In the News

Art gallery features local artists Chapek and Harris

Local artists Sasha Chapek of Wichita and Ethan Patrick Harris of Newton are displaying their distinctive and unusual styles in the Hesston College Friesen Center gallery through Oct. 28.

A reception and chance for the public to meet the artists will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13 in the gallery.

Chapek received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Kansas (Lawrence), studied printmaking in Florence, Italy, at Santa Reparata International School of Art and received her Master of Social Work from Wichita (Kan.) State University.

Animals, string and buttons can be found in many of Capek’s pieces, but each piece manages to maintain a uniqueness and give viewers something new to consider.

Harris’ illustrations feature imagined creatures and fictional worlds.

“I like the weird,” said Harris. “I strive for weird with my illustrations. I hope it’s that ambiguity that makes my work fun for the viewer, the myriad of stories one can interpret from the characters on the paper; a juxtaposition of odd creatures and objects found in curious situations, with several possible conclusions as to what the circumstances are.”

The gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Aviation program remembers its roots

Aviation has had a home at Hesston College for 41 years, and during the college’s annual homecoming celebration Sept. 23 to 25, a panel of former employees told the story.

Former President Laban Peachey of Harrisonburg, Va., (1960 to 1980)(pictured above with President Howard Keim) recounted the story along with former program directors Dave Forrer (Independence, Mo.), Jacob Friesen (Sun City, Ariz.) and Wendell Sauder (Hesston, Kan.). Vice President of Academics Dr. Sandra Zerger served as moderator.

The aviation program was launched at Hesston in the fall of 1970. Peachey recalled that the college had just revised its general education curriculum and wanted to implement more career options.

But the plan for aviation seemed unprecedented. How could a small Christian college support an Aviation program?

“We had no planes and no facilities; just a lot of interest and enthusiastic students,” said Peachey.

“Aviation at Hesston College worked early on because we had tremendous support from Laban and the Business Office,” said Friesen. “Their trust and support of the program allowed it to grow.”

During its first year of existence, the program leased an airplane from the Moundridge (Kan.) Flying Club, used the McPherson (Kan.) airport as its base and offered two courses – one ground training course and one flight training course.

With the rookie year complete, the program began to make strides toward what would become a highly successful program.

Forrer began as Director of Aviation in the fall of 1971 and began to look for ways to make the program take off. He recommended that the college invest in a plane, which it did in the fall of 1973 when it purchased a Cessna 150.

“We needed to establish credibility within the first few years,” said Forrer.

The next two years brought significant developments, building respect and validity for the fledgling program. Friesen arrived at Hesston in the fall of 1973 as a second instructor. That year, the program also received FAA approval, the fleet of airplanes grew from zero to three and the program’s base moved from McPherson to the Newton (Kan.) City-County Airport, where Friesen and Forrer set up office in a 20-foot trailer.

From that point forward, the program continued to grow in size and repute, though it was not without its low moments.

“There were times when the state of the economy and the aviation industry as a whole affected enrollment and interest in Hesston’s program,” said Peachey. “A lot of small aviation programs around the country folded, but we made it through.”

“Some circumstances were out of our control,” said Friesen. “We kept going during those times because of the students who were so determined to succeed.”

Director of Aviation Dan Miller, a 1978 graduate of Hesston’s program and Director since 1999, said fall 2011 enrollment boasts 45 students in the aviation program, including 12 studying Air Traffic Control, which was introduced at Hesston in 2009 and in 2010 became one of 36 colleges across the country and the only Kansas college to gain FAA approval.

A fleet of five airplanes and two simulators help students earn six licensures. Students start with their private pilot license and continue through commercial and certified flight instructor levels and earn an associate’s degree. Vast improvements in office space have also been made, as the college now operates the program from a rented hangar at the Newton airport.

To date, more than 500 pilots can claim a Hesston College start. During Homecoming weekend, 11 of them returned to campus as presenters at an aviation symposium.

Enrollment numbers, directors and technology have changed the program over the last 41 years, but the one thing that remains constant is the commitment to teaching new aviators the basics of airmanship.

“There were students who struggled through the program but who are good airline pilots now,” said Sauder. “They would likely have been dismissed from other programs, but our philosophy has always been to help the student who wants to fly.”

“Success inspires success,” said Peachey. “The success of students who have come through the program inspire it to continue for many years to come.”

