Nursing scholarship established for Hesston College students

Hesston College announces the establishment of the Gloria Yue-Fong Chan Scholarship, an endowed scholarship estimated at $1.6 million, making it the largest scholarship donation to Hesston College.

Geared toward students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Hesston’s nursing program, this scholarship gives preference to students from Asian countries. Dr. Geraldine Y. Chan established the scholarship in honor of her sister, Dr. Gloria Yue-Fong Chan, who graduated from Hesston College in 1963.

“We are honored that Geraldine established this scholarship honoring her sister, Gloria, whose dedication to Christian education will continue to make an impact for generations thanks to Geraldine’s generous estate gift,” says acting Vice President of Advancement Lisa Longacher. “Geraldine spoke of her sister’s generous and gracious nature, and together, the Chan sisters have created a lasting legacy that embodies this spirit. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and generosity.”

After growing up in Hong Kong, Yue-Fong Chan made the long journey to America in 1961 to pursue a career in the medical field. After being declined admission to another college because of her young age, she was grateful for the education opportunity granted her through acceptance to Hesston College. She then received a bachelor’s degree in medical terminology and went on to Temple University where she completed her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. An accomplished educator and research scientist, she published 128 peer-reviewed articles and five patents. In addition to a distinguished career, Yue-Fong Chan was a dedicated wife and mother who loved the Lord and served her community with a generous and gracious spirit.

College announces spring term academic honors

Hesston College Registrar Heidi Hochstetler announced the names of full-time students whose spring 2024 semester grades earned them a place on the Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00 GPA) and Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA).

Dean’s List – first-year students

Michele Cimino, Pineto, Italy
Ana Espinoza, Ocotepeque, Honduras
Jacob Fransson, Djursholm, Sweden
Futakuchi Sakuya, Shibuya, Japan
Mariah Hall, Lawton, Okla.
Elsa Rayneau, Malang, Indonesia
Mrikejda Zogu, Lezhe, Albania

Dean’s List – sophomores

Savannah Jackson, Marlow, Okla.
Emma Killingsworth, Liberty Hill, Texas
Kira Kumada, Hadano, Japan
Daniel Miller, Arlington, Kan.
Devin Miller, Hesston, Kan.
Evangelina Perry, Rocky Ford, Colo.
Rylee Weishaupt, Goshen, Ind.
Eyael Woldeyes, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dean’s List – juniors

Holly Cummins, Potwin, Kan.
Tana Hayworth, Lincoln, Kan.

Dean’s List – seniors and unclassified

Amy Birkey, Wichita, Kan.
Alisha Dorsing, Hesston, Kan.
Aydan Everett, Clovis, N.M.
Emily Kelley, Wylie, Texas
Melvin Lasseter, III, Valley Center, Kan.
Matthew Manickam, Hesston, Kan.
James Peters, Hesston, Kan.
Jessica Raharjo, Semarang, Indonesia
Raquel Reece, Wichita, Kan.
Katherine Robeck, Sweet Home, Ore.
Madison Rosales, Lakeside, Calif.
Jeremy Schmidt, Wichita, Kan.
Jayda Spiller, Wichita, Kan.
Aidan Swartzendruber, Henderson, Neb.
Madison Thompson, Newton, Kan.
Isaac Troyer, Millersburg, Ohio

Honor Roll – first-year students

Brooke Barr, Surry, B.C., Canada
Alexandria Hicks, Bryan, Texas
Ibuki Honda, Nagoya-shi, Japan
Braxton Linden, Sterling, Kan.
Lucas Peel, Caldwell, Texas
Colin Pitzer, Omaha, Neb.

Honor Roll – sophomores

Kaleb Cain, Dallas Center, Iowa
Anna Friesen, Halstead, Kan.
Hadassa Friesen, Neuland, Paraguay
Nicolee Friesen, Halstead, Kan.
Sydney Jackson, Marlow, Okla.
Jaden Johannesen, Owasso, Okla.
Haley Kangas, Harper, Kan.
Luke McGinnis, Andover, Kan.
Junto Murata, Kitanagoya-shi, Japan
Bethany Peters, Cottonwood Falls, Kan.
Dylan Rich, Viola, Kan.
Larry Ruffin, Choctaw, Okla.
Catryna Winzer, Augusta, Kan.

Honor Roll – juniors

Carson Elonich, Goshen, Ind.

