In the News

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.

Hesston College to present “Common Threads” in Colorado Springs and Denver

Hesston College will host “Common Threads: Anabaptist and African-American Songs and Stories of Suffering and Hope” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Beth-El Mennonite Church in Colorado Springs and at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 1, at First Mennonite Church in Denver. The events are free and open to the public, though a free-will offering will be received to cover program costs at the Colorado Springs performance.

“Common Threads” is a program that features Hesston College faculty members Tony Brown and John Sharp. Brown is a professional baritone, artist in residence and sociology professor. Sharp is a history professor, storyteller and author. They will give voice to Anabaptist martyrs and enslaved African Americans by singing their hymns and telling their stories. It is an exploration of the way Anabaptist religious persecution and African-American racial suffering have intersected. Both groups have suffered at the hands of legitimate governments, and both found hope in the midst of pain and humiliation.

“Both groups found strength and consolation in their steadfast faith in God,” Sharp said. “They were utterly confident that God’s purposes would, in the end, prevail. Their stories and songs have not typically been linked, but we believe it is useful to do so. Their witness stands for all who will see and hear.”

“Thinking about how we can connect with others and finding those common threads can offer promise for humanity,” Brown said. “In the end, we as a human species are more profoundly alike than different. It is the idea of difference that formed the basis for racism, persecution and systematic oppression. Humanity needs to find value in difference while at the same time exploring the common threads that bind us together.”

Following the Colorado Springs program, all attendees are invited to a reception. Alumni and friends of Hesston College are especially invited to attend.

Beth-El Mennonite Church is located at 4625 Ranch Drive in Colorado Springs. First Mennonite Church is located at 430 West 9th Avenue in Denver.

For more information, contact Dallas Stutzman, Hesston College Alumni and Church Relations director at 866-437-7866.

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

College and preschool students learn from each other

There is rarely a lack of energy in the Hesston College Lab Preschool and a recent week learning about the importance of recycling was no exception. The preschoolers spent the week creating their own books, sorting recyclable items into the correct bins and creating 3-D art by gluing together recyclable materials.

The only difference was the lead teacher for the week was actually a student.

“I love working with the kids and applying what I learn in my classes to the preschool classroom,” said Hesston College sophomore Deb Yoder.

Yoder, of Apple Creek, Ohio, recently coordinated the entire week of preschool as part of her semester of field experience as an Early Childhood Education major. The week was structured to teach the reduce, reuse, recycle concept, and Yoder organized stories, songs, art projects and other activities for active learning.

A year of voluntary service with Mennonite Mission Network’s Service Adventure program between her senior year of high school and starting at Hesston helped Yoder discover her passion for teaching young children as she worked with at-risk children in a non-profit preschool in Raleigh, N.C.

Her experiences at Hesston have been a step toward aspirations of working with children and families.

“Being able to work directly with children through Hesston’s program has given me a lot of knowledge to back up how I interact with them, and made me more intentional in those interactions,” said Yoder.

For almost 40 years, the lab preschool has been an integral part of the Early Childhood Education curriculum. College students and pre-kindergarten children learn together and from each other.

Hesston College faculty member Tami Keim serves as director of the Early Childhood Education program, a role she has held since 1987. Keim’s main focus is guiding the students’ learning in the college classroom, teaching child development and educational principles and philosophies for working with young children.

Larisa Lawrence, a 1993 graduate of the program, is a Hesston College faculty member and serves as lead teacher in the preschool. Lawrence’s main focus is teaching the children, but as college students are incorporated into the teaching process and day-to-day operations of the preschool, she educates them as well.

As Yoder has progressed through the program over the last two years, her responsibilities in the preschool have increased. Students begin the program with observation – taking note of Lawrence’s interactions with the children, behaviors and how children respond to different teaching methods. They move on to planning one small or large group activity each week, help process weekly lesson plans and finally, as sophomores, function as an integral part of the planning and teaching team during their field experience.

The program reaches across a variety of college majors as well. Some students use their two-year degree to join the professionals working in child care programs or private preschools. Others transfer into teacher education or social science programs at four-year institutions. Hesston’s program gives students a chance to explore their interest in working with children.

