August 24, 2005
John E. Sharp, a well-known Mennonite
historian from Goshen, Ind., has been hired by Hesston College to
write the college's centennial history book. The college, which opened
its doors in September 1909, will celebrate its centennial during
the 2009-10 school year.
Sharp began his new job August
8. He left his position as director of the Mennonite Church USA Historical
Committee and Archives in Goshen, Ind., after 10 years. He describes
those years as energizing and gratifying, but says he is drawn by
a new challenge. "I hope that reflecting on Hesston College's
history can give us clues about our identify and our future,"
he said.
"I will want to set the Hesston
College story in the context of the larger story of Mennonites on
the plains who had a vision for education and mission," he said.
"My goal is to help Hesston College tell its story to the larger
church which it has served for nearly 100 years."
In addition to researching and
writing the college's centennial history, Sharp will teach one World
Civilizations class each semester. "Teaching is one thing I've
been drawn to," he said, "so teaching at Hesston is a welcome
opportunity. I hope I can help students develop a passion for history
and help them understand how we are shaped by history."
Sharp says he's pleased to be
part of Hesston College again. "I look forward to participating
in and contributing to The Hesston Experience," he said. "I'm
excited to do so because Hesston College has a unique mission in Mennonite
Church USA. And I was shaped by Hesston College as a student during
my formative years."
"We are pleased to have a
person of John's caliber to work on Hesston's centennial history efforts,"
said Dallas Stutzman, Hesston College alumni director. "John
knows the institution intimately as an alumnus, and also brings a
wealth of diverse experiences to this important project on behalf
of the college."
Sharp is a 1973 graduate of Hesston.
He holds a bachelor's degree in communication from Goshen (Ind.) College
(1976), and a master of divinity degree from Associated Mennonite
Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind. (2005).
Sharp served as assistant to the
chaplain at Hesston College 1972-74, and served in church relations
and admissions 1973-75.
Sharp has also been a pastor.
He served as youth pastor at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston
1977-80, as minister of Christian education at Clinton Frame Mennonite
Church, Goshen, Ind., 1980-81, as lead pastor at Salford Mennonite
Church, Harleysville, Pa., 1983-89, and pastor of Mennonite Church
of Scottdale (Pa.) 1989-95.
Since 1999, Sharp has served as overseer of two congregations in Indiana-Michigan
Mennonite Conference. He was a congregational mediator for the conference
1996-99. He served as coordinator
of the area pastor-peer program in Allegheny Mennonite Conference
1991-94, and was Allegheny Mennonite Conference historian and chair
of the Historical Committee 1990-95. He also served as assistant moderator
of Franconia Mennonite Conference 1987-89.
Sharp has been an instructor of
elderhostel classes on Amish life and culture; a tour leader for Anabaptist
heritage tours to Europe; an author of various articles; and editor
of Gathering at the Hearth: Stories Mennonites Tell, published by
Herald Press in 2001.
He and his wife Michele Miller
Sharp, a 1974 graduate of Hesston College, have three adult children.
Erin is a graduate of Goshen College; Michael is a graduate of Eastern
Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.); and Laura is a sophomore
at Hesston College. They are members of Waterford Mennonite Church,
Goshen.