In the News

Hesston College dorm furniture benefits non-profits

As Hesston College students graduated May 8 and headed home for the summer, they began to embody the college’s motto of “Start Here, Go Everywhere.” The following Tuesday, the same motto was applied to dorm furniture as it was loaded into a semi for donation in Waco, Texas.

For 42 years students used the beds, dressers, mirrors, desks and chairs in Erb Hall central and west wings, but as the college prepares to renovate the dorm rooms this summer, it was time for the old furniture to find a new home.

“We explored several options for the furniture from selling it to donating it,” said Hesston College facilities employee and project organizer Tim Goering. “I had a connection with an organization in Waco that had a need, and things fell into place better than we hoped.”

Goering’s cousin Kathy Reid is the executive director for the Family Abuse Center in Waco, one of the organizations to receive the furniture. The center assists victims of domestic violence by sheltering those seeking an escape and providing education and intervention to prevent abuse. On any given night, the shelter houses 40 to 75 residents, predominately women and children.

FAC operates a targeted housing program for shelter residents to eventually move into their own homes. The organization provides basic furniture for furnishing the new residences, so Hesston College’s donation of 152 dressers, more than 100 beds and mirrors, 20 desks and 15 loveseats was welcomed.

“This is the first time we have received a donation of this size,” said Reid. “This is a goldmine for us, especially the dressers. We almost never get dressers. In fact, the quantity is so high, we can’t use it all ourselves, so we are happy to share it with other local organizations.”

When all is said and done, Reid expects 15 non-profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, a Veteran’s Assistance program, a homeless shelter for teens and Compassion Ministries – a transitional housing program for homeless families, will receive pieces of furniture.

Even after filling the semi trailer to capacity, the college still has pieces of furniture left. Some of it will be donated to the Habitat for Humanity Re-store in Wichita, and any remaining pieces will be kept in storage until a use can be found.

Despite more than four decades of typical wear and tear, the furniture remains in good condition. Goering expects those on the receiving end will get many more years of use out of it.

“The furniture held up well for us, it just doesn’t fit our needs anymore,” said Goering. “We’re happy it will benefit people who need it.”

As plans to donate the furniture to the Waco organizations began to unfold, one logistical problem remained – how would such a large quantity of furniture travel the almost 500 miles to its new home?

That’s where Rick Caywood of Crawford, Texas, stepped in.

Rick Caywood Ministries is a non-profit trucking ministry started in 1996. Caywood primarily transports food to areas in need, but he also moves resources around the world for other organizations.

Someone in Waco knew of Caywood’s ministry and put Goering in contact with him. Following suit with the rest of the process, everything began to fall into place and schedules lined up to make the transport possible.

“Missions support work is what we do, and it’s up to all of us to encourage one another,” said Caywood. “Hesston’s donation is a mission for these organizations in Waco, so I am happy to be the middle man.”

As facilities staff and student workers spent six hours moving furniture out of three floors on an unseasonably hot May morning, the college community recalled memories in Erb Hall central and west, maybe for the last time before the renovation.

Just over 24 hours later, as rain fell in Waco, the furniture made its way off the truck for a new beginning.

“There were a lot of questions and unknowns as to whether this whole scenario would work out,” said Goering. “I’m not sure how it went so perfectly, but I’m glad it did.”

To see more photos of the loading and unloading process, visit the Hesston College Facebook page.

Sarasota sluggers make their mark at Hesston College

Two student athletes from Sarasota, Fla. recently wrapped up record-breaking careers for the Hesston College softball and baseball teams. Erika Shrock and Tyler Yoder, both graduates of Sarasota Christian School, leave Hesston each having broken several significant offensive records for the Larks.

Shrock, Hesston Softball’s all-time leader in runs scored (63), hits (109), doubles (25) and home runs (12), hit .410 during her sophomore year while playing tremendous defense at shortstop. A two-time all-region player, Shrock now ranks third all-time in hitting with a .419 career batting average and was a key part of a Hesston sophomore class that won 35 games over the past two seasons, the most of any graduating class since the class of 2005.

