6 to 9 p.m. – Cultures Fair, Hesston Mennonite Church (HMC) Community Center
Come learn about the countries and cultures of our diverse student body who represent 23 countries and U.S. territories. Festivities will highlight some of these countries through music, dance and food samples.
Friday, September 22
10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hosting Center open, HMC Lobby
Let us know that you are here, pick up your Homecoming packet, receive discount coupons, name tag and additional details.
11 to 11:30 a.m. Formation (formerly Chapel), HMC Sanctuary
Jeremy Kempf ’00 will lead a praise and worship time for students, alumni, faculty and staff.
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch, Bontrager Student Center Dining Hall
Enjoy lunch with faculty, staff and students in the dining hall ($9 adult, $6.75 children, pay at the door).
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Golden Gables Lunch and Program: History of Music at Hesston College, HMC Community Center
Alumni from all college and academy classes 50 years or greater are invited to join President Joseph A. Manickam ’87 and faculty member Ken Rodgers ’85 for a light lunch and highlights of music at the college through the years. Reunion classes will be recognized. Registration required ($15).
2 to 3 p.m. New Faces Rooted in Tradition, HMC Sanctuary
Featured speakers: Jeff Baumgartner (mathematics professor), Chantel Cherney (nursing professor), Josh Cross (art professor), Forrest (Woody) Miller ’85 (development officer), Grant Myers (vice president of enrollment management), Kassidy Pflughoeft (volleyball coach), Ken Rodgers ’85 (music professor) and Dori Roth ’87 (director of financial aid). Hear from new and longtime employees of Hesston College about how our college might have many new faces, but we are still rooted in tradition.
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Biblical Literature in a Modern World, HMC Sanctuary
Join 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.
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Explore Campus Activities, locations across campus
Visit the Bookstore (don’t forget your coupon) and get your Hesston gear. Stroll our Global Pathway seeing the countries represented on campus. Take a campus tour led by one of our students. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Dyck Arboretum and the native prairie plants filling the landscape (177 W Hickory St). You can always join other alumni in the Larks Nest to fellowship.
5:30 to 7 p.m. International Dinner, Bontrager Student Center Dining Hall
Enjoy dinner with faculty, staff and students in the dining hall ($9 adult, $6.75 children, pay at the door). The menu will include campus favorite tikka masala and options for the whole family.
6:30 p.m. Volleyball Game, Yost Center
Cheer on the Larks as they take on Kansas Wesleyan JV. Alumni and friends get free admission with their Homecoming name tag.
7 p.m. Bel Canto Singers and Alumni Choir Rehearsal and Reception, HMC Sanctuary
Rehearsal for the alumni choir. Join the choir! Please register early so music can be distributed ahead of time.
8 p.m. Reverse Druber’s Run, Bess Mullet Field
Late night runs to Druber’s Donut Shop are a Hesston tradition. Join us on campus for donuts while cheering on Lark baseball and softball.
8 p.m. Alumni Softball Game and Intrasquad Baseball Game, Bess Mullet Field and Oswald Field
Alumni are invited to join the Lark softball team as they play a friendly game under the lights and watch Lark baseball in action.
Saturday, September 23
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosting Center Open, HMC Lobby
8 to 10:30 a.m. Cinnamon rolls, coffee and fellowship, HMC Community Center
Enjoy breakfast and fellowship before the busy day of Homecoming begins.
All ages and skills are welcome to try your hand at disc golf while supporting our student disc golf club. Register online. Walk up registration will also be available.
8:30 to 11 a.m. Class Reunions, various campus locations
9 a.m. to noon Explore Campus Activities, locations across campus
If you aren’t involved in a class reunion or your reunion ends early, explore campus. Visit the Bookstore and get your Hesston gear. Stroll our Global Pathway, seeing the countries represented on campus. Take a campus tour led by a current student, take a self-guided tour of Dyck Arboretum (177 W Hickory St) or relax in the Larks Nest.
11 to 11:45 a.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Induction, HMC Sanctuary
Celebrate our inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame inductees at Hesston College: coaches/administrators – Liz Hunsberger, Evan Oswald ’48, Gerry Sieber ’64; athletes – Abner Kisare ’74, Beth (Yoder) ’76 Hostetler, Solomon Abebe ’78, Brent Eichelberger ’85, and Lisa (Schmidt) ’97 Graber.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Splatter Paint Lark T-Shirts, lawn by Larks Nest Patio
Join the admissions office as they tie dye and splatter paint T-shirts. A limited number of T-shirts will be available.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch, Bontrager Student Center
Enjoy a meal with faculty, staff and students in the dining hall ($9 adult, $6.75 children, pay at the door).
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Partner Celebration and Lunch, HMC Sanctuary
Partners can register for the luncheon through the Homecoming registration or through a separateforthcoming invitation. Child care provided. Thank you Partners for your faithful annual support of $1,000 or more. Interested in becoming a partner? Go to hesston.edu/partner.
1:30 to 3:15 p.m. Alumni Choir Rehearsal, HMC Sanctuary
1:30 to 3 p.m. Department Open Houses (come and go)
Come learn about different academic departments on campus. Meet with faculty and students, see updated facilities, learn about the programs and hear how these programs uniquely contribute to student success. Aviation, Smith Center Bible, Kropf Center Business, Kropf Center Engineering, Friesen Center Nursing, Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center
2:30 to 3 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Meet and Greet, Yost Center Foyer
Join Lark fans for a time to interact with inductees of the inaugural Hesston College Hall of Fame class.
3:30 p.m. Bel Canto Singers and Alumni Concert: Celebrating 40 Years, HMC Sanctuary
Help Bel Canto Singers celebrate 40 years by enjoying a concert put on by students and alumni featuring guest conductors. Watch the live stream
5 to 7 p.m. Homecoming Family Festival, north of Sieber Field
Come out for a food truck dinner (Meat Rubbers and Cousin Hector’s) and Salted Creamery ice cream. Kids can enjoy bouncy houses, activities and Lark soccer.
5 p.m. Women’s Soccer and 7:30 p.m. Men’s Soccer, Sieber Field
Cheer on the Lark soccer teams as they take on Neosho County Community College. Free admission for all so let’s pack the bleachers. The Lark Dance Club will perform at halftime of the women’s game and hall of fame inductees will be recognized at halftime of the men’s game.
10 p.m. Campus Worship Evening, Campus Activities Center
Jeremy Kempf ’00 will lead a praise and worship evening following the soccer games in conjunction with Christian Athletes.
