In the News

College prepares for Opening Weekend 2014

Hesston College began welcoming students back to campus on Monday for the 2014-15 year, which will kick off with Opening Weekend Aug. 14 to 17.

Resident assistants arrived on campus Aug. 8 for training and a weekend retreat. Members of the volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country and soccer teams arrived Aug. 11, and members of Bel Canto Singers and aviation students and members of the Jump Start program arrived Aug. 13.

Registration for new and returning off-campus students begins Thursday, Aug. 14.

New and returning on-campus students will move into their dorm rooms, go through registration Aug. 15 and attend orientation sessions Aug. 16.

Opening Weekend activities include Opening Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Hesston Mennonite Church. An ice cream social for the campus community and families will follow the service.

A parent breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, along with parent orientation sessions. The day’s festivities include a Performing Arts open house in Northlawn 109 from 11 a.m. to noon for students and parents wanting to learn what the music and theatre departments offer, a women’s soccer scrimmage at 5 p.m. on the Hesston College soccer field, a volleyball vs. alumni scrimmage at 6 p.m. in Yost Center and a men’s soccer intra-squad game at 7:30 p.m. on the Hesston College Soccer Field.

Sunday’s schedule features a 10:30 a.m. worship service with Hesston Mennonite Church focused on an education theme for the entire Hesston community with message by Hesston Mennonite Church pastor John Murray. Other Sunday activities include Freshmen Games, a picnic for the campus community at 6 p.m. and the annual Mod Olympics at 7 p.m. in Yost Center. The local community is invited to attend Mod Olympics.

Located 30 miles north of Wichita, Hesston College is the two-year liberal arts college of Mennonite Church USA.

Graduate overcomes barriers to reach goals

Immediate cheers and applause erupted as Simon Zehr received his Hesston College diploma, and not just because his name was the final one read during the May 11 Commencement ceremony. Zehr’s fist pump and beaming smile so familiar to the campus community, revealed his own joy as he walked off the stage with diploma in hand – an accomplishment he wasn’t always sure would happen.

In his two years as a Hesston College student, Zehr (Tiskilwa, Ill.) endeared himself to the entire campus community with his unceasing friendliness, positive attitude and genuine, caring personality. His accomplishments and pride in his work spurred celebration from all of his many friends and cheerleaders.

Zehr has Williams syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by medical issues, developmental delays, learning disabilities and a highly social personality. But none of his would-be roadblocks ever got in his way of achieving success at Hesston College.

“There were a lot of times I didn’t think I would graduate, but I had the help I needed at Hesston and I just took everything day by day,” Zehr said.

“Simon’s time at Hesston College has been tremendous,” said his father, Dennis Zehr. “The college had the staff, capabilities and willingness to welcome him and work with his particular needs. He worked really hard, but he also had so much help along the way and he knew where to find help when he needed it.”

Just like any other student with lower than average high school academics, Zehr entered Hesston College on a contractual agreement thanks to his admissions counselor Jeron Baker who strongly advocated for him to be accepted in spite of his obvious academic challenges. The contractual agreement required that Zehr meet certain academic standards each semester in order to continue his studies. He took the requirements seriously and continuously put in extra effort to meet his goals.

“All of my instructors encouraged me and pushed me to do well,” Zehr said. “I pushed myself as well because I was happy to be at Hesston.”

Weekly meetings with Deb Roth, director of Student Success, helped him plan and organize his schedule and even plan ahead. Baker, then serving as student life advisor, became another personal support person for Simon, working with him to establish a balance between organized academics and budding friendships.

Knowing Simon enjoyed hands-on work, early in his college career his father encouraged him to study in the college’s Disaster Management Program.

“I felt like Disaster Management would be a good track for Simon because it would allow him to do hands-on work and give him skills he can use in the future,” Dennis said.

Simon was among five graduates honored at the program’s May 10 recognition celebration. This summer, he and 10 other Disaster Management students will complete an eight-week field experience requirement working with Mennonite Disaster Service in High River, Alberta, Canada.

“I have learned a lot from Simon in the two years of having him in the disaster management program,” said program director and Zehr’s academic advisor Russ Gaeddert. “He is one of the most honest, transparent, friendly, caring individuals that I have met. He has worked hard to succeed at Hesston College and I am so proud of him for graduating.”

