In the News

HC welcomes students for a new year of change and possibility

A new year at Hesston College is underway.

Students, faculty and staff gathered for Opening Weekend as the 2026-27 academic year began. From moving into residence halls and reconnecting with friends to meeting new classmates, the weekend marked a season of new beginnings, familiar traditions and plenty of change.

For students, the transition into a new academic year can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty and anticipation.

Patrick Watson II, admission counselor, says opening weekend is a reminder of just how much can change in a short amount of time.

“Registration and move-in week can be seen in many different ways,” Watson explains. “For some students, it is a blank canvas. For others, it shows the growth they have made in just a couple of months. But the thing that it represents the most is change.”

For Gresa Arapi, a junior from Cypress, Texas, that change comes with both excitement and a little stress.

“At the beginning of the school year, you’re under a lot of stress, so I get a little bit overwhelmed,” Arapi says. “But I think I have a strong support system here, so just having them with me makes it a lot easier.”

A member of the women’s basketball team, Arapi looks forward to meeting new people, transitioning further into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and continuing to grow in basketball and her faith.

For Krysten Carter, a sophomore from Missouri City, Texas, navigating change means staying focused on what matters while remaining open to what is ahead.

“I’m feeling like I just need to focus on prioritizing what’s important first, even though I’m going through a lot of changes,” states Carter.

Carter looks forward to meeting new people and becoming more involved on campus. She also hopes to grow in confidence, share her voice and stand firm in her values.

These experiences of change are at the heart of this year’s theme verse, drawn from the story of the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:32.

As two disciples walked along the road with Jesus, they did not initially recognize him. Later, reflecting on their experience, they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”

Their story offers a reminder that even when the road ahead is uncertain, God is present and at work.  It also points to a steady truth in the middle of a changing season: While much around them changes, God does not. New classes, new friendships, new responsibilities and new opportunities will shape the year ahead. But through each change, students can find something steady in a God who remains present.

Opening Weekend ended with one of Hesston’s favorite traditions, Nest Olympics. Students came together for an evening of water games, friendly competition and plenty of laughter while beating the August heat. The event gave students another opportunity to meet one another, build community and celebrate the start of a new year. It closed out with Hesston Fire/EMS giving students one final way to cool off, using one of their trucks to send a spray of water across the crowd.

As the water settled and opening weekend came to an end, students were left with more than memories from their first weekend on campus. They began a new year surrounded by community and were reminded that while life will continue to change, they do not have to face those changes alone.

With hearts aflame and eyes toward what is ahead, Hesston College begins another year — grounded in community, open to possibility and trusting in the God who remains constant through it all.

Hesston College welcomes three new members to board of directors

Hesston College has appointed three new members to its board of directors, bringing extensive experience in ministry, nonprofit leadership, higher education, business and law to the college's governing board.

Joining the board for four-year terms running from 2026 to 2030 are Kathryn Goering Reid of Richardson, Texas, Stanley Green of Lake Elsinore, California, and Karl Swartz of Wichita, Kansas.

“Our board of directors plays a vital role in advancing the mission and future of Hesston College,” said Hesston College President Mark Landes. “Stanley, Kathy and Karl each bring unique experiences, deep faith commitments and a passion for Christian higher education. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and look forward to the wisdom and perspective they will contribute.”

Kathryn Goering Reid

Kathryn “Kathy” Goering Reid brings decades of experience in pastoral ministry and nonprofit leadership and is ordained in both Mennonite Church USA and the Church of the Brethren.

During her career, Reid served as pastor of Austin Mennonite Church in Texas, executive director of the Association of Brethren Caregivers and executive director of Family Abuse Center in Waco, Texas. In retirement, she continues consulting with faith-based nonprofit organizations and serves in several capacities for Mennonite Church USA.

“It is a joy to serve on the board, as I can never repay the college for all Hesston has provided for my child,” Reid shared. “At Hesston, he gained foundational educational experiences that gave him the confidence to set the course for his future.”

Stanley Green

Stanley Green serves as executive conference minister for the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference. Prior to this role, he spent 27 years leading the mission agencies of Mennonite Church USA, including Mennonite Board of Missions and Mennonite Mission Network, where he served as president and executive director.

Originally from South Africa, Green pastored churches in South Africa and California, as well as Jamaica, where he and his wife, Ursula, served as mission workers for five years. Throughout his ministry, he has engaged with churches in 83 countries around the world.

