Since December, Hesston College has welcomed two new staff, one coach and one faculty member to the college community.
Marathana Prothro of North Newton, Kan., began as director of marketing and communications in December. She works closely with the Advancement, Admissions and Alumni teams as well as departments across campus as she leads the college’s marketing and communication efforts, and she directs the Communications office staff.
Previously, Prothro was identity director for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership where she also served as communications director and creative manager. She also worked as news editor for The Newton Kansan from 2003 to 2005.
Prothro has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and film from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., and a master’s degree in communication from Wichita (Kan.) State University. She and her husband, Brett, attend Shalom Mennonite Church in Newton, Kan.
In January, Hesston College announced Bryan L. Kehr of Goshen, Ind., as its new head coach for women’s soccer. Kehr immediately became involved with recruiting and signing athletes, though his coaching responsibilities won’t begin until August.
In addition to his work as head coach for women’s soccer, Kehr will be director of intramurals and an instructor for Physical Education at the college.
Kehr is a Goshen (Ind.) College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a minor in family life education. He has coaching licenses and certification from both the United States Soccer Federation and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Kehr is a member of Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen where his wife Anita serves as pastor.
Kris White began work as a development officer in February. He is a Hesston College alumnus (class of 2000) with fond memories and good connections to a variety of alumni and friends of the college. White’s primary role is to connect with and visit Kansas alumni.
White’s professional experience includes eight years at FYInetworks, LP, in Newton, Kan., where he was a full-time service provider to Lehman Brothers. He has completed multiple sales and training seminars as well as personal and professional leadership training programs. In addition, White has a unique gift for developing relationships.
White and his wife, Megan, are members of Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. They have two sons and live east of Hesston.
Tim Lichti took on his role as Pastoral Ministries director in February. As director of the Pastoral Ministries program, Lichti will be charged with providing a vision for the program, recruiting students, teaching classes and raising awareness of the program within Mennonite Church USA.
Lichti served as a regional conference minister for Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference for nine years and was executive director of Menno-Hof in Shipshewana, Ind., for 13 years. He served as pastor of Marion Mennonite Church in Shipshewana for eight years.
Lichti has a master of divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., and a bachelor of arts in psychology from California State University, Long Beach. He attended Hesston College in 1968-69.
Lichti and his wife Carolyn are members of Clinton Frame Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind.