Zehr was also one of three students honored at the annual LarkFest Awards May 2, with the Service Leader Award for more than 60 service hours logged during the academic year. In fact, he led all students in service hours with 84 hours logged for the year.

“Disaster Management has been great for me because I learned a lot of new things and had experiences cleaning up and rebuilding, but also because service involves people and stories and those are two things I love,” said Zehr.

His love for people may be the most notable thing about Zehr. His outgoing personality, ability to have conversations with others and non-judgmental attitude quickly gained him dozens of friends who are just as loyal to him as he is to them. Zehr leaves Hesston College with his newly minted diploma having influenced an entire campus to take an honest look at their own priorities and attitudes toward life.

“Simon is friendly to everyone regardless of things like race, background, religion or anything else that may be a barrier for other people,” said Mitch Stutzman, Zehr’s former resident director. “He has the right priorities – faith, people and relationships – and he’s not afraid to be vocal about them. He genuinely cares about people and is a constant encouragement to those around him.”

Becoming one with the Bible through ink

Beads of sweat stream down his forehead. He wipes his eyes clean and clenches his hands into sweaty fists. He leans back in the chair as he takes a deep nervous breath. The needle meets pale white skin of his forearm as it penetrates it with dark black ink.

Hesston College class of 2014 graduate Nathanael Ressler recalls this experience of when he got his first and only tattoo: the timeline of the Heilsgeschichte, the chronological story of the people of God studied in the college’s Biblical Literature course.

“I got the tattoo because of the idea,” Ressler said. “The Heilsgeschichte and this timeline represent a story that we are a part of and for me, when I look at it, I am reminded that this is my story, this is my identity. I am connected to the Bible through it.”

Ressler’s spiritual journey starts in his hometown of Mount Vernon, Ill. Where he attended East Bend Mennonite Church; Ressler’s father, Jeff Ressler, was the pastor of the church.

“Having my father as the pastor of the church made for an interesting life.” Ressler said.

On the edge of his senior year, Ressler sought out colleges that fit what he wanted. He visited Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.) and Goshen (Ind.) College along with others before eventually deciding on Hesston College.

“The other colleges were nice, but Hesston was everything I wanted in a college,” Ressler said.

Coming into his freshman year he considered two options for his major: communications and Bible.

“I’m an outgoing person with good writing skills and I love talking to people so that’s why I thought I fit into communications,” Ressler said. “But I felt being a Bible major was my calling more than anything.”

The Bible major route eventually led him into the Biblical Literature course, which he took with Bible and Ministry faculty Marion Bontrager.

“I am the son of a pastor, so I sort of thought I knew more than the average person, and I felt good going into the class,” Ressler said. “But the class really taught me more than I ever thought [it would] and it helped me grow and connect with God on a more spiritual level.”

After completing the course, Ressler was striving for more spiritual growth. His thirst for growth would be quenched, as he was one of the few people to be selected by campus Pastor Todd Lehman as a Ministry Assistant.

“He [Ressler] has a deep commitment to his faith and another key characteristic that he has is the ability to care for and listen to people,” Lehman said.

Ressler’s faith commitment ran deep in his veins, so much that he had an idea about furthering his connection with Hesston College, his faith and himself.

The idea was to get a tattoo, yet he struggled about what it should be.

“I strongly believe in getting tattoos that have some type of meaning,” Ressler said. “When I was deciding what to get I figured that the Heilsgeschichte was such a big part of my life, that it made sense to have it imbedded onto my skin.”

Ressler thought long and hard about whether to get the Heilsgeschichte permanently tattooed on his arm.

“Before I actually got the tattoo I drew it on my arm with permanent marker,” Ressler said. “After about three weeks of having it on my arm I came to the conclusion that I loved having it so that’s when I started to make plans for the tattoo.”

Finally, after extensive talks with his parents and some of his closest friends the date was set for Aug. 13, 2013.

“My parents really didn’t want me to get it because it would stay with me forever,” Ressler said. “But in the end they told me it was my choice and they respected my decision.

The Heilsgeschichte and Ressler are now one, and he doesn’t hesitate when asked about the story of his decision to get a tattoo.

“The tattoo is one of the greatest decisions I’ve made because it reflects who I am, and it’s a new way for me to talk about Jesus and the Bible.”