Karl Swartz

Karl Swartz, a Hesston College alumnus, is a shareholder and director with Morris Laing Law Firm in Wichita, Kansas, where he has practiced law since 1985. He also serves as a director of Southwest National Bank and its holding company, Republic Financial Corporation.

A native of south Texas, Swartz was the sixth of six siblings to attend Hesston College. He has long been active in the Mennonite church, serving multiple terms as congregational chair and council chair at Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita. He is currently serving his second term on the Stewardship Commission of the Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA and serves as the commission's liaison to the conference's Staff Relations Committee.

The Hesston College Board of Directors provides governance and strategic oversight for the college, helping ensure the institution remains faithful to its mission of educating and nurturing each student within a Christ-centered community. More information about these and other board members can be found at hesston.edu/leadership. 
 

College announces spring 2026 academic honors

Hesston College Registrar Heidi Hochstetler announced the names of full-time students whose spring 2026 semester grades earned them a place on the Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00 GPA) and Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA).

Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.0 GPA)

First-year students
Elita Arapi, Cypress, Texas
Payton Boyer, Alliance, Neb.
Jayden Chaiyote, Overland Park, Kan.
Francesco Dardi, Faenza, Italy
Myles Fernandez, Bella Vista, Ark.
Madison Gehart, Oxford, Mich.
Mateo Gonzalez, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain
Bethanie Haag, Wichita, Kan.
Ivin Kollabathula, Manado, Indonesia
Kory Meireis, Kingman, Kan.

Sophomores
Christopher Cammllarie, McKinney, Texas
Krysten Carter, Missouri City, Texas
Miyu Fujii, Higashinariku, Japan
Evelyn Gaertner, Newton, Kan.
Taiga Goto, Chiyoda-ku, Japan
Abbygail Hamm, Hutchinson, Kan.
Aaron Hartman, Abilene, Kan.
Serena Hewes, Battle Ground, Wash.
Misaki Kurata, Habikigaoka, Japan
Trentis Lane, Houston, Texas
Alexis Pabon, Jacksonville, Fla.
Emma Pfannenstiel, Newton, Kan.
Alexander Radu, London, Great Britain
Suryansh Shetty, Auckland, New Zealand
Jackson Sundermeyer, Parker, Colo.
Ethan Thompson, Hesston, Kan.
Nedas Vaivada, London, Great Britain
Ryan Ziesch, Goddard, Kan.

Juniors
Gresa Arapi, Cypress, Texas
Brandon Chim, Amarillo, Texas
Ethan Connelly, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Jaycee Mathis, Wichita, Kan.

Seniors and Unclassified
Devin Miller, Hesston, Kan.
Alexandria Nickel, Newton, Kan.
Bethany Peters, Cottonwood Falls, Kan.
Katelyn Soles, Maize, Kan.
Evangelina Zogu, North Newton, Kan.
Alexandria Nickel, Newton, Kan.

Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA)

First-year students
Manuel Aranguren, Katy, Texas
Brooklyn Bailey, Newton, Kan.
Logan Britton, Yale, Okla.
William Dellin, Elmore City, Okla.
Sondre Einarsrud, Holter, Norway
Kennedie Esparza, Erie, Colo.
Shelby Hunt, Buckeye, Ariz.
Haydenn Ikehorn, Wichita, Kan.
Jonah Krumme, Wichita, Kan.
Max Laser Edin, Stockholm, Sweden
Federico Moran Fermin, Katy, Texas
Takato Nishira, MinouKamo, Japan
Keira Pineda, Comanche, Okla.
Victor Roldan, Salinas, Ecuador
Hugo Soubran, Capbreton, France
Bailey Symons, Porirua, New Zealand
Oliver Taylor, Nuneaton, Great Britain
Audrey Tipton, Hesston, Kan.
Hugo Jakob von Sicard, Sundsvall, Sweden