“The preschool is a unique element of Hesston’s program,” said Keim. “Students are able to develop their personal education philosophies as they work with the children. They also gain practical experience, which helps them learn more effectively. The preschool allows the students to make a direct connection between learning in class and preschool experiences.”

Aside from the benefits for the college students, the preschool is a mutually beneficial arrangement with the community, giving local families an option for private education. Just like the Hesston College students, children in the preschool benefit by receiving personal attention from their teachers.

“The preschool promotes a strong social, emotional and educational opportunity for our kids,” said Megan White of Hesston, whose son, Will, is enrolled at the preschool. “The passion and involvement of Hesston College students studying Early Childhood Education brings a valuable dynamic to both generations.”

Someday Yoder hopes to own and operate her own preschool, but until then she plans to continue using her Hesston experience working in preschool or child care settings.

“The guidance and constructive criticism I have received from Tami and Larisa has been invaluable,” she said. “I love seeing the obvious connections kids make in their learning. Seeing them figure something out for themselves is very rewarding.”

For families interested in enrolling their children in the Hesston College Lab Preschool for the 2011-12 year beginning in September, or for more information, contact Larisa Lawrence at 620-327-8161.

by Rachel Schlegel

College to celebrate 2011 graduates May 8

Hesston College will celebrate the class of 2011 with the 101st commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 8 in Yost Center. Regina Shands Stoltzfus, a professor at Goshen (Ind.) College, will address the college’s 139 graduate candidates.

Stoltzfus has taught in the Peacemaking, Justice and Conflict studies and the Bible, Religion and Philosophy departments at Goshen since 2004. She is also an adjunct professor at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind.

Prior to her teaching positions, she served as an associate pastor at Lee Heights Community Church in Cleveland, Ohio, as campus pastor at Goshen College, as Minister of Urban Ministries with Mennonite Mission Network in Elkhart and as staff associate for urban peacemaking with Mennonite Conciliation Service in Akron, Pa. She is a co-founder of Damascus Road, an anti-racism education program.

Stoltzfus is a doctoral student in theology, ethics and contemporary culture at Chicago (Ill.) Theologcial Seminary. She also has a B.A. in English from Cleveland (Ohio) State University and an M.A. in biblical studies from Ashland (Ohio) Theological Seminary.

Stoltzfus’ daughter, Rachel Stoltzfus, is a graduate in the 2011 class.

Student speakers for the ceremony are Leah Rittenhouse of Mount Pleasant, Pa., and Alex Roth of Hesston, Kan.

The class of 2011 will be recognized for its accomplishments during Larkfest at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. A reception will follow in the Community Center.

Individual student groups will be recognized in ceremonies Saturday, May 7. Disaster Management students will be recognized at 9 a.m. in Kropf Center, room 150. A pinning ceremony for nursing students will be at 10 a.m. in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. Steve Kelly, President and CEO of Newton Medical Center, will be the featured speaker. Pastoral Ministries commissioning, with Hesston College President Howard Keim as the featured speaker, will be at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Aviation and Air Traffic Control students will be recognized during a 2:30 p.m. reception in the Bontrager Student Center.

Other weekend events include a sophomore recital at 4 p.m. Friday, May 6 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary. The recital will feature Andy Miller of Marion, S.D., and Perry Andre of Wauseon, Ohio. A tree dedication in memory of Chloe Weaver, class of 2010, will be at 3 p.m. May 7. Bel Canto Singers, under the direction of Bradley Kauffman, will perform a bon voyage concert as a precursor to their extensive west coast tour at 4 p.m. May 7 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary.

Performances of student-directed one-act plays, “Potholes” and “He’s Having a Baby” will be at 7 p.m. May 6 and 1 p.m. May 7 in the Northlawn Studio Theatre. Tickets are $3 for adults and students. Children ages 6 and younger are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Hesston College Bookstore in person, by calling 620-327-8105 locally or toll-free at 866-437-7866, ext. 8105 or online at www.hesstonbooks.com. Tickets are subject to availability and may also be purchased at the door 30 minutes prior to show time.

For a full weekend schedule or more information, visit the Hesston College website at www.hesston.edu or call Alumni and Church Relations locally at 620-327-8109 or toll-free at 866-437-7866.