being eliminated in May. However, due to care for people’s privacy, best practice in HR and legal counsel, we are unable to share that list. As you know, we always share with HC employees when someone resigns. However, given that people did not resign, the communication timeline and process is different. We acknowledge the awkward reality that this creates on campus. However, personnel matters are up to individual employees to communicate. Their reality is their story to tell, including whatever details they want to include and on a timeline that best suits them. As people share their reality with you we encourage you to find ways of showing support and care for their unique situation. We all, as a campus community, are losing people we care deeply about, who are great at their jobs and who have positively impacted our students.

Q: It’s not on the list of discontinued programs, but I heard visual arts will also be cut. Is this accurate?

No. The visual arts faculty position actually increased for the 2022-23 academic year from .75 to one full-time equivalent (FTE) position. There are no plans to reduce course offerings in this area. New art space is being renovated on campus in Laban Peachey Center to accommodate related courses. These courses are popular elective options, continue to promote a liberal arts approach to education and help live out the institutional value of creativity.

Q: Will any associate degrees still be offered?

Updated Jan. 8, 2024

Yes, we will continue to offer Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees in liberal arts. The Associate of General Studies degree (AGS) is still under review.

HC’s reality will no longer include recruiting students into the associate degree tracks. Instead, they can choose to receive an associate degree as a value add, while on their path toward a bachelor’s degree at HC.

We will not be able to offer certain major-specific courses and electives that do not align with our bachelor’s degree programs, hence the streamlining of programs.

The Academic Directors and Chairs Committee determined the following “majors” will continue to be offered in their current forms as A.A. or A.S. degrees in Liberal Arts.

• 
  Accounting
• 
  Art
• 
  Aviation
• 
  Bible and Ministry
• 
  Biology
• 
  Business
• 
  Chemistry
• 
  Computer Information Technology
• 
  Computer Science
• 
  Criminal and Restorative Justice
• 
  Economics
• 
  Engineering
• 
  Engineering Technology
• 
  Environmental Science
• 
  General Studies
• 
  Health and Medical Occupations
• 
  Music
• 
  Mathematics
• 
  Physics
• 
  Sports Management
• 
  Theatre

The A.A. and A.S. degrees will be offered in preparation for one of HC’s bachelor’s degrees and might also transition into minors which could be pursued alongside one of HC’s bachelor’s degrees. Currently, professors and academic administrators are working on establishing minors for the fall of 2024 within the fine arts department.

Q: Will students still be able to take courses in program areas that will be discontinued?

Foundational general education courses will still be offered; however, some major-specific electives will no longer be offered. For example, the history program is ending, but some history courses will continue to meet general education requirements. For any of the 25 current first-year students whose major was affected by these changes, HC will cover the cost of taking major-specific courses through Acadeum, a consortium of education institutions offering online education, for the 2024-25 academic year.

Q: What do we say to prospective students if we no longer offer the program they are interested in?

We recognize that by offering fewer majors it may prohibit some students from choosing HC. However, our goal is that by clarifying our message and offerings it will enable us to attract more students within our primary bachelor’s degree programs. Here are two recommended responses:

Optional Response #1: Hesston continues to offer Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. Some major-specific courses are no longer available; however, we still offer a liberal arts general education within all of our degrees. Going forward we will primarily focus on offering bachelor’s degrees in areas linked to the professional industries of aviation, business management, engineering and healthcare.

Optional Response #2: If Hesston doesn’t offer the program you’re looking for, unfortunately, we are not the best option for you and we wish you all the best in your college pursuit. In the event you change your mind and become interested in one of our programs, we will gladly help you make the transition to Hesston.

Q: What four-year programs will be added?

Three additional bachelor’s programs are being explored by the faculty, but need to go through the full approval process. If approved, we hope to begin communicating these options to students in February 2024. After this initial round for fall of 2024, the goal is to continue to add new bachelor’s programs to meet student and industry demand.

Health Science – This four-year program can serve as a pathway for students in the following programs:

• Athletic Training
• Exercise Science
• Physical Education
• Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Med (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine – DO) – We are pursuing a partnership for a DO program with a medical school in Wichita. This would grant our graduates a seat in their DO program if they meet qualifications.