Sophomores
Blen Bezuwork, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Nevaeh Bowman, Park City, Kan.
Jacob Buller, York, Neb.
Arissa Cathey, Abilene, Kan.
Hanah DeBelle, Castle Rock, Colo.
Cambry Duerksen, Hillsboro, Kan.
Liliana Espinoza, Galva, Kan.
Trintity Fairbanks, Salina, Kan.
Carlos Gonzalez Huerta, Wichita, Kan.
Christian Hammons, Edmond, Okla.
Amy Hunley, Owensboro, Ky.
Kaleb Kindley, Mannford, Okla.
Melissa Kleppe, Woodland Park, Colo.
Logan Lam, Wichita, Kan.
Sterling Lies, Newton, Kan.
Santiago Llanos, Flower Mound, Texas
Anja Martinez, Topeka, Kan.
Yuki Ono, Nagoya, Japan
Moriah Ortiz, Lakin, Kan.
Sebastian Pavlovich, Lindsborg, Kan.
Keeley Pflughoeft, Ellsworth, Kan.
Abygail Romero, Baldwin Park, Calif.
Emilie Romero, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Halli Starks, Harper, Kan.
Brooke Tafoya, Fort Collins, Colo.
Kevyn Velazco, Aragua, Venezuela
Sakura Yamada, Tokyo, Japan
Yura Yamazaki, Sagamihara, Japan

Juniors
Kali Adams, Nampa, Idaho
Anton Cook, Whitewater, Kan.
Skye Gomez, Corona, Calif.
Mariah Hall, Lawton, Okla.
Joshua Hylton, Centralia, Wash.
Devin Lewis, DeSoto, Texas
Mikayla Lucas, Las Vegas, Nev.
Shaylin Martinez, Wichita, Kan.
Corlyn McGaha, Hooker, Okla.
Anna McIntire, Lawrence, Kan.
Adrian Noriega, Marana, Ariz.
Brandi Olivarez, Mansfield, Texas
Destiny Ortiz, Burleson, Texas
Hauw Celline Raharjo, Semarang, Indonesia
Jennifer Swenson, Little River, Kan.
Zoe Tevaga, Waimanalo, Hawaii
Lissette Tovar, Wichita, Kan.
Addison Turner, McPherson, Kan.
Joseph Twibell, Cosmopolis, Wash.

Seniors and Unclassified
Max Claerhout, Hesston, Kan.
Hope Dewey, Wichita, Kan.
Robert Gambill, Midwest City, Okla.
Tana Hayworth, Lincoln, Kan.
Isabella Reece, Wichita, Kan.
Ashleigh Williams, Eaton, Colo.
Kaleb Wise, Newton, Kan.

Hesston College Summer Theatre Camp returns with “The Lightning Thief”

Student actors from ages 11 to 18 are invited to join Hesston College Performing Arts for their 11th annual summer theatre camp, June 21 to 27. The weeklong theatre immersion will culminate in a public performance of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” on June 27. Campers will have the opportunity to work closely with Hesston College faculty and performance professionals as they receive training in acting, voice, dance and tech.

“Our theatre camp has kids who have done theatre for a long time and campers who have never set foot on a stage,” explains Hesston College Theatre Professor Rachel Jantzi. “It also welcomes those with many or zero years of experience working backstage. It's a great place to find and grow your talent, but more importantly to work on humility, professionalism and kindness to create a great show.”

In addition to two show rehearsals each day, campers will participate in a variety of fun evening activities including swimming, a talent show, a lip sync competition and a bonfire on the final night. Jantzi believes these activities allow campers to form lasting memories with their peers.

“While learning and building the show brings us together for a common purpose, the thing campers talk about most are the relationships,” says Jantzi. “They find a community of friends who all love what they love.”

Jantzi hopes the familiarity of the Percy Jackson books, movies and TV series will encourage prospective campers to give acting a try. She believes the underlying themes of the show are important values for kids to experience.

“I love the story of a kid who finds out he can do more than he thought possible,” says Jantzi. “Most people who are familiar with the 2005 book or the film that followed know that Percy Jackson learns he is a demi-god who is being blamed for the theft of Zeus's lightning bolt. To prove his innocence and save his mother, who has been taken to the Underworld, Percy teams with two others who help him prevent an all out war between the Greek gods. It deals with themes of family and friendship, teamwork and tenacity.”

Theatre camp registration is $350 per person and includes lodging and meals for seven days and six nights, or $300 for day camp only. A discount is available for families registering more than one student. Those interested can visit the hesston.edu/theatrecamp page for details and to register online. Registration is due June 19.

Photo caption – Participants in Hesston College’s 2025 Summer Theatre Camp perform scenes from “Beetlejuice: The Musical.” This year’s weeklong immersive theatre experience will culminate in a performance of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” at 2 p.m. on June 27 in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on the Hesston College campus.