Honor Roll – seniors

Maria Gerber, Garland, Texas
Yoshimune Goto, Tokyo, Japan
Hebron Mamo, Lenexa, Kan.
Kirah Steps, Wichita, Kan.

Nursing students show support for local youth

Hesston College Nursing Club delivers the raffle proceeds to USD 460. Pictured from left to right: Blythe Adkins, Teddi Weninger, Lauren Linscott, Trinity Fox, Superintendent Kevin Logan, Madison Thompson, Michelle Werner, Austina Bouahome, Angelina Garcia-Blex and Lacy Davis.

The Hesston College Nursing Club demonstrated the greater Hesston community’s generosity through a fundraising effort benefiting Hesston public schools. A yearly fundraiser to support local organizations, this year’s funds are directed toward settling unpaid student lunch balances, enrollment fees and other miscellaneous fees.

Madison Thompson, 2024 nursing graduate and president of the HC Nursing Club, is very excited to give back to the Hesston community.

“We take a poll at club meetings to get ideas and then vote to decide where or who to donate the proceeds to,” says Thompson. “We wanted to give back to the direct Hesston community, and when this idea was thrown out there, we all loved it.”

The club collected donations from local businesses and assembled three baskets to be offered by raffle. Through raffle ticket sales, the club was able to meet their $1,000 goal which will resolve the majority of overdue accounts for USD 460.

“Delivering the funds to the school was easily my favorite part of the fundraiser,” says Thompson. “It feels so good to be able to give back to others.”

The raffle was made possible by items donated from A Cut Above, “Steele At It,” El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant, Hesston Pharmacy, Lincoln Perk, Studio 400 and Mr. Appliance.

Students showcase creative writing skills

A new tradition began this year at Hesston College with the launch of the Acuity Creative Writing Contest. The contest encourages creative writing submissions from students as poetry or prose. The winning submissions were compiled into a magazine along with illustrations created by Joshua Cross, Hesston College art professor.

“A writing contest and publication adds to the prestige of the institution,” says English Professor Miriam Barton. “Our community needs to foster and develop every opportunity to increase the depth and exposure of culture and diversity of thought that are displayed in opportunities like this.”

The contest was divided into four categories: poetry, narrative, short fiction and miscellaneous. Elsa Rayneau (Malang, Indonesia) took home first place in the poetry division with “Burnt Toast” while Bre Hatch (Las Vegas, Nev.) earned an honorable mention in the category with her poem, “Struggles of Pain.” Joy Widjaja (Bintaro, Indonesia) won first place in the short fiction category with “Nicotine & Ethanol” with Garrison Cobb (Archibald, Ohio) earning honorable mention with “A Blacksmith’s Work.” Lucas Peel (Caldwell, Texas) won the miscellaneous category with “Defining a Valuable Teammate” and Drew Gumbs’ (Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines) work, “Results Day,” won the narrative division.

“I am very pleased with the outcome of the writing contest this year,” says Barton. “There were enough contestants to have a competitive selection and the submissions were meaningful and displayed significant talent. I am very hopeful that this contest will continue to grow in the coming years”

Tabor, Hesston finalize strategic academic partnership

Following approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Tabor College and Hesston College have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to offer courses and degrees to students at their respective institutions.

Planning for the agreement started in summer 2023. With the signed MOU, Tabor will begin offering a nursing major to its students through this strategic academic partnership for the upcoming fall semester.

Students will take courses on Tabor’s campus over the first two years. Tabor students will continue to live on campus and participate in Tabor activities, chapel and student life in their final two years while taking nursing courses at Hesston College and clinicals in area hospitals.

Hesston introduced pre-nursing to its curriculum in 1945 and has been approved to offer its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program through the HLC and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education since 2015. The program has consistently produced a first-time pass rate on the RN licensure exam that is well above the national average, and graduates have a 100 percent job placement rate in health care agencies.

Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center, home of Hesston’s program, has propelled students to clinical experience across Kansas including Newton Medical Center and Prairie View Mental Health Center in Newton, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, McPherson Hospital, Wesley Medical Center and Ascension Via Christi in Wichita and Schowalter Villa in Hesston.

