Joe ’87 and Wanda (Wyse) ’88 Manickam ride in the community-wide homecoming parade.
Hesston College celebrated homecoming and the inauguration of the ninth president, Dr. Jospeh A. Manickam ’87, with the theme “Grounded in community, globally engaged,” Sept. 22 to 24. The weekend featured events reflecting and celebrating the college’s values and experiences.
Students and homecoming guests move through the buffet line during the Global Tastings meal, featuring dishes from around the world.
Japanese students Rina Fukada ’19, Risa Fukaya ’19 and Yuka Kobayashi ’19 lead the audience in the traditional Japanese song “Cherry Blossoms” during the Global Voices Showcase. Hesston College choirs performed music from each of the countries international students represent in 2017-18. Dave Osborne Ac64, ’66 was also honored for his work with international students for more than 40 years. Osborne retired at the end of September.
A blessing is prayed over President Joe Manickam and his family during Manickam’s inauguration September 23. With him are daughter Faith ’19, Wanda, and son Matthew, a high school sophomore. Surrounding the family are representatives of the Hesston College constituency, including, from left, Amy Nissley Stauffer pastor of Hesston Mennonite Church; Koyuki Sakamoto ’18 (Osaka, Japan); Stephanie (Jackson) ’02 Yoder, Alumni Association president; Kelvin Friesen ’73, board of directors chair; Carlos Romero, Mennonite Education Agency executive director; Brent Yoder ’98, vice president of academics; Cindy Loucks, president’s administrative assistant; Michelle Armster, Mennonite Central Committee Central States executive director; and Amy Bragg Carey, president of Friends University (Wichita, Kan.) and representative of the Kansas Independent Colleges Association.
Participants in the annual two-mile run/walk, named “The Manickam Mosey” for the first year in honor of President Joe Manickam, leave the starting line. Taylor Longenecker ’19 (Rockingham, Va.) won the run with a time of 12:30.