Sports Management

Q: What is the timeline for full integration of the academic changes?

There are no academic changes to the current school year, allowing all of our sophomore students the ability to graduate in May with their intended major and with all of their course requirements met. The academic shift will be implemented by the fall of 2024.

Q: How will these changes affect a student’s academic journey?

There will be NO changes to the spring 2024 curriculum and course schedule, so sophomores who plan to graduate in spring 2024 will not be affected.

Even though we are closing various areas of study in our two-year programs, we will continue to teach general education courses in multiple subjects. First-year students whose major is ending but want to stay at Hesston next year need to meet with their academic advisor before the end of this fall 2023 semester to get enrolled in as many major-specific courses as possible for the spring 2024 semester. This will help ensure students are able to graduate prepared for their goals.

In the event the student and their advisor are not able to identify enough major-specific options this spring, first-year students will need to decide if they want to remain at Hesston and graduate with a more general program of study or choose to transfer to another institution after the fall 2023 semester or after the 2023-24 academic year.

Q: What support services or resources are available to students who are affected by the changes?

Updated Jan. 8, 2024

The academic office identified 23 students who will be affected by these changes and is in direct communication with each of them. The academic dean requested individual meetings with these affected students to address their specific needs. We will offer alternate major options at HC to these students, as well as provide individualized transfer assistance to help them transfer to a school that can better meet their specific academic pursuits.

For any of the 23 current first-year students whose major was affected by these changes, HC will cover the cost of taking major-specific courses through Acadeum for the 2024-25 academic year.

Q: How will students be informed of adjustments or updates related to these changes?

Students received an email immediately after faculty and staff were informed on Nov. 8. Students affected by the changes have received additional correspondence from the office of academics.\

Students were also invited to a town hall meeting on Nov. 8 with the vice president of student life and vice president of academics where they were given the opportunity to learn more about the changes and ask questions. The academic office will continue to connect with students as needed. The student life office has also made themselves available to help students navigate this news.

Q: Will tuition increase more than normal because we’re moving to a four-year school?

While the typical tuition increase has been around 3 percent in recent years, the increase for the 2024-25 school year will be a 5 percent increase due to inflation.

As always, if this increase threatens the ability of a specific student to remain at HC, please let financial aid know so they can work with the student to find a solution.

Q: Will Hesston close?

No. We’re simply taking steps to get back on track financially. These changes are part of a larger plan to ensure the long-term viability of Hesston College.

Hesston is at the same point as many colleges that are also discontinuing under-enrolled courses and programs. As an example, within the last year other Kansas Independent College Association (KICA) colleges like Newman University and Southwestern College, Mennonite affiliated colleges like Fresno Pacific and even state institutions like University of Kansas have experienced program closures. In addition, Hesston has very little debt and has $1.8 million in the unrestricted endowment. Based on this information and annual audit data, this puts Hesston in a better position than some small colleges in Kansas.

Q: Is performing arts going away?

Updated Jan. 8, 2024

No. The November 2023 announcement indicated performing arts would shift from an academic program to an activity model, meaning only major-specific electives would no longer be offered. However, the office of academics announced Jan. 8, 2024, that the music and theatre programs will continue, yet will still see the reduction of one faculty member in each area as well as adjustments in course offerings and sequencing.

Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, music and theatre will be offered as minors to enhance the student experience for those seeking bachelor’s degrees. Students seeking associate degrees will also be able to major in music or theatre.

Activities within performing arts, such as choirs, choir tours, private lessons and theatre productions have always been a part of the college’s long-term plans and were never included in the original announcement of closures. Performing arts scholarships will also continue to be offered.

Q: Hesston has prided itself in the past on having readily transferable credits, will that change?

Yes. Hesston will now be focused on transferring students into Hesston. Transferring students from Hesston into other institutions will no longer be our priority.

We are working to create articulation agreements with community colleges in Kansas to improve the ease of transferring into Hesston College.

We are also exploring partnerships with KICA colleges. For example, we are currently working with Tabor College on a nursing partnership that would allow Tabor students to get a Hesston College nursing degree.

