In the News

Swartzendruber, Hansen honored as Hesston College’s top student athletes

Christy Swartzendruber, a sophomore women’s volleyball player, and Jake Hansen, a sophomore men’s basketball player, were named 2016 male and female Hesston College Student Athletes of the Year at the school’s annual Athletic Banquet.

Swartzendruber, Shickley, Neb., a two-time all-region player and Hesston Volleyball’s all-time leader in digs, was a huge contributor the last two seasons in which the Larks won 21 games each year.

“Playing volleyball at Hesston has allowed me to connect with people and broaden my friend circle,” Swartzendruber said. “Seeing how the community and the students came to support us was amazing. We had amazing team chemistry this year and I’m going to miss all the great times we had.”

Hansen, Effingham, Kan., was twice awarded the team’s Defensive Player of the Year. He contributed over 450 points and 300 rebounds in his career.

“Throughout my two years here I’ve been put in situations that have set me up for success,” Hansen said. “I’ve learned a good work ethic in the classroom and have a have a strong base to work from. The most important take away for me has been the family that I made with my teammates and also the friends I’ve made off the court.”

“Christy had a huge impact on our team on and off the court,” said coach DeeDee Landes. “She is well respected by her teammates and peers and is the epitome of a fantastic Hesston College student athlete.”

“Jake is a winner on and off the floor,” said Hesston coach Dustin Galyon. “He’s played a vital role in elevating our program. Jake was a captain this year and was a big part of our run to the national tournament as a freshman. More importantly, Jake is a phenomenal representative of our program and college. He is a selfless leader who has impacted many on our campus.”

Swartzendruber and Hansen succeed last year’s winners Samantha Rimann, Liberty Hill, Texas, and Malcolm Mann, Plano, Texas.

Class of 2016 encouraged to work in the world with love

Hesston College graduates were encouraged to frame their lives with love for God, others and self. Based on Mark 12:28-34, which served as the college’s theme verse for the 2015-16 year, Hesston College psychology and Bible instructor Kevin Wilder delivered the commencement address “Ultimate Questions,” at the May 8 graduation exercises.

Wilder explained that ultimate questions are those “that get to the point and reveal a lot.” The Mark 12 passage does that by asking which of the commandments laid out in the passage – love God with your whole being, love your neighbor and respect yourself enough so you can show empathy – is the most important.

“Which is the most important?” Wilder asked. “It depends. Starting with one helps you understand the other two.”

Wilder admitted that “loving people is hard and confusing,” but encouraged graduates to be inspired by the passage and love the way they have been loved during their time as Hesston College students.

“We have tried to love you and love you unconditionally,” said Wilder. “We have tried to teach you discipline and we have tried to teach you mercy. Make no mistakes, students, we have loved you. We have not done that perfectly, but we have loved you. We have prayed and we have sweated and we have lost sleep for you. We have loved you. And we launch you today with that love. And that love does not end when you receive that diploma.”

Wilder started at Hesston College in 1998 as campus pastor, serving in that role for 10 years before transitioning to a faculty position.

The 2016 graduation looked different from those of the past 45 years, as graduates donned the traditional caps and gowns for the first time since 1971.

President Howard Keim shared the history of the decision, noting that the class of 1972, under then student body president Howard Keim, voted by overwhelming majority to discontinue the practice. The class of 2016 voted by overwhelming majority to return to the traditional practice. Keim stated that in both instances, the administration reasoned that “graduation is a time to honor the graduates, so their request was granted.”

Student commencement speakers were Isaiah Crosby (Ponca City, Okla.) and Emily Kauffman (Pettisville, Ohio) who were nominated by faculty and staff and chosen by their classmates to deliver student addresses.

President Keim conferred 166 degrees for the Class of 2016 – 62 associate of arts degrees, 14 associate of science degrees, 64 associate of applied arts and sciences degrees and 26 associate of general studies degrees.

Individual student groups were recognized in special ceremonies May 7.

A recognition ceremony was held for eight students completing the Disaster Management Program. Brett Troyer, a 2006 Hesston College graduate, and the first person to receive certification for completing the program, delivered a message entitled “Called to Serve.” Troyer is the Project Logistics Coordinator for Mennonite Disaster Service, based from the Bi-National Office in Lititz, Pa.

