In the News

Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series to explore hospitality and communication

Three speakers who do not come from an Anabaptist tradition but who have chosen that faith and theology will be featured at Hesston College’s annual Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series conference Oct. 28 to 30.

Anton Flores-Maisonet, Hal Shrader and Joanna Shenk will address the conference’s theme “Getting Beyond Them and Us – to We.”

Flores-Maisonet is co-founder of Alterna, a missional community of U.S. citizens and Latin American immigrants in LaGrange, Ga., Schrader is lead pastor of Trinity Mennonite Church in Phoenix, Ariz., and Shenk is an associate for Interchurch Relations and Communication with Mennonite Church USA in Elkhart, Ind.

The weekend conference will use an Anabaptist perspective to explore the tension of the church’s call to be both distinctive and open to others. Participants will discuss ways to talk with those from differing faith backgrounds and how to extend a hospitable hand to all people while remaining distinctly Anabaptist.

“Churches often expect those not familiar with their specific faith tradition to become like them in order to be accepted or become full members,” says Shenk. “What does it look like for the church to celebrate ‘the other’ being fully other and still see ourselves as part of the same body? I believe the Spirit moves in the space between each of us. The Spirit is not in us or them, but instead between us, and that’s where transformation happens.”

Each of the speakers has experience talking with people who have an interest in Anabaptist beliefs and practices but do not come from an Anabaptist background.

Shenk states that her own journey to the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition came through experiences with the Evangelical faith tradition. She will share her story, including her struggles with feelings of exclusivity within the church and ways to overcome the ideas that create those barriers.

“By allowing people to be fully who they are and challenging people to question why they do the things they do and believe the things they believe helps us to better understand ourselves and one another to work toward eliminating exclusivity in our churches and communities,” says Shenk. “There’s also no way we have it all figured out. People who see things differently offer important perspectives. Usually those on the margins can see the weaknesses of a system or community a lot better than those in the midst of it.”

Shenk has been traveling around the U.S. since 2009 connecting with discipleship communities influenced by Anabaptism in research for her forthcoming book where she will share the stories of these communities. In her work with Mennonite Church USA, she serves on teams committed to undoing racism in the church and is leading the Women in Leadership Audit project. She has a master’s in theological studies from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.).

Flores-Maisonet left his tenure-track social work faculty position at a United Methodist college in 2006 to follow a call to live in solidarity with unwelcomed Latin American immigrants through Alterna. The organization emphasizes hospitality to strangers and those in need, reconciliation for broken relationships, environmental stewardship and simple living.

Shrader served in Chile for three years and was a student ministries pastor in Ventura County, Calif., prior to his role as pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church. He has a master’s in theology from Pepperdine University (Malibu, Calif.).

A complete schedule and registration information are available at www.hesston.edu/avds. Cost for registration before Oct. 1 is $110 for individuals or $85 per person if registered in groups of three or more. After Oct. 1, individual registration is $130, and the group rate is $95 per person. For more information, contact Elaine Schmidt at elaines@hesston.edu or 620-327-8290.

Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts kicks off season with Canadian Brass

Lauded as “the world’s most famous brass group,” Canadian Brass will present the kick-off concert for the 2011-12 season of Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts Series at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at Yost Center on the Hesston College campus.

“Since I have been involved with HBPA, we’ve received more patron requests for Canadian Brass than any other artist or ensemble,” says HBPA Director Matthew Schloneger. “When one thinks of entertaining brass music, one immediately thinks of Canadian Brass, and we’re thrilled to finally be able to bring them to this series.”

The quintet – made up of Chuck Daellenbach on tuba, Achilles Liarmakopolous on trombone, Eric Reed on French horn and Brandon Ridenour and Chris Coletti on trumpet – has created a wide repertoire featuring brass standards, as well as original arrangements highlighting Renaissance and Baroque masters, classical works, marches, ragtime, Latin, jazz, big band, Broadway and Christian music. Their HBPA performance will also feature several arrangements of popular Beatles tunes.

The group has had 22 members since its founding by Daellenbach and Gene Watts in 1970 and has created more than 90 albums and has an extensive world-wide touring schedule. They are no strangers to the Billboard charts and spent eight weeks in the Top 25 on the Billboard Classical Chart during summer 2010 with their recording of patriotic songs and marches “Stars and Stripes: Canadian Brass Salute America,” peaking at number two.

