In the News

Hesston College celebrates positive financial news

Hesston College celebrated the achievement of several financial goals with the close of the fiscal year in June. The college exceeded the $1.24 million Annual Fund goal for student scholarships by $10,000, completed fundraising for the Erb Hall dormitory renovations and ended the year with a positive operating balance.

The 2011-12 year marks the fifth straight year the college has met its Annual Fund goal, and the seventh straight year it’s operations have ended the year in the black. Between the Annual Fund and campaign, the Development staff brought in more than $3.3 million for the year, the greatest amount of funds raised in a single year since 2005.

“We are grateful to our Partners, alumni and friends for this very positive outcome,” said President Howard Keim. “Our Development team, led by Yvonne Sieber, has worked well to share the Hesston College story and develop relationships with people who have contributed financially.”

The Annual Fund’s sole purpose is to provide institutional scholarships and grants as financial aid for students. The average student receives more than $8,000 in institutional aid from the Annual Fund each year, with 80 percent of the total Annual Fund amount coming from Partner gifts.

The Hesston College Partner Program is made up of about 800 individuals from 40 states and three countries who earn their Partner status based on their annual giving commitments to the college.

“Our Partners are the core of our Annual Fund and Erb Hall campaign success,” said Sieber. “They care about our students and the mission of Hesston College. We are grateful for the generous gifts from Partners and other friends and donors, and for their commitment and belief in what we do.”

Fundraising for the Annual Fund presented added challenges during the 2011-12 year as Development staff also worked toward raising money for the completion of the Erb Hall dormitory renovation. The money for the dorm project was successfully raised, and work on the final phase of renovations began this summer with the construction of lounges and an elevator. The lounges will be completed in early August, and the elevator is expected to be ready for use for the spring 2013 semester.

Positive news from the financial end has set a tone of excitement for the new academic year which begins August 20 and kicks off with Opening Weekend August 17 to 19.

“Faculty, student life and all staff work every day to make this a great place for students to start,” said Keim. “Because every person at Hesston College is involved in some way in the lives of the students, we have a great story to tell.”

Hesston College to celebrate Homecoming 2012 through music and drama

Hesston College will showcase the musical and theatrical talents of alumni and students during A Hesston College Homecoming: A View From Everywhere Sept. 28 to 30.

Weekend events will focus on performing arts featuring concerts, performances, presentations, panel discussions, a jam session and live radio show by alumni, students and former and current faculty.

“We’ve put together an outstanding group of alumni and events for the Performing Arts Showcase that goes along with our regular Homecoming lineup of family, sports and class reunion activities,” said Dallas Stutzman, director of Alumni and Church Relations. “There will be something for everyone over the weekend, and we want our alumni, friends and the local community to come enjoy connecting with each other and the college.”

All Hesston College alumni and friends are invited to the weekend celebration. Special class reunions will be for years ending in 2 and 7.

Highlights of the weekend include “I Go On Singing,” Hesston faculty member and artist in residence Tony Brown’s acclaimed tribute to Paul Robeson, all-American athlete, scholar, champion orator, international recording artist and star of the stage and screen during the 1930s and 40s. The song-filled show, written especially for Brown by playwright and personal friend Andrew Flack, will be at 8:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 866-437-7866 or at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The Fragrant and Velvety Air,” an original radio show in the style of “A Prairie Home Companion,” written by music faculty member Bradley Kauffman and theatre director Laura Kraybill will be at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 29, in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 866-437-7866 or at the door.

The Performing Arts Showcase Sept. 28 and 29 will include a songwriting workshop with Jerry Derstine Martin, Jan Garrett and Tim Shue; a PASSION theatre performance with Robert Hostetter, Jim Mininger and Don Clymer; a theatre education seminar with Talashia (Keim) Yoder; a music therapy workshop with Beth (Kaufman) Eriksen; and a panel discussion titled “You’re Majoring in What?!” with alumni professionals in the performing arts industry.

Alumni can also reconnect with former performing arts faculty members during a reception at 7:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, in the Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center. An alumni and student choir will also perform under the direction of father-son duo Ron Garber, 1966 graduate, and Joel Garber, 2004 graduate.

Weekend guests’ children in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in children’s theatre activities led by 2006 graduate Tara Hershberger from 2 to 5 p.m., Sept. 29.

