In the News

Philadelphia Partnerships Bring Lessons and Renewal to Hesston College Students

Bryce Blake, Johann Reimer, Keith Showalter, Wideline Charles, Juan Marrero, Emily Miller, Smilla Burklin and Kelbe Edwards at Crossroads Community Center in Fairhill hood.

“They say it takes a village, but maybe the better word for us is partnership,” says Michele Hershberger, Bible professor at Hesston College. “And this partnership is a foretaste of the kingdom of God.”

Hershberger is the leader of an unusual college experience called Urban Life and Culture and the partnership she’s referring to includes Hesston College, Mennonite Disaster Service, Crossroads Community Center, Everence and Kingdom Builders Network. By sharing resources and working together, these organizations make it possible for Hesston College students to experience urban life and culture first hand.

While some might consider Urban Life and Culture just another course at Hesston College, the physical classroom setting shifts through several neighborhoods in Philadelphia, creating a one-of-a-kind cross-cultural encounter. The classroom sometimes looks like a Puerto Rican row house or a bodega in Hunting Park, while at other times it looks more like a church in South Philly, a food pantry on Broad Street or even an office in Kensington. The classroom often looks like a van as well.

“Sometimes we need to debrief all the things we’ve experienced,” says student Wideline Charles, “and the van is a safe place to ask all the ‘Why?’ questions.”

The classroom van is made possible through a partnership between Hesston College and Mennonite Disaster Service. MDS rents one of its vans to the college for the duration of the three-week class, allowing all students and faculty the opportunity to be together and share openly no matter where their next destination might be. Navigating this classroom on wheels is Johann Reimer, Hesston’s director of the School of Engineering. Reimer represents a second partnership.

“Johann volunteered to help with this class, knowing that we needed another faculty member on this trip and a person who loves the challenge of urban driving,” says Hershberger. “It may seem like engineering is a far cry from cultural studies, but not for Johann. He provides invaluable help.”

The next partnerships are highlighted through the education the Hesston College class received from three indigenous church leaders representing three different cultures. During the first week, Bishop Juan Marrero of Crossroads Community Center taught on Puerto Rican culture and systemic racism. Pastor Aldo Siahaan of Philadelphia Praise Center taught the second week on Indonesian-American culture and the issue of immigration. Leonard Dow, vice president of community and church development for Everence, tied it all together in the final week with his teaching on the African-American story of economic justice and the Great Migration to Philadelphia and other urban centers—a fascinating and frustrating study of how racism and poverty feed each other.

All three leaders connect their work to an Anabaptist context and show how the church is making a difference in Philadelphia. Student Keith Showalter was excited to learn about the financial products and services to which Dow and Everence financial wellness manager Kevin Gil were contributing.

“I saw a Christian organization in a place many people write off,” Showalter explains. “We witnessed a passion that Kevin [Gil] and Leonard [Dow] have for their community in regard to finance. I loved their ability to come up with creative ways to teach financial responsibility to those who were never taught another way. They are breaking generations of financial illiteracy. They are making a huge difference.”

Hershberger and the other leaders also worked to help students see the people of Philadelphia differently. Student Anita Castle was amazed by the revelations she received during this cross-cultural immersion.

“The stories Pastor Aldo [Siahaan] shared with us made me aware of the struggles and complexities that I never knew!” Castle shared. “They also made me ache for people who—just like me—want to work, provide for their families, get their education so they can pursue their dreams! They are just like me!”

Another student, Emily Miller, agreed.

“While Pastor Juan [Marrero] was talking about the racism his people have faced, I knew this is something that means a lot to him,” Miller explained. “I ached for him and his people because as a white woman, I have never had to experience something like that, and I have never had to go through the things that the people of this neighborhood have.”

The partnerships don’t stop with these individuals teaching Hesston College students, it overflows into the organizations they represent. Crossroads Community Center, where Marrero serves as director, is another key partnership as they provide lodging for the Hesston College class during the three weeks they’re in Philadelphia. This ministry is located in the Fairhill neighborhood, a hood that has been coined the “Badlands” by TV personality Ted Koppel on “Dateline.” Crossroads and Marrero are working to change this perception.

“There are reasons why there’s gun violence here—yes,” says Marrero. “It’s because people are frustrated. The jobs are gone. But we’re working to make this community healthier.”

Marrero promotes boxing as a way to keep kids off the streets and teach them conflict transformation—he even gave Hesston College students a chance to enter the ring and learn some boxing basics. Marrero’s staff also runs a summer children’s program, as well as a year-round food pantry of which students were on call during their stay.