Aside from having performed to packed houses on five continents, Canadian Brass has also appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Today,” “Entertainment Tonight,” and as guest artists on “Evening at Pops” with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills’ “Music Around the World” and numerous PBS specials, including an appearance on “Sesame Street.” They are often guest artists of many major symphony orchestras and were featured on the soundtrack to the 1988 film “The Couch Trip.”

Each of the current members are accomplished soloists, having played with major symphony orchestras around the world. They also frequently teach master classes of their respective instruments to aspiring musicians during their travels.

Prior to the HBPA concert, Canadian Brass will perform as part of the grand opening of the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City.

“To put Canadian Brass’ renown in perspective, tickets for the Kauffman Center performance started at $1,000 and are sold out,” says Schloneger. “Yet you can see them in Hesston for $20.”

Other concerts in the series include chamber ensemble St. Petersburg Quartet, YouTube musical sensation Igudesman and Joo, traditional Irish music and dance rhythms with the highly acclaimed Celtic Crossroads and ancient choral music by Rose Ensemble. Visit www.hesston.edu/hbpa for dates and times.

“We have a great variety of performers this year,” says Schloneger. “A season ticket to the series is a great value, and it’s not too late to purchase tickets.”

Single ticket prices for Canadian Brass range from $20 to $24, depending on seating section, with discounts available to students and senior citizens.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 620-327-8158 (Hesston College) or 316-284-5205 (Bethel College), email hbpa@hesston.edu or visit the HBPA website at www.hesston.edu/hbpa.

This program is presented in part by the cities of Hesston and North Newton, with generous underwriting by area patrons.

The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts Series, now in its 30th year, started in 1982 as the Hesston Performing Arts Series (HPA) with funding and planning provided by Hesston College and the Hesston community. In 1998, HPA planners launched a partnership with Bethel College (North Newton) and the name changed to Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts. Hesston College and Bethel College host five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year.

Hesston College homecoming to feature aviation alumni

Aviation professionals will present at a symposium about their careers and the latest updates in aviation business, safety, airlines, mission and air traffic control during A Hesston College Homecoming: A View from Everywhere Sept. 23 to 25.

The public is invited to the symposium on the Hesston College campus from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. and from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

All Hesston alumni and friends are invited to the weekend celebration. Special class reunions will be for years ending in 1 and 6.

“We have a full and exciting weekend planned for all alumni and friends of the college,” said Dallas Stutzman, director of Alumni and Church Relations. “We are very pleased to bring such an outstanding group of aviation alumni back to resource the campus and community.”

Keynote speakers for the weekend include Roger Yoder, a 1979 graduate of Hesston College and captain for American Airlines, who will be featured at the alumni and friends banquet Sept. 24. Ben Savanick will speak to the Hesston College community, alumni and friends in chapel at 11 a.m. Sept. 23. Savanick is a 1997 Hesston College graduate and captain for Atlantic Southeast Airlines. Chapel is open to the public.

The symposium will kick off with former Hesston College President Laban Peachey and former aviation directors Dave Forrer, Jacob Friesen and Wendell Sauder telling the story of the 1970 founding of the Aviation Department. Other Friday presentations include “Professionalism and Careers” by Scott Schmucker, first officer for Continental Airlines; and “Focusing Priorities” by Mark Bowman, first officer for Republic Airlines.

Saturday’s symposium presentations from 8:30 to 10 a.m. include “Personal Flight Integrity” by Jerry Eichelberger, supervisor of operations for the FAA; “Structure Changing Situations” by Lonnie Bartel, captain for United Airlines; and “Following a Personal Calling” by Steve Bontrager, director of operations for AirServ in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad.

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. participants can join informal round table discussions about airline pilots, corporate and charter pilots, mission and service, aviation and business professionals and general aviation and agricultural applicators. Moderators for the round table discussions will be John Stauffer, captain for US Airways; Curt Epp, pilot for Cessna Aircraft Company; Mike Baker, principal operations inspector for the FAA; and Mark Miller, flight instructor at Well’s Aircraft.