Q: What makes Hesston unique under this new model?

Moving forward, our academic profile will sharpen with unique professional programs like engineering, nursing and aviation, which many private schools in Kansas and across the Mennonite Church do not offer.

We aim to be more distinct by offering majors that are not as easy to find at other liberal arts colleges, while remaining committed to being a liberal arts institution. This provides students with some of the most popular majors in the country, while also offering them a faith-based, liberal arts academic option for pursuing programs like engineering – which is primarily only found at state universities.

As a two-year college with a long history of offering the “Hesston Experience,” we are well positioned to provide a transformative and foundational experience within the first two years. We will extend this experience across the junior and senior years, differentiating ourselves from other four-year schools that naturally give more attention and priority to the junior and senior experience.

Q: Will the culture or identity of Hesston College change because of the reduction in programs offered?

Hesston College educates and nurtures each student within Christ-centered community, integrating thought, life and faith for service to others in the church and the world. This is our mission and that is not changing.

Our mission, vision and values and who we are as a college is expressed through our programs, not by which programs we offer. This develops through personal relationships between students and their professors, as well as specific staff and fellow student connections. We want these strong relationships to continue.

Hesston College was originally founded as a four-year school, but was adapted to a two-year school in the late 1920s. We have adapted before and we can adapt again. We recognize that adaptation requires culture shifts at some level, which are never easy or painless, but possible if we are able to pull together as a community.

Q: It has been said that HC offers bachelor’s degrees in “professional programs.” What does “professional programs” mean?

This refers to programs that have a clearly defined path toward professional employment. For example, students within our aviation program are likely pursuing a career as a pilot. Their path is clear and leads them to an industry that has well-paid jobs waiting for them. “Professional degrees” are in-demand bachelor’s degrees that offer majors students and industry are asking for and well-paying jobs upon graduation.

Offering professional degrees does not mean we can no longer be a liberal arts college. Our general education curriculum will continue to provide a liberal arts foundation, and our bachelor’s degree programs prioritize educating the whole person. For example, local hospitals find high value in our nursing graduates because they have a holistic approach to nursing that goes far beyond simply providing technical expertise.

Q: What is the projected enrollment with this academic shift?

Our goal is to grow enrollment back to a historic and sustainable level (470) as soon as possible by clarifying our message in the market and establishing excellent and unique four-year academic programs. This will not be an overnight process, but we have taken an important first step on that trajectory.

As we navigate the many steps on the trajectory to grow enrollment, we are also working to increase long term institutional sustainability beyond enrollment. For example, we are partnering with a grant writing firm to assist us in securing grants that will enable greater support for programs, infrastructure, etc. We continue to keep our donors informed so they can easily identify ways they can walk with the college and directly support initiatives that connect to their life or passion (faith formation, an academic program, a sport or activity, a family scholarship, improving a campus building of which they have special memories, etc.) We also are working to secure applied learning work agreements with area industries, which will provide a new stream of revenue to support the mission of the college that we have not had in the past.

Q: What is the process for providing feedback or asking additional questions?

Please email the president’s office at president@hesston.edu. Questions will be forwarded to the appropriate department or individual.

Finances

Q: How much is being cut from the budget via reduction of employees?

The HC Board of Directors mandated $800,000 be cut from the 2024-25 budget. The program and personnel reductions account for $765,000 of that request.

Immediate personnel reductions resulted in a $65,000 cut from the current 2023-24 budget, which will result in a $130,000 cut for the 2024-25 budget (included in the $765,000 above).

Q: Besides staff cuts, what is being done to address budget concerns?

We are looking into multiple options for budget cuts including less travel and improved utilities management. Kansas Independent College Association has aided in these conversations and provided access to vendors who will do shared purchasing. These types of budget reductions are ongoing processes.

We are exploring additional revenue sources including external business contracts linked to applied learning, as well as partnerships with other schools to share revenue and expenses for additional program offerings.

We have also identified and made contact with a grant writing partner who has the expertise to assist HC in identifying and securing considerably more grant funding than we have applied for or realized in the past.

