Frequently Asked Questions

How many students attend Hesston? From what states and countries do they come?
   About 475. Hesston students come from about 30 states and 16 countries. States represented by the most students include Kansas (186), Indiana (42), Pennsylvania (26), Iowa (24), Illinois (23), Nebraska (21), Ohio (20). Countries represented include Indonesia (11), Japan (7), South Korea (6). Fall 2005 statistics.

Where is Hesston and how do I get there?
   Hesston is a town of about 3,500 located 30 miles north of Wichita, Kansas' largest city. Amtrak stops in Newton (seven miles south of Hesston). United, American, America West, AirTran, Continental, Delta, and several other airlines serve Wichita's Mid Continent Airport. Bus transportation is also available in Wichita. If you are a prospective student (junior or senior) interested in visiting Hesston College, we will gladly pick you up at the airport, depot, or terminal and pay for a portion of your travel expenses.
   For more information, call us at 800-99-LARKS (800-995-2757) or e-mail admissions@hesston.edu. Visit our directions to campus page for a campus map and driving directions to campus.

Since Hesston is a Mennonite college, do I have to be Mennonite to attend?
   In a word, no. Our students come from a variety of faith backgrounds. Not all are Christian. We welcome diverse perspectives. Through interactions with others, walking a mile in another person's shoes, we learn about life, the world, ourselves, and God.

How does Hesston being a Mennonite college shape students' experiences?
   To graduate from Hesston you will take at least two classes known as Hesston College Distinctives. All students take Biblical Literature (the first Distinctive), a course that studies the story and basic themes of the literature of the Old and New Testaments in their historical contexts and builds skills in the inductive method of Bible study. For the second distinctive, students choose from Peacemaking and Justice, Anabaptist History and Thought, Modern Literature, Religions of the World, Human Thought and Belief and Integration Seminar. (Integration Seminar is only available to nursing students in the Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences program).
   Beyond these courses, Anabaptist principles shape the ways we teach, work, and live. The Hesston College community calls all to live in harmony with others. Our academic, student life, and campus ministries programs are designed to help you become: a competent communicator, a critical thinker, a socially responsible person, an integrative thinker, and a person of biblical faith and understanding. All of life's decisions flow from our faith commitments. We hope that you will see our faith in action in the ways we interact with you, each other, and our world; in our words and actions; indeed, we hope you see Christian love in everything we do.

How does Hesston College nurture students' spiritual growth?
   Hesston's Campus Pastor provides a variety of resources and services to encourage students to grow in their spiritual journeys. The Campus Pastor fosters Christian community through mod life and small groups--including Bible studies, book studies, 40-day accountability groups, and open discussion groups. He coordinates mission-related activities including mentoring opportunities through Big Brothers/Big Sisters, jail visitation, and a middle school tutoring program plus service opportunities such as spring break service trips, and mission and service emphasis days during which representatives from a variety of mission and service agencies come to campus to visit with students. The Campus Pastor also plans or helps students plan worship events including weekly Campus Worship gatherings, a pastor-in-residence program, and a spiritual life retreat each semester. Learn more about Hesston's Campus Ministries.
   While the Campus Pastor carries the official responsibility for campus spiritual life, many faculty, staff, administrators, and students play active roles by nurturing each other and walking together in faith. We invest ourselves in your future, share openly from our experiences, and seek to model the life of Christ in who we are and what we do.

Why go to a two-year school when I want a four-year degree?
   Because you will find more leadership opportunities during your first two years. Freshmen and sophomores sing all the solos in choir. They start for all the varsity teams. They get all the leading roles in theatre productions (and a chance to direct one-act plays). They write and edit the campus newspaper and yearbook and get practical experience--working in hospitals, flying planes, teaching in a preschool, building and maintaining computer networks. Freshmen and sophomores do everything, including assignments usually reserved for juniors and seniors at four-year colleges.
   You will have our full attention from day one for what we consider the most important two years of your college education. Our programs are designed to help you make the transition from school to college, from home life to independence, from the faith of your parents to a faith of your own.

What is there to do on weekends?
   Our campus activities board does an excellent job of planning weekend events like late-night roller skating parties, movie nights, fun games like Singled Out and a host of other events. Our sports teams often have games on the weekends, not to mention occasional choir concerts and theatre productions.
   Besides the standard organized activities, Newton and Wichita offer museums, restaurants, movies, sports teams. Campus favorites include late night donuts at Druber's or a trip to Newell's, a local greasy spoon/truck stop open all night for study breaks and conversation.

Still have questions? Ask our admissions staff at admissions@hesston.edu.