A nursing pinning ceremony honored 51 nursing graduates. The message “Do Small Things with Great Love” was delivered by 2009 Hesston College Nursing graduate Lisa Harrelson, RN. Harrelson is a critical care nurse at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kan., and was honored with the 2015 Kansas Hospital Associate Health Care Worker of the Year award.

The Aviation department honored ten students completing either the professional pilot or air traffic control programs of study. Ron Kilmer, a 1985 Hesston College graduate and father of 2016 aviation graduate Michael Kilmer (Glendale, Ariz.) delivered a reception address.

Answering the community’s call

For many students, the Hesston College community is one that extends beyond the campus’ borders. That was the case for seven students who worked this academic year as volunteers with the City of Hesston Fire Department and Emergency Services.

Although their schedules were unpredictable with calls coming in at all hours of the day and night, on top of already busy academic and extracurricular schedules, they found the reasons to serve were much greater and valuable for their majors and future careers.

“I wanted to take the EMS class to get a head start for the nursing program,” said Beth Schurz (Phillipsburg, Kan.), a junior in the four-year nursing program. “But I also love to help people and the medical field.”

Jonathan Gonzalez (Goshen, Ind.), a 2016 graduate, joined the fire department party because of his major, Disaster Management, but also because he wanted to be part of something bigger than himself.

“I love challenges,” said Gonzalez. “Being a firefighter is one of the most rigorous and dangerous occupations out there. I love helping folks as well as being part of a family atmosphere.”

Freshman Zach Stauffer (Belleville, Pa.), who is also studying in the Disaster Management Program, likes the high-intensity situations.

“I wanted to become a firefighter because of the adrenaline rush it gives me and the feeling of satisfaction when a fire is out or a patient is being transported to a hospital quickly and efficiently,” he said.

Emergency events over the last few months, particularly, gave the students new perspective on the value of their service to the wider community.

Many of the student volunteers were among the first responders on the scene during the shooting at nearby Excel Industries. Just one month later, they helped battle a wildfire that burned more than 400,000 acres across Kansas and Oklahoma, coming within about 20 miles of Hesston.

Though the students didn’t anticipate the magnitude of two big events in quiet Hesston, their training and a commitment to serve the community helped each one do what was needed.

“The most rewarding aspect of this service is the satisfaction of knowing someone’s life could be saved, even if it means going into a potentially dangerous situation,” says Stauffer. “It’s a risk and reward job.”

“It has become clear how much showing up for any call means to the people we treat and even the community as a whole,” said Schurz.

Lark Open golf benefit to aid Hesston College Athletics

Hesston College Lark fans and golfers are invited to participate in the Hesston College Athletic Department’s annual Lark Open golf benefit, Friday, June 3, at the Hesston Golf Park. All proceeds will aid Hesston College Athletics.

The benefit will be a four-person best-ball scramble with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. A complimentary meal, as well as a raffle, will follow the event.

Raffle prizes include tickets to sporting events in the larger region, including Oklahoma City Thunder, Kansas City Royals and University of Nebraska Football. A hole-in-one prize of a Hustler mower will also be part of the day’s winnings.

“We’re eagerly anticipating a great day for Hesston athletics,” said Hesston athletic director Rob Ramseyer. “I’m confident everyone will have an enjoyable day and we’ll be able to raise a good amount for the department.”

Golfers can register as four-person teams or individuals. Single entries will be placed in a foursome. Registration is $100 per person, and includes green fees, cart, gift bag, free raffle tickets and the meal. Registration is due by May 25.

Sponsorships for the day are also welcome, and all sponsors will be advertised. Corporate sponsorships are $450 while hole sponsorships are $150 per hole.

Community students invited to summer theatre camps

Aspiring young actors can learn new skills and techniques as well as challenge their creativity during Hesston College’s two separate summer theatre camps on the Hesston College campus. Hesston College theatre director Rachel Jantzi will lead the workshop-style camps.

