In the News

Photo release - Homecoming 2014: A multicultural celebration

Above - Tony Brown performs his one-man multimedia documentary I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in His Words and Songs” Sept. 26. Another show, Heavenly Voices, a play which tells the stories of Mennonite women of color was performed following the annual Alumni Banquet Sept. 27. Heavenly Voices was written by Goshen (Ind.) College communications faculty member Pat Lehman.

More than 350 Hesston College alumni and friends gathered on campus Sept. 25 to 28 for A Hesston College Homecoming 2014: A View From Everywhere with the theme “Each other’s light: A multicultural celebration.”

The weekend featured alumni sharing their heritage and multicultural experiences in “Go Everywhere” seminar presentations, music and theatre performances and class reunions.

The kick-off event for the weekend was the Hesston College Golf Benefit for Student Scholarship Sept. 25. The benefit, sponsored by Excel Industries (Hesston), raised funds for the Dave and Sena Osborne Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for international students. The Osbornes were also honored at a Saturday evening Alumni Banquet for their combined 59 years of service to the college and their ongoing work with international students.

Above - The official opening of Homecoming Weekend 2014 was Friday morning chapel with alumnae Tony Brown ’69 and Herm Weaver ’79 sharing songs and stories that draw from life experiences that started at Hesston regarding changing perceptions of inclusion and diversity.

Above - (left) The Hesston College Chamber Orchestra performs in its debut concert Sept. 25 under the direction of Rebecca Schloneger; Aaron Young, a 2012 graduate, performs as AY MusiK on the entertainment stage during a late night coffeehouse.

Above - (left) Guest presenter Egla (Birmingham) Hassan, who taught drama at Hesston from 1977 to 80 works with Hesston College acting student Abbie DeWild (Kalona, Iowa) on a monologue Sept. 25; A young guest at the Friday evening Family Festival has her face and arms painted.

Above - (left) Hesston College students, alumni and friends enjoy a tapas meal on the lawn; La Republica, a Latino rock band with member Daniel Moya (right), a 2008 graduate, performs on the entertainment stage during the Family Festival. Also pictured are Juan Moya (left) and David Guevara (center). The band is based out of Mexico City.

Campus welcomes an increase in new students for 2014-15

Official fall 2014 enrollment numbers show a marked increase in new students at Hesston College for the 2014-15 year. The college welcomed 237 new students, an increase of 10 percent from 2013-14.

Total enrollment for the year is 428 students from 33 states and 12 countries. Kansas students make up 46 percent of the total student population while 43 percent of students come from other U.S. states and 11 percent are international.

“Admissions employed several new visit initiatives that helped increase the number of visitors to campus, and thereby the number of new students,” said Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, vice president of Admissions and Financial Aid. “We are confident that our visit experience allows students to see the opportunities and first-class start that Hesston offers.”

There are 316 students living in the dorms, or about 74 percent of the total student population, a number that has held consistent for several years. Kansas students make up 27 percent of the dorming population, with 59 percent from other U.S. states and 14 percent international.

U.S. senior advisor to Iraq to speak on Iraqi-U.S. relations at Homecoming

A former advisor to General David Petraeus, Sadi Othman, will headline Hesston College’s Homecoming Weekend symposium as the keynote presenter with “Working as a Communication Bridge in Iraq” at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on the Hesston College campus. Othman will speak about his work as a civilian senior advisor in Iraq serving as a communication bridge between American and Iraqi leaders.

Othman, a 1993 Hesston College graduate, is vice president of the investment firm North America Western Asia Holdings (NAWAH). A Palestinian-American, Othman was hired by the U.S. government in 2003 as a cultural and political advisor to U.S. Army Brigadier General Frank Helmick, then second-in-command of the 101st Airborne Division. The primary task was to help rebuild the infrastructure in northern Iraq. Within a short time, Othman was asked to assist General Petraeus, then a major general in the 101st, as a linguist and advisor.

As Petraeus’ role and rank elevated over the next several years, so also Othman’s role and responsibilities grew as he developed friendships with political leaders from across the Iraqi political spectrum. Othman’s role in Iraq from 2003 to 2008 evolved into a pivotal communication link between the U.S. political/military leadership and Iraqi political leadership.

