Russell Adrian will join the music faculty and conduct the Bel Canto Singers. Adrian holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.), a master of music degree in choral conducting from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) and a doctor of musical arts degree in conducting from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis).
Following a six-month interim term of service, Tonya (Hunsberger) ’94 Detweiler was named vice president of Advancement in December 2014. Her previous professional supervisory experience, a master’s degree in business from Bluffton (Ohio) University and five years of highly successful fundraising as a Hesston College development officer have given her a strong foundation to lead the Advancement division. Detweiler continues to work from her home in Goshen, Ind.
After helping to create Hesston’s Disaster Management Program and serve as director of the program since 2005, Russ Gaeddert will lead the college’s task force in organizing a new interdisciplinary leadership program.
Justin Heinzekehr was named to the registrar role, which he started in June. He is a graduate of Goshen (Ind.) College and recently completed a Ph.D. in religion through the Claremont (Calif.) School of Theology.
Rachel Jantzi will serve as theatre faculty. She holds a bachelor’s of fine arts in dramatic arts from Emporia (Kan.) State University and a master’s degree in theatre from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater). Jantzi has taught communications course at Hesston College since 2010, and has also been involved in college theatre productions as an actor, choreographer, sound and costume designer and director of the fall 2014 production of Amahl and the Night Visitors.
Cleo Koop will join the faculty as Disaster Management Program director. He has a bachelor’s degree in Bible and religion from Bethel College (North Newton) and a master of divinity degree from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.). Koop has extensive experience as a Mennonite Disaster Service volunteer and project director.
Meg Leatherman ’11 will start as Admissions visit coordinator in August. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bluffton (Ohio) University.
Peter Lehman has been hired as a full-time visiting English faculty member to step in for Dr. Karen Sheriff LeVan during her sabbatical. Lehman earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.), and a master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University (State College). He is a Ph.D. candidate in American studies at Penn State.
Kyle Miller Hesed will serve as biology faculty. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas (Lawrence) and completed his Ph.D. in biology at the University of Maryland (College Park) in May.
Saralyn Murray will serve as American Sign Language interpreter. She earned a bachelor’s degree in ASL from Goshen College.
Courtney Nethercot started as bookstore manager in January. She has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with minors in business and leadership studies from Kansas State University (Manhattan).
Rob Ramseyer was named vice president of Student Development. He served as interim Dean of Students during the 2014-15 year. Ramseyer’s appointment will include managing the areas of Athletics and Student Development, and is part of a more general alignment that will help integrate the internal programs of the college and serve students more effectively. Ramseyer is completing an Ed.D. in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University (Omaha, Neb.). He served as head baseball coach from 2011 to 2015.
Michael Smalley ’07 started as an admissions counselor in May. He previously served as a resident director from 2011 to 2014. Smalley is a graduate of Wichita (Kan.) State University.
Dr. Brent Yoder ’98 was named vice president of Academics in December 2014 after a six-month interim role. Yoder earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (Blacksburg) and has teaching experience at Virginia Tech, Greenville (Ill.) College and Illinois College (Jacksonville). He served a registrar at Hesston from 2011 to 2014.
Here’s to you
Two valuable members of the Hesston College community retired following the 2014-15 year. Maria Day served at Hesston College as a Spanish instructor since 1996. She played key roles in student success and as an advisor, study group leader and mentor. Gerry Selzer Ac63, ’65, concluded 35 years of service to Hesston College in May 2015. He served in various capacities during his tenure, including faculty member, Admissions assistant, registrar from 1994 to 2008 and as interim registrar during the 2014-15 year.
Tony Brown ’69 transitioned away from teaching and the Hesston College campus following the 2014-15 year. He relocated to Pennsylvania where he will continue to work for Hesston College on a quarter-time basis as a development officer while also continuing his work with the Peacing It Together Foundation and performing around the world. Brown served Hesston College as sociology faculty and artist in residence for 15 years.