In addition to performing arts activities and events, A Hesston College Homecoming will include Friday morning chapel; a Partner Appreciation Luncheon; a Golden Gables luncheon for alumni and college classes who graduated 50 years ago or more; Hesston College volleyball matches and men’s and women’s soccer games; alumni vs. varsity baseball and softball games; a tailgate barbecue picnic and family festival; a Friday evening worship service; jam session; class reunions; a performing arts open house to tour campus performing arts facilities and hear about renovation plans; Saturday evening alumni banquet; and a Sunday morning campus community worship service with Hesston Mennonite Church featuring mother-daughter duo Michele (Schrock) Hershberger, a 1981 graduate, and Tara Hershberger.

Registration for the weekend is free until Sept. 7, and $10 between Sept. 8 and 21. For those wishing to attend only the Sept. 29 Alumni Banquet, they may do so without paying the registration fee. Reservations are required for the banquet.

Call Alumni and Church Relations with questions at 866-437-7866 or go to www.hesston.edu for a complete schedule and registration.

Hesston College Marketing and Communications honored with awards

The Hesston College Marketing and Communications teams efforts over the past year were awarded with two national awards from the Awards for Publication Excellence. The awards are sponsored by Communications Concepts, Inc., and the editors of “Writer’s Web Watch” and “Writing That Works Archives.”

The team was one of two Grand Award winners, the highest award possible, for the Hesston College website, www.hesston.edu, in the Nonprofit/Small Office Websites category. The website content and layout was created in-house by the Marketing and Communications staff and was designed by Flint Hills Design in North Newton, Kan.

Reviews from judges praised the aesthetically pleasing design, ease of navigation and concise and informative text.

The team also won an Award of Excellence in the Marketing and Public Relations Brochures, Manuals and Reports category for a series of material produced for the Admissions Department. Staff members produced all of the pieces, including writing, photography, design and layout in-house. Other winners in the category included the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas) and the U.S. Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory (Pittsburgh, Pa.).

“These awards speak to the good work the Marketing and Communications team does to successfully tell the Hesston College story through a variety of avenues,” said Yvonne Sieber, vice president of Advancement. “Each person’s gifts and talents make them a vital member of the team and valuable to Hesston College.”

The APEX awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the success in achieving overall communications effectiveness. For the 2012 awards, 3,382 entries were evaluated. A total of 100 Grand Awards were presented in 11 major categories, and 1,027 Awards of Excellence were presented in 130 categories.

The Hesston College Marketing and Communications team is made up of Marathana Prothro, director; Larry Bartel, web content manager and photographer; Julie Miller, graphic designer; Rachel Schlegel, public information officer; and Andrew Sharp, sports information director. Former graphic designer, Nancy Miller, was also involved in some of the work.

Hesston College’s Dyck Arboretum of the Plains names new executive director

The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains Board of Trustees took action on June 5 to name Scott Vogt of Hesston as the new executive director of the arboretum after a nationwide search.

Vogt has served as interim director of the arboretum since November 2011, and his qualifications placed him above more than 20 applicants from around the country – many who serve as directors and managers at arboretums and gardens of various sizes.

“Scott’s commitment and passion for the arboretum and his years of knowledge about the community, the plant world and the intention of the Dyck Arboretum’s mission made him the best candidate to lead the arboretum into the next phase,” said Christine Downey-Schmidt, arboretum board member and co-chair of the search committee.

Vogt has been employed by the arboretum since 1997, serving as horticulturist and grounds manager. He earned a B.S. in horticulture from Kansas State University (Manhattan).

As executive director he will serve as the arboretum’s chief administrative officer, managing its operations and development through long-range planning, fund-raising, administration, programming and outreach. Vogt and the other arboretum staff – Brad Guhr and Janelle Flory Schrock – are planning events to broaden the support of the arboretum, increase membership and promote the mission to educate people about the benefits of native and adaptable plants.

“I am humbled by the opportunity set before me,” said Vogt. “I believe what the arboretum is doing is important not only locally, but regionally and nationally. It is my job to promote the arboretum at every opportunity because what we do here can have far reaching growth and impact.”

“Looking at talent on a nationwide basis made it clear what kind of valuable resource we have in Scott,” said Don Weaver, Dyck Arboretum board chair and co-chair of the search committee. “We have been pleased with his performance over the interim period, and we are excited about the leadership he will provide to the arboretum in the future.”