Hesston College celebrates 116th annual commencement ceremony

The Hesston College graduating class of 2026 celebrated the close of one chapter and the beginning of another during the college’s 116th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, in Yost Center. Through messages centered on faith, trust and the power of community, graduates were encouraged to embrace the unknown with confidence in God’s calling and gratitude for the relationships that shaped their journey.

This year’s commencement address, delivered by nursing professor Chantel Cherney, encouraged graduates to “never say never” and to trust in God’s plan for them.

“Be open to where God may lead you, because the truth is, God’s calling on your life might take you places you never thought you could go or maybe never wanted to go,” shared Cherney. “But, in my experience, the places I never thought I’d go or wanted to go to have pulled me closer to His presence, given me a sense of purpose and brought me peace that only comes from living out God’s calling on your life.”

President Mark Landes conferred 29 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, three Bachelor of Science in aviation – professional pilot degrees, four Bachelor of Arts in business management degrees, one Bachelor of Science in engineering degree, 53 associate degrees and one missional leadership certificate. The graduating class of 2026 includes members from 11 countries including the U.S.

The prayer of invocation was delivered by President Landes and the prayer of dedication was given by Ben and Susan Miller Setiawan, parents of aviation graduate Sam Setiawan of Goshen, Ind. Two students, Madison Jarvis, associate degree graduate from St. Francisville, La., and Kendall Boughfman, a bachelor’s degree graduate from McPherson, Kan., were nominated by other graduating students and voted on by their peers to address graduates.

Jarvis encouraged graduates to give their worries and anxiety to God in her address centered around Matthew 6:34, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

“God commands us to not worry, that is the reason to have hope in his plans,” explained Jarvis. “God calls us to be present to live our lives in him because he is with us here and now. As we navigate through this life journey there will be struggles, setbacks, crisis, sickness and difficulties. But we must realize there is beauty in our present moments.”

Boughfman reflected on the community she found in her time at Hesston and the mixed emotions of leaving it behind.

“If anyone in this room is considering Hesston College, this is your sign,” encouraged Boughfman. “You will find more than an education here. You will gain a community of friends, and even family. And that is what makes today so bittersweet. It is the end of an era, but the exciting start of something new.”

The 29 nursing program graduates were honored at a Nursing Pinning ceremony in the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church on the morning of May 16. Graduates received their nursing pins as well as the traditional blessing of hands from Hesston College nursing faculty.

Other commencement weekend events included several music recitals and a theatre showcase. A concert in honor of longtime faculty member Ken Rodgers titled Music and Memories was held on the evening of May 15.

Hesston College announces winners of 2026 Acuity Writing Contest

From deeply personal reflections to imaginative storytelling and timely cultural commentary, Hesston College students once again showcased their creativity and talent through the annual Acuity Writing Contest. Recognizing exceptional student work in fiction, nonfiction, editorial writing and poetry, this year’s winners are featured in the 2026 edition of “Acuity: The Journal for Writing and Art,” now available to view online at hesston.edu/acuity2026.

The 2026 Acuity Writing Contest winners are:

Fiction

• First Place — “Beneath the Stars” by Justin Young (sophomore from Richardson, Texas)
• Honorable Mention — “Life” by Juan Hernandez (freshman from Allen, Texas)
• Honorable Mention — “Embodiment of Vengeance” by Trent Lane (sophomore from Houston, Texas)

Nonfiction

• First Place — “Grit Runs in the Family” by Luis Garcia (freshman from San Antonio, Texas)
• Honorable Mention — “Reckless but Breathing” by Ivin Kollabathula (freshman from Manado, Indonesia)

Editorial

• First Place — “Lights, Camera, Representation” by Perla Lopez
• Honorable Mention — “Treating Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis” by Jazmin Morales (freshman from Topeka, Kan.)

Poetry

• First Place — “Scars” by Cindy Smith (freshman from Park City, Kan.)
• Honorable Mention — “Cosmic Love” by Suryansh Shetty (sophomore from Auckland, New Zealand)

According to Miriam Barton, English professor and contest coordinator, this year’s contest featured a particularly strong and diverse collection of submissions, highlighting the assorted voices and creative perspectives found across the Hesston College community.

“Each year, ‘Acuity’ offers a glimpse into the creativity and thoughtfulness of our students, but this year’s entries especially reflected a willingness to take risks and tell meaningful stories,” Barton shares. “These writers explored personal experiences, social issues and imaginative worlds with honesty and originality, and it is exciting to celebrate the talent represented in this year’s journal.”