“On behalf of the Tabor College Board of Directors, administration, faculty and staff, I want to express our sincere excitement about this strategic partnership with Hesston College,” said Tabor President David Janzen, Ph.D. “Thank you to our friends at Hesston College, Interim President Ross Peterson-Veatch and VP of Finance Caleb Loss. Thank you to our Provost Frank Johnson and CFO Cathy Castle, who were both instrumental in making this partnership a reality.”

Both institutions will have offices on each other’s campuses. This space will only further enhance opportunities for students to explore their degree of choice and also allow for expansion in course offerings from each college.

“I expect that soon our partnership will allow us to create four-year degree options for Tabor students in engineering and aviation on our end,” explained Hesston’s Interim President Ross Peterson-Veatch, Ph.D., “and also allow Hesston students access to Tabor’s excellent four-year programs in social work, accounting, education and other career-focused degrees.”

Course offerings for Hesston’s students at Tabor have yet to be finalized, but will include classes from throughout a diverse undergraduate catalog of over 30 majors.

“This has been a truly collaborative effort from the beginning – with goodwill, good ideas and strong planning from start to finish,” said Peterson-Veatch.

College holds 114th annual commencement ceremonies

Heaven Trapp of Lufkin, Texas, receives her diploma from Interim President Ross Peterson-Veatch.

Hesston College students and their families celebrated with faculty and staff during the 114th annual Commencement ceremony held Saturday, May 11, in the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church.

This year’s commencement featured an address titled “Walking with the Spirit in Service to Others” delivered by Dr. Rebecca Hernandez, director of organizational development and racial equity with the Mennonite Central Committee. Hernandez encouraged the graduates to act as agents of liberation in their daily lives and in their future careers. She concluded her address with a lesson she learned from a college chapel service.

“It is important to not just pray for faith for the big miracles to happen, but to also pray for endurance because there are many ordinary days,” recalled Hernandez. “It is in these ordinary days that, moment by moment, change happens.”

Dr. Ross Peterson-Veatch, interim president, conferred 36 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, 10 Bachelor of Arts in business management degrees, one Bachelor of Science in aviation – professional pilot degree and 61 associate degrees. The graduating class of 2024 includes members from 12 different countries, U.S. territories and sovereign nations.

One of those graduates is Shelby Bontrager, a senior in the business management program and a native of McPherson, Kan.

“My education from Hesston College will help me in my career path by making me knowledgeable and experienced in handling people, whether that be as coworkers, employees, superiors or stakeholders,” says Bontrager.

After graduation, Bontrager hopes to earn a full-time position working for CHS Inc. in McPherson in the process safety management department, where she began on a part-time basis last summer.

Another graduate with big plans ahead of them is James Peters, a senior in the nursing program. A native of Hesston, Kan., Peters has also served as a firefighter and an EMT in Hesston since 2019.

“A successful career requires more than a degree alone,” says Peters. “Networking and building relationships are critical to success. Hesston College has been a great place to build those relationships and make connections in the community.”

Peters plans to enter the workforce as a nurse while he pursues his dream career of becoming a flight nurse, a specially trained nurse assigned to various aircraft that provide patient care during the flight.

“Flight nursing is a very competitive field, but I feel that my experience at Hesston College has given me a great foundation that has made me a well-rounded nurse,” says Peters.

The prayer of invocation was delivered by Mark ’98 and Denise ’97 Diller, Hesston, Kan., parents of graduate Kyle Diller. The prayer of dedication was delivered by Hugo Friesen and Siegried Pauls de Friesen of Neuland, Paraguay, parents of graduate Hadassa Friesen. Two students, Larry Ruffin, Choctaw, Okla., and Fortesa Hysenaj, Istog, Kosovo, were nominated by faculty and staff and voted by their classmates as the graduate speakers to reflect on the Hesston Experience.

“Hesston is a place that attempts to give everyone a voice,” said Ruffin. “It is a place where people of all different faith and cultural backgrounds can come together and share their beliefs and traditions. I am glad that I chose Hesston because it allowed me to strengthen my faith by broadening my horizons and building on the ideas that I grew up with.”

The 36 nursing program graduates were honored at a Nursing Pinning ceremony in the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church on the morning of May 11. Graduates received their nursing pins as well as the traditional blessing of hands from Hesston College nursing faculty.

