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.
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
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, Hesston Mennonite Church (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
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. Interested in becoming a Partner? Visit hesston.edu/partner.
1 p.m. – Disc Golf Tournament, Doug 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.
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.