The Dyck Arboretum features native Kansas plants and trees. Established in October 1981 as a gift to Hesston College from Harold and Elva Mae Dyck, the arboretum is owned and operated by Hesston College. It has since matured into one of the largest native plant gardens in the region as it offers the community a place for quiet reflection, appreciating nature, education and entertainment.

“We are fortunate to have talented staff like Brad and Janelle along with Scott who make the arboretum a wonderful resource to the community and other visitors,” said Weaver.

Arboretum events include nationally known speakers who bring their knowledge and expertise to seasonal events and seminars focusing on horticulture, natural science and the arts, including the Earth Partnership for Schools, which educates teachers in engaging students in prairie gardening on school grounds. The arboretum is also host to the Prairie Window Concert Series, which features independent musicians in performances throughout the year.

Hesston College names new development officers

Hesston College Vice President of Advancement Yvonne Sieber announces the appointments of Scott Sundberg and Derek Yoder as development officers.

Sundberg will work with alumni and friends on the east coast and internationally from his home in Lancaster, Pa. He began his role April 9.

“Scott’s enthusiasm for Christ-centered education, community and his broad international experiences are assets that will enhance our team’s efforts on behalf of Hesston College students,” said Sieber.

Sundberg’s appointment fills a role vacated upon the death of Elam Peachey in January 2011. Arliss Swartzendruber of Denver, Colo., director of development from 1985 to 1994, filled the position on a part-time contractual basis until a permanent hire was made.

“We were most appreciative of Arliss’ assistance following the sudden passing of our colleague,” said Sieber. “He was instrumental in helping us complete the funding for the Erb Hall dormitory renovation campaign.”

Sundberg served as director of communications for Mennonite Disaster Service from 2006 to 2011. He also served as director of communications for The English Language Institute/China in San Dimas, Calif., from 1993 to 2006.

With vast international experience having lived and taught English in various provinces throughout China for three years, and traveling extensively through numerous Asian countries, Sweden, Scotland and Mexico, Sundberg will use his connections and experience to also connect with international Hesston alumni.

Sundberg is graduate of Biola University (La Mirada, Calif.). He is a member of Akron Mennonite Church (Lancaster, Pa.), and he and his wife, Wendy, have two sons.

Yoder, who will work with constituents on the west coast and in parts of Kansas, began working part-time from his home in Cassopolis, Mich., in May and will join the team full-time on campus beginning July 1.

The new appointment will be a return to the Hesston community for Yoder, his wife, Joy, and three children.

Yoder is a 1996 Hesston College graduate. He earned a B.S. in social work from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.) and a M.S.W. from Wichita (Kan.) State University.

Yoder has served as a host at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis with Mennonite Voluntary Service since 2009. He also served as an admissions counselor at Hesston from 1998 to 2002 and as youth pastor of Whitestone Mennonite Church (Hesston) from 2002 to 2009.

“Derek’s has many strong relationships in our alumni base, and his love for the student experience provided by Hesston College will be strong assets in this role,” said Sieber.

Yoder’s appointment fills a role being vacated with the retirement from the college of Larry Martin following the 2012-13 year. Martin has served as Development Officer since 1999, and will work with special projects in a part-time role until his retirement.

“We are grateful for the years Larry has dedicated to helping make Hesston a good and affordable starting place for students, and we look forward to seeing the ways he connects with loyal supporters who have included Hesston in their estate plans and to advance a number of important projects,” said Sieber.

Hesston College students recognized for achievements

Hesston College students were recognized for their academic and extracurricular achievements during the 2011-12 year at Lark Fest May 5.

Receiving the Ambassador of the Year awards from Admissions were freshmen Cody Cook, Clayton, Kan.; Marissa Schuett, Wichita, Kan., and Pierre Zook, McMinnville, Ore.

Receiving the Resident Assistant of the Year awards from Student Life were sophomores Rebecca Short, Archbold, Ohio; and Tyler Yoder, Bay Port, Mich.

Receiving the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Award for Exemplary Academic Achievement were Hannah Bachman, Tiskilwa, Ill., women’s soccer; Philip Hochstetler, Strang, Neb., men’s basketball; and Kara Stutzman, Hesston, Kan., women’s basketball. The award is given to sophomore students who earn a 3.6 to 3.79 GPA.