In addition to the special aviation symposium, A Hesston College Homecoming will include children’s activities; a Partner Appreciation Luncheon; an alumni and friends luncheon; campus community worship service with Hesston Mennonite Church featuring pilots and pastors John Murray of Hesston Mennonite Church and Rocky Miller of Bay Shore Mennonite Church (Sarasota, Fla.); Hesston College volleyball matches and men’s and women’s soccer games; men’s and women’s cross country meet at Harvey County East Lake; alumni vs. varsity baseball and softball games; an Aviation Department Open House at the Hesston College hangar at the Newton City-County Airport; the Golden Gables Luncheon for persons celebrating 50-year and greater anniversaries; a Tailgate Barbecue Picnic and Family Festival; Erb Hall Renovation Celebration and coffeehouse; the traditional complimentary coffee and cinnamon roll breakfast and more.

Call the Department of Alumni and Church Relations with questions at 866-437-7866 or go to www.hesston.edu for a complete schedule and registration. For those wishing to attend only the Sept. 24 Alumni Banquet, they may do so without paying the registration fee. Reservations are required for the banquet.

Hesston College to help SWIPE out hunger

The Hesston College community will participate in the first State Wide Packaging Event (SWIPE) for hunger with Numana by packaging meals and raising money to fund the project Oct. 1.

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.

The SWIPE initiative will take place at colleges and universities across Kansas during October. More than 500,000 meals will be packaged throughout the month.

Each meal, which feeds six people, costs 30 cents to prepare and send. Hesston College volunteers are working to raise about $9,000 to pay for the meals they will package. A donation of $65 buys a box of 216 meals.

Hesston College has pledged to use 400 student, faculty, staff and community volunteers to package 50,000 meals. The meals consist of rice, soy protein, freeze-dried pinto beans and 21 vitamins and minerals, which are measured into bags, sealed, boxed and prepared for shipment. The meals packaged at Hesston on Oct. 1 will be sent to the horn of Africa to be distributed to those experiencing starvation. Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Campus Activity Center on the Hesston College campus.

“This is a great, hands-on way for many of our students, faculty, staff and community members to help feed people in Africa,” said Russ Gaeddert, Hesston College faculty member and project coordinator. “It’s an opportunity for us to put our faith into action.”

If you would like to make a donation, make checks payable to “Numana” with “Hesston College project” on the memo line. Send checks to:
Hesston College
Attn: Russ Gaeddert
Box 3000
Hesston, KS 67072

Contact Russ Gaeddert with questions at 620-327-8294 or 620-200-2985.

Art faculty display work in 2011-12 opening show

Faculty members in the Hesston College art department are exhibiting pieces of their personal works in the Friesen Center for the Visual Arts gallery on the Hesston College campus through Sept. 9.

Hanna Eastin and Paul Friesen have clay pieces displayed while Lois Misegadis is presenting sculptures made largely from limestone. Photos above - “Lidded Vessel” by Paul Friesen, “Ruth” by Lois Misegadis

A reception and chance for the public to meet the artists will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 1 in the gallery.

Eastin’s clay tile pieces were inspired by the water, silt and rocks found along riverbanks, as well as number patterns. She teaches ceramics classes at the college, and coordinates the art shows at Cobalt Gallery in Newton.

Friesen is a faculty emeritus who founded the college’s art department in 1957. Friesen is well-known in the local community, throughout Harvey County and in the Mennonite church for his sculptures, made most often from wood or stone. This exhibit, however, features pieces from his pottery collection. The Friesen Center for the Visual Arts is named in honor of Friesen and his wife Wilma.

Misegadis, who regularly creates drawings and paintings, has begun working more with sculpture and other three dimensional art, and is exhibiting sculptures made from limestone and multimedia. She teaches design, drawing, painting and photography classes.

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

Hesston College welcomes new faculty and staff for fall 2011

Hesston College announces the following faculty and staff appointments for the 2011-12 school year.

