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It started with a pencil: Dick and Ruth Ann’s story

Dick and Ruth Ann’s Story

When Ruth Ann (Detweiler) ’60 and Dick Toews ’60 first came to Hesston in 1958, they had no idea the small Kansas town would become the place where they would build their lives together.

They came to Hesston College as students, met during their first year and married in 1961. They raised a family, worked in the community, served their neighbors and opened their home to generations of Hesston College students.

Now, 65 years after their wedding, Hesston is still home.

“There were some rocky parts in life, but there were some really good ones,” Dick said.

“Most of the good ones are here,” Ruth Ann elaborated. “Family, friends and faith are what's important to us and have helped us through our time together.”

It started with a pencil

Dick and Ruth Ann’s story began before they officially met.

Ruth Ann remembers seeing Dick when their high schools played against each other in softball. She was attending Corn Bible Academy, while Dick was at Oklahoma Bible Academy.

“I went over with our softball team to play softball at Corn,” Dick said.

“I saw him, and I said, ‘Oh, wow, he’s cute,’