Nelson Kilmer Science Scholarship established in honor of longtime instructor

Longtime Hesston College science faculty and staff member Nelson Kilmer’s 46 years of dedicated service to the college is being honored with the establishment of the Nelson Kilmer Science Scholarship by his children Ron Kilmer (Glendale, Ariz.) and Krista (Kilmer) Nelson (Shawnee, Kan.) and their families. Kilmer retired from his service at Hesston College in May 2014.

Kilmer began his teaching career at Hesston Academy, the college’s high school, in 1963, and remained in that role until 1965 when he left to pursue graduate studies. He returned to again teach science and math courses at Hesston College in 1970. Aside from teaching, which he did for all 46 years of his service, Kilmer also served as associate academic dean for seven years and director of finance and chief financial officer for 19 years. Kilmer also served the college as a leader in academic assessment and analysis in recent years, and as chair of the science department and chair of the natural science division at various times.

“This scholarship is a testament to the work Nelson has done at Hesston College over the years,” said Dr. Sandra Zerger, academic dean and vice president of Academics. “He has been one of the more innovative faculty in terms of trying new pedagogy and using new technology in his classes. By analyzing institutional research, Nelson helped faculty corporately improve student learning, and he was also instrumental in adding new articulation agreements for students interested in engineering and engineering technology.”

Kilmer especially enjoyed teaching physics classes and had a particular interest in solar energy that he shared with his students every year. Students in his Physics II classes did hands-on projects with solar energy each year, including building a solar-powered golf cart, bicycles, solar cookers and solar power installations on private homes and the campus physics classroom.

The Nelson Kilmer Science Scholarship will be awarded to students who displays an aptitude and passion for pursuing a career in physics, engineering or the sciences.

To contribute to the Nelson Kilmer Science Scholarship, contact the Hesston College Development Office at 866-437-7866 or visit hesston.edu.

Graduates encouraged to carry values through life at commencement 2014

Graduates of Hesston College’s Class of 2014 were encouraged to take Hesston College values with them as they go everywhere during Commencement exercises May 11.

Commencement speakers Joyce Huber, nursing faculty, and Marelby Mosquera, natural science faculty, spoke on “Passport For Your Dream: From Here to Everywhere,” highlighting the values of Christian community, diverse cultures, caring and joy as important for graduates to carry with them in their life and professional journeys.

“Today as you graduate, take your passport, stamped with the Hesston College values you have experienced here – they will nurture your dreams as you go from here to everywhere,” said Huber.

Huber has served as a member of the nursing faculty since 1973, and Mosquera, a 2004 Hesston College graduate, completed her first year as part of the science faculty.

Together, they commissioned the graduates with a blessing from Phillipians 4:23 – “Receive and experience the amazing grace of the master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourself.”

Presenting the student address were Nathan Peters (North Liberty, Iowa) and Hannah Weaver (Inola, Okla.). Student speakers were nominated by faculty and staff and chosen by their classmates.

President Howard Keim conferred 158 degrees for the Class of 2014 – 60 associate of arts degrees, 14 associate of science degrees, 80 associate of applied arts and sciences degrees and four associate of general studies degrees.

Individual student groups were recognized in special ceremonies May 10. Longtime Mennonite Disaster Service volunteer and member of the bi-national MDS Board of Directors, Paul Unruh (Hesston), a 1958 Hesston Academy and 1960 Hesston College graduate, presented the message “The Power of Choice” at a recognition ceremony for five students completing the Disaster Management Program.

Marcy Renollet (Newton, Kan.), BSN, RN, CMSRN, a 1995 Hesston College graduate and risk manager at Via Christi Hospitals Wichita (Kan.), Inc., presented the message “This – or That?” at the nursing pinning ceremony recognizing 52 nursing graduates.

John Murray, lead pastor at Hesston Mennonite Church and a 1981 graduate, brought the message “The Heart That Sees God,” for two graduates at the pastoral ministries commissioning.

The Aviation department honored eight professional pilot graduates and seven air traffic control graduates during a reception. Ken Kropf, a Hesston College flight instructor, brought the message.

Hesston College natural science faculty member Marelby Mosquera (right) and nursing faculty member Joyce Huber (left) deliver a joint-address encouraging graduates to carry Hesston College values with them throughout life at commencement exercises May 11.

Explore Kansas! trip to experience the Symphony in the Flint Hills

Hesston College alumni and friends will experience the renowned annual Symphony in the Flint Hills with the Kansas City Symphony during the college’s 13th annual Explore Kansas! trip June 14.