Students were recognized during a campus formation event on April 29, where first place winners had the opportunity to read all or part of their winning entry to those in attendance.

The 2026 edition of “Acuity” showcases not only the award-winning literary pieces, but also artwork created by Hesston College students, continuing the journal’s tradition of celebrating creative expression across campus.

LarkFest 2026 honors student leaders, athletes and campus changemakers

Hesston College celebrated student excellence during its annual LarkFest awards ceremony on Friday, May 8, recognizing outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, the arts and campus involvement. Student-athletes were also honored during the college’s annual athletic banquet earlier in the week.

The top honors included the announcement of the 2026 Lark of the Year recipients, the college’s highest student recognition. Taiga Goto (Tokyo, Japan) received the associate degree honor, while Tana Hayworth (Lincoln, Kan.) was recognized as the bachelor’s degree recipient. Nominated by the Hesston Experience team, Goto and Hayworth were selected by a faculty vote for their exceptional leadership, scholarship and service to the Hesston College community.

In athletics, Ashleigh Williams (Eaton, Colo.) was named Female Student Athlete of the Year and Yura Yamazaki (Sagamihara, Japan) earned Male Student Athlete of the Year honors.

“LarkFest is one of our favorite traditions because it gives us the opportunity to celebrate the many ways our students contribute to campus life,” said President Mark Landes. “These awards reflect leadership, creativity, service, perseverance and excellence both inside and outside the classroom. We are proud of the impact these students have made on our community.”

Other LarkFest award recipients include:

• Alumni Phonathon Money Bags: Muhammad Hasan (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
• Alumni Phonathon Motor Mouth: Muhammad Hasan (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
• Admissions Student Worker Lead Chaos Coordinator: Celline Raharjo (Semarang, Indonesia)
• Admissions Student Worker Chaos Wrangler: Elsa Rayneau (Malang, Indonesia)
• Admissions Student Ambassador People’s Choice: Audrey Befort (Harper, Kan.)
• Admissions Student Ambassador Rising Star: Muhammad Hasan (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
• Theatre Standing O: Sam Setiawan (Goshen, Ind.)
• Art Best of Show in the Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition: Constance Feldt (Wichita, Kan.)
• Nursing Club Leadership Award: Brianna Hicks (Newton, Kan.) and Kyndal Simpson (Hesston, Kan.)
• Peer Educator of the Year: Ethan Connelly (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
• Outstanding Academic Achievement by an International Student: Blen Tadesse Bezuwork (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) and Miyu Fujii (Osaka, Japan)
• Lark Leader Community Assistant of the Year: Anna McIntire (Lawrence, Kan.)
• Lark Leader Ministry Assistant of the Year: Ky Kougl (Edmond, Okla.)
• Lark Leader Wellness Assistant of the Year: Lauren Payne (Geuda Springs, Kan.)
• Yoder/Zaid Chemistry Scholarship: Mariah Hall (Lawton, Okla.)
• Daniel Gerber Peace and Service Award: Lilith Jackson (Newton, Kan.)
• Bill Mason Business Scholars: Gresa Arapi (Cypress, Texas), Luis Jimenez (Dallas, Texas), Anna McIntire (Lawrence, Kan.) and Samuel Vasquez Ortega (Sincelejo, Columbia)

The athletic banquet also recognized outstanding performances and contributions across Hesston College athletics. In addition to Williams and Yamazaki, award recipients include:

Volleyball

• Culture Keeper: Bethanie Haag (Wichita, Kan.)
• Engine: Audrey Garrison (Wiesbaden, Germany)
• Whatever It Takes: Kennedie Esparza (Erie, Colo.)

Men’s Soccer

• MVP: Alexander Radu (London, England)
• Defensive Player of the Year: James Hori (Sevenoaks, England)
• Newcomer of the Year: Harry Morris (Ebbw Vale, Wales)
• Champion of Character: Saul Pineda (Conroe, Texas)

Women’s Soccer

• Offensive Player of the Year: Rena Itoga (Saitama, Japan)
• Defensive Player of the Year: Emilie Romero (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
• Champion of Character: Ashleigh Williams (Eaton, Colo.)

Men’s Basketball

• Stock Riser: Tatum Steinhoff (Wichita, Kan.)
• Energizer Bunny: Brody Smith (Cache, Okla.)
• Keys for Success: Ky Kougl (Edmond, Okla.)