Kingdom Builders Network is another partner. This organization consists of Anabaptist-affiliated congregations and ministries who commit to working together to further God’s kingdom in the city. Up to 25 congregational leaders meet monthly, praying for the city and working to bring systemic change. They come from widely different theological stances on some issues, but that doesn’t stop them from working together, in their own partnership, to nurture the health of many communities.

While KBN doesn’t do a lot of direct interaction with Hesston students, it does host a Pentecost service during the three weeks of the class. Eight different languages and cultures were represented this year, and Hesston College students were able to participate in a joyous potluck with foods from several cultures, hand-clapping and singing, powerful preaching and a communion service.

“Seeing so many people from different ethnic backgrounds being so respectful of each other made me very happy and gave me hope for the future,” said student Smilla Burklin.

Siahaan agreed, “All of us together, different cultures and languages but together, worshiping and following Jesus. This is what the kingdom is about.”

Everence, a faith-based stewardship agency of Mennonite Church USA and other Anabaptist denominations, also provides a key partnership. Hershberger was granted a JustPax grant from Everence that helped fund the class. Students also spent time learning how Everence is working to change the economic narrative of Kensington through its credit union office location. Known as the opioid capital of the world, the Kensington neighborhood struggles with drug addictions and poverty. Like Siahaan and Marrero, Dow refuses to only see hopelessness.

“The people of this neighborhood are resilient and strong. They have many assets to give,” Dow explains. “If we at Everence can come alongside and provide education and accessibility to checking and saving accounts, loan products and services for individuals and small businesses along with financial planning, we will nurture this resilience, and this neighborhood will continue to be restored and filled with hope.”

“There is a lot of hope here,” says Hershberger, “and that hope is nourished by the church working together. People of different cultures, different theological views—we have lots of differences, but we love God and we love this city, and that’s really good news.”

Students Earn Spring Term Academic Honors

Registrar Megan Leary announced the names of full-time students whose spring 2023 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

Kezia Angeline, Semarang, Indonesia
Hikari Babasaki, Osaka, Japan
Miranda Bath, Newton, Kan.
Celia Bontrager, Milford, Neb.
Sydney Bontrager, Milford, Neb.
Kendall Boughfman, McPherson, Kan.
Smilla Burklin, Karlsruhe, Germany
Trenton Canaan, Cheney, Kan.
Sophia Crawford, Ephraim, Utah
Alisha Dorsing, Othello, Wash.
Alexis Driscoll, Moundridge, Kansas
David Duncan, Wichita, Kan.
Derick Fonseca, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Hadassa Friesen, Asuncion, Paraguay
Tana Hayworth, Lincoln, Kan.
Luke Huyard, Harrisonburg, Va.
Jordan Johnston, Wichita, Kan.
Jesse Kanagy, Lancaster, Pa.
Suzannah Karako, Galena, Mo.
Jennifer Komarek, Sedgwick, Kan.
Kira Kumada, Hadano, Japan
Melvin Lasseter, Valley Center, Kan.
Kara Longenecker, Harrisonburg, Va.
Trent Mars, Corning, Kan.
Haydon Mead, Eureka, Kan.
Ginny Miller, Harrisonburg, Va.
Samantha Moss, Hillsboro, Kan.
Akana Nakamura, Hachinohe, Japan
Sadie Oesch, Caldwell, Idaho
Kylee Ohman, Claremore, Okla.
Lauren Payne, Geuda Springs, Kan.
James Peters, Hesston, Kan.
Reese Peterson, Omaha, Neb.
Jessica Raharjo, Semarang, Indonesia
Katherine Robeck, Sweet Home, Ore.
Nicholas Roghair, Irvine, Calif.
Lisa Schmidt, Moundridge, Kan.
Elias Stoll, Harrisonburg, Va.
Jara Strickland, El Dorado, Kan.
Aidan Swartzendruber, Henderson, Neb.
Madison Thompson, Newton, Kan.
Isaac Troyer, Millersburg, Ohio
Kolby Wallace, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Samuel Wiese, Omaha, Neb.
Catryna Winzer, Augusta, Kan.
Eyael Woldeyes, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Rylie Womochil, Halstead, Kan.
Isabelle Wortz, Hutchinson, Kan.
Romina Xhari, Lezhe, Albania