Receiving the NJCAA Award for Superior Academic Achievement were Alyssa Horst, Orrville, Ohio, volleyball; Kendra Mast, Walnut Creek, Ohio, volleyball; Jared Jenkins, Westminster, Colo., men’s basketball; Mara Short-Miller, Bellingham, Wash., women’s cross country; and Emily Wagner-Davis, Roseville, Calif., softball. The award is given to sophomore students who earn a 3.8 to 3.99 GPA.

Receiving the NJCAA Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence were Zachary Baumgartner, Hesston, Kan., men’s cross country; Karli Graybill, Goshen, Ind., women’s soccer; Krista Rittenhouse, Mount Pleasant, Pa., women’s soccer; Mallory Schroeder, Newton, Kan., women’s basketball; Kate Steury, New Paris, Ind., volleyball; and Colby Troyer, Waterford, Pa., women’s soccer. The award is given to sophomore students who earn a 4.0 GPA.

Receiving the Hesston College Business Department Award were sophomores Hayden Goerzen, Newton, Kan.; Karli Graybill, Goshen, Ind.; Danielle Klotz, Wakarusa, Ind.; Joel Murray, Hesston, Kan.; Mallory Schroeder, Newton, Kan.; Sarah Unruh, Durham, Kan.; Emily Wagner-Davis, Roseville, Calif.; and Grace Yoder, Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Receiving the Bill Mason Business Scholarship were freshmen Ashley Beatty, Washington, Iowa; Keisei Ohta, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan; Matthew A. Weaver, Hesston, Kan.; and Matthew R. Weaver, Goshen, Ind. The scholarship was established in honor of longtime business instructor, Bill Mason, and awards a $2,500 scholarship to business students during their sophomore year.

Receiving the Mariann Martin Drama Award from the Theatre department was sophomore Alanah Rempel of Grand Lake, Colo.

Receiving the Early Childhood Education Award was sophomore Rebecca Short of Archbold, Ohio.

Receiving the Social Science Excellence Award were sophomores Saralyn Mast, Lancaster, Pa., and Taylor Waidelich, Stryker, Ohio.

Receiving the Clayton V. Beyler Award from the Bible department were sophomores Danielle Klotz, of Wakarusa, Ind., and Tyler Yoder of Bay Port, Mich.

Receiving the Daniel Gerber Peace and Service Award from the Bible department were sophomores Leah Mueller of Halstead, Kan., and Andrea de Avila Balboa of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Receiving the Music Student of the Year Award was sophomore Erin Hershey of Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Receiving the Outstanding Math/Science Graduate Award was sophomore Zachary Baumgartner of Hesston, Kan.

Receiving the Computer Science Award was sophomore Isaac Tice of Salisbury, Pa.

Receiving the Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Award was Mollie Nebel of Hesston, Kan.

Sophomores on the Dean’s List who maintained a GPA of at least 3.9 over two years of study include: Zachary Baumgartner, Hesston, Kan.; Shuvo Das, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Andrea Delgado, Hutchinson, Kan.; Angela Entz, Whitewater, Kan.; Katie Fiedler, Newton, Kan.; Hayden Goerzen, Newton, Kan.; Karli Graybill, Goshen, Ind.; Erin Hershey, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Alyssa Horst, Orrville, Ohio; Jonathan King, Hillsboro, Kan.; Danielle Klotz, Wakarusa, Ind.; Dana Lewis, Hesston, Kan.; Kendra Litwiller, Hopedale, Ill.; Maria Martin, Harrisonburg, Va.; Courtney Mast, Weatherford, Okla.; Kara Meyer, Orrville, Ohio; Katie Miller, Rio Rancho, N.M.; Joel Murray, Hesston, Kan.; Carly Peckman, Wichita, Kan.; Craig Ratzlaff, Galva, Kan.; Krista Rittenhouse, Mount Pleasant, Pa.; Mallory Schroeder, Newton, Kan.; Rebecca Short, Archbold, Ohio; Mara Short-Miller, Bellingham, Wash.; Katharine Steury, New Paris, Ind.; Alyssa Trevino, Wichita, Kan.; Colby Troyer, Waterford, Pa.; and Taylor Waidelich, Stryker, Ohio.