“Erika had a remarkable career at Hesston in so many ways,” said Hesston softball coach Andrew Sharp. “She decided to come to Hesston very late in the summer following her senior year, and having never visited our campus. I’m thrilled she took that leap of faith. Obviously, she has meant a great deal to our program and our campus.”

“Hesston was a really great experience for me and I made many life-long friends,” Shrock said. “I loved the small school setting and the feel of the community. I had so much fun during my two years at Hesston and I’ll really miss it.”

In coach Art Mullet’s final season at the helm of Hesston College Baseball, the Larks compiled a 26-14 record, which broke the school record for most wins in a season. No player was more instrumental in Hesston’s success than Yoder, who finished his Hesston career as the all-time leader in doubles (26), home runs (16) and runs batted in (82). Yoder hit .403 during the 2011 season and is now fifth overall in career batting at Hesston with a .372 mark. This season he posted an incredible .798 slugging percentage.

“Tyler was the consistent offensive punch in our attack all season long,” Mullet said. “He impacted our team in a huge way and was vital to our success as a team. He had both a tremendous year and career for Hesston College Baseball.”

“Being able to play baseball at the college level meant a lot to me,” Yoder said. “My two years at Hesston provided me with the chance to play with great teammates and a great coach. My Hesston experience is something I’ll never forget.”

First Air Traffic Control graduates help program take off

Air Traffic Control is not a career path for the faint of heart, and in the aviation field it sometimes gets overlooked for the “cool factor” of being a pilot. The first graduates of Hesston College’s Air Traffic Control program, however, are ready for the fast pace of work in a tower.

Two years after offering its first Air Traffic Control course and one year after being named to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI), seven Hesston College students were recognized in a May 7 ceremony for completing the curriculum. Now they await an invitation to the next steps in becoming an air traffic controller – a spot in the FAA’s program in Oklahoma City.

“This group of students showed a high level of motivation and dedication for the demands of the program,” said Dan Miller, director of Aviation.

The Hesston program, like the other 35 FAA-approved programs across the nation, has high standards even when considering applicants for the program.

“Air traffic control takes a certain personality,” said Miller. “The job demands attention to detail, discipline, composure in a dynamic environment, a sharp memory and the wherewithal to make accurate decisions. When we look at applicants for the program, we are looking for these qualities as well as high scores on the math section of the ACT or SAT.”

Once enrolled, the program provides appropriate education, experience and training to prepare students to enter the Oklahoma City program – a program where there is no guarantee of earning a spot. Students must receive an invitation from the Oklahoma City program, and entrance into the program is based on a points system. Applicants earn points for successfully earning a degree at an AT-CTI school like Hesston, having a private pilot’s license and other flight training and the score from the Air Traffic Selection and Training exam (AT-SAT). A score of 70 percent is needed for an applicant to even continue in the selection process. As a credit to their Hesston training, all seven students scored above 70 percent.

Aside from the FAA’s requirements, the Hesston program requires students to meet certain standards as well. They must complete the associate of arts degree in good standing, earn an 80 percent or better in ATC classes and obtain their private pilot’s license.

As the students graduated, they were confident in the training they have received and excited for the future possibilities in the aviation field.

Ryan Sprunger, a graduate from Dalton, Ohio, appreciates the opportunities the program gives students to put their learning to practice.

“Having my private pilot license will benefit me as a controller,” said Sprunger. “I now have an idea of what is happening on the pilot’s end when I am giving instructions.”

Sprunger said visiting different types of towers and practicing clearances, approaches and departure instructions in the campus’ computer and table model simulation labs was valuable to the experience as well.

“It was fun to actually put together everything that we learned and practice it,” he said.

Sprunger is continuing his family’s Hesston College Aviation legacy. His father, Jedd, is a pilot who received his flight training from Hesston in 1980, and his brother, Grant, is a 2008 graduate who also got his private pilot’s license from Hesston.