New faculty appointments include:

• Jason Barrett-Fox, English and writing. He earned a bachelor’s in English from Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.), a master’s in American studies, a graduate certificate for women, gender and sexuality studies and is pursuing a Ph.D. in English from the University of Kansas (Lawrence).
• Dr. Rebecca Barrett-Fox, sociology. She earned a master’s and Ph.D. in American studies with a focus on religion, family, sexuality and law from the University of Kansas.
• Angela Brockmueller, physical science lab assistant. She is a graduate of Hesston College and has a B.A. in biology from Goshen (Ind.) College.
• Tamra Call, nursing lab instructor. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of science in nursing with a focus in public health nursing and a nurse educator certificate from the University of Kansas.
• Danae King will teach history courses while history faculty John Sharp is on sabbatical. She earned a bachelor’s in integrated social studies from Bluffton (Ohio) University.
• Marissa King, education. She is a Hesston College graduate and has a bachelor’s in education and Teaching English as a Second Language from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.) and a master’s in education from North Central University (Prescott, Ariz.).
• Ethan Mast, a 2010 Hesston College graduate, will serve as aviation flight instructor.
• Maggie Myers, nursing clinical instructor. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, a bachelor of science in nursing from Kansas Newman College (Wichita) and a masters of nursing from Newman University (Wichita, Kan.).
• Solomon Rudy, a 2011 Hesston College graduate, will serve as aviation flight instructor.
• Dr. Brent Yoder, registrar. He is a Hesston College graduate and earned a bachelors in biochemistry from Eastern Mennonite University and a future professoriate graduate certificate and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg).
• Marcella Zook, nursing clinical instructor. She is a graduate of Hesston College and earned a bachelor of science in nursing with a co-major in family life from Goshen College.

New staff appointments include:

• Brent Brockmueller, admissions counselor, is a graduate of Hesston College and Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kan.).
• Joel Kauffman, athletic director, is a graduate of Hesston College, Fresno (Calif.) Pacific College and Wichita State University.
• Lindsey Mason, Erb Hall resident director, is a graduate of Goshen College.
• Lucas Mason, admissions counselor, attended Hesston College and is a graduate of Wichita State University.
• Marcus Maust, athletic trainer, is a graduate of Hesston College and Bethel College (North Newton, Kan).
• Emily Miller, Larks Nest manager and campus activities co-director, is a graduate of Tabor College.
• Rob Ramseyer, baseball coach and campus activities co-director, is a graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University (Olathe, Kan.) and the University of Kansas.
• Michael Smalley, Kauffman Court resident director, is a graduate of Hesston College and Wichita State University.
• Carson Stutzman, admissions counselor, is a graduate of Hesston College and Tabor College.
• Rachel Swartzendruber Miller, vice president of Admissions and Financial Aid, is a graduate of Hesston College, Goshen College, Wichita State University and is a Ph.D. candidate through Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.).

Campus prepares for Opening Weekend 2011

The recent activity on the Hesston College campus after three months, is indication that the college is gearing up for Opening Weekend Aug. 18 to 21 and the start of the new academic year Aug. 22.

Soon the parking lots will be full of cars sporting license plates from 30 states, and students will find their way back to their favorite local hangouts.

Faculty and staff met to prepare for students’ return Aug. 10 during the annual faculty-staff retreat. The half-day event centered on renewal and sustainability, and included sessions on renewing relationships with God, self, others and the environment.

Sustainability will be a campus-wide focus for the 2011-12 year with several courses, spearheaded by the First Year Seminar course, leading discussions and events related to the topic. A common read, “No Impact Man,” will help guide sustainability efforts on campus as well.

Students began the return to campus Aug. 11 as Resident Assistants arrived for training and a weekend retreat. Members of the soccer, cross country and volleyball teams, as well as Bel Canto Singers and Aviation students arrived on campus Aug. 15 to start practices and flight training.

Registration for new and returning off-campus students begins Thursday afternoon, Aug.18.

New and returning on-campus students will go through registration, move into their dorm rooms and attend orientation sessions Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19 and 20.

Opening Weekend activities include Opening Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Michele Hershberger, Bible and Ministry faculty member, will present a meditation and Bel Canto Singers will perform several selections. An ice cream social for students and their families, faculty and staff will follow Celebration.

A parent breakfast will be Saturday morning, Aug. 20, along with parent orientation sessions. The day’s festivities include a Performing Arts Open House in Northlawn 109 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for students and parents wanting to learn what the music and theatre departments offer, a volleyball vs. alumni scrimmage at 4 p.m. in Yost Center, and a women’s soccer scrimmage at 6 p.m. followed by a men’s soccer intra-squad game at 7:45 p.m.

Sunday’s schedule features a 10:30 a.m. worship service at Hesston Mennonite Church. The service will be held in conjunction with the Hesston Mennonite congregation. President Howard Keim will bring the message. 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. on the soccer field.