One-time revenue sources totaling $2.6 million also helped reduce the deficit for the current budget year. This included land sales, pandemic related grant and tax credit relief, one-time donor gifts, unrestricted estate gifts and unrestricted endowment draws.

Q: Hesston College recently auctioned off farm ground west of campus. Are any other asset sales being considered?

Most off-campus properties owned by Hesston College, including Stutzman Retreat Center, additional farm land west of campus and some of the houses on Main Street already have been or will be sold.

There are two properties near campus that the college will keep. These include the two houses directly south of Hesston Mennonite Church (known to many as the guest house and the Diener house). These two properties are the closest to our campus. The other properties are extremely nice to have, but are not crucial to delivering Hesston College’s mission or ensuring a nice entrance to our campus.

The long-term plan is to tear down the Diener house, which is not habitable in its current condition. This will also provide a clearer sight line into campus.\

Dyck Arboretum of the Plains will not be sold or divested.

Q: How will program sharing with the other colleges be beneficial?

We will market our aviation, engineering and nursing programs to colleges that don’t offer them. The partner colleges recruit from a different pool of prospects, increasing HC’s program exposure. Students will have a student life experience at the partner college all four years, while receiving academic credit from HC during their junior and senior year.

These partnerships will also work in reverse. For example, partner colleges who offer bachelor’s degrees we do not, can also provide Hesston students with the academic credits needed to complete a bachelor’s degree while remaining a Hesston student all four years.

Students would be fully aware of the arrangement on the front end and opt in to the commuting reality these arrangements will require.

Annual Lecture Series to Highlight Cultural Injustice

A review of American history will take place during this year’s edition of the Melva Kauffman Lecture Series. Hesston College will host Mark Charles for a presentation titled “Creating Common Memory: The Doctrine of Discovery and Abraham Lincoln,” which will discuss the history of the doctrine and how it led to the genocide of millions of indigenous people in North America. Charles will give a lecture  Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary as well as several lectures and Loss of Turtle Island simulation on Jan. 22, all of which are free and open to the public.

The Doctrine of Discovery is a religious and legal concept that has been used for centuries to justify Christian colonial conquest, with U.S. Supreme Court rulings supporting this doctrine as recently as 2005. In 2014, Mennonite Church USA formed a group called The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery that aims to “proclaim an Anabaptist spirit of discipleship rooted in the call to love of neighbor, seeking right relationship and reconciliation through active non-violence.” In addition to MCUSA ties, this topic accentuates the diversity and culture on the Hesston College campus and will present a new perspective on European colonialism.

“We are grateful that Mark is coming to campus,” said Lisa Longacher, development officer and member of the Melva Kauffman Lecture series committee. “His lectures will challenge us to think and to grow as we work for justice and peace for all.”

This annual 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.

The son of an American woman (of Dutch heritage) and a Navajo man, Mark Charles teaches with insight into the complexities of American history regarding race, culture and faith in order to help forge a path of healing and conciliation for the nation. He is one of the leading authorities on the 15th-century’s Doctrine of Discovery, its influence on U.S. history and its intersection with modern-day society. Charles co-authored, along with Soong-Chan Rah, the book titled “Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery.”

Schedule

All events are free and open to the public.

Sunday, January 21

7 to 9 p.m. – Creating Common Memory: The Doctrine of Discovery and Abraham Lincoln, sanctuary, Hesston Mennonite Church
Talkback session and refreshments to follow.

Monday, January 22

8 to 8:50 a.m. – Special session for Peacemaking and Justice course, Room 8, Smith Center

11 to 11:30 a.m. – Radical Inclusivity, sanctuary, Hesston Mennonite Church. Watch via live stream.

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Lunch and Learn, Sauder Rooms B and C, Bontrager Student Center

2 to 2:50 p.m. – Special session for Jesus and the Gospels course, Room 8, Smith Center

7:30 to 9 p.m. – Postponed due to weather – will be rescheduled at a later date

Loss of Turtle Island simulation, community center, Hesston Mennonite Church. This activity will attempt to recreate in a small way what it must feel like to lose the land you love. Experience deep conversations, true stories and the feeling of your space becoming smaller and smaller.