“The most valuable instrument in [Petraeus’] effort to influence [Iraqi leaders] was his advisor Sadi Othman,” said author Linda Robinson in her book “Tell Me How This Ends: General David Petraeus and the Search for a Way Out of Iraq.

Othman’s return to the U.S. in 2010 seemed to provide him an opportunity to start a career in the global business world. His plans were put on hold when the U.S. administration asked him to return to Baghdad for a short-term focused effort to assist the Iraqis in forming a new government following the March 2010 elections.

Following the short-term assignment in Baghdad, Othman joined the business world when he was named vice president of NAWAH, established in 2011 by Hyatt Hotels executive chairman Thomas Pritzker and former Petagon official Paul Brinkley. NAWAH has initiated investment projects in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. It was one of the first American companies to make a multi-million dollar capital investment in re-emergent Iraq.

Othman recently put his business career on another temporary hold when he returned to Iraq at the request of the U.S. administration to work as a communication link between Iraqi political leaders and U.S. leaders. He is tasked with helping in the formation of a new Iraqi political leadership team, with more inclusion than was the case with the previous Iraqi political and military leadership structure.

On Sept. 8, newly-appointed Prime Minister Haider al-Abbadi received approval from the Iraqi parliament for his new government, although the key posts of Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior were not submitted with the rest of the positions. With the Iraqi parliament approving the new government, Othman will return to his business career as vice president of NAWAH.

Instructor wins national research and presentation award

In order to best instruct voice students on improving their instrument, Hesston College music faculty member and voice instructor Matt Schloneger believes it is important to understand vocal health. Through his doctoral work in vocal pedagogy at the University of Kansas (Lawrence), Schloneger is studying and analyzing singers’ daily voice use for his dissertation.

Schloneger’s research on the scientific aspects of the voice earned him a poster presentation spot at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Conference in Boston July 5 to 9, where he won Best Poster Paper Presentation.

Schloneger’s presentation, which he co-authored with Dr. Eric Hunter from the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University (East Lansing) and the National Center for Voice and Speech, was titled “Testing a New Method in Voice Dosimetry Utilizing an Unfiltered Accelerometer Signal: Protocols and Preliminary Data,” was chosen for the top award among about 40 presentations.

“What we don’t understand about the voice is how much use is too much and what is the best amount of vocal exercise to improve the voice,” said Schloneger.

Schloneger’s research is designed to get a clearer picture of best practice for vocal exercise and health. In his earlier research, Schloneger used a high-dollar monitor to measure vocal cord vibrations in the field. Dr. Hunter created a new, budget friendly method with a standard digital voice recorder, and Schloneger is one of the first to conduct research with it. The new technology will eventually allow any voice teacher to monitor students’ vocal usage to instruct them on healthy vocal exercise.

“Singers use only one instrument for singing and speaking so it’s important to think about the voice’s overall use and make students aware of how they use their voice and its health,” said Schloneger.

Tony Brown to present I Go On Singing at Lancaster Mennonite School

Internationally acclaimed baritone Anthony Brown will present I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in His Words and Songs, an original tribute to the popular African American performer and civil rights activist Robeson at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18 at the High Fine Arts Center on the Lancaster Mennonite School campus, 2176 Lincoln Highway, Lancaster.

This documentary concert experience brings music and history alive. Jointly sponsored and presented by Lancaster Mennonite School and Hesston (Kan.) College, alumni and friends of both Mennonite educational institutions are especially invited to attend.

Brown’s tribute to Robeson, all-American athlete, scholar, champion orator, international recording artist and star of the stage and screen during the 1930s and 40s, was written for Brown by playwright Andrew Flack. Brown’s telling of Robeson’s story is a 90-minute song-filled, multi-media presentation that reveals him as a towering figure in 20th century American history.

Accompanied by a pianist, photo projection and a narrator, I Go On Singing is equal parts historical documentary and live concert experience. Using Robeson’s own words from his autobiography Here I Stand and comments from legendary peace activist and artist Pete Seeger, the show traces Robeson’s humble beginnings as a preacher’s son in Princeton, N.J., to his international celebrity and pioneering activism on the world stage.