Hesston College announces spring 2012 academic honors

Hesston College – Academic Honors – Spring Semester 2012 (Full-time students completing 12 hours or more)

Dean’s List 3.90-4.0 Freshmen

Asbel Assefa – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Cory Bowman – Millersburg, Ind.
Lindsey Carter – Alden, Kan.
Joel Dick – Wichita, Kan.
Mallory Eicher – Berne, Ind.
Taylor Ermoian – Hays, Kan.
Bonita Garber – Bainbridge, Pa.
Ryan Gehman – Millersville, Pa.
Sarah Geiser – Apple Creek, Ohio
Victoria Gunawan – Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Crysta Haury – Pretty Prairie, Kan.
Adam Heisey – Elizabethtown, Pa.
Jenae Hershberger – Goshen, Ind.
Jacob Landis – Sterling, Ill.
Olivia Miller – Newton, Kan.
Michelle Moyer – Monticello, Ill.
Alisa Murray – Orrville, Ohio
Mollie Nebel – Hesston, Kan.
Keisei Ohta – Kanagawa, Japan
Jared Regehr – Moundridge, Kan.
Kelly Reimer – Hesston, Kan.
David Rudy – Manheim, Pa.
Alyssa Rychener – Hesston, Kan.
Paul Schoenhals – Archbold, Ohio
Derek Swartzendruber – Shickley, Neb.
Issei Tsuji – Chiba-ken, Japan
Matthew Weaver – Hesston, Kan.
Michaela Zook – Hesston, Kan.

Dean’s List 3.90-4.0 Sophomores

Lauren Adams – Wichita, Kan.
Zachary Baumgartner – Hesston, Kan.
Shuvo Das – Mohammadpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Andrea Delgado – Hutchinson, Kan.
Logan Duerksen – Newton, Kan.
Angela Entz – Whitewater, Kan.
Katie Fiedler – Newton, Kan.
Hayden Goerzen – Newton, Kan.
Karli Graybill – Goshen, Ind.
Ashley Hager – West Liberty, Ohio
Erin Hershey – Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Alyssa Horst – Orrville, Ohio
Robert Howell – Newton, Kan.
Jared Jenkins – Westminster, Colo.
Melissa Jirgens – Lehigh, Kan.
Jonathan King – Hillsboro, Kan.
Danielle Klotz – Wakarusa, Ind.
Dana Lewis – Hesston, Kan.
Kendra Litwiller – Hopedale, Ill.
Maria Martin – Harrisonburg, Va.
Courtney Mast – Weatherford, Okla.
Kendra Mast – Walnut Creek, Ohio
Saralyn Mast – Lancaster, Pa.
Gabrielle May – Olathe, Kan.
Kara Meyer – Orrville, Ohio
Katie Miller – Rio Rancho, N.M.
Joel Murray – Hesston, Kan.
Ashley Oglesbee – Great Bend, Kan.
Carly Peckman – Wichita, Kan.
Mishaun Pfannenstiel – Inman, Kan.
Craig Ratzlaff – Galva, Kan.
Krista Rittenhouse – Mount Pleasant, Pa.
Crystal Royer – Lehigh, Kan.
Grace Schmidt – Wichita, Kan.
Mallory Schroeder – Newton, Kan.
Rebecca Short – Archbold, Ohio
Mara Short-Miller – Bellingham, Wash.
Katharine Steury – New Paris, Ind.
Kara Stutzman – Hesston, Kan.
Alyssa Trevino – Wichita, Kan.
Colby Troyer – Waterford, Pa.
Taylor Waidelich – Stryker, Ohio
Lauren Weaver – Hesston, Kan.
Jesse Woodward – Goshen, Ind.
Corey Wyse – Archbold, Ohio
Tyler Yoder – Bay Port, Mich.