Students Ignite Passion for Global Peacebuilding

2023 MCC-UN seminar participants Jessica Raharjo, Larry Ruffin and Rylee Weishaupt with advisor John Murray

Hesston College students Rylee Weishaupt, Larry Ruffin and Jessica Raharjo stepped up to learn what they can do to bring peace to warring nations and the world by participating in the annual Mennonite Central Committee United Nations Student Seminar titled “Peacebuilding: Does the UN matter?”.

Held in New York City earlier this month, the seminar focused on the roles of MCC and the UN in the restoration of peace among nations and why that work is essential. Students attended presentations about the actions both organizations are taking in response to recent worldwide conflicts. Students also had the opportunity to participate in powerful devotional sessions with MCC East Coast Executive Director Hyacinth Stevens and Rev. Dionne P. Boissiere, chaplain of the Church Center for the United Nations. The devotional sessions discussed the absence of peace in the world and the duty of Christians to promote peacebuilding.

John Murray, Hesston College director of international admissions, arranged this opportunity for students so they could see these issues from different perspectives.

“The recent events in Israel and Palestine, the ongoing war in Ukraine and a long list of other violent conflicts in the world make this a very important learning experience for our students,” said Murray.

Weishaupt, a freshman from Goshen, Ind., reflected on her experience, “The seminar inspired me to be more intentional about educating myself on current events, while also being aware of what people are doing to bring peace not only from a corporate level, but also from the ground where the event is taking place.”

Students were also encouraged to participate in discussion groups to evaluate the current actions taken for the sake of peace and what could be done differently. Ruffin, a sophomore from Choctaw, Okla., left the seminar with a few interesting takeaways.

“One strange takeaway that I gained from the seminar was that all of the ‘big name’ diplomats and NGO [non-governmental organization] workers that work with the United Nations were human like me,” recalls Ruffin. “The seminar inspired me to continue seeking the stories of those who usually aren’t consulted in decision-making from institutions who say they’re trying to ‘help.’ With this I found that I need to learn more about history from those who weren’t the victors or in positions of narrative-changing power.”

Raharjo, a senior engineering student from Semarang, Indonesia, had the privilege of making this same trip last year.

“After attending last year’s seminar, I made a shift in the direction of the engineering field that I was planning to go into. I made up my mind that I will do engineering work that will promote peace and justice around the globe,” remarked Raharjo.

Students were also given a tour of the UN building where they learned more about the devastation of war and violence across the globe. This left Raharjo feeling the weight of reality.

“The fact that there is more money being allocated to the production of weapons, instead of the development of peacebuilding, was just so heartbreaking,” said Raharjo. “Once again I was reminded that peacebuilding takes all of us for it to be effective. It is good to have hope in the UN because there are many people there who are also in pursuit of peace, but we also need to be the hope itself.”

Alumni Connections Provide a Learning Experience for Business Students

Thanks to an extensive and supportive network of partners and alumni, a group of Hesston College students had the opportunity to meet with professionals in various business specialties and learn from them in a memorable, interactive environment during a recent trip to Denver, Colo.

Director of the School of Management Enrique Barreiro and faculty member Laura Lyndsey traveled with the business management program junior cohort which includes students Mackenzie Grove, Carson Elonich and Abraham Cadillo Quispe. The group spent several days meeting with business professionals who have ties to the college and toured their facilities.

Peyton Hofer, chief financial officer of TWC Management Properties and son of Hesston College partners Preston and Marjorie Hofer, talked with students about how he and his company built a hotel during the pandemic and how they navigated the struggles of the economy during that time. Marjorie Hofer, career coach and owner of The Career Profiler, walked the students through one of her profiling tests to help them get a picture of the type of career they are best suited for.

The next stop was Butcher & Swede, a custom fabrication company owned and operated by Hesston College alumni and members of the School of Management Advisory Council Nathanael ’04 and Audra (Hofer) ’08 Shue. The Shues took the cohort on a tour of their facilities where they design and manufacture custom furniture, cabinetry and signage, among other items. After the tour, the alumni discussed the challenges they faced when they began their journey helping out a failing fabrication company before eventually taking the risk of venturing out on their own.