Other commencement weekend events included several music recitals and a theatre showcase. On the evening of May 10, the International Chorale presented a sendoff concert in the sanctuary. The concert kicks off a European choir tour schedule that includes concerts in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Tabor, Hesston to sign strategic academic partnership

Tabor College and Hesston College will officially sign an agreement to solidify a strategic partnership in offering classes to students at their respective institutions.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed by Tabor President David Janzen, Ph.D., and Hesston Interim President Ross Peterson-Veach, Ph.D., on Friday, May 17 at 4:30 p.m. in Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center on Hesston College’s campus (301 S. Main, Hesston). They will each make statements and be available for questions after the signing.

Annual theatre camp to present “Mean Girls”

Student actors ages 11 to 18 are invited to stage a live theatre performance at Hesston College’s annual summer theatre camp June 16 to 22. The weeklong theatre immersion will culminate in a public performance of the musical “Mean Girls” at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 22, in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on the Hesston College campus.

“Our theatre camp is a great way for students to have fun and grow in their love of theatre,” says Rachel Jantzi, director of theatre at Hesston College. “At the end of the week when our actors and tech crew take their final bow on a show we put together in six and a half days, they are exhausted, but proud. They have accomplished something so difficult while making lasting friendships in a place that allows them the opportunity to gain confidence and courage.”

Theatre camp offers students a chance to be fully involved in the process of creating something from nothing. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and expand on skills including vocalization, staging, choreography, safety protocol in the scene shop, scene painting techniques and how to thread a sewing machine. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to attend, even if they’ve never performed or used a drill.

“I look forward to running this camp every year,” says Jantzi. “I love teaching that first dance number, staging that first scene, hearing that opening song, waiting for that first piece of scenery to be loaded in, watching them practice on their break time, listening to them sing the score as they walk from lunch back to rehearsal, and seeing them light up when it all starts coming together. My most favorite thing, though, is watching families and friends applaud and recognize the hard work their kids have done. It leaves them beaming!

Jantzi believes that “Mean Girls” will be a great selection for the camp’s performance because it tackles important issues young people will relate to.

“I wanted to do a newer show that had a wide range of leads and supporting characters,” says Jantzi. “I think Tina Fey is a good comedic writer who can weave a solid story into a ridiculous scenario. It’s a you-reap-what-you-sow film that asks how much are you willing to lose to please others, people who wouldn’t even give you the time of day? The musical tackles this and many other themes that students this age need to talk about, but with a snappy musical soundtrack, of course.”

Theatre camp registration is $335 per person and includes lodging and meals for seven days and six nights, or $285 for day camp only. A discount is available for families registering more than one student. Participants can visit the Theatre Camp page for details and to register online. Registration is due June 10.

Hesston College celebrates student achievements at LarkFest

With only a week left until commencement, Hesston College showed their thanks to dedicated students for their outstanding work this year in and out of the classroom. Hesston recognized a group of exceptional students and faculty during the annual LarkFest Awards in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on Friday, May 3. The athletic department also held their annual banquet in the Bontrager Student Center dining hall on Tuesday, April 30 to reward student athletes for their hard work and success during their seasons and in the classroom.

During LarkFest, students and faculty are awarded for their achievements throughout the year. The top student award—Lark of the Year—went to sophomore Larry Ruffin, Choctaw, Okla., for excellence in leadership, academics and service. Students are nominated for Lark of the Year by the Hesston Experience team and the recipient is chosen by a faculty vote.

At the athletic banquet, coaches had the opportunity to show their appreciation to their athletes with a variety of awards. Among these awards were the Male and Female Student Athlete of the Year awards. This year there was a tie for the male award as Mason White (golf), Rowlett, Texas, and Quez Wright (basketball), Atlanta, Ga., shared the honor, while Kaley Phillips (basketball and flag football), Lake Worth, Fla., took home the female award.

Other student award winners at LarkFest include:

Admissions Outstanding Ambassador Award: Ashlynn Davis (Kilgore, Texas), Oscar Becerra (Decatur, Texas), Fernando Guzman (Mexico, Mo.), Michelle Hicks (Bryan, Texas), Ashleigh Williams (Eaton, Colo.)

Resident Assistants of the Year: Carson Elonich (Goshen, Ind.), Catryna Winzer (Augusta, Kan.)

Peer Educator of the Year: Lauren Payne (Geuda Springs, Kan.)

Bill Mason Business Scholars: Santiago Gonzalez (Artesia, N.M.), Luis Jimenez (Dallas, Texas), Cooper Long (Seneca, Mo.)