Students ages 11 to 14 are invited to participate in the week-long workshop June 20 to 25. The week’s theme will be “The Trouble with Time Machines,” and will feature an original script written by the participants and set to popular songs throughout the last five decades. Participants will create their own musical and perform the show Saturday, June 25 at the Hesston High School Auditorium following the last day of camp. Registration for the week is $40 and the registration deadline is June 1. Financial assistance is available upon request.

The following week, students ages 14 to 18 are invited to participate in the week-long musical theatre workshop June 27 to July 2. The theme will be friendship and the camp will feature an original script written by the participants and set to various Broadway numbers creating a cabaret performance on Saturday, July 2.

The workshops will give the young performers opportunities to work in every aspect of staging a performance from creating the script to painting the set, working backstage and performing the show.

Daily workshops and rehearsals will be from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the Hesston College campus in the Helmuth Studio Theatre in Northlawn Center for Performing Arts Education. Registration for the week is $50 and the registration deadline is June 8. Financial assistance is available upon request.

Register online or contact Rachel Jantzi at 620-327-8142 or rachelj@hesston.edu.

Students, faculty and staff commissioned for service

During an April 27 Hesston College chapel, 37 students, faculty and staff were commissioned for Christian ministry and service for summer and fall placements.

The students will serve around the world in positions from camp counselor to supervisors at disaster sites.

• Doing an eight-week field experience in Detriot, Mich., are Disaster Management Program students Clay Axness, Glendale, Ariz.; Aaron Bergman, Harrisonburg, Va.; Christy Kauffman, West Liberty, Ohio; Elyse Merritt, Parsons, Kan.; and Zach Stauffer, Belleville, Pa. Program director Cleo Koop will serve alongside the students.
• Led by student Grace Tijerina, Brownsville, Texas, Tanner Daniel, El Dorado Springs, Mo.; Abraham Mateo, Fort Myers, Fla.; Lilian Trifena, Indonesia; and Micah Raber, Millersburg, Ohio; will tour parts of Kansas and Texas leading week-long Vacation Bible School at several churches.
• Faculty member Michele Hershberger, Hesston, Kan., will travel to Philadelphia where she will teach Hesston College’s Biblical Literature course.
• Lydia Holland, Russell, Kan., plans to serve in Zambia with Love’s Door for All Nations.
• Anna Martin, Harleysville, Pa., will serve at a Christian sports camp called Push the Rock this summer and is planning a year of service next year.
• Jenna VonBargen, Baldwin City, Kan., will serve as a project coordinator with a youth missions agency this summer and plans to work in an urban school with City Year next year.
• Brady Bilderback, Boise, Idaho; Molly Bruner, Wauseon, Ohio; Erika Byler, Shipshewana, Ind.; Colton Eby, Fisher, Ill.; Jeremy Good, Rantoul, Ill.; Catie Kauffman, Goshen, Ind.; and Janelle Schmucker, Los Fresnos, Tex.; will serve at Amigo Centre in Sturgis, Mich.
• Elena Buckwalter, Harrisonburg, Va.; Hannah Hostetter, Harrisonburg, Va.; Rachel Shenk, Waynesboro, Va.; and Andry Stutzman, Harrisonburg, Va.; will serve at Highland Retreat Center, Bergton, Va.
• Johanna Burkholder, Warden, Wash., will serve at Camp Camrec, Leavenworth, Wash.
• Cassidy Bontrager, Wellman, Iowa; and Emma Roth, Goshen, Ind.; will serve at Crooked Creek Christian Camp, Washington, Iowa.
• Erin Brubaker, Hesston, Kan.; Silas Driver Harrsionburg, Va.; and Trevor Oyer, Hubbard, Ore.; will serve at Drift Creek Mennonite Camp, Lincoln City, Ore.
• Yoel Bobadilla, Lancaster, Pa., will serve at Camp Nawakwa near Mt. Gretna, Pa. as a co-counselor.
• Desi Newman, Archbold, Ohio, will serve at Little Eden Camp in Onekama, Mich.
• Payton Miller, Kalona, Iowa, will serve at Spring Valley Bible Camp, Muscatine, Iowa.
• Adrienne Derstine, Harleysville, Pa., will serve at Albuqerque (N.M.) Mennonite Church as part of the Ministry Inquiry Program.
• Staff member Rachel Horst, Hesston, Kan., will help with a Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) bridge repair in West Virginia.
• Austin Braddock, Baldwin City, Kan., will intern at Kingdom Life Ministries in Hesston, Kan.
• Emily Griffioen, Belmond, Iowa, will minister through music with the Christian band VanGuard.
• Sarah Hoover, Elbing, Kan., will serve at Camp Hiawatha, Wichita, Kan.