Hesston College credits many for successful year

With the close of the fiscal year, the Hesston College community was pleased to see another year end in the black and the Development team meet the Annual Fund goal to assist with financial aid for students.

“Steady enrollment, generous contributions, strong academics and student life, and a positive learning environment have all contributed to this positive outcome,” said President Howard Keim.

Despite a slowly recovering economy, Vice President of Advancement Yvonne Sieber gives much of the credit for the Annual Fund success to alumni, friends of the college and Partners.

About 750 individuals from 36 states and three countries are considered Hesston College Partners based on their annual giving commitments to the college. Their gifts make up 79 percent of the Annual Fund, with the primary purpose being to provide institutional scholarships and grants as financial aid for students. On average, a student receives more than $8,000 in institutional aid from the Annual Fund each year.

“We are blessed with many loyal supporters of this important ministry of the church,” said Sieber.

The positive financial news for 2010-11 topped off a year of several noteworthy accomplishments for Hesston College.

In August 2010, Washington Monthly magazine named the college the number 2 two-year college in the country in terms of academic quality and student engagement and success.

The inaugural year of the First Year Seminar course improved the student experience by providing students with opportunities to engage more closely with Hesston College and the wider Hesston community and to step outside their comfort zone by exploring relevant issues. During the upcoming academic year, the course will explore sustainability practices with the wider campus community.

The nursing program continues its tradition of excellence with 98 percent of its graduates having achieved RN licensure throughout the program’s 44 year history. Due to the popularity of the program, the department expanded by eight students per class in 2010-11, and, with the partnership of Newton Medical Center, a new simulation lab was opened to accommodate the growing program. In December, the program received the full eight years of re-approval from the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

The Air Traffic Control program, which became the only FAA certified program in Kansas in April 2010, graduated its first seven students in May. All seven students scored above the necessary 70 percent on the Air Traffic Selection and Training exam in order to continue their training with the FAA.

Cross country was reinstated as a varsity athletic program after a 30-year hiatus, and one runner, freshman Kenny Graber of Stryker, Ohio, ran in the NJCAA Division I cross country championship meet in Spartanburg, S.C. in November.

The college was also successful in raising funds for the Erb Hall Renovation project. The dorm renovations will be completed before students return in August.

Hesston College to host Honeytown concert at Hesston Mennonite Church July 24

Honeytown, a high energy Americana band based in Kidron, Ohio, will perform live at Hesston Mennonite Church Sunday, July 24 at 7 p.m. playing songs from their first CD, “Nobody’s Fault but Mine.”

The concert, hosted by Hesston College, is free and open to the public, though a free-will offering will be received to cover program costs.

Honeytown’s inimitable sound combines elements of progressive bluegrass, four-part a capella, classic rock and pop folk with fun instrumentation, keeping listeners engaged and intrigued.

The members, hailing from the rolling hills of Ohio’s Holmes and Wayne counties, each bring a unique flavor to the groups personality. The four-piece group features Hesston College alumnus Tim Shue along with Nate Gundy, Kevin Himes and Toby Hazlett. The band’s eclectic musical mix of original compositions, unexpected arrangements and tightly-blended harmonies have won them a fan base all over the Midwest. Their varied instrumentation ranges from fiddle to banjo, washboard to bass ukulele, accordion to percussive trash cans, taking audiences by pleasant surprise.

Honeytown has enjoyed performing for weddings, benefits, house concerts and coffee houses. They were the showcased musical guests with both Akron’s Summit Choral Society as well as the Cantate Singers performing “The World Beloved, a Bluegrass Mass.” They play regularly at Lehman’s Old Fashioned Hardware in Kidron, Ohio, have been the guest band for the men’s vocal ensemble Sonnenberg Station, wowed the audience at Kidron’s Central Christian School’s The Frohliche Dorf Show, were the featured adult worship band at the Mennonite Church USA Convention in Columbus, Ohio in 2009 and the featured coffeehouse performers at the Mennonite Church USA Convention in Pittsburgh in 2011.

Hesston Mennonite Church is located at 309 South Main in Hesston. For more information about the show, call Hesston College Alumni and Church Relations at 866-437-7866.

To find out more about Honeytown, email Honeytown or visit their website.