In the News

Bartell to serve as Director of Nursing Education

Hesston College has announced that Becky Bartell, M.S.N., R.N., C.N.E., has been named Director of Nursing Education and the successor to longtime director, Bonnie Sowers, who has served in the role for 37 years and will step down on June 30. Bartell will assume the role July 1 while Sowers will transition to a teaching position within the department.

Bartell joined the Hesston College nursing faculty in 2010, teaching upper-level nursing courses and serving as the curriculum coordinator while the department shifted from an associate degree program to a bachelor’s degree program.

“Becky has earned the respect of students and colleagues through her in-depth knowledge of and commitment to nursing education and to the mission of Hesston College,” said Brent Yoder, Vice President of Academics. “She has many strengths that she will bring to the position: passion for nursing, clear and focused thinker, proactive, decisive, committed team player, willingness to listen, calm demeanor, poised, warm and supportive, kindness, loyalty and good-humor.”

Bartell earned a master’s of science in nursing from Fort Hays (Kan.) State University and a bachelor’s of science in nursing from Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.). She is also a Certified Nurse Educator (C.N.E.).

“Becky will lead our program into the next decade with great skill, poise and a deep knowledge of what it takes to continue ‘The Hesston College Nursing Experience’,” said outgoing director Sowers. “Our culture of developing competent and caring nurses will remain and only grow stronger in the years to come.”

Celebrations and performances part of Hesston College Commencement Weekend activities

Hesston College will celebrate the class of 2017 during Commencement Weekend May 12 to 14.

The commencement ceremony will be at 9 a.m., Sunday, May 14, in Yost Center. Dr. Marie S. Morris, will deliver the commencement address. Dr. Morris is a 1979 graduate and the provost at Anderson (Ind.) University. She has served in cabinet-level higher education leadership for 17 years, and has also served on the Hesston College Board of Director since 2013. The service will be streamed live online at hesston.edu

Selected by their fellow graduates and faculty as student speakers will be graduates Cassidy Bontrager (Wellman, Iowa) and Jonah Short-Miller (Bellingham, Wash.).

Individual student groups will be recognized in ceremonies during the weekend.

A pinning ceremony for nursing graduates will be at 10 a.m., May 13, in the Hesston Mennonite Church Sanctuary. The ceremony marks the 50th graduating nursing class from Hesston College – 50 years of the associate degree program and the first group of baccalaureate degree nurses. A reception honoring the graduates will follow in the church’s Community Center. As in Sunday’s commencement ceremony, Dr. Morris will be the featured speaker. In addition to many leadership roles, she earned a Ph.D. in nursing administration from George Mason University (Fairfax, Va.), a master’s degree from the University of Virginia (Charlottesville) and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.).

Disaster Management students will be acknowledged for completion of the program at 1 p.m., May 13, in the Campus Worship Center in the lower level of Keim Center for Performing Arts Education. Paul Unruh, a 1958 Hesston Academy and 1960 Hesston College graduate, will be the featured speaker. Unruh is involved with leadership positions with Mennonite Disaster Service and volunteers on many service sites across the country.

Aviation graduates will be recognized during a 2:30 p.m. reception, May 13, in the Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center. A short program will feature Jerry Eichelberger, a 1985 Hesston graduate, who is manager of the FAA Flight Standards District Office in Wichita, Kan.

In addition to recognizing student accomplishments and graduates, the weekend will also include several performances and exhibitions.

• Art work produced by students throughout the 2016-17 year will
• Chamber Orchestra Concert featuring sophomore soloists at 7 p.m., Friday, May 12, at Hesston Mennonite Church.
• Bel Canto Singers Concert at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 13, at Hesston Mennonite Church.
• Theatre Showcase featuring a themed collection of scenes and monologues performed by the spring semester Acting I and Acting II classes at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 13, in the Keim Center Helmuth Studio Theatre.

Sophomore music students will showcase their talent in recitals throughout the weekend. Performers include:

• Sarah Booth (Goessel, Kan.), voice, and Kathryn Leichty (Harrisonburg, Va.), voice, at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 11, at Hesston Mennonite Church.
• Olivia Copsey (Goshen, Ind.), voice, and Emily Griffioen (Belmond, Iowa), flute, at 9 p.m., Friday, May 12, at Hesston Mennonite Church.
• Adele Hofer (Denver, Colo.), voice, at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 13, in the Keim Center Helmuth Studio Theatre.
• Morgan Leavy (Telford, Pa.), music cabaret, at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 13, in the Keim Center Helmuth Studio Theatre.

An informal come-and-go “Go Everywhere” reception for all students, families, faculty and staff will be from 8 to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 13, in the lower level of the Keim Center for Performing Arts Education. This will also be a time for attendees to offer words of blessing and appreciation for transitioning interim president Ben Sprunger.