(left) Jerry Holloman (left) and Jacob Gayer (right), members of the first class of Air Traffic Control graduates in 2011 work with Director of Aviation Dan Miller in the on-campus table model simulation lab. The table model and computer simulation labs give students a hands-on approach to learning the dynamics and demands of the air traffic control profession. Air Traffic Control is the newest addition to the 41-year old Hesston College Aviation program, becoming FAA certified in 2010; (right) Sophomore Aviation student Kush Lengacher of New Providence, Pa. goes through the pre-flight process.

Hesston College receives continued accreditation

Hesston College received official notification that accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools has been continued. The next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for the 2020-21 academic year.

The recommendation for reaccreditation was made following a comprehensive three-day site visit by a team from the Higher Learning Commission in late March. College officials received a letter during the summer confirming approval of the team’s recommendation.

“The accreditation is an affirmation of our strong academic and student life programs and the learning environment provided by employees,” said President Dr. Howard Keim.

Although no focused site visits were requested by the Commission, the college will submit a report in the spring of 2014 on the progress made in the areas of planning and assessment.

Personnel attending the Higher Learning Commission annual meeting last spring learned that the granting of continued accreditation without a required focused visit is becoming less common as accreditation criteria has become more rigorous.

Institutions are assessed on five criteria for accreditation: mission and integrity; preparing for the future; student learning and effective teaching; acquisition, discovery and application of knowledge; and engagement and service.

Keim attributes the positive recommendation to a discerning self-study report, consistency between the report and the team’s findings while on campus and leadership from Vice President of Academics Dr. Sandra Zerger and faculty member Bonnie Sowers.

“The accreditation decision is wonderful affirmation of the quality of education at Hesston College,” said Zerger. “The process of the self-study allowed us to asses ourselves and plan for the future. The site team also provided good advice and counsel we can use in our efforts of continuous improvement.”

As the college evaluates the team’s concluding report and suggestions, campus leaders discuss ways to implement the improvements to enhance the overall student experience.

“Hesston College sees accreditation as our friend, not just a hoop to jump through,” Keim said. “We want to take the team’s suggestions seriously and learn from them.”

Official numbers show increased enrollment for fall 2011

Official Hesston College enrollment numbers released by the registrar’s office reflect positive growth from one year ago.

The college reports a total enrollment of 468 students compared to 448 last fall, including 249 new students. The number of students living on campus has also increased from 329 a year ago to 344 for the current year.

Hesston students represent 27 states and 14 countries and 30 international students contribute to total enrollment.

Vice President of Student Life Lamar Roth notes that strong retention numbers are a major contributing factor to the positive enrollment.

“Academics and Student Life have been working together the past several years to increase retention,” said Roth. “We have become better at identifying student needs, addressing student issues and giving support.”

Vice President of Academics Dr. Sandra Zerger acknowledges a positive climate on campus due to significant campus achievements during the past year and the addition of academic programs may have helped improve the retention rate.

During the 2010-11 year, the college was named the number 2 two-year college in the country by “Washington Monthly” magazine and hosted successful accreditation visits from the Higher Learning Commission and for the nursing program. The college also established new programs to enhance the student experience.

“We have been working hard to enhance our advising program under the direction of faculty member Deb Roth, and implemented a FirstYear Experience course under the leadership of Dr. Karen Sheriff LeVan,” said Zerger. “Both of these efforts have received positive feedback from our students.”

The redesigned advising program requires first-year students to meet with their academic advisors weekly during the first eight weeks of the year. The First Year Experience course introduces students to the college, the community and the resources available to them by exploring global issues and perspectives through large- and small-group presentations, activities and discussions.

“It’s important to provide students with a safe place to grow their confidence,” said Roth. “Keeping them connected across campus and being in touch with them regularly about their academic efforts helps them discover ways to be successful.”

Hesston College to work for hunger relief

A year ago, the Hesston College community partnered with Numana, Inc., for the organization’s first State-Wide Packaging Event (SWIPE), to work toward alleviating world hunger. The event was a success for Numana and for Hesston College.

Numana is an international hunger relief organization based in El Dorado, Kan., that facilitates volunteer food-packaging events throughout the country and sends the meals world-wide to areas where famine and hunger are greatest.

Last year about 470 students, faculty, staff and community volunteers packaged 51,296 meals and raised the money necessary to cover the preparation and shipping costs.

