Your Guide to Homecoming Weekend

Get ready to celebrate, reconnect and create new memories with the Hesston community! Our Homecoming schedule is packed with events for alumni, students, families and friends — designed to bring everyone together in spirit. Check out the full lineup and plan your weekend to make the most of this special time on campus.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

4:30 to 8 p.m.

Home Sweet Hesston Food Truck Rally, Mullet Drive

6 p.m.

Home Sweet Hesston Parade, Main Street

 

Grab dinner from local food trucks on campus and enjoy a relaxed evening together. Kids can enjoy bouncy houses while you cheer on the Larks and the Swathers as the Homecoming Parade moves down Main Street, followed by a community pep rally filled with Hesston spirit.

All Weekend

Photography Exhibit, Laban Peachey Center, Regier-Friesen Art Gallery

 

Audrey Befort ’27 presents selections from her travelogue. A grouping of photographs of Kansas and beyond through nature and landscapes. Open all weekend.

Friday, September 26, 2025

10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hosting Center Open, Hesston Mennonite Church (HMC) Lobby

Let us know you are here, pick up your Homecoming packet, receive discount coupons, name tags and additional details.

11 a.m.

Formation, HMC sanctuary

Join us for Hesston’s new spiritual formation tradition, formerly known as chapel. On Fridays, students, faculty and staff gather across campus for various forms of worship and reflection. Guests are invited to participate in this unique experience.

Noon

Golden Gables Luncheon, HMC community center

Alumni from classes 50 years or greater are invited for lunch and panel conversation with former Presidents Howard Keim ’72, Loren Swartzendruber and Kirk Alliman. Registration required ($15).

2 p.m.

Nursing Program Showcase, Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center, lounge

Join Director of the School of Nursing and Health Science Gregg Schroeder for an inside look at the nursing program. Tour the newly equipped simulation lab, explore hands-on learning spaces and watch students in action — including virtual reality scenarios on the large screen in the sim lab conference room.

3 p.m.

Biblical Literature in the Modern World, Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center

Join our Bible faculty members Michele (Schrock) ’81 Hershberger and Nick Ladd ’14 to hear about the impact of our Biblical Literature course on students in today’s world.

4 p.m.

Meet and Greet with New President — Mark Landes, Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center

Drop in to visit with President Landes as he shares insights about his leadership and vision for Hesston College.

5:30 p.m.

Dinner, Bontrager Student Center Dining Hall

Enjoy dinner with faculty, staff and students in the dining hall ($9.40/adult, $6.75/children ages 5 to 12, children 4 and under are free. Pay at the door).

6 p.m.

Volleyball Game, Yost Center

Cheer on the Larks as they face Kansas Christian College. Free admission for alumni and friends wearing their Homecoming name tag.

8 p.m.

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Meet and Greet, Yost Center

Celebrate Lark athletics by mingling with Hall of Fame inductees and current teams following the volleyball game.

8 p.m.

Reverse Druber’s Run, Yost Center

Keep the tradition alive — grab a Druber’s donut on your way out after the volleyball game.

9 p.m.

Alumni Softball Game, Bess Mullet Field

Alumni and current players take the field together for a friendly game celebrating the legacy of Lark softball.

Saturday, September 27, 2025

8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Hosting Center Open, HMC Lobby

Let us know you are here, pick up your Homecoming packet, receive discount coupons, name tags and additional details.

8 a.m.

Morning Coffee and Muffins, Bontrager Student Center, Larks Nest

Start your day with a hot cup of coffee, a fresh muffin and good conversation in the Larks Nest, provided by the advancement office.

9 a.m.

Presidential Inauguration, HMC sanctuary

Celebrate the inauguration of Hesston College’s 10th president, Mark Landes, during this special service of worship, music and blessing.

10 a.m.

Inauguration Reception, lawn west of HMC

Immediately following the inauguration, enjoy light refreshments and conversation with the campus community on the church lawn.

11 a.m. to noon

Brunch, Bontrager Student Center Dining Hall

Enjoy brunch with students ($9.40/adult, $6.75/children ages 5-12, children 4 and under are free. Pay at the door.)

11:30 a.m.

Partner Luncheon, HMC sanctuary and community center

By invitation only, this luncheon honors our Partners whose annual support of $1,000 or more sustains Hesston College. Partners can register for the luncheon through the Homecoming registration or through a separate forthcoming invitation. Join fellow Hall of Fame and inauguration guests for student speakers and performers, followed by a catered lunch. Learn more about Hesston's Partner Program.

1 p.m.

Disc Golf TournamentDoug Unruh Memorial Course

Enjoy some friendly competition on the campus course with alumni and friends. All skill levels welcome. Visit the website for more information. Walk up registration also available until 12:30 p.m.

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Class Reunions, across campus

Academy ’45, ’55, ’65

College ’45, ’55, ’65, ’75, ’85, ’95, ’05, ’15

3:30 p.m.

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, HMC sanctuary

Celebrate the 2025 inductees: coach Francis “Fran” Chupp ’61; athletes Larry Beckler ’70, Craig Birky ’83, Christy (Walker) ’91 Cornell, Jill (Troyer) ’91 Miller, Nolan King ’91; team of distinction, 1966 men’s soccer.

5 p.m.

Golf Simulator Long Drive Tournament, Laban Peachey Center

Test your power and swing for the longest drive in this virtual golf challenge. No extra registration needed.

5 p.m.

Family Festival, Sieber Field

Bring the whole family for an evening of fun! Enjoy food trucks, live music, bouncy houses and Lark men’s soccer. Free Salted Creamery ice cream for registered Homecoming guests and available for purchase for others.

7 p.m.

Men’s Soccer Game, Sieber Field

Cheer on the Larks as they take on Ozark Christian College. Free admission for all, so let’s pack the Nest. During halftime, the athletic hall of fame inductees will be recognized and the Lark dance team will perform.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

10:30 a.m.

Homecoming Worship Service, HMC sanctuary

Special guest preacher, former President Loren Swartzendruber, and a music performance by Bel Canto Singers.

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