The day trip will depart from Hesston and make a stop in El Dorado for the Flint Hills Art Fest before arriving for an afternoon and evening at Rosalia Ranch in Butler County for the evening symphony concert, presentations on Flint Hills culture, history and ecology, wagon rides, prairie walks and an art exhibit and auction. College faculty member and historian, John Sharp, will join the group to share stories of the Flint Hills.

Symphony in the Flint Hills, now in its ninth year, celebrates the history, ecology and culture of the Tallgrass Prairie. About 7,000 people attend the event every year.

The cost of the trip is $120 per person and is limited to the first 60 people to register. Cost includes van transportation, a box lunch and Symphony in the Flint Hills events and concert. The evening meal and snacks may be purchased from on-site vendors. A limited number of Symphony in the Flint Hills event tickets only are also available at $90 each. This excludes transportation and all the amenities of the full Explore Kansas! trip. Registration and full payment must be received by May 31.

To reserve a spot or for further information, call the Hesston College Alumni Office at 620-327-8109 or 866-437-7866 or email alumni@hesston.edu.

Yoder, Ladwig honored as top student athletes

Nick Yoder, a sophomore baseball player, and Makayla Ladwig, a sophomore women’s basketball player, were named the 2014 male and female Hesston College Student Athletes of the Year.

Yoder, Millersburg, Ohio, a leader among the winningest class in Hesston baseball history, battled injuries his sophomore campaign but still contributed from the shortstop position with award-winning defense and a leadoff position in the batting order. A youth ministry major, Yoder is busy off the field as well, taking the responsibilities of both ministry assistant and resident assistant.

“I was surprised,” Yoder said of the honor. “I’ve put in a lot of work so it’s nice to be recognized. Baseball takes up a lot of my time, but coach Rob’s values and Hesston values have really impacted me. I came here to play baseball, and I’ve really enjoyed my time.”

Ladwig, Wichita, Kan., was a stalwart for the women’s basketball team, both for what shows in the stat sheet and what doesn’t. The forward finished fifteenth on Hesston’s all-time scoring list and played a major leadership role on the team as its captain. Ladwig, who is completing her second year of a three-year nursing degree, is also a resident assistant and was instrumental in the inauguration and maintenance of the Hesston gospel choir.

“I feel very honored,” Ladwig said. “I’m glad I can represent this college well. I definitely think the basketball team has made me a better leader. Being in a sport here became an equal component of my Hesston College experience and it was much better than I could have ever hoped for.”

“It was such a pleasure to coach Makayla,” said Hesston women’s basketball coach Dan Harrison. “She worked hard and was a true servant leader to her teammates.”

Yoder and Ladwig succeed last year’s winners Hayley Gately, Roseville, Calif., and Jacob Landis, Sterling, Ill.

The awards were revealed at the annual Hesston Athletics Banquet. The other major honor of the night was the highest team GPA which the women’s soccer team won with a 3.32 in the same year as their first-ever trip to the playoffs.

“They’re a wonderful group,” said Hesston women’s soccer coach Bryan Kehr. “They worked hard and improved on the field, but their character is what I’m most proud of.”

College prepares for leadership transition in Advancement

The Hesston College community will prepare for a leadership transition as Yvonne Sieber, vice president of Advancement, ends her service to the college June 30. Tonya Detweiler will serve as interim vice president of Advancement effective July 1.

“Vonnie has led the Advancement team to many noteworthy accomplishments to support the college’s causes,” said President Howard Keim. “She has been an excellent representative of the college, and I wish her all the best in her new role.”

Sieber has led the departments contained within the Advancement division – Development, Alumni and Church Relations and Marketing and Communications – since 2007. Her dedicated service over the years has resulted in improved marketing presence, consistently meeting Annual Fund goals, an increased number of Partners who give annually to the college and the completion of several capital campaign projects. She has also served as co-chair of the Inclusion and Diversity Council and worked with a variety of campus initiatives.

Sieber has accepted the position of Chief Philanthropy Officer of Bluestem Communities, which includes the Schowalter Villa (Hesston) and Kidron Bethel Village (North Newton, Kan.) retirement communities.

Detweiler has served Hesston College as development officer for Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Florida since November 2008. She is based from her home in Goshen, Ind., and will continue with that arrangement, spending one week per month on campus.

