Homecoming 2011 was Sept. 23 to 25 with a focus on Aviation. The premier event for the weekend was a symposium featuring professional aviation alumni presenting on various aspects of the aviation industry. Keynote speakers were Ben Savanick ’97, captain for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, and Roger Yoder ’79, captain for American Airlines. Other events included reunion gatherings, Partner Appreciation Luncheon, Alumni Banquet, Tailgate Picnic and Family Festival, Erb Renovation Celebration, Sunday morning worship service and sports events. More than 300 people participated in the weekend activities and reconnected with former classmates and the college.
A Hesston College airplane, flown by instructor Travis Pickerill ’99, prepares to land north of town on Old Highway 81. The plane was displayed on campus over the weekend.
Caleb Enns, son of David ’01 and Ashley (Claassen) ’01 Enns, practices his shot during the Tailgate Picnic and Family Festival as his sisters Alia and Sara look on. The evening activities included a varsity volleyball game, alumni vs. varsity softball and baseball games and a time to Meet the Larks fall sports teams.
A panel of speakers presented the story of the start of the Hesston College Aviation program during the aviation symposium. The program has grown over 41 years to 45 enrolled students, including 12 students studying Air Traffic Control. The department has a fleet of five airplanes and two simulators. Pictured are Dr. Sandra Zerger, vice president of academics; Laban Peachey, former Hesston College president; and former Aviation directors Jacob Friesen, Dave Forrer and Wendell Sauder ’75.
Ben Savanick ’97 talks to his wife, Angie (Book) ’98 Savanick, during the Partner Luncheon.
The Concert Band performed a late-night Bandscapes concert Saturday. Pictured from left are Lauren Weaver ’12 of Hesston, Kan., Erin Hershey ’12 of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Bonita Garber ’13 of Bainbridge, Pa.
Heather Harkins ’12, an air traffic control student from Wichita, Kan., listens to a symposium presentation.
Howard Glanton, adjunct guitar instructor, performs with his daughter, Kaleigh, during the Erb Hall Renovation Celebration. The event celebrated the completion of the funding and the renovations before students returned to campus in August.
A group of alumni receive a tour of the newly renovated Erb Hall central and west dorms from Vice President of Student Life Lamar Roth. The renovations, which include a new roof and windows, heating and cooling units, furniture, paint, carpet and remodeled bathrooms, were an ongoing project over the last several years to make the dorms more energy efficient and up to date. The college is now raising money to install an elevator.
Kush Lengacher ’12 of New Providence, Pa., and Andrea DeAvila Balboa ’12 of Matamoros, Mexico, read Scripture during the Sunday morning worship service. Rocky Miller, a pilot and pastor of Bay Shore Mennonite Church in Sarasota, Fla., brought the message “Christ’s Followers Don’t Fly on Autopilot.”
Sophomore Kendra Mast (Dundee, Ohio) goes up for a kill against Labette Community College.
Bible and Ministry faculty Michele (Schrock) ’81 Hershberger presents a skit entitled “Menno Airlines” during the Alumni Banquet Saturday evening. Her classmates Ken Kabira ’81 and Luanne (Yoder) ’81 Southern served as Hershberger’s “flight attendants.”
