Hesston College celebrated 120 graduates of the 101st graduating class during Commencement Weekend May 6 to 8. Regina Shands Stoltzfus addressed the graduates during the commencement service May 8. Her message, “Rooted in Love, Sent Out in Hope,” was based on Ephesians 3:20-21, the college’s theme verse for the year. Other weekend events included a pinning ceremony for 48 nursing graduates, a commissioning for three pastoral ministries graduates and recognition ceremonies for six graduates of the Disaster Management Program and eight aviation and air traffic control graduates. Andy Miller of Marion, S.D., and Perry Andre of Wauseon, Ohio, presented a sophomore recital. The Bel Canto Singers, under the direction of Bradley Kauffman, performed a bon voyage concert as a precursor to their two-week west coast tour. Freshman Libby Waltner of Hurley, S.D., and sophomore Justin Greger of Goshen, Ind., directed performances of one-act plays.
Alex Roth of Hesston, Kan., and Leah Rittenhouse of Mount Pleasant, Pa., give the student commencement address.
Masaki Kato, Tokyo, Japan, receives his diploma from President Keim.
Erika Shrock, Sarasota, Fla., receives her diploma from President Howard Keim.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni and other guests gather for a tree dedication in front of Erb Hall in memory of Chloe Weaver ’10, who died in an October 2010 accident.
Serena Williams ’11, Hesston, Kan., receives her pin from nursing faculty Sondra (Wedel) ’80 Leatherman during the college’s 44th nursing pinning.
Alex Summy of Bristol, Ind., and James Wengerd of Hartville, Ohio, talk as they leave Yost Center following commencement exercises.
Regina Shands Stoltzfus addresses the graduates during commencement. Shands Stoltzfus is a professor in the Peacemaking, Justice and Conflict studies and Bible, Religion and Philosophy departments at Goshen (Ind.) College as well as an adjunct professor at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.) Her daughter, Rachel Stoltzfus, was a member of the graduating class.
Six disaster management students receive a plaque of completion. Students completing the program were (from left) Darin Bontrager, Archbold, Ohio; David Hochstetler, Strang, Neb.; Mandy Kanagy, Timberville, Va.; Leah Rittenhouse, Mount Pleasant, Pa.; John Schoenhals, Archbold, Ohio; and Jason Tennefoss, Greenwood, Del. This year’s graduates will complete summer service assignments with Mennonite Disaster Service and other disaster relief organizations at disaster sites across the country. Six freshmen disaster management students are serving with MDS for eight weeks in Mississippi.
From left, Pastoral Ministries students, Jerry Acosta and wife Lori, Mathis, Texas; Larry Catlett and wife Carlotta Ponds, Hesston, Kan; and James Wengerd and wife Cheryl, Hartville, Ohio, receive a prayer of blessing from Bible and Ministry faculty and staff during a commissioning service. This year’s graduates are the 25th class to complete the program, bringing the total number of Pastoral Ministries graduates to 136.
Guests attend an open house to see the new Newton Medical Center Simulation Lab in Kremer Hall. The lab was built in the Charles Hall classroom in summer 2010 with a grant from Newton Medical Center to accommodate an expanded nursing program.
Kelsey Schrock ’11, Wellman, Iowa, (left) and Liz Miller ’10 (right) celebrate Schrock’s graduation with faculty member Karen Sheriff LeVan (center).
Graduates Deb Yoder, Apple Creek, Ohio; Kenzie Jones, Hyde Park, Utah; and Leah Rittenhouse, Mount Pleasant, Pa., gather for a post-commencement photo.