Brown is an international promoter of peace, Hesston College sociology faculty member and artist in residence and founder of Peacing It Together Foundation, an organization that serves the global community as a resource for peace and social justice. He uses music and the spoken word to bring people together across the divides of race, culture and religion. His travels have taken him to countries such as Bosnia, Moldova, Northern Ireland, Uganda, Ethiopia, the Philippines, China, Japan, South Korea and Colombia, where he has seen music transform and heal.

I Go On Singing premiered to inspiring reviews in Princeton, N.J., in 2011 and at Wichita’s (Kan.) Orpheum Theatre in Feb. 2012. Performances in 2014 include Denver and San Francisco, as well as in front of large campus audiences at Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.) and Goshen (Ind.) College.

“We were very fortunate to have witnessed Mr. Brown’s portrayal of the music, life, and times of Paul Robeson,” said Benjamin J. Colbert, chairman of The Paul Robeson House Committee in Princeton. “His performance in I Go On Singing brings new life and inspiration to a generation of admirers.”

“Anthony Brown is a treasure,” said Patricia Fernandez-Kelly, Ph.D of Princeton University. “Endowed with a superb baritone voice, he has assembled an exquisite show that celebrates Paul

Robeson and his times. Instructive and deeply touching, Mr. Brown’s performance is extraordinary. More people should have the opportunity to witness it.”

Tickets are $15 for adults, and free for high school students and younger. Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling Lancaster Mennonite School at 717-509-4459 ext. 703.

Tickets will also be available at the door prior to the performance. Go to igoonsinging.com and hesston.edu for more information.

North Newton artist’s paintings featured in Hesston College gallery

North Newton artist Susan Bartel defines what it means to be an appreciator of “the underappreciated art” through her watercolor paintings featured in Hesston College’s Regier Friesen Gallery, located in the Friesen Center for Visual Arts, through Oct. 17.

A reception and chance to meet the artist will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, in the gallery.

“Painting is my way of exploring the world, whether it’s capturing the light at that just-right second, or exploring the details often overlooked,” Bartel explains. Her paintings capture the beauty of color portrayed in paintings of flowers, the rolling hills and the sky.

Bartel received an A.A. in commercial art from Pikes Peak Community College (Colorado Springs) and a B.A. from Bethel College (North Newton). She also spent time as a freelance illustrator, providing artwork for science textbooks, book covers, and magazines.

Bartel is represented by the Kansas Water Color Society and operates her own gallery at The Carriage Factory Art Gallery in Newton and online at susanbartel.wordpress.com.

The Regier Friesen Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Hustler mower among prizes at Excel-sponsored golf benefit for Hesston College

A top-of-the-line Hustler mower donated by Excel Industries is one of the prizes up for grabs at the second annual Hesston College Student Scholarship Golf Benefit at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, at Hesston Golf Park.

For the second year in a row, longtime Hesston College supporter Excel Industries is sponsoring the tournament, whose proceeds benefit a Hesston College scholarship. Proceeds from the 2014 benefit will go toward the Dave and Sena Osborne Scholarship Fund. The benefit, which kicks off A Hesston College Homecoming 2014, is a shamble and is open to teams of four golfers or individuals to be placed on a team. Registration and information is available here.

The newly established Dave and Sena Osborne Scholarship Fund honors the Osbornes for their many years of support and passion for multicultural diversity at the college. The scholarship will provide two $1,000 scholarships to international Hesston College sophomores in the first year and will be endowed for future scholarships when earnings reach $20,000.

Dave and Sena Osborne are both Hesston College graduates and have served at the college for a combined 59 years to date – Sena as manager of the post office, from which she retired in June 2014, and Dave in a variety of roles, including director of international student services, English as a Second Language instructor and currently as director of international admissions.

Dave’s work with international student admissions has been key in Hesston College being home to dozens of international students every year. For the fall 2014 semester, 48 international students represent 12 countries.