Photo release - Conversations on health care

Kansas Senator Carolyn McGinn (R) (Sedgwick) spoke to the Hesston College Nursing Healthcare Systems class on Friday, April 21, about the recent work of the Kansas State Legislature and how to lobby representatives. Much of the conversation focused on expansions being discussed for mental health care and Medicaid. Senator McGinn has represented the 31st district since 2005. She is chairperson of the budget committee and serves on the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee.

Photo release - Trying on college

A group from Horace Mann Middle School hears a presentation about college fit illustrated with shoes by Hesston College Dean of Student Success, Deb Roth. On April 25 and 26, Hesston College hosted 150 students from three Wichita schools, Horace Mann and Alison Middle Schools, and Campus High School, who are part of the AVID program to give them a glimpse into college life. AVID visits give first generation students an idea of going to college. The Hesston visits included games, activities, presentations, a campus tour and lunch.

College community mourns loss of faculty member

The Hesston College community was struck by the unexpected news of the death of Director of Aviation Dan Miller, from a heart attack on Sunday, April 23. Miller, a 1978 Hesston College graduate, was 63. He had served as the program’s director since 1999.

Miller was recognized by his students and colleagues as a patient, kind and welcoming presence. He expected the utmost professionalism from student pilots, and conducted himself with the same standards.

Prior to becoming director of Aviation, Miller served as Hesston College Associate Director of Development from 1995-98, and as an instructor in the Aviation department from 1979-84. In total, he served at Hesston College for 26 years.

Miller had undergone heart surgery on March 24 and was recuperating and working at home, waiting for a follow-up visit with his cardiologist on May 5. He is survived by his wife Jaynette, and four children, Leslie (Miller) ’02 Duerksen and husband Lyndl, Amreitha (Miller) ’03 Jeeva and husband Pradeepan, Vaughn Miller ’04 and wife Caroline, and Bryant Miller and wife Chrystiana, as well as four grandchildren.

Viewing is Wednesday, April 26, Miller-Ott Funeral Home in Hesston: public 2 to 7 p.m., family present 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial service Thursday, April 27, at Hesston Mennonite Church at 2 p.m. – live webcast

Hesston College serves, celebrates and showcases at Larkfest 2017

Hesston College took a day off from classes April 20, to instead focus on college values of service and student academic and leadership excellence during the annual Larkfest celebration.

The day started with on-campus students doing service projects around the Hesston and Harvey County communities. 234 students participated in 23 service projects from pulling weeds to reading to elementary students, and 34 faculty, staff or community members gave leadership to the service time.

Service was followed by the Larkfest awards ceremony where students were recognized for their achievements in academics and leadership. The top award, the Lark of the Year award, went to sophomore Elena Buckwalter (Fulks Run, Va.) for excellence in leadership, academics and service. Students are nominated for Lark of the Year by faculty and the recipient is chosen by a faculty vote.

Other award winners include:

Ambassador of the Year, freshman David Ladwig (Wichita, Kan.) and sophomore Vanessa Steckly (Milford, Neb.).

Behavioral Science Award, sophomore Elena Buckwalter (Fulks Run, Va.).

Bill Mason Business Scholarship recipients to receive a $2,500 scholarship for their sophomore year, Kylie Brenneman (Hesston, Kan.), Zac Neely (Ada, Okla.) and Jose Lezama (Lara, Venezuela).

Business Award, sophomores Cheri Baer (Apple Creek, Ohio), Wyatt Baer (Marshallville, Ohio), Chanhee Hwang (Gyeonggi-do, South Korea) and Riley Kingsley (North Newton, Kan.).

Student Development Officer Awards for students who call alumni during Phonathon, freshman Savannah Bontrager (Milford, Neb.) for the most money brought in, and freshman Emma Eitzen (Lititz, Pa.) for the most completed calls.

Early Childhood Education Award, sophomore Naomi Wright (Calhan, Colo.).

Peer Educator Award, sophomore Naomi Wright (Calhan, Colo.).

Clayton V. Beyler Award for Bible and Ministry students, sophomores Cassidy Bontrager (Wellman, Iowa) and Elena Buckwalter (Fulks Run, Va.).

Daniel Gerber Peace and Service Award, sophomores Christy Kauffman (West Liberty, Ohio) and Abraham Mateo (Fort Myers, Fla.).

Art: Most Promising Freshman Awards, for 2-D art, Brenna Peters (Hesston, Kan.) and for 3-D art, Monica Plank (Marion, Kan.).

Art: Outstanding Sophomore Award, Emily Griffioen (Belmond, Iowa).

Art: Ceramics Award, sophomore Laura Wright (Norwich, Kan.).

Music Award, sophomore Joel Brejda (Lincoln, Neb.).

Mariann Martin Theatre Award, sophomore Morgan Leavy (Telford, Pa.).

Standing “O” Theatre Award, sophomore Emily Griffieon (Belmond, Iowa).

Nursing Award, for the ADN program, sophomore Josh Merrill (Wichita, Kan.), and for the BSN program, senior Rebekah Bell (Wichita, Kan.).

Physical Education Award, sophomore Nelson Martinez (Port Saint Lucie, Fla.).

