First RN to BSN class marks a new start for college
Aside from the start of spring semester classes for all students, Wednesday, January 11, 2017, marked a historic day at Hesston College as 27 students gathered in Lemons Center 1 as the first group of nurses in the college’s new RN to BSN program. None of the students are new to Hesston College – all 27 previously graduated from Hesston’s associate degree nursing program and returned to take the next step in their education and professional development. “Today truly feels like a family reunion – with new opportunities to reconnect with our amazing nursing alumni,” said Bonnie (Kauffman) Ac65, ’67 Sowers, director of nursing education. “We are grateful for God’s continual leading and presence within our nursing program.” Hesston’s RN to BSN program is a hybrid that meets both online and on campus. Students who are enrolled full time meet on campus for a full day twice a month, and part-time students meet one full day on campus each month. Full-time students are on a one year completion track, while part time students will complete the program in two years.
Dr. Kate Wiebe interviews Adam Miller (Hesston), a survivor the the shooting at Excel, during the opening AVDS session.AVDS equips participants with tools and responses for trauma and recovery
Centered around the theme “When the Unthinkable Happens,” the annual Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series conference took place Feb. 17 to 19, just one week before the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting at Excel Industries. About 200 registrants including church leaders and a variety of other professions from eight states, and including Hesston College students from different fields of study, participated in the weekend activities with more attending free sessions and extra events. With the shooting at Excel still fresh and close to home, the idea of trauma goes far beyond one shooting. As a conference description said, “It can happen anywhere, including your community. It could be a tornado, domestic or sexual abuse, a mass shooting or something else. As Christ’s followers, we need to be ready and respond well.” Keynote speakers were Dr. Donna Minter, founder and executive director of the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute (Minneapolis), and Dr. Kate Wiebe, founder and director of the Institute for Congregational Leadership (Santa Barbara, Calif.). Recognizing that the topic of trauma is not easily answered, the Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series will look to take on part two of this next year during the 2018 conference.
Three students have been volunteering with Hesston Fire/EMS during their time at Hesston. Pictured from left are Zach Stauffer ’17 (Belleville, Pa.), Beth Schurz ’17 (Phillipsburg, Kan.) and John Ebaugh ’18 (Holtwood, Pa.).Fire and EMS added to program offerings
Starting with the fall 2017 semester, Hesston College will launch a Fire/EMS program in cooperation with the City of Hesston Fire/EMS Department. The program provides students with opportunities to earn Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and/or Firefighter certification while also employed part-time with Hesston Fire/EMS. Earn an associate of arts degree from Hesston College with emergency management certification(s) for transfer to bachelor’s degree programs or work in the career field.