Honor Roll 3.50-3.89 Freshmen

Atsushi Ambo – Niigata, Japan
Seth Bitikofer – Saint George, Kan.
Neal Brubaker – Goessel, Kan.
Broxton Busenitz – North Newton, Kan.
Grant Fenton – Hesston, Kan.
Samuel Foxvog – Tiskilwa, Ill.
Taylor Fritz – Atglen, Pa.
Herane Girma – Alexandria, Va.
Jessica Graybill – Gap, Pa.
Brandi Hite – Sedgwick, Kan.
Preston Hornbeck – McKinney, Texas
Crystal Huxman – Russell, Kan.
Kayla Kauffman – Hutchinson, Kan.
Andrea Kelley – Archbold, Ohio
Cody King – Sedgwick, Kan.
Janae King – Gordonville, Pa.
Supassara Looboonkraingkrai – Samutpakarn, Thailand
Valerie Maust – Goshen, Ind.
Jeptha Miller – Millersburg, Ohio
Levi Miller – Hesston, Kan.
Thang Nguyen – Hanoi, Vietnam
Ashish Pathak – Katmandu, Nepal
Emma Payne – Pulaski, Iowa
Samuel Ruth – Wichita, Kan.
Marissa Schuett – Wichita, Kan.
Curtis Sitzmann – Hesston, Kan.
Carly Unruh – Wayland, Iowa
Courtney Unruh – Hesston, Kan.
Matthew R. Weaver – Goshen, Ind.
Ron Wenger – Adair, Okla.
Pierre Zook – McMinnville, Ore.

Honor Roll 3.50-3.89 Sophomores

Hannah Bachman – Tiskilwa, Ill.
Brocia Beachy – Topeka, Ind.
Jonathan Burkholder – Warden, Wash.
Erika Fujimoto – Toyama-Shi, Toyama, Japan
Kenneth Graber – Stryker, Ohio
Philip Hochstetler – Strang, Neb.
Aaron Jones – Kansas City, Mo.
Melody Marshall – Grottoes, Va.
Amber Mayer – Wichita, Kan.
Ronald Moyo – North Newton, Kan.
Leah Mueller – Halstead, Kan.
Cynde Postma – Dallas, Ore.
Stephen Quenzer – Visalia, Calif.
Echo Shantz – Hydro, Okla.
Benjamin Stoltzfus – Hartville, Ohio
Isaac Tice – Salisbury, Pa.
Sarah Unruh – Durham, Kan.
Emily Wagner-Davis – Roseville, Calif.
Lorena Weymouth – Subiaco, Ark.
Sierra Wheeler – Bristol, Ind.
Grace Yoder – Bellefontaine, Ohio

Hesston College announces business scholarship recipients

Four Hesston College business students have been named recipients of the Bill Mason Business Scholarship for the 2012-13 academic year.

The students receiving the scholarship award are Ashley Beatty of Washington, Iowa, Keisei Ohta of Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan, Matt A. Weaver of Hesston, Kan., and Matt R. Weaver of Goshen, Ind.

The students will receive the one-year $2,500 scholarship for their sophomore year beginning in fall 2012.

The Bill Mason Business Scholarship was established in honor of the long-time business instructor, who retired from teaching at Hesston following the fall 2011 semester. For students to qualify for the scholarship, they must be advised by a business faculty member, be a declared business major, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in business courses and be a returning student having taken business courses during their freshman year at Hesston College.

Recipients are selected by the business department faculty for their exemplary work and dedication to the standards set by the Business Practices of Excellence.

Hesston College alumni and friends invited to Explore Kansas!

The Hesston College Alumni Association will host the 11th annual Explore Kansas! trip for Hesston College alumni and friends of the college Friday, June 1. The daytrip will explore the Pony Express route and pioneer trails in north central Kansas.

“We have a wonderful day planned,” said Dallas Stutzman, director of Alumni and Church Relations. “We want alumni and friends to enjoy each other’s company and gain new knowledge of and an appreciation for Kansas.”

Participants will visit Pony Express stations in Hollenberg and Marysville, as well as the Koester House Museum in Marysville, antique shops in Barnes, the Alcove Springs on the Oregon Trail, the 1918 Sears and Roebuck Catalog Round Barn and the historic town of Waterville with stops at a Victorian home and the train depot with a train trip over the Big Blue River.

Included in the price of the trip is charter bus service, lunch in The Garden Room of Our Daily Bread Bake Shoppe and Bistro in Barnes, the train trip and dinner at the 1905 restored Weaver Hotel in Waterville.

The day is $75 per person and is limited to the first 50 persons to register. Registration forms and payment need to be received by May 23. For more information, visit hesston.edu/events/explore-kansas-2012. To reserve a spot, call the Hesston College Alumni and Church Relations Office locally at 620-327-8109 or toll free at 866-437-7866 or email alumni@hesston.edu.