The Osbornes have a passion for helping and learning from others’ experiences of moving across cultures and languages that stems from their own experiences of living in five countries. They value the richness that diversity brings to the Hesston College campus and want to see it continue. They often host international students in their home throughout the year and during college breaks, and assist them in learning and adjusting to a new culture.

Registration for the benefit is $500 for a four-person team or $125 for individual golfers and includes a 5 p.m. prime rib dinner. Individuals or businesses can also sponsor a hole for $200. Golfers must register by Sept. 22.

Hesston College announces new faculty and staff appointments for fall 2014

Hesston College announces the following faculty and staff appointments for the 2014-15 year.

New faculty appointments include:

• Gerard Birkhauser, physics instructor, earned a B.S. from New Mexico State University (Las Cruces), a M.Div. from Bethel San Diego (Calif.) Theological Seminary and a M.S. from Washington State University (Pullman).
• Angela Brockmueller, biology instructor, earned an A.A. and an A.A.A.S. in nursing from Hesston College and a B.A. from Goshen (Ind.) College.
• Curtis Denlinger, flight instructor, earned an A.A.A.S. in professional pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor License from Hesston College.
• Myron Diener, mathematics instructor, earned an A.A. from Hesston College, a B.A. from Goshen College and a M.S. from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater).
• Tyler Doerksen, biology instructor, earned a B.A. from Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.) and a M.S. from Wichita (Kan.) State University.
• George Felix, flight instructor, earned an A.A.A.S. in professional pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor License from Hesston College.
• Megan Fowler, athletic trainer, earned a B.S. from Bethel College and a M.S. from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.
• Charlie Hansen, flight instructor, earned an A.A.A.S. in professional pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor License from Hesston College.
• Heather Hosford, nursing instructor, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and a B.S.N. from Wichita State University.
• Bruce Plank, art instructor, earned a B.F.A. from Wichita State University and an M.F.A. from Yale University School of Art (New Haven, Conn.).
• Rebecca Schloneger, Chamber Orchestra conductor, earned a B.M. from St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minn.) and a M.M. from the University of Cincinnati (Ohio).
• André Swartley, English as a Second Language instructor, earned an A.A. from Hesston College, a B.A. from Goshen College and a M.A. from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University.
• Donovan Tann, English instructor, earned a B.A. from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.) and a Ph.D. from Temple University (Philadelphia, Pa.).
• Joy Yoder, nursing instructor, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and a B.S.N. from Southwestern College (Winfield, Kan.).

New staff appointments include:

• Noreen Anderson, Development Office logistics coordinator, earned an A.A. from Pratt (Kan.) Community College and a B.S. from Bethel College.
• Michael Armstrong, men’s soccer coach, earned an A.A. from Hesston College, a B.A. from Southwestern College and an M.A. from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Va.)
• Tonya Detweiler, interim vice president of Advancement, earned an A.A. from Hesston College, a B.A. from Goshen College and a M.B.A. from Bluffton (Ohio) University.
• Scott Friesen, men’s resident director, earned a B.A. from LeTourneau University (Longview, Texas).
• Kyle Howell, baseball associate head coach.
• Joel Kauffman, interim vice president for Student Life, earned an A.A. from Hesston College, a B.A. from Fresno (Calif.) Pacific University and a M.Ed. from Wichita State University.
• Mary Martin, post office manager, earned an A.A.A.S. from Pratt Community College and a B.S. and B.A. from Pittsburg (Kan.) State University.
• Rachel McMaster, grant writer, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and a B.A. from Eastern Mennonite University.
• Russ Neufeld, director of Information Technology, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and studied at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Va.).
• Tony Pezzola, director of Food Service.
• Rob Ramseyer, interim dean of students, earned a B.A. from Mid-America Nazarene University (Olathe, Kan.) and an M.A. from the University of Kansas (Lawrence).
• Dori Roth, associate director of Financial Aid, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and a B.A. from Goshen College.
• LaMont Russell, graphic designer, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and studied at Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau).
• Gerry Selzer, interim registrar, earned an A.A. from Hesston College, a B.S. from Bethel College and a M.S. from Pittsburg (Kan.) State University.
• Tomomi Stevenson, food service.
• Stephanie Swartzendruber, women’s resident director, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and a B.A. from Goshen College.
• Melissa Unruh, director of institutional data and compliance, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and a B.S. from Bethel College.
• Leslie Wheeler, food service.
• Brent Yoder, interim vice president of Academics and academic dean, earned an A.A. from Hesston College, a B.S. from Eastern Mennonite University and Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg).
• Heidi Zehr, women’s resident director, earned an A.A. from Hesston College and a B.A. from Goshen College.