Local athletes boost athletic programs

The success of local student athletes continues to boost Hesston College’s athletic programs even as the campus is diversifying.

This year, six students from within 20 miles of the college filled rosters, including volleyball, women’s basketball and men’s tennis.

Being from the area has plenty of benefits, both on and off the court.

“My local status allows me to give an insight on players around this area,” said Riley Kingsley, a Newton High School alumnus currently playing top seed for the men’s tennis team. “Its nice to be able to help the team out as a scouting tool.”

Myron Diener, men’s tennis coach, echoes Kingsley’s sentiment.

“Having local students has provided stability to the team. They know some history of the players on the opposing teams and are familiar with many of the venues where we play.”

Local athletes also help draw in crowds for important games and matches. Jessanna Nebel, a member of the women’s volleyball and basketball team and a Hesston High School alumna, added that some fans have followed her career on to college.

“We were all really happy that I got the opportunity to continue playing and that everybody could continue to watch me,” Nebel said.

Students from the community also benefited from off the court support. Ally Vogt, a graduate of nearby Berean Academy (Elbing, Kan.), highlighted her family’s support as an important part of her pathway to success.

“I love being able to have my family at almost every game cheering on both me and my team,” Vogt said.

Diener agrees. He says local families help “fill a much needed void on the team,” providing emotional support for students from out of state.

Despite all these positives, the main one, at least for Vogt, is a bit less serious.

“Not having to pay for laundry is a big plus.”

From Congo to Hesston College

What do you call someone who speaks seven languages, has lived in three countries and stars for every soccer team he plays on? At Hesston College, they call him Guershon Safari.

This past fall, Safari led the line for the soccer team in a memorable season, winning seven games, more wins than in any of the past 11 seasons.

According to Coach Michael Armstrong, a large part of the team’s success falls on the shoulders of Safari. Safari stands at just 5 foot 9 inches, and Armstrong initially had his doubts as to if Safari would be physically up to the challenge of college soccer. His doubts were soon dispelled.

“When you look at Guershon, you don’t naturally see this prolific soccer player,” said Armstrong. “You don’t see dominant size or physical build at first, but it’s still there. We brought him in because he is quick, has dynamic footwork, great technical ability and he’s a different look up top. We are going to throw him in and he’ll make defenses go ‘Oh, no.’”

And that’s what happened all season long. Safari scored ten goals this season, and according to Armstrong, they were important ones.

“He would score goals at those great moments, when you’re thinking ‘man, we just need a goal.’ Or ‘we need a goal so we can win this game.’ And he would be in the right place at the right time.”

A mechanical engineering major, Safari has kept a 3.6 GPA this year while learning in his seventh language. Other than English, he is fluent in French, Swahili, and four tribal languages from his native Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Kibeembe, Lingala, Mashi and Kikasai. Safari credits soccer for teaching him so many languages, saying that traveling for games and learning from teammates often got him started with new languages.

Friends say Safari’s love of soccer and life is not hard to see. Armstrong has nothing but praise for Safari’s attitude, and highlighted Safari’s great sportsmanship and mentality as a reason for his success.

“He has this joy of life, and this joy of the game,” he said. “When I worked him out he just loved being with the ball, just being on the field, loved what the game is in its natural state, just the joy of playing. That’s contagious, that mentality of ‘yes, I’m competitive, yes I want to win, but I’m going to enjoy this game because that’s who I am. I enjoy life.’”

But life wasn’t always so enjoyable for Safari. When he was two-years-old, his family was forced to flee the DRC due to the Second Congo War, “the Great War of Africa.” The conflict killed 5.5 million people, making it the deadliest war since World War II. The Safari family were just a few of the two million people displaced by the conflict which spanned eight countries across the continent.

“It was actually because of the war we went to Tanzania, where there was no war or anything like that,” Safari said. “We stayed there; it’s where I grew up. I spent most of my life there, soccer and everything.”