The college will sponsor their second SWIPE event on-campus from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 20, in the Hesston College Campus Activities Center. About 400 student, faculty, staff and community volunteers are needed to package the meals in shifts from 9:30 to 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

“Helping with the Numana project last year made me so thankful for what I have, especially food, because many people don’t know when or where their next meal will come from,” said sophomore Kayla Stevenson of Meade, Kan.

The college is also working to raise $11,500 to purchase, prepare and ship the food packets to their final destination in the horn of Africa.

To donate to the project, send donations to Hesston College, Attn: Russ Gaeddert, Box 3000, Hesston, KS, 67062. Checks should be made payable to Numana with “Hesston College project” in the memo line. Donations can also be made online through numanainc.com under “Upcoming Events,” and donating to the Hesston College event.

Each meal packet feeds six people and consists of rice, soy protein, pinto beans and 21 vitamins and minerals. The college’s goal is to package 8,333 meals, which will feed 50,000 people.

To volunteer to help package meals, contact Russ Gaeddert at 620-327-8294 or email russg@hesston.edu.

“The Numana event helps bring the community together, and I hope it makes people realize not to take what they have for granted,” said Stevenson.

Mennonite Economic Development Associates leader to speak in Hesston

College business students may not realize it, but they are learning valuable lessons and skills that can have global implications for alleviating poverty around the world. Helen Loftin, Mennonite Economic Development Associate’s (MEDA) director of women’s economic development, is visiting three south-central Kansas college campuses to share an MBA’s perspective on international development.

MEDA is a not-for-profit organization founded more than 50 years ago by Mennonite entrepreneurs. MEDA creates business solutions to poverty for people in the poorest regions of the world without regard to race, gender or religion.

“College students are often learning about business as it is conducted in Western corporate settings,” says Loftin. “But these same foundations can be applied in developing countries. It’s still business principles, but with adjustments for working in countries that rarely have adequate governance, infrastructure or even basic human rights.

“You have to get creative, get back to basics – Business 101. It’s business at its best, in the purest sense. Market principles can be applied in these communities, too – I believe it is the best way to lift people out of poverty. I’ve heard poverty defined as a lack of choices and opportunities, and I’d add gaps in equality – particularly among women. Business basics have the ability to overcome some of these challenges and hurdles and though market development may not solve all the problems, it nonetheless equips people with currency to participate in the solution.

Sometimes Loftin is asked if MEDA’s work is really helping, and she is quick to illustrate the approach’s effectiveness. “I talk about the Afghan women in our Through the Garden Gate project, which recently ended. These women were some of the most marginalized in society – but through this work even the most disadvantaged of them are earning $50 a year through the sale of the produce they grow. Many of them make much more than that and some of the farmers have become full-fledged traders and are earning thousands per year. $50 may sound paltry to our Western ears, but that money goes so much further there – and does so much more in addition to what it can buy. What it yields is quite remarkable and inspiring. And these families now have better produce available for their own consumption in addition to the sale of surplus yields.

“I very much look forward to meeting the business students at Hesston, Tabor and Bethel colleges in hopes of sparking a dialogue with them about the relevancy of their lessons to fighting global poverty.”

Loftin’s work has included developing business plans, writing and launching programs for women’s enterprises in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh. She addresses the myriad business challenges faced by marginalized women and facilitates their participation in commerce.

Referencing her work in south-central Asia over the past several years, Loftin will share a uniquely personal perspective about a region of the world that few will ever see and challenges otherwise unknown to us when she presents “She Works Wonders … Stories of Women Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and Pakistan” at MEDA’s chapter meeting in Hesston at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27.

— by MEDA staff

Restoring community

In 1983 Ron Moyo’s community was torn apart.

A civil war following independence from Great Britain in 1979 left many people in Moyo’s home country of Zimbabwe fleeing for safer environments. Moyo, who was a teenager, was left to live alone, wondering daily if he would live to see the next day.

“One day I found a small piece torn from a Gideon’s Bible,” recalled Moyo. “It was from Psalms 61 – ‘Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I’ (NIV). I prayed, ‘God, if you save my life, I will work for you.’”

Now, in his final year of Hesston College’s two-year Pastoral Ministries Program, Moyo finds the power of community is helping him fulfill the promise he prayed almost three decades earlier.

In 2006 Moyo unknowingly took the first steps that would lead him to Hesston College.