Multicultural tradition to be celebrated at Homecoming

Hesston College will welcome alumni and friends from across the country and around the world to campus Sept. 25 to 28 for A Hesston College Homecoming 2014 with the theme “Each other’s light: A multicultural celebration.”

The weekend will feature alumni sharing their heritage and multicultural experiences in “Go Everywhere” seminar presentations, music and theatre performances and class reunions. The public is invited to join the celebration for many of the events throughout the weekend.

Sadi Othman, a Palestinian American who previously served as an advisor to General David Petraeus in Iraq, will present the free seminar keynote address, “Cultural and Communication Bridges in Iraq Between U.S. and Iraqi Leaders,” at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Othman will give the presentation with Hesston College international student recruiter Dave Osborne serving as interviewer and moderator. Othman is vice president of North America Western Asia Holdings, an investment firm in the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. He was previously hired by the U.S. government to serve as a linguistic and cultural advisor for General Petraeus, and a senior advisor facilitating communication between Iraqi leadership and U.S. political and military leadership in Iraq.

Other “Go Everywhere” seminars will be from 1 to 4:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26 at locations across campus. There is no fee to attend the seminars.

Seminar presenters include Ken G. Kabira, a management consultant who has served as a chief marketing officer for major entities including McDonald’s Japan, Lions Clubs International and the Chicago Transit Authority; Lisa Guedea Carreño, director of Elkhart (Ind.) Public Library who has cultural experiences leading study-service terms, making music in a wide variety of styles, hosting a weekly radio show and volunteering with local community service organizations; Gilberto Perez, Jr., senior director of intercultural development and education partnerships at Goshen (Ind.) College and author of the nationally recognized mental health “Bienvenido” curriculum; Jean Polynice, chief executive officer at CleMetric (Middleton, Wisc.), who has experience in data analytics, software engineering and economic research, management consulting and information technology; and Evie and Wally Shellenberger, authors of “Welcome to Iran! Christian Encounters with Shia Muslims,” stories from their four years living in Iran.

The stories of Mennonite women of color will be told in the drama production of “Heavenly Voices” at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, in the Hesston Mennonite Church Sanctuary on the Hesston College campus. The drama will feature a multicultural cast, including Hesston College alumni. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children and all students.

Hesston College sociology instructor and artist in residence and internationally acclaimed baritone Tony Brown will present his one-man show “I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in His Words and Songs” at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. The documentary and concert experience chronicles the life and work of Paul Robeson through Robeson’s own words and songs. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for children and all students.

Tickets for both shows can be purchased through the Hesston College Bookstore by calling 620-327-8105 or at the door.

The public is also invited to attend a Multicultural Family Festival at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, at the college’s Campus Activities Center. Festival activities include bounce houses and barrel train rides for children, a varsity volleyball match and an entertainment stage featuring alumni performers.

Entertainment stage performers include La Republica Rock Latino with alumnus Daniel Moya, local bluegrass group Jammin Biscuits with alumnus Tom Unruh, and a unique blend of current musical genres with AY MusiK by alumnus Aaron Young, who was a contestant on FOX’s X Factor and featured on MTV’s MADE.

The annual Alumni and Friends Banquet will be at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, in the Bontrager Student Center Dining Hall. An ethnic dinner will be served while international alumni will share their “everywhere experiences” and Dave and Sena Osborne are honored for their many years and ongoing work with international students. Cost for the banquet is $23 and includes admission to the “Heavenly Voices” drama. Reservations are required and can be made at hesston.edu.

The college will share in a joint worship service with alumni and the Hesston Mennonite Church congregation at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 28, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus. The Hesston College Gospel Choir will perform several selections, and Gilberto Perez will bring the message.