“I’ve always been interested in aviation, but I didn’t necessarily want to fly,” said Sprunger. “Hesston’s program gave me an option I hadn’t really considered before.”

His classmate, Jerry Holloman, had similar feelings about flying.

“My dad once told me that there are a lot of aviation jobs that aren’t in the cockpit,” said Holloman. “That resonated with me.”

Holloman earned his private pilot license from Kansas State University-Salina in 2002. He spent four years in active duty in the Air Force in Colorado before starting the program at Hesston. Since he already had a bachelor’s degree, Holloman’s experience, along with three other non-traditional students, was expedited and he completed the training in one year.

“The faculty worked with us, and we were able to do semester-long classes in eight weeks,” he said. “We would be in those classes for two to four hours two or three times a week.”

With a wife, Shelby, and daughter, Piper, born in September, balancing the program with family wasn’t always an easy task, but Holloman succeed, passed the AT-SAT with an 87.5 percent, which the FAA considers well qualified, and will play the waiting game with his classmates.

“These students came with an attitude of success,” said Miller. “Our mission was to equip them with the background and experience they need to continue being successful.”

2011 Bel Canto Singers summer tour

Sunday, May 8
7:30 p.m., Salem Mennonite Church, 820 Rd V, Shickley, Neb.

Tuesday, May 10
7:30 p.m., Evergreen Heights Mennonite Church, 701 N Indiana Ave, Caldwell, Idaho

Wednesday, May 11
7:30 p.m., Warden Mennonite Church, 720 S Pine, Warden, Wash.

Friday, May 13
7:30 p.m., Seventh Day Adventist Church, 120 Chilvers Rd, Chehalis, Wash.

Sunday, May 15
10 a.m., Seattle Mennonite Church, 3120 NE 125th St., Seattle, Wash. 7 p.m., Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave, Portland, Ore.

Tuesday, May 17
7:30 p.m., Mennonite Community Church, 5015 E Olive, Fresno, Calif.

Wednesday, May 18
7:30 p.m., First Mennonite Church of Upland, 379 N Campus Ave., Upland, Calif.

Thursday, May 19
7:30 p.m., Trinity Mennonite Church, 4334 W Vista Ave, Glendale, Ariz.

Friday, May 20
7:30 p.m., Albuquerque Mennonite Church, 1300 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque, N.M.

Graduates challenged to go forth with love and unity

Hesston College’s 139 graduates of the class of 2011 were encouraged during a May 8 commencement ceremony to go into the world with a spirit of love and unity.

Regina Shands Stoltzfus, professor in the Peacemaking, Justice and Conflict studies and Bible, Religion and Philosophy departments at Goshen (Ind.) College, as well as adjunct professor at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.) and mother of graduate Rachel Stoltzfus addressed the graduates with the message “Rooted in Love, Sent Out in Hope.”

Stoltzfus’ message was based on Ephesians 3:20-21, which served as the Hesston College theme verse for the 2010-11 academic year.

“Paul gives this good word, this benediction at the conclusion of a beautiful prayer as he prays for one of his churches,” said Stoltzfus. “Paul prays that they might be strengthened by God’s spirit and that Christ will dwell in their hearts.”

She encouraged the graduates to embody that same spirit as they leave Hesston College, go into the world and impact it with their talents and gifts.

“You are God’s beloved,” said Stoltzfus. “This is your story, this is your birthright, this is your blessing. And so I pray that not only do you know that you are God’s beloved, but as you go out from this place, you keep discovering the ways that love causes you to move through the world. Live out of that knowing, and in doing so, partner with God for the reshaping of the world.”

Stoltzfus reflected on the struggles of the civil rights movement and her own experiences of growing up in a mixed-race church in Cleveland, Ohio, to illustrate how love can make a difference in the world.

“What impressed me was the ordinariness of it all,” she said in reflection of her early church experience. “It’s not like every day was a protest march. We were just ordinary people meeting together. We were learning to love one another not in spite of our differences but because we were a church together and love is just what you do.”