Honor Roll

Ashlyn Baker, Krum, Texas
Shelby Bontrager, McPherson, Kan.
Makinzy Cain, Rose Hill, Kan.
Roman Clevenot, Annecy Le Vieux, France
Alexa Coburn, Harrisonburg, Va.
Lochlyn Duntz, St. John, Kan.
Olvin Duron Rivera, San Francisco de Yojoa, Honduras
Samantha Fatka, Warrensburg, Mo.
Yoshimune Goto, Tokyo, Japan
Briona Graf, Colwich, Kan.
Mackenzie Grove, Murphy, N.C.
Tyler Henrich, Venus, Texas
Hunter Hickman, Morrison, Colo.
Cade Irwin, The Colony, Texas
Jaden Johannesen, Owasso, Okla.
Kanaloa Kapololu, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Emma Killingsworth, Liberty Hill, Texas
Deklan Kulaski, Missoula, Mont.
David Lambert, Pueblo West, Colo.
Loribeth Miller, Chouteau, Okla.
Madelyn Mullet, Milford, Neb.
Nyembwe Musungaie, Pretoria, South Africa
Destiny Nuñez, Topeka, Kan.
Larry Ruffin, Choctaw, Okla.
Madison Schriver, Olathe, Kan.
Jack Shingler, Creston, Ohio
Jayda Spiller, Wichita, Kan.
Jovan Suarez, Salina, Kan.
Tengisbold Sukhbaatar, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Skyler Syverson, Grand Forks, N.D.
Haruto Ueda, Nagareyama-shi, Japan
Jasmin Ventura, Fate, Texas
Rachel Weaver, Broadway, Va.
Teddi Weninger, Hutchinson, Kan.
Ryan Wilder, San Marcos, Texas

Nursing Club Presents Sizable Donations to New Hope Shelter

2024 nursing club president Madison Thompson (left) and 2023 nursing club president Michelle Ramos-Carreno (right) present a $1,000 check to Brian Bisbee, executive director at New Hope Shelter.

After a semester of fundraising, the Hesston College Nursing Club presented two large donations to New Hope Shelter in Newton. The first donation consisted of clothes, food, hygiene supplies and a variety of other items that filled four cars, and the second donation was a $1,000 check presented to shelter executive director Brian Bisbee.

“One of the many reasons that we want to become nurses is because we want to help people,” says 2023 nursing club president Michelle Ramos-Carreno, a senior in the college’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. “Our goal with this project was to help make a difference in our local community by providing resources the community needs through these donations.”

What began as a genuine desire to offer resources and assistance to those in the local community who are in need, soon turned into a friendly competition that spurred the fundraising progress. It was juniors against seniors to see who could bring in the most donations. The nursing club also opened up the fundraiser to the greater campus community to gain additional support. While the junior class was eventually crowned champions by a narrow margin, it was the combined effort of all that really made an impact. Together, they were able to meet their monetary fundraising goal and exceeded their own expectations through the item drive.

“When the day came to finally deliver everything, it felt amazing to see all of the items we collected and the funds we have raised,” Ramos-Carreno recalls. “With New Hope working to expand their resources and construct a new site, it’s exciting that our contributions can go to their new site.”

Bisbee says he was aware of the nursing club’s fundraising efforts, and was pleasantly surprised by the donations received. “We were very encouraged by the number of donated items and we were most impressed with the quality and attitude of the nursing program students. They were so willing to help and showed their care,” he says. “We are supported by the community with no government tax dollars–and they showed themselves to be part of that community.”

According to Bisbee, their annual food budget is only $75, so the food donations will be especially beneficial to the people New Hope Shelter serves. “It particularly helps us with breakfasts and lunches. A large number of work lunches are packed out of here every week and we have to have food to provide those.” Bisbee explained.

After receiving the donation, Bisbee offered nursing students a tour of their new site location and the construction progress made on their future building. Ramos-Carreno says this experience made an even deeper impact on her, “Seeing the site in person made a mark in my heart thinking about how our contributions will benefit New Hope and the community as they expand to their new site.”

This was the second year Hesston College Nursing Club raised funds and resources for New Hope Shelter, a project Ramos-Carreno foresees continuing into the coming years. “Being able to be a part of helping New Hope offer resources to the local community has made a positive impact on us and it is something that the nursing club enjoys to continue to be a part of making a difference,” she says.

Hesston College to Host Lark Open Golf Benefit in July

Hesston College will host the annual Lark Open Friday, July 14, at Hesston Golf Park in Hesston, Kan. This four-person scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

Registration is available online through July 10 at hesston.edu/lark-open. The cost per golfer is $100 and includes green fees, cart, range balls, a meal and two drinks. Golfers can also purchase mulligans for $5 each. This year’s tournament will feature many different team and individual prizes, hole-in-one prizes and raffle prizes.