Political unrest in Zimbabwe was still a daily concern. The government was destroying the homes of poor people, leaving many displaced. Moyo was working as youth director at a church and serving as the chairman for an interdenominational organization helping those affected by their government’s actions.

As the political situation worsened, Moyo left Zimbabwe for the United States where he met requirements for political asylum. His family – wife Sue, son Lincoln and daughter Linda – joined him in 2009.

While still in Zimbabwe, Moyo had met Fremont and Sara Regier who worked with Mennonite Central Committee. The Regier’s had returned to the states as Fremont battled an illness. After he passed away, Sara asked Moyo to bring the funeral meditation.

“I didn’t think I would be able to bring a good message,” said Moyo. “I tried to find a way to say no. I told her I couldn’t get off work.”

But the week of the funeral, Moyo broke his arm in a bicycle accident which gave him a few days off of work. He agreed to speak at the funeral.

He was later working for a security company at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (Ga.) International Airport when he again received a phone call from Sara. She told him about Hesston College’s Pastoral Ministries Program and encouraged him to go.

“I was humbled that she thought of me, and I was reminded of the promise I made when I asked God to save my life,” said Moyo. “Coming to Hesston felt like the right thing to do.”

It did not take Moyo long to find a home in the Hesston College community as he interacted with traditional students and his non-traditional peers in the Pastoral Ministries program. The diversity and variety of life experiences among the student population allows each person to learn from another.

“Ron brings a depth of life experience to the Pastoral Ministries program and to the Hesston College community,” said Tim Lichti, director of the Pastoral Ministries program. “Students across the age spectrum benefit from hearing about his life experiences, not only from a cross cultural standpoint but because of the maturity of his convictions as well.”

Moyo fully embraces each interaction he has on campus, viewing each experience as an opportunity to expand his community.

“We have a saying in my culture – ‘I am because we are,’” said Moyo. “It addresses the value of other people, of being communal and relating with one another. I see this saying in my entire life journey. If I hadn’t related with people when I had, I wouldn’t be at Hesston College. There is so much we miss living in our own secluded world.”

It doesn’t matter that some of his instructors are younger than him or that most of the students in his general education classes are young enough to be his children, Moyo is using his time at Hesston to enhance his spirit of service and foster the gift of ministry the MCC worker recognized in him.

“I am learning a lot from the people here,” Moyo said. “I am grateful that I am respected and accepted by the students and professors. Belonging to a community means you not only learn but are expected to give in order to build up the community.”

The Pastoral Ministries program was launched at Hesston College in the fall of 1985 as a way for non-traditional students to receive formal training in congregational leadership. The program has trained 135 graduates in its 26 years, and while not all students go on to serve in pastoral roles, the program allows them to discern their call to ministry.

“This program is designed for non-traditional students who do not see four years of undergraduate studies and three years of seminary as a viable option for responding to their call to ministry,” said Lichti. “Students can discern their calling here. For some it is service in pastoral leadership within the church; others end up in chaplaincy or a social work role. This program exists as a vehicle for putting the sense of call into practice.”

Moyo will graduate from the program and from Hesston College in May, and while he has no solid plans yet for his future, Lichti says his options are far from limited.

“Ron has tremendous potential to provide sustained leadership to the church or wider society,” said Lichti. “His vision and gifts transcend cultural boundaries. Ron came to Hesston already knowing his calling. The program is helping him sharpen his ministry skills.”

Ultimately, Moyo hopes to carry the knowledge he has gained back to his hurting country. He acknowledges that because of his political asylum he may not be able to help Zimbabwe directly – at least until he receives word that it is safe to return. Until then, he will equip others with his passion for people and community.

“Hesston has empowered me and instilled me with confidence. I want to take these lessons and use my passion to empower others.”

Family and faith transcend generations of runners

Kenny Graber, Stryker, Ohio, and Jacob Landis, Sterling, Ill., are two of the top men’s cross country runners at Hesston College. A generation ago, their fathers also ran on the Hesston campus. Collectively, their competitiveness, ties to family and faith and support of a small liberal arts college in the heart of Kansas has lead to four similar stories.

Seeds of this story were first planted when Joe Graber and Keith Landis, fathers of Kenny and Jacob, met during Joe’s visits to his grandmother’s home in Sterling, Ill., in the 1970s. They both decided to attend Hesston from 1981-83. Decades later, it has been gratifying for each of them to watch a similar story unfold for their sons.