Women’s Basketball

• MVP: Akiva Brown (Plano, Texas)
• “Mouse That Roared”: Hanah DeBelle (Castle Rock, Colo.)
• Champion of Character: Keira Pineda (Comanche, Okla.)

Esports

• Lark’d In: Juan Hernandez (Allen, Texas)
• Teammate of the Year: Dominic De La Rosa (Adairsville, Ga.)
• Academic Excellence: Ethan Connelly (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

Powerlifting

• Male Lifter of the Year: George Bates (Newton, Kan.)
• Female Lifter of the Year: Beth Whitney (Maize, Kan.)
• Spark Plug: Aiko Keanaaina (Kahuku, Hawaii)
• Iron Lark: Connor Bear (Sequim, Wash.)

Golf

• Most Improved Athlete: Aaron Hartman (Abilene, Kan.)
• Culture Award: Kory Meireis (Kingman, Kan.)

Dance

• Pillar of Leadership: Amy Hunley (Owensboro, Ky.)
• Rookie of the Year: Isabella Milla Orridge (Plano, Texas)

Disc Golf

• Men’s MVP: Devin Miller (Hesston, Kan.)
• Women’s MVP: Lily Corkill (Olsburg, Kan.)
• Field Work: Nolan Gorman (Redmond, Ore.)

Baseball

• Player Development: Camden Stateler (Wichita, Kan.)
• Program Builder: Kaleb Wise (Newton, Kan.)
• Dirtbag: Corbin Broyles (Longview, Texas)
• Heart & Hustle: Kreyton Johnson (Queen Creek, Ariz.)
• Champion of Character: Chris Cammllarie (McKinney, Texas)

Flag Football

• Iron Will: Lauren Payne (Geuda Springs, Kan.)
• Game Changer: Akiva Brown (Plano, Texas)
• Stock Riser: Liliana Espinoza (Galva, Kan.)

Softball

• MVP: Chloe Merjil (Belle Fourche, S.D.)
• Everyday: Serena Hewes (Battle Ground, Wash.)

Cross Country

• Men’s MVP: Jonah Krumme (Wichita, Kan.)
• Men’s Culture Award: Jack Hunter (Abilene, Kan.)
• Women’s MVP: Arissa Cathey (Abilene, Kan.)
• Women’s Culture Award: Maddy Ralph (Colwich, Kan.)

Track and Field

• Men’s MVP: Nathan Lewis (Wichita, Kan.)
• Men’s Culture Award: Landon Lunsford (Newton, Kan.)
• Women’s MVP: Krystina Clemons (Morrilton, Ark.)
• Women’s Culture Award: Ellie Smith (Canon City, Colo.)

Music and Memories: A Concert Celebrating Ken Rodgers’ Four Decades at Hesston College

Join Hesston College and the wider community on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. in Hesston Mennonite Church for a special evening honoring longtime music faculty member Ken Rodgers. The concert, "Music and Memories," will feature performances by Bel Canto Singers, organ selections by Rodgers and piano duets, along with opportunities for congregational singing. Rodgers will also share reflections and highlights from his nearly four decades at Hesston College.

Following the concert, attendees are invited to a reception in the church’s community center, including an open mic time to share stories and memories in celebration of Rodgers’ lasting impact.

This event is designed to bring together campus, church, alumni and community members to recognize and celebrate all that Rodgers has contributed through his teaching, musicianship and connections built across generations of students and audiences. Since beginning his career at Hesston in 1988, he has influenced thousands of students and represented the college through choir tours across the U.S. and internationally.

Watch the live stream

For Ken Rodgers, the story of Hesston College is deeply personal.

A Hesston student from 1983 to 1985, Rodgers returned to campus in 1988 as a 23-year-old instructor, stepping into a role that would become a four-decades-long calling. What stood out immediately to him wasn’t just the work, but the people.

“Almost the entire faculty had been my teachers just three years earlier, and just immediately, I was just accepted as one of their colleagues,” he shares. “And that really impressed me.”

That sense of belonging — a culture where every voice matters — would shape not only Rodgers’ experience, but the way he approached his own work with students.

Over the next 37 years, Rodgers became a central figure in the life of the college’s music program, working with thousands of students in classrooms, rehearsals and performances. His work also carried him far beyond campus. Through decades of choir tours across the country and around the world, he connected with alumni and congregations in hundreds of settings, becoming a familiar and trusted presence for many who know Hesston College through its music.