Detweiler is a graduate of Hesston College and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Goshen College and a master’s in business administration from Bluffton (Ohio) University.

“Tonya has been a highly successful development officer in an important region,” said Keim. “Her previous experience in leading groups and bringing change position her well to lead the Advancement team to reach its goals.”

Students commissioned for summer service

During Hesston College chapel April 30, 40 students were commissioned for Christian ministry and service for summer and fall placements.

“These students are going to make a difference in someone’s life because they are willing to join with and participate in Jesus’ ministry that is already taking place in all of these different settings,” said Todd Lehman, Hesston College campus pastor.

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

Doing an eight-week field experience in High River, Alberta, are Disaster Management Program students Megan Baumgartner (Hesston, Kan.), Davis Cook (Goessel, Kan.), Philip Horning (Ephrata, Pa.), Rachel Jantzi (Hendersonville, N.C.), Cynnandra Luttrell (Tiskilwa, Ill.), Ben Rush (Quakertown, Pa.), Travis Splechter (Coffeyville, Kan.), Aimee Stein (Hesston, Kan.), Elisabeth Wilder (Hesston, Kan.), Steven Yoder (McVeytown, Pa.) and Simon Zehr (Tiskilwa, Ill.).

Students serving at Camp Mennoscah (Murdock, Kan.), are Kayla Kauffman (Hutchinson, Kan.) and Robin Morris (Hutchinson, Kan.).

Students serving at Camp Keola (Big Creek, Calif.) are Emma Cloud (Chandler, Ariz.), Makenna Grow (Logan, Utah) and Dennis Marcellino (Van Nuys, Calif.).

Students serving at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp (Divide, Colo.) are Kendrik Mast (Harrisonburg, Va.), David Penner (Moundridge, Kan.) and Kendal Slabach Brubaker (Harrisonburg, Va.). Kendrik Mast

Students serving at Camp Friedenswald (Cassopolis Mich.) are Marissa Hochstetler (Strang, Neb.) and Wesley Wilder (Hesston, Kan.).

Students serving at Discovering Opportunities for Outreach (DOOR) (Denver, Colo.) are JD Hershberger (Hesston, Kan.) and Cameron Ponce (Elkhart, Ind.).

• Heather Dussinger (New Holland, Pa.) will serve at Greenview Bible Camp (Denver, Pa.).
• Maria Diener of (Meridian, Miss.) will work as a counselor a Pine Lake Fellowship Camp (Meridian).
• Bryce Elder (Ottawa, Kan.) will serve at Silver State Camp (Sedalia, Colo.).
• Brett Fair (Topeka, Kan.) will be going on a mission trip with Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene (Topeka).
• Christina Hershey (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), will serve at Camp Hebron (Halifax, Pa.).
• Makayla Ladwig (Wichita, Kan.) will work as a Legacy Intern at Legacy Ministries (Wichita).
• Joshua Landis (Sterling, Ill.), will serve at Wilderness Wind (Ely, Minn.).
• Spencer Miller of (Milford, Neb.), will be part of service team from Bellwood Mennonite Church (Milford), to Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) in Kentucky.
• Megan Redd (Castle Rock, Colo.) will be work with the youth group at Creekside Bible Church (Castle Rock).
• Nathanael Ressler (Mount Vernon, Ill.) will serve at Silverwood Mennonite Church (Goshen, Ind.) as part of the Ministry Intern Program.
• Becca Slabaugh of Goshen, Ind., will serve at North Main Street Mennonite Church (Nappanee, Ind.).
• Jeffrey Smoker (Harrisonburg, Va.) will intern with Mennonite Disaster Service’s Projects Logistics Coordinator for eight weeks.
• Josh Thomas (Johnstown, Pa.) will work as an intern at Kaufman Mennonite Church (Conemaugh, Pa.).
• Hannah Weaver (Inola, Okla.) will serve with Bible Memory Camp programs (Goshen, Ind.) across the country.
• Garrett Woelk (Goessel, Kan.) will serve at Swan Lake Christian Camp (Viborg, S.D.).
• Nick Yoder (Millersburg, Ohio) will work at a school in Uganda with Grace Mennonite Church (Berlin, Ohio).
• Taylor Zehr (Archbold, Ohio) will serve at Little Eden Camp (Onekama, Mich.).

Located 30 miles north of Wichita, Hesston College is the two-year liberal arts college of Mennonite Church USA.