Lark Open is made possible by generous sponsors, including Garber Surveying Service (Hutchinson, Kan.) and Commerce Bank. Their generosity allows 100 percent of proceeds to benefit Hesston College athletics. Additional sponsorships are still available and can be requested until July 7 through the registration link, hesston.edu/lark-open.

Theatre Camp for Middle and High School Students Coming in June

Student actors ages 11 to 18 are invited to stage a live theatre performance at Hesston College’s annual summer theatre camp June 11 to 17. The weeklong theatre immersion will culminate in a public performance of the musical “Freaky Friday” at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 17, in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on the Hesston College campus.

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.

“For the last nine years, even before it became an overnight event, the purpose of this camp has always been to tell stories and help young people gain confidence in who they are on and off the stage,” says Rachel Jantzi, Hesston College Theatre director and professor. “There is a spot for everyone and all are welcome.”

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. Registration is due June 8.

“To put together an entire show in a week is crazy and a blast,” Jantzi explains. “Also, our evening activities like going swimming, bonfires, movie nights and talent shows are a great way to build community and end each night before lights out.”

“Freaky Friday” is a new, hilarious musical based on the classic book about a mom and teen daughter switching bodies for a day and learning to appreciate what each other has to navigate. This show is upbeat and touching, with fun music to coincide.

Hesston College Graduates Encouraged to Live with Love

A weekend full of rehearsals, recitals and receptions came to fruition Saturday, May 13, at the Hesston Mennonite Church where Hesston College graduates received their diplomas and took pictures with president Dr. Joseph A. Manickam.

Hesston College’s 113th commencement ceremony featured an address titled “Living in God’s Love,” given by Riccardo Harris, executive director of Wichita GEAR UP at Wichita State University, where he reflected on a childhood experience that highlighted the importance of community and loving others.

“My childhood memories of my neighborhood helped me to appreciate neighbors, and how we were all there to support, encourage and help one another. Even though we all lived our own lives, in our own homes, we were interdependent. We all had a part to play in our community,” Harris explained. “As you enter the world beyond Hesston College, I encourage you to make love the foundation of your interactions…. Make it the standard by which you measure your impact and success in the world. When you approach the world with love, you bring light in the dark places and create the possibility for change.”

The prayer of invocation was delivered by Jim and Kathy Yoder, parents of graduate Tobias Yoder (Harrisonburg, Va.). Two students, Loribeth Miller (Chouteau, Okla.) and Kara Longenecker (Harrisonburg, Va.), were nominated by faculty and staff and voted by their classmates as the graduate speakers to reflect on the Hesston Experience.

Miller spoke of examples she had of professors, coaches and the president who helped her realize not just what she wants to be, but who she wants to be. “That person is someone who is a servant leader and glorifies God in all aspects of life,” she said.

Longenecker likened Hesston College to a character in the latest chapter of the graduates’ personal stories, saying, “I hope we can continue moving forward, writing our stories with meaning, truth and courage. Taking what we’ve learned here, with the degrees we will soon have in our hands, to make an impact.”

President Joseph A. Manickam, Ph.D., conferred 33 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, seven Bachelor of Arts degrees in business management, a Bachelor of Science degree to a student majoring in Aviation – Professional Pilot and 59 associate degrees. The graduating class of 2023 includes members from 12 different countries, U.S. territories and sovereign nations.

The seven business management graduates are the first cohort to graduate from Hesston College with this newly offered degree. They were honored Saturday night with a reception in Kropf Center.

The 33 nursing program graduates were honored at a Nursing Pinning ceremony in the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church on the morning of May 13. Graduates received their nursing pins as well as the traditional blessing of hands from Hesston College nursing faculty.

The School of Aviation also hosted an open house Saturday afternoon at the Hesston College hangar in celebration of their students graduating with bachelor’s and associate degrees.

Other commencement weekend events included several music recitals and a theatre showcase. Bel Canto Singers also presented the kickoff concert to their summer tour Friday evening in the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church.

Semester Finale Performances to Highlight Voice and Theatre Talents

Voice and theatre students will demonstrate their performance abilities during sophomore voice recitals on Friday, May 12, at 2 and 4 p.m. and a theatre showcase on Saturday, May 13, at 1 p.m.

The sophomore recitals will be held at Hesston College’s Black Box Theater in Keim Center with performances from a wide variety of musical styles including English and foreign language art song, musical theatre, pop, spirituals and oratorio.

“Sophomore recitals are opportunities for some Hesston College students who have taken private lessons for four semesters to showcase their technical and creative development,” explains music professor Holly Swartzendruber. “I work with the singers, and for me it’s wonderful to see their technical and musical growth.”

