Hesston College to celebrate 60 years of nursing at Homecoming 2026

Alumni, friends, families and community members are invited to return to the Hesston College campus for Homecoming 2026, Sept. 25 to 27. The weekend will celebrate the Hesston Experience through reunions, traditions, athletics, student showcases and the 60th anniversary of Hesston College’s nursing program.

The Nursing Showcase will commemorate six decades of nursing education. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the program’s history and tour Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center, including its simulation labs and learning technology.

“The Nursing Showcase is an opportunity to celebrate that history while also looking toward the future,” shares Gregg Schroeder, director of nursing education and health studies and HC class of ’86 nursing alum. “I hope visitors experience a sense of pride in what Hesston’s nursing program has accomplished and get a glimpse of how nursing education has evolved.”

From simple simulated patients to high-fidelity manikins and virtual and augmented reality, nursing students now have access to technology that helps them develop hands-on skills, clinical reasoning and judgment before interacting with patients in clinical settings. Schroeder says that while the technology has changed, the heart of Hesston’s nursing program remains the same.

“Most importantly, I hope visitors see that we still develop the human side of nursing — the knowledge, clinical judgment, compassion and commitment that we nurture during their time at Hesston,” Schroeder explains.

In addition to celebrating the nursing program, Homecoming weekend will offer a variety of opportunities for alumni, students, families and friends to reconnect with the Hesston community.

Other Homecoming highlights include Passport to Our Global Community, softball and baseball alumni games, a reverse Druber’s run, the Biblical Literature in a Modern World session and the annual Homecoming Family Festival.

While there is much to do and enjoy during Homecoming 2026, Lisa (Hostetler) ’90 Longacher, vice president of advancement, shares what she is most looking forward to.

“The Passport to Our Global Community session showcases a few of our international students who will share about their respective cultures,” she explains. “This is a fun way to hear from our students as well as to learn about different cultures.”

The weekend will also bring together two Hesston traditions: alumni connection and ice cream. Clay’s Cones, founded by John ’11 and Saralyn (Murray) ’19 Oyer, will sell ice cream on Friday night during the volleyball game and reverse Druber's run. Then Salted Creamery, founded by Kendra Burkey ’00, will sell ice cream Saturday night during the Family Festival and men’s soccer game.

“What do you do when there are two local businesses started by HC alumni,” asks Longacher? “You invite each of them to come and serve ice cream both nights of Homecoming!”

A complete schedule of Homecoming Weekend 2026 events and registration information is available at hesston.edu/homecoming.