7 p.m. – Fall Play: “Antigone,” Keim Center, Black Box Theater
A Greek tragedy by Sophocles.
Roots and Branches Art Auction and Exhibit, Laban Peachey Center, Regier-Friesen Art Gallery
Celebrating the past, present and future of creativity and sustainability at Hesston College, this special event benefits the Paul Friesen Collection and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local, national and alumni artists have been invited to create pieces using wood from trees harvested from our campus and from Paul’s own stockpile that he did not get to see transformed. Traditional and functional to abstract and obscure pieces will be on exhibit and up for auction. Get your bids in!
Friday, September 27
10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Hosting Center open, Hesston Mennonite Church (HMC) Lobby
Let us know that you are here, pick up your Homecoming packet, receive discount coupons, name tag and additional details.
Joshua Cross, professor of art, will highlight the Roots and Branches art exhibit and the unique pieces created by artists using wood from the Hesston College campus.
Noon – Golden Gables Luncheon and Program – History of Theatre at Hesston College, HMC Community Center
Alumni from all college and academy classes 50 years or greater are invited to join Interim President Dr. Ross Peterson-Veatch, former President Dr. Howard Keim ’72, retired Professor Dr. Jim Yoder ’62, retired Librarian Margaret Wiebe and Director of Theatre Rachel Jantzi for a light lunch and highlights of the college’s theatre program through the years. Reunion classes will be recognized. Registration required ($15).
2 p.m. – Engineering Program Update, Kropf Center, Room 120
Join Joel Krehbiel, director of engineering education, to learn about the college’s mechatronics engineering program.
3 p.m. – Campus Update, Kropf Center, Room 120
Interim President Dr. Ross Peterson-Veatch will provide the latest news for the college.
4 p.m. – Biblical Literature in a Modern World, Kropf Center, Room 120
Join our Bible faculty members Michele (Schrock) ’81 Hershberger and Nick Ladd ’14 to hear about the impact of our Biblical Literature course on students in today’s world.
5:30 p.m. – International Dinner, Bontrager Student Center, Dining Hall
Enjoy dinner with faculty, sta and students in the dining hall ($9 adult, $6.75 children, pay at the door). The menu will include campus favorite tikka masala and options for the whole family.
6 p.m. – Volleyball Game, Yost Center
Cheer on the Larks as they take on Bethel College. Alumni and friends get free admission with their Homecoming name tag.
7 p.m. – Fall Play: “Antigone,” Keim Center, Black Box Theater
7:30 p.m. – Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Meet and Greet (following volleyball game), Yost Center Foyer
Following the volleyball game, gather with hall of fame inductees and current teams to celebrate Lark athletics.
8 p.m. – Reverse Druber’s run, Yost Center and Keim Center
Late night runs to Druber’s Donut Shop are a Hesston tradition. Join us for donuts following both the volleyball game and the theatre production.
Saturday, September 28
8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Hosting Center Open, HMC Lobby
8 to 9 a.m. – Coffee House Breakfast, HMC Community Center
Enjoy muffins, coffee and fellowship before the busy day of Homecoming begins.
All ages and skills are welcome to try your hand at disc golf while supporting our student disc golf club. Register. Walk up registration will also be available until 8 a.m.
9 a.m. to noon – Explore Campus Activities, locations across campus
If you aren’t involved in a class reunion or your reunion ends early, explore campus. Visit the Bookstore and get your Hesston gear. View the Roots and Branches art exhibit in the Regier-Friesen Gallery. Stroll our Global Pathway to see the countries represented on campus. Take a self-guided tour of Dyck Arboretum (177 W Hickory St) or relax in the Larks Nest.
11 to 11:30 a.m. – Tour of Campus, Alliman Administration Center
Take a guided campus tour beginning on the front steps of Alliman Administration Center.
Noon to 1:30 p.m. – Partner Program, HMC Sanctuary and Bontrager Student Center Dining Hall
Thank you Partners for your faithful annual support of $1,000 or more. Interested in becoming a partner? Go to hesston.edu/partner.
1:30 to 2:45 p.m. – Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony, HMC Sanctuary – live stream
Celebrate the 2024 inductees – Coaches/administrators: Joel Kauffman ’80, Art Mullet
Athletes: Jim Sieber ’68, Julie (Steiner) ’01 Kozel, Liz Sowers ’06, Mika Matsuda ’17
“Teams of Distinction”: 1974-75 Volleyball, 1996-97 Women’s Basketball
3 to 3:45 p.m. – Friesen Center Program and Reception, Friesen Center
View the newly renovated Friesen Center, learn about our mechatronics engineering curriculum and see first hand the labs and equipment.
Outdoor Art Exhibit
Enjoy the creativity of our engineers, artists and community as you walk the path from Friesen Center to Laban Peachey Center.
4 to 5 p.m. – Laban Peachey Center Program and Reception
Tour the newly renovated Laban Peachey Center including a new classroom for the School of Aviation and the new home for the visual arts department. Following the program, the Roots and Branches auction will close and winners will be announced.
5 p.m. – Golf Simulator Long Drive Tournament, Laban Peachey Center
5 p.m. – Homecoming Family Festival, north of Sieber Field
Come out for a food truck dinner with Meat Rubbers BBQ and Salted Creamery ice cream. There will be bouncy houses and family friendly activities while enjoying Lark flag football.
6 p.m. – Flag Football Game, Sieber Field
Cheer on the Lark flag football team. Free admission for all, so let’s pack the Nest. During halftime, the athletic hall of fame inductees will be recognized and the Lark dance team will perform.
7 p.m. – Fall Play: “Antigone,” Keim Center, Black Box Theater