This conversation with business owners helped Grove, a junior from Murphy, N.C., learn a valuable lesson about connections.

“Connections make the biggest impact on the growth and trust of a business,” she said. “Without them, there is a higher chance of failure since you don’t have the support you need.”

The cohort also met with Goshen College alumni Cindy Eby, founder and CEO of Results Lab, and Griffen O’Shaughnessy, founder and CEO of Canopy Advisory Group. Eby explained to the group how she noticed deficiencies in how companies, especially nonprofits and charity organizations, collect and analyze their data. She wanted to create a firm that would help set guidelines for data collection and analysis to help streamline the process for these companies. O’Shaughnessy started her career as a lawyer working with mergers and acquisitions before starting Canopy in 2009. O’Shaughnessy compared the work she did as a lawyer with the work she does at Canopy and explained the process she went through to start her business. She also discussed the benefits of working in consulting firms such as the flexibility and the range of companies they could work with.

The main takeaway that Grove had from this interaction was that finding the right career can be a journey.

“I learned that it is okay to work in a business that isn’t your ideal job to grow and expand to where you wanna be one day,” said Grove. “Sometimes the steps you don’t want to take are going to be the steps that will help you the most along the way.”

“We truly had a ‘legit’ time together,” said Barreiro. “Along with making long-lasting connections, meeting amazing Hesston alumni and being able to network with the various individuals, the group was able to enjoy themselves during the van ride, trying exotic food and also get to know our amazing faculty.”

Engineering Collaborations Between Two Mennonite Institutions

In the realm of academia, innovation is bred by collaboration. The Hesston College School of Engineering recently had the opportunity to witness this first hand as they collaborated on a project with the engineering department at Eastern Mennonite University. This partnership was made possible by a grant from the Marpeck Fund, an entity meant to encourage relationships between Mennonite institutions.

During spring break of 2023, a group of Hesston College engineering faculty, program director Johann Reimer, Joel Krehbiel and Chris Fadden along with engineering students Rozario Zogu, Jessica Raharjo and Rrok Topalli traveled to the EMU campus in Harrisonburg, Va., for the first phase of this collaboration. The Hesston group was asked to review two projects that EMU students had created in one of their design courses and choose one to work to improve. The project they chose was a flip board made up of multiple three-sided triangular prisms. The group from Hesston also had the chance for some sightseeing as they hiked part of the Appalachian Trail and explored Washington, D.C.

“Eastern Mennonite University and Hesston College have a long history of collaboration in various areas,” remarked Reimer. “I am so excited that we were able to forge ahead with a totally new engineering-related collaboration that provided real benefits for faculty and students alike.”

The collaboration was completed when the group from EMU consisting of program director Daniel King and students Craig Hertzler, Jacob Hess, Benjamin Friesen Guhr and Sean Swartley traveled to Hesston in October. The Hesston group presented their redesign of the project they chose in the spring to the group of EMU students. Hesston students added a sensor to the design which allowed the images to cycle from one to the next based on motion activation. The group from EMU also attended a few Hesston College engineering courses. At the end of the trip, the two groups went to the Cosmosphere, a space exploration museum in Hutchinson, and hiked around Coronado Heights near Lindsborg.

“It was really nice to build collaboration between colleges into our classroom design projects,” affirmed EMU engineering program director Daniel King. “It was very interesting to see the different solutions each team came up with as they approached the task. I really enjoyed the chance to strengthen ties between Hesston and EMU.”

Performance Will Take New Approach on a Classic Holiday Tale

Hesston College Performing Arts will ring in the holiday season with a performance of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, December 2. The one act production gives a fresh, new perspective to the well-known story. The performance will be held in the Hesston Mennonite Church at 7 p.m. Admission is free to the public.

“A Christmas Carol” has been one of the world’s most beloved holiday stories for over one hundred years. This new adaptation by Jerome McDonough combines Charles Dickens’ words with open staging, a fresh exciting script and beautiful music by the Bel Canto Singers and the Global Voices choir. Cast members will form a living cyclorama, panoramic view, before which all scenes are acted.