“As parents, we hoped Kenny would attend Hesston,” said Joe Graber, whose wife Karen also attended Hesston. “When Hesston reintroduced the cross country program last year we thought it was an answer to prayers. To have Kenny run with the son of a former classmate who I ran with is truly a joy.”

“Jacob heard about Hesston from both his parents (Jacob’s mother, Lois, is also a Hesston graduate) and his aunts, all who were Hesston graduates,” Keith Landis said. “He enjoyed the stories we’d tell and picked up on the connections we maintained with our own Hesston friends. When we talk about college in our family, a response might be ‘You mean there are other colleges?’”

Although Hesston didn’t field a varsity cross country program when the elder Graber and Landis attended, they did offer a running club, of which both were involved. It’s apparent now that the fathers’ time at Hesston influenced their sons’ college decisions.

“I would say that the family ties definitely provided some motivation for me to attend Hesston and run here,” said Jacob Landis, who is a freshman. “I guess it felt like taking over the family business in a way. There is a feeling of nostalgia and pride when you follow in your parents’ footsteps and support something they supported. I’ve wanted to come to Hesston ever since I was little. I grew up with my parents and their friends’ stories about Hesston and all the fun they had, and it only made sense for me to come and make my own stories.”

“I think it’s cool that I get to compete at the college level at a place that meant so much to my parents,” said Kenny Graber – a sophomore runner for the Larks who as a freshman qualified for the National Junior College Athletic Association national meet in Spartanburg, S.C. “The motivation to compete is something that I got from my dad. It’s the will to be part of a team and the will to want to always improve.”

Aside from competing with the cross country team, Graber and Landis have found other interests on campus. It turns out running isn’t the only thing that the teammates have in common. Both list an interest in music and an opportunity to explore and grow their faith as key components of their time at Hesston College.

“Hanging out with the guys in the mod, playing intramural sports, participating in the choir and Monday night hymn sings in the racquetball courts are generally what keep me busy when I’m not studying or running,” Graber said.”

“I was thrilled when I found out that there are hymn sings every Monday night,” Landis said. “One of the things I love about Hesston that you won’t find at every college is that it helps students grow spiritually as well as academically and socially. I just don’t think there are many schools out there that are as intentional as Hesston about developing the whole person.”

Looking back a few decades, their fathers have a similar story to tell.

“Choir tours were amazing and music has been a big part of my life ever since Hesston,” Joe Graber said. “But what I valued most about Hesston was that, as a student body, our one common goal was to serve God wherever our profession took us. We had people who came from all over the world to have this experience. I don’t think you can say that about other colleges.”

“The friendships I built at Hesston were life-long,” Keith Landis said. “Discussions in the mod with the guys were some of my best memories there. It was a positive experience for me and it’s gratifying to see my son attend the school that my wife and I attended.”

Photo release - Professional bluegrass musicians play Hesston College contra dance

Professional bluegrass musicians Tim May, Gretchen Priest May and Dave Firestine performed live music for a contra dance at Hesston College Sept. 9.

May is a flatpick guitar player and was Grammy nominated for his solo work on Charlie Daniel’s song “I’ll Fly Away.” He is a former member of the band Crucial Smith and has toured with Patty Loveless and John Cowan. His most recent album, “Carpenter and May,” recorded with violinist Fred Carpenter, hit number one on the folk music charts in 2010.

Priest May specializes in teaching fiddle bowing techniques to classically trained violinists.

Firestine is best known as the leader for the “Carp Camp” fiddle tune jams at the annual Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kan.

May and Priest May also performed bluegrass and traditional Irish tunes chapel forum Sept. 9 and hosted learning workshops Sept. 10 for intermediate and advanced fiddle players and beginning banjo and flatpick guitar players.

Photos by Curtis Denlinger.

(left) Whitney Hickert (Hays, Kan.) and Preston Hornbeck (McKinney, Texas); (center) Rachel Brown (Catoosa, Okla.) and Ben Holland (Archbold, Ohio); (right) Students listen to instructions from caller Jen LeFevre.

(left) Stefanie Ruhs (North Rhine, Germany), Leah Rittenhouse (Mount Pleasant, Pa.) and Dawson Waltner (Freeman, S.D.); (center) Robert Howell (Newton, Kan.) and Lindsey Carter (Alden, Kan.) work on their steps; (right) Kenny Graber (Stryker, Ohio) and Mara Short-Miller (Bellingham, Wash.)