As Paul encouraged the early church with the overarching message of we are one and we are different, Stoltzfus challenged the graduates to remember their call to truth and unity, even when the two seem to be in tension.

“You leave this place as a collection of bright, gifted, educated people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and world views,” she said. “You go out into a world even more diverse and even more fractured by the moment. Hold truth and unity in your hearts as you go along your way.”

Graduates Leah Rittenhouse of Mount Pleasant, Pa., and Alex Roth of Hesston, Kan., were nominated by their classmates to give the student address during commencement.

Individual student groups were recognized in special ceremonies May 7. Longtime Mennonite Disaster Service volunteer, Paul Unruh, addressed six Disaster Management students receiving certificates of completion. The students will spend 10 weeks this summer working with various agencies at disaster sites to complete their requirements. The seven Aviation and Air Traffic Control graduates who have completed their requirements were honored during a reception. Tyson Teeter, a 1994 Hesston College graduate was the speaker.

The college’s Nursing Department presented pins to the 48 member of the 44th class of graduating nursing students. Steve Kelly, President and CEO of Newton (Kan.) Medical Center with the message “Purpose with Passion.” He encouraged the graduates to avoid mediocrity in their service.

The Pastoral Ministries program commissioned three graduates for service in the church. Hesston College President Howard Keim, who also served as a youth minister and pastor for 11 years and director of the Hesston College Pastoral Ministries Program for nine years, addressed the graduates.

Other weekend activities included a sophomore recital by Andy Miller of Marion, S.D., and Perry Andre of Wauseon, Ohio, a tree dedication in memory of Chloe Weaver, class of 2010, a bon voyage concert by Bel Canto Singers as a precursor to their two-week west coast tour and student-directed one act plays by freshman Libby Waltner of Hurley, S.D., and sophomore Justin Greger of Goshen, Ind.

(left) Heidi Zehr of Tiskilwa, Ill., receives a hug and encouraging words from faculty member Maria Day; (center) Graduates Elliot Wilder and Alex Roth of Hesston, Kan., Vincent Sorrells of Cedar Park, Texas, and Yohannes Setiadi of Banyuwangi, Indonesia pose for a photo after Hesston College Commencement May 8; (right) Kelsey Schrock of Wellman, Iowa, (left) and Liz Miller, class of 2010, (right) celebrate Schrock’s graduation with faculty member Karen Sheriff LeVan (center).

College announces 2011-12 business scholarship recipients

Hayden Goerzen, Dani Klotz, Joel Murray and Sarah Unruh, 2011 Hesston College Bill Mason ScholarsFour Hesston College business students have been named recipients of the Bill Mason Business Scholarship for the 2011-12 academic year.

The students receiving the scholarship award are Hayden Goerzen, son of Bryan Goerzen of Newton, Kan. and the late Wendy Goerzen; Dani Klotz, daughter of Steve and Cherri Klotz of Wakarusa, Ind.; Joel Murray, son of John C. and Krista Murray of Hesston, Kan.; and Sarah Unruh, daughter of Mark and Barb Unruh of Durham, Kan.

The students, who are finishing their freshman year at Hesston, will receive the one-year $2,500 scholarship for their sophomore year beginning in fall 2011.

The Bill Mason Business Scholarship was established in honor of the long-time business instructor. 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.

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

Hesston College announces new baseball coach

Hesston College athletic director Art Mullet has announced the hiring of Rob Ramseyer as baseball coach. He will succeed Mullet, who is retiring after 30 years as athletic director and baseball coach at Hesston.

Ramseyer will finish in his role as assistant baseball coach at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. Originally from Wichita, Kan., Ramseyer earned an undergraduate degree in history from MNU in 2006 and a master’s degree in sport studies from the University of Kansas in 2010. He played two years as a first baseman for MNU. Ramseyer has coached at MNU since 2007, helping the Pioneers to four consecutive seasons of at least 20 wins, a first for the program. MNU finished the 2011 regular season with a 29-15 mark, winning its first Heart of America Western Division Championship and receiving votes in the national polls for the first time.

