January 10, 2007
A new home for the visual arts at Hesston College is closer to reality.
The Hesston College Board of Overseers learned during its Nov. 10-11, 2006, meeting that major fundraising and plans are taking shape for the new Friesen Center for Visual Arts on campus. The board gave college administrators the green light to proceed with design and construction, which will begin with groundbreaking set for Saturday, February 17.
The original plan called for the Northlawn building which houses the Music Department to undergo renovations/expansion to house music, drama, and the visual arts on campus. Now projected is a new building for visual arts between Northlawn and Charles Hall, with a covered walkway between Northlawn and the new building.
The 9,500 square foot facility will include teaching space for ceramics, painting, print-making, and drawing studios; a computer lab for graphic design and digital photography; an art gallery; and faculty offices. The building will replace current less-than-ideal facilities located in the basement of Erb Hall.
The Friesen Center is named for Paul and Wilma Friesen, and will honor the artistic legacy he has given to Hesston College and the Mennonite Church. A graduate of Hesston Academy in 1942 and Hesston College in 1944, Friesen went on to get degrees at Goshen (Ind.) College and Fort Hays State College (Hays, Kan.) before coming back to the college as an art instructor in 1956.
"At that time," Friesen said, "art, except for utilitarian and religiously explicit forms, was considered with suspicion. When looking back over the last 50 years, it is with great satisfaction to see the Mennonite Church creating a space and opportunities for Mennonite artists to share their individual gifts as priests and prophets in the 21st century. It is both fitting and exciting to witness the enthusiastic support Hesston College is giving to the visual and fine arts. I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to introduce art into the Hesston College curriculum.”
In addition to serving at Hesston College, Friesen taught at Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., from 1959-1989. He taught at Hesston again during the spring semesters of 2001-2005 as an adjunct instructor in ceramics.
In his studio provided by Schowalter Villa, Friesen continues with his interest in ceramics and sculpture, as well as teaching a community class in ceramics each fall at the Hesston Wellness Center.
Friesen and his wife Wilma have six children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. They are members of Hesston Mennonite Church.
In other action, the board:
- welcomed new board member Kelvin Friesen, Archbold, Ohio. The son of Paul and Wilma Friesen (see above), Friesen attended Hesston College for one year. He serves as vice president of marketing of Sauder Manufacturing, Archbold.
- began review of administration proposals for the 2007-08 revenue budget, including tuition, room, and board. Board chair Norm Yoder, Henderson, Neb., said determining tuition, room, and board "is one of the biggest decisions we make. It impacts the greatest number of people," he said, "students, parents, faculty, and staff." After further discussion, the board approved an administrative council recommendation of a 5.5 percent increase in tuition, room, and board for the 2007-08 school year. The board will review and give final approval to the entire 2007-08 operating budget during its Feb.16-17, 2007, meeting.
- heard that the new instrumental music program is underway, under the direction of Rob Tierney, who also serves as director of bands at Hesston High School. Eleven students are members of the wind ensemble, including two students from the high school.
 Kelvin Friesen |