“I have probably been on the road, like on choir tours, three to four years of my life,” he says. “And I have loved that so much. You’re connecting with students in a time when they’re not busy with schoolwork. … I cherish those moments.”

Despite that wide-reaching impact, Rodgers reflects on his role with humility.

“What a privilege,” he says. “College is such a formative time … I think it’s a place where students can ask questions and be pushed and yet be in a place where they are loved and supported.”

While the concerts and destinations were meaningful, Rodgers says the heart of those experiences was always something simpler.

“It’s not the places or the concerts,” Rodgers admits, “it’s getting to show students these things that I’ve also enjoyed.”

That focus on people — helping students grow, connect and discover their own abilities — has defined his approach to teaching.

“What I love the most is helping them unlock their own skills and improve them,” he shares.

Along the way, Rodgers built relationships that lasted long after graduation. Notes from former and current students, many kept in what he calls his “happy file,” serve as reminders of the quiet but lasting impact of his work.

“When students send a thank you note, I’m always kind of blown away that they are aware enough to do that,” he says, noting most students, including himself at that age, don’t think about doing something like that until years later.

For Rodgers, staying at Hesston for nearly four decades was never about routine, it was about purpose.

“It’s always felt like a privilege to be able to work here and a calling,” he explains. “I love the people I work with, and I love the students. They keep you young!”

Now as he prepares to step away from his role, Rodgers does so with gratitude and a sense of peace about what comes next. He plans to pursue further study at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, with a desire to explore pastoral ministry.

“It just has felt like the right thing,” admits Rodgers. “Someone else will bring in new energy and new ideas for a new era.”

Even as he looks ahead, Rodgers is clear about what Hesston College has meant to him and what he hopes he leaves behind.

“My main hope is that I have brought joy to people,” he says, “that I have brought a great deal of joy to this place.”

That spirit of joy will be at the center of the May 15 celebration. While the evening honors Rodgers’ career, he hopes it reflects something even broader.

“I hope it is a time of enjoying good music, of enjoying community, of being together and of celebrating not me, but music at Hesston College.”

As the Hesston community gathers for “Music and Memories,” the concert will mark both an ending and a continuation — a chance to celebrate a legacy while looking ahead to what comes next.

And for Rodgers, Hesston will never be far away.

“It’s a special part of who I am, and I will be a strong cheerleader from somewhere else.”

Top honors awarded at 2026 Hesston College juried student art exhibit

Standout student artwork takes center stage at Hesston College as the 2026 Juried Student Art Exhibit celebrates this year’s award-winning artists. The exhibit, on display through May 1 in the Regier-Friesen Gallery in Laban Peachey Center (325 S College Dr, Hesston), invites the community to experience the creativity and vision of Hesston students.

This year’s top honors were awarded to:

• Best of Show — “Tomorrow” by Constance Feldt, freshman from Wichita, Kan. (ceramic tile triptych)
• Merit Award I — “Though I Have Grown Old the Bell Still Rings” by Anna Franco, sophomore from El Paso, Texas (graphite on paper)
• Merit Award II — “Growing Wild” by Elsa Rayneau, junior from Malang, Indonesia (watercolor on paper)
• Juror’s Choice — “Weirdo” by Evelyn Gaertner, sophomore from Newton, Kan. (stoneware teapot)

This year’s exhibit was juried by ceramic artist Zach Tate, an art professor from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, who noted the wide range of mediums and subject matter represented, as well as students’ willingness to pursue their own ideas beyond assigned coursework.

“By bringing in an outside juror we give our students the opportunity to have their work evaluated by an unfamiliar set of eyes as well as have our art program identify trends in the works and interests of our students that may be missed when you work closely with the same students on a daily basis,” shares Joshua Cross, Hesston College art professor.

The annual exhibit features two-dimensional and three-dimensional works submitted by students from across all majors, offering a glimpse into the depth of artistic exploration happening on campus.

The exhibit is open to the public through May 1. Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to stop by and celebrate the work of these award-winning student artists.

below 2026 juried student art exhibit winners: (top) Best of Show — “Tomorrow” by Constance Feldt; (bottom left) Merit Award I — “Though I Have Grown Old the Bell Still Rings” by Anna Franco; (bottom center) Merit Award II — “Growing Wild” by Elsa Rayneau; (bottom right) Juror’s Choice — “Weirdo” by Evelyn Gaertner