The 2 p.m. sophomore recital will feature Luke Huyard, tenor, and Sadie Oesch, mezzo-soprano, while the 4 p.m. recital will feature Jesse Kanagy, baritone, Ginny Miller, mezzo-soprano, and Abraham Cadillo Quispe, baritone.

The theatre showcase will also take place at Hesston College’s Black Box Theater in Keim Center with students from the Acting I and Acting II classes performing a series of monologues, scenes and additional assignments from the past semester, as well as a student-directed one act play.

“This group has been an absolute pleasure to work with this year and have developed as young actors,” says Rachel Jantzi, director of theatre. “You will see selections from plays and literature to film and even video game scripts!”

The showcase will wrap up with the short one act play, “The Wall: A Pilgrimage,” directed by graduating theatre scholar, Alexis Driscoll. This show is about a family visiting the Vietnam War Memorial and the feelings each member faces when recalling the soldier they lost.

Bel Canto Singers Travel Southwest on Summer Tour

Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will travel southwest for a spring tour May 15 to 25. The 18-voice mixed chamber choir, under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian, will present a program titled “God Is Love,” inspired by I John 4:7-8, this year’s theme verse at Hesston College. The program will feature a wide range of genres including selections by music professor Dr. Holly Swartzendruber. A home concert is scheduled for Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church and can be viewed online at hesston.edu/livestream.

The tour itinerary includes:

• Friday, May 12, 7 p.m., Hesston (Kan.) Mennonite Church
• Monday, May 15, 7 p.m., Albuquerque (N.M.) Mennonite Church
• Wednesday, May 17, 7 p.m., Trinity Mennonite Church, Glendale, Ariz.
• Thursday, May 18, 7 p.m., Shalom Mennonite Church, Tucson, Ariz.
• Sunday, May 21, 10:30 a.m., Pasadena (Calif.) Mennonite Church
• Sunday, May 21, 2:30 p.m., Grace Indonesian Christian Fellowship, Sierra Madre, Calif.
• Wednesday, May 24, 7 p.m., First Mennonite Church, Denver, Colo.

The 2022-23 academic year marks the 39th season for the Bel Canto Singers, Hesston College’s premier choral ensemble. Bel Canto Singers allows students from a broad spectrum of majors to make music an important part of their college experience. The group carries out ambitious concert and touring schedules annually.

Members include Daniel Miller of Arlington, Kan.; Sadie Oesch of Caldwell, Idaho; Luke Allison of Freeman, S.D.; Alyssa Burkholder of Goessel, Kan.; Meg Beyer, Luke Huyard, Kara Longenecker, Ginny Miller and Eli Stoll of Harrisonburg, Va.; Rachel Weaver of Broadway, Va.; Aidan Swartzendruber of Henderson, Neb.; Anna-Joy Jones of Lockhart, Texas; Andrew Miller of Kidron, Ohio; Jack Shingler of Creston, Ohio; Jesse Kanagy of Lancaster, Pa.; Hadassa Friesen Pauls of Neuland, Paraguay; Desirae Rodriguez of Whittier, Calif.; and Abraham Cadillo Quispe of Yokohama, Japan.

Tomato Plant Girl Performance to Highlight Bullying and Acceptance

All generations will appreciate the message of kindness and friendship that grows in this year’s Theatre for Young Audiences production, “Tomato Plant Girl,” showing April 27 to 30 at the Hesston College Black Box Theater in Keim Center. Performances will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Presented by Hesston College Theatre, “Tomato Plant Girl” is a powerful exploration of friendship between Little Girl, Bossy Best Friend and the messy Tomato Plant Girl who springs from the earth. While especially directed toward elementary school aged children, this 45-minute show is full of action and charm that all ages will enjoy.

“I love the fantasy and magic that happens when Tomato Plant Girl emerges from the earth,” explains Director Celaine Worden. “She is from another world, but teaches Little Girl an incredible lesson about true friendship. By the end of the show, Little Girl grows into a different, but stronger person.”

Highlighting the issues of bullying and acceptance of others, this play challenges the character of Little Girl to bravely discover the power of making up her own rules and leading with kindness. Worden hopes audience members of all ages will walk away knowing they have the power to stand up against bullying and through kindness and friendship, bring transformation for a better world.

“As we prepare to plant our gardens this spring, this story provides a positive perspective on our connection with the earth, and each other,” Worden says. “Just like plants, people can grow and flourish when our environment is supportive and kind.”

Hesston College Theatre will also present special showings for Hesston Elementary School students prior to their public performances.

Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased at the Hesston College Bookstore (620-327-8105). For more information, call 620-327-8142.