Science and Math Awards, sophomore Nicholas Eichelberger (Geneva, Neb.), Bailyn Piecewicz (Spokane, Wash.) and Jonah Short-Miller (Bellingham, Wash.).

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, given to graduating international students with a 4.0 GPA, sophomores Chanhee Hwang (Gyeonggi-do, South Korea) and Lilian Trifena (Tangerang, Indonesia).

Resident Assistants of the Year, sophomores Rachel Brown (McKinney, Texas) and Wyatt Baer (Marshallville, Ohio).

During the afternoon, students showcased their academic work. Presentations included music recitals, directing skills at a short film festival, science demonstrations, speeches and more.

Movie showing carries powerful message

Thanks to funding from The John Ernest Foundation, Hesston College will host a viewing of the movie Sold, which illustrates the child sex trade, at 7 p.m., Sunday, April 23, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. The showing is free and open to the public. Sold is rated PG-13 for disturbing content and adult themes.

Following the movie there will be a short talk back session with refreshments in the Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center.

Sold is based on the novel by the same name by Patricia McCormick. The story follows a poor 13-year-old girl, Lakshmi, in Nepal whose stepfather sends her away with a strange woman to get work in India, where instead she discovers that work is in a brothel. Despite the horror of her situation, Lakshmi finds ways to survive, and must decide if she will risk everything to regain her freedom.

Graduate students to be featured in final organ series concert

The final concert in the 2016-17 Andover Organ Series at Hesston College will be at 7 p.m., Friday, April 21, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. The program will feature University of Kansas (Lawrence) (KU) graduate students Shayla Van Hal and Bethany Johnson. Van Hal and Johnson are students in the Master of Church Music program at KU. Joining them will be saxophonist Nicholas May, also a graduate student at KU, in a work by contemporary composer Luke Mayernik. The concert is free and open to the public.

A reception and chance for the audience to interact with the performers will follow the concert in the Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center.

Johnson is a second year graduate student, studying organ with Michael Bauer. She will graduate in May. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Parish Music and Theology at Concordia University (Mequon, Wisc.), and studied under the direction of John Behnke. Johnson is an organist at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kan., where she also serves as the music director for the handbell and children’s choirs. She is actively involved with the Topeka AGO chapter, records hymns for Church Music Solutions, and is an organist for Higher Things youth conferences. Van Hal is a first-year master’s student studying with James Higdon and the organist at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kan. She completed her undergraduate studies at Luther College (Decorah, Iowa), studying organ with Dr. Gregory Peterson and Brad Schultz. Throughout her academic career, Van Hal has served actively as a church musician, chorister, accompanist, conductor and tutor.

May has won or been a finalist in numerous state, national and international competitions. He has appeared as a guest artist and soloist with the Omaha (Neb.) Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln (Neb.) Symphony Orchestra, and performs frequently in regional theatre productions as a woodwind artist. Currently a first-year master’s student, May is a graduate teaching assistant and student of Vince Gnojek. He is a member and founder of the Heartland Duo, which promotes new and under-performed music for two saxophones. May earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, studying with Paul Haar.

The Andover Organ Series at Hesston College feature organists from across the world, bringing another form of fine art to south central Kansas. The program is made possible through the generosity of The John Ernest Foundation and the STAR Program (Student Artist Recitals) at the University of Kansas, the Division of Organ and Church Music.

First playwriting festival to feature seven original plays

This spring, Hesston College will debut a play writing festival entitled “From Pen to Paper to Performance,” that features seven original plays by local writers. It’s the first of what Hesston College Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi hopes will become an annual tradition.

“I was pleased with the number of submissions we received for this first-time event, and it was a hard process narrowing down to the final selections,” said Jantzi.

The plays, which each run about 10 minutes in length, will be produced in the final showcase event at 7 p.m., April 28 and 29, in Hesston College’s Helmuth Studio Theatre in Keim Center for Performing Arts Education. Tickets are $8 for adults and seniors, and $4 for students. Tickets will be sold at the door only starting at 6:15 each night. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited, so early arrival is encouraged.

Each play will include a cast of Hesston College students, faculty and two community members and will be directed by Jantzi.

“It has been a challenge to direct seven different shows,” said Jantzi. “They may be short, but each has its own distinct style and voice. Thankfully, we have an ensemble of 17 actors who have been working to bring these scripts to life. These local playwrights’ works are being treated with the same respect we would give any show we produce on our stage. I hope they sense that.”

The seven plays to be featured cover a wide range of genres from comedy to drama, and provoke both laughter and strong emotional responses. The content is rated PG-13 for brief language. The featured plays are:

• Talking Donkey by Loretta Baumgartner, Hesston
• Dying Day by Courtney Becker, Hesston
• Cry Animals by Travis Duerksen, Newton
• The Seven Million Club by Travis Duerksen, Newton
• The Frame Shop by Susan Lamb, Hesston
• Unquiet by Andre Swartley, Newton
• Guilty by Donovan Tann, Newton

Each playwright will receive a portion of the box office earnings.