“We are thrilled to have coach Ramseyer join the Hesston College community as baseball coach,” said Hesston College Vice President of Student Life Lamar Roth. “His experience and commitment to Christian Higher Education is most evident and his ability to mentor and lead our young athletes will continue to strengthen the program Art Mullet has lead for 30 years.”

“Coach Mullet built a great program for three decades and positively influenced the lives of young people through his exemplary leadership,” Ramseyer said. “It is my goal to continue to build upon his legacy and strive to sustain a winning baseball program that offers our student-athletes the opportunity to build character, solidify personal values and develop leadership skills.

Ramseyer started his coaching career at Lawrence Free State High School in 2006 where he served as an assistant varsity coach and head coach in the American Legion summer baseball program.He has spent several summers working in the Athletes in Action Baseball Organization. In the summer of 2008 he was the head coach of the Bolivar A’s of the New York Collegiate League.He served as the head coach for the Fairbanks AIA Fire of the prestigious Alaska Baseball League in summer 2009. He also was an assistant coach for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League, who tookthe Western Division Championship in the summer of 2010.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as baseball coach at Hesston College,” Ramseyer said. “My wife and I could not be more excited in becoming part of the campus community at Hesston.We were very impressed with the people of Hesston College from our first interactions and throughout the interview process. It is a unique institution with a very strong commitment to Christian higher education and competitive athletics.”

Coach Ramseyer and his wife Charlie will reside in Newton.

College names Swartzendruber Miller Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid

Hesston College President Howard Keim has announced the appointment of Rachel Swartzendruber Miller as Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid. A 2000 Hesston graduate, Swartzendruber Miller will replace Joel Kauffman – who has been named to the Athletic Director position – on August 1.

“Rachel’s love for Hesston College, academic training and experience, connections with Mennonite youth and the broader church, creativity and leadership skills will serve her and Hesston College well,” said President Keim.

Swartzendruber Miller has been Director of Mennonite Church USA Convention Planning since 2009. Her responsibilities include planning and overseeing operations for the churchwide biennial conventions. She will continue in this role through the July 2011 convention. She served as Associate Director of Convention Planning from 2006 to 2009.

“Rachel has been an inspiration to me as Director of Convention Planning,” said Glen Guyton, Director for Constituent Resources at Mennonite Church USA. “Her love for the church and its people is evident. She conveys the vision of Mennonite Church USA in such an infectious way, which comes across in the biennial conventions. The attention to detail, the feeling of connectedness and, most of all, the love of Christ all shine through.”

Prior to joining the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board staff, Swartzendruber Miller served as admissions counselor at Hesston College from 2002 to 2004. She was also director of the student ambassador program and assistant volleyball coach during that time. From 2004 to 2006 she was a graduate teaching assistant in the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita (Kan.) State University and the WSU assistant debate coach.

“Returning to Hesston College for professional reasons has always been a dream of mine,” said Swartzendruber Miller. “It truly feels like I am coming home. Hesston is a place that lives out its mission and consistently ‘walks their talk.’ I am excited to join a faculty and staff who are committed to Anabaptist values and putting students first. I am also excited about joining a team of educators and professionals who have worked hard to achieve a number two ranking among two-year colleges across the United States.”

Swartzendruber Miller earned an associate degree from Hesston, a bachelor’s in communication from Goshen (Ind.) College and a master’s in communication from Wichita State University. She is a Ph.D. candidate in leadership with an emphasis in higher education administration through Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.).

Swartzendruber Miller will soon relocate to Hesston from Phoenix with her husband, Tyson, and son, Oliver.

Photo release: Larks take flight

Hesston College flight instructors and onlookers watch approaching planes during the Aviation department’s annual Larks Flight Rally April 16 at the Newton City/County Airport. Aviation students and alumni competed in a flour bag drop competition and a landing competition. The day started with a presentation by Loren Groff, a 1991 Hesston College graduate and former Hesston flight instructor who is employed as a Transportation Safety Research Specialist at the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington D.C. Photo by Curtis Denlinger.