Clayton V. Beyler Award for Bible and Ministry students: Larry Ruffin (Choctaw, Okla.)

Daniel Gerber Peace and Service Award: Devin Miller (Hesston, Kan.), Josalyn Wipf (Huron, S.D.), Meg Beyer (Harrisonburg, Va.)

Art Department Best of Show Award: Lily Corkill (Olsburg, Kan.)

Musician of the Year Award: Joy Jones (Lockhart, Texas), Daniel Miller (Arlington, Kan.)

Mariann Martin Theatre Award: Hadassa Friesen (Neuland, Paraguay)

The “Standing O” Theatre Award: Josh Fleming (Raymore, Mo.)

Yoder/Zaid Chemistry Scholarship: Sydney Jackson (Marlow, Okla.)

Nursing Excellence Award: Melvin “Trey” Lasseter III (Valley Center, Kan.), James Peters (Hesston, Kan.), Jayda Spiller (Wichita, Kan.), Madison Thompson (Newton, Kan.)

International Student Outstanding Academic Achievement: Akana Nakamura (Hachinohe, Japan), Hadassa Friesen (Neuland, Paraguay)

Hesston College also gave awards to faculty during LarkFest:

• Rookie Faculty of the Year: Nicole McGee, nursing professor
• Award for Teaching Excellence: Denise Diller, nursing professor

Other Award Winners at the Athletic Banquet Include:

Volleyball 

• MVP – Catryna Winzer (Augusta, Kan.)
• Defensive Player of the Year – Pariss Lloyd (Haysville, Kan.)
• Freshman Of The Year – Se’Maiya Farrow (Kaiserslautern, Germany)

Men’s Soccer

• Defensive Player of the Year – Jordi Sandoval (DeLeon Springs, Fla.)
• Goal of the Year – Fernando Guzman (Mexico, Mo.)
• Freshman of the year – Oscar Becerra (Decatur, Texas)

Women’s Soccer

• MVP – Kira Kumada (Hadano, Japan)
• Team Player Award – Ashleigh Williams (Eaton, Colo.)
• Most Improved – Fey Castillo (Laredo, Texas)

Cross Country/Track

• Leadership Award – Nick Win (Wichita, Kan.)
• Leadership Award – Alice Lovren (McKinney, Texas)
• Women’s Most Improved – Addalee Parker (Orange County, Calif.)
• Men’s Most Improved – Josh Osborne (Wichita, Kan.)
• Most Inspirational – Mark Ruaburo (Lanai City, Hawaii)

Women’s Basketball

• MVP – Norika Welch (Bando, Japan)
• Most Improved – Anna McIntire (Lawrence, Kan.)
• 24/7 Award – Mariah Hall (Lawton, Okla.)

Men’s Basketball

• Co-MVPs – Quez Wright (Atlanta, Ga.) and Luke McGinnis (Andover, Kan.)
• Most Improved Player – Montreal Myles (Baton Rouge, La.)
• Team Player Award – Larry Ruffin (Choctaw, Okla.)

Disc Golf

• Men’s MVP – Aidan Swartzendruber (Henderson, Neb.)
• Women’s MVP – Alyssa Burkholder (Goessel, Kan.)
• Spirit Award – Beck Jantzi (Hesston, Kan.)

Dance Team

• Leadership Award – Joy Jones (Lockhart, Texas)
• Rookie of the Year – Meg Beyer (Harrisonburg, Va.)
• Spirit Award – Josh Fleming (Raymore, Mo.)

Softball

• Defensive MVP – Lauren Payne (Geuda Springs, Kan.)
• Offensive MVP – Mimi Castillo (Houston, Texas)
• Leadership Award – Emma Killingsworth (Georgetown, Texas)

Baseball

• Most Outstanding Player – Aiden McCullough (Devol, Okla.)
• Most Outstanding Pitcher – Jarod Fugate (Norman, Okla.)
• Team Player – Connor Bear (Sequim, Wash.)

Golf

• Best Teammate – Braxton Linden (Sterling, Kan.)
• Team Einstein – Jacob Fransson (Djursholm, Sweden)
• Find-A-Way Award – Mitch Jones (Sydney, Australia)

Flag Football

• MVP – Kaley Phillips (Lake Worth, Fla.)
• Offensive MVP – Zahleah Beaubrun (Palmetto, Fla.)
• Defensive MVP – Lili Espinoza (Galva, Kan.)