“Hesston College is thrilled to bring this classic Yuletide tale to the community and hopes everyone is inspired by the show’s message of charity and gratitude for the people around us,” said director Celaine Worden.

The talented cast consists of students Josh Fleming, Christian Ryan, Caroline Miller, Hadassa Friesen, Desirae Rodriguez, Alyssa Coonce, Joy Jones and Lily Corkill; faculty and staff Jose Gloria and Tim Shuart; and community members Micah Adrian, Hannah Adrian, Rebecca Shuart, Elijah Adrian and Howard Keim. The light and sound operator is student Sam Setiawan.

Refreshments will be served after the performance by the Hesston College Theatre Guild, and there will be a special photo opportunity with Scrooge and Tiny Tim.

Hesston College Announces Institutional Shifts

Updated Thursday, Nov. 9.

The Hesston College Board of Directors announced today institutional changes that came out of their recent board meeting including a shift in leadership and academic focus.

The board accepted the resignation of President Joseph A. Manickam effective Dec. 31, 2023. This decision comes after a September faculty vote of no confidence in the president and an independent investigation into the concerns.

“The findings of this investigation, which included interviews with various stakeholders and a comprehensive review of the issues raised, revealed a complex situation with multiple perspectives,” explained Board Chair Ken G. Kabira in a letter to employees. “In light of these findings, Joe chose to resign from his position as president to allow the college to move forward.”

Kabira said this decision reflects Manickam’s dedication to the well-being and unity of Hesston College.

“The board of directors acknowledges and deeply appreciates Joe’s dedicated service and the positive contributions he has made to our college and the broader community,” said Kabira.

In an effort to keep forward momentum, the board also appointed Vice President of Academics Ross Peterson-Veatch to serve as interim president effective Monday, Nov. 13, while a comprehensive search commences for a new president. Manickam will serve as a liaison to the interim president through the end of December to ensure a seamless transition of the college’s operations.

A shift in the college’s academic focus presented by the administrative council was also affirmed at the board meeting. This plan will address financial challenges and press further into Vision 2025. Driven by a commitment to holistic student development, the plan calls for an official shift in direction toward a four-year college model.

Hesston College will now focus primarily on bachelor’s degree offerings in professional fields while still offering associate degrees. Four-year degrees have already been launched in the schools of aviation, management, engineering and nursing. The next goal is to launch additional bachelor’s degree programs within these four schools as soon as possible. The shift to a four-year college also includes extending athletics to a four-year model. Performing arts will continue, but is shifting from an academic program to an activities model. Scholarships will continue to be offered for both athletics and performing arts.

The shift in academics coupled with the college’s financial reality did necessitate the reduction of 13 full- and part-time faculty and staff positions. These decisions were approached with much care and consideration, with the final position eliminations based on the position’s connection to the furthering of Hesston’s mission and new trajectory.

Peterson-Veatch and the forthcoming permanent leadership will inherit Vision 2025 and the expectation to execute it to its full potential.

Aviation Team Members Place at 2023 NIFA Aviation Competition

Hesston College’s aviation team made a strong showing at the 2023 National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) for Region VI held in St. Louis, Mo.

The seven-member Hesston College aviation team, led by senior and team captain Matthew Manickam, delivered a standout performance in four critical events. Notably, Joshua Fleming secured second place in the Instrument Ground Trainer/flight simulation event, while Manickam took fourth place in the same category. In their debut at the Aircraft Pre-flight Inspection competition, Phoebe Kolb and Pablo Turcios secured impressive rankings of twelfth and fourteenth, respectively.

“I am extremely proud of how our team performed,” remarked Manickam. “We were competing against teams who have aviation programs much larger than our entire school, and we were able to be competitive and represent Hesston well. With the experience gained at this year’s competition, I’m optimistic about our ability to assemble another strong team to compete again next year.”

Toby Yoder, staff flight instructor and a member of the 2021-22 flight team, represented Hesston College as a judge at the event. Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for next year’s Region VI SAFECON event, hosted by the University of Dubuque, with plans to expand their participation and a potential opportunity to host the event in 2026.