Growing up in Tanzania, soccer was a large part of Safari’s life. He recounted how he changed position several times throughout his young career, playing everywhere on the pitch from goalie to midfielder to forward, where he still plays today. Tanzania was much safer than the DRC, but his family still feared violence and eventually migrated to the United States, settling in Boise, Idaho when Guershon was 17.

Living in the U.S. has not always been easy, though, and Safari says that racism and anti-immigrant sentiment isn’t uncommon in his life today.

“If I go to places where the racial problem is, I might play, but inside I’m so uncomfortable. When I like people and they don’t like me, it’s hard to play together. When I like people and they like me back, I feel really really happy and very comfortable so I can continue to play well.”

Armstrong is sure Safari will continue to succeed on and off the field. He says Safari is gracious even in defeat, recalling a pickup basketball game that Safari took part in.

“Guershon, I don’t know if he’s ever played basketball before,” said Armstrong. “He gets a lot of stuff [movement and positioning], but then when he goes to shoot, oh my. He doesn’t mind. It’s that joy of just being in a group, being with friends. He’s a good kid, a real good kid.”

by Caleb Schrock-Hurst

Performing arts prepares for busy Commencement Weekend

Hesston College Performing Arts will showcase music and theatre students several times during Commencement Weekend May 5 to 8 in a variety of concerts and sophomore recitals. All performances are held on the Hesston College campus, and are free and open to the public.

Sophomore recitals throughout the weekend include:

• Zac Headings (Hutchinson, Kan.) and Elliott Liechty (Harrisonbug, Va.) will perform a vocal recital at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 5, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Headings, tenor, and Liechty, bass, are both members of Bel Canto Singers and study voice with Matthew Schloneger. Both men have been part of the cast for Hesston College drama and musical productions. Headings has also been a member of the Chamber Orchestra.
• Mezzo sopranos Casey Perez (Kalona, Iowa) and Meredith Spicher (Belleville, Pa.) will perform a vocal recital at 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 5, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Perez has been a member of Bel Canto Singers for two years. Spicher was a member of the Hesston College Chorale during her freshman year, and Bel Canto Singers during her sophomore year. She has also been a member of the cast for musical theatre productions of “Little Women” in spring 2015 and “Working” in spring 2016. Perez studies voice with Matthew Schloneger, and Spicher studies with Holly Swartzendruber.
• Eleya Raim (Oxford, Iowa) and Irenea Soetjoadi (Depok, Indonesia) will perform a voice and piano recital at 1 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Raim, soprano, has been a member of Bel Canto Singers for two years, as well as a flautist with the Hesston College Chamber Orchestra and a member of the cast for musical theatre productions of “Little Women” and “Working.” She studies voice with Matthew Schloneger. Soetjoadi studies piano with Patricia Neufeldt.
• Pianists Lydia Holland (Russell, Kan.) and Shelby Miller (Archbold, Ohio) will perform at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Hesston Mennonite Church. They are students of Patricia Neufeldt.
• Anna Martin (Harleysville, Pa.) and Lorren Oesch (Caldwell, Idaho) will perform a vocal recital at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 7, in the Helmuth Studio Theatre in Northlawn Center for Performing Arts Education. Martin, alto, and Oesch, soprano, are both members of Bel Canto Singers and study voice with Holly Swartzendruber. Martin has also been in the cast for several Hesston College plays and musicals.
• Caleb Schrock-Hurst and Andry Stutzman, both of Harrisonburg, Va., will perform a voice, cello and piano recital at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Both men have been members of Bel Canto Singers for two years and study voice with Matthew Schloneger. Schrock-Hurst is also a cello student of Seth Girton. Stutzman is a piano student of Patricia Neufeldt.

A music department showcase highlighting Bel Canto Singers, Chamber Orchestra and sophomore soloists will be at 7 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Hesston Mennonite Church.

The theatre department will also host a showcase at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 7, in the Helmuth Studio Theatre in Northlawn Center for Performing Arts Education.

The International Chorale will perform a bon voyage concert at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at Hesston Mennonite Church as a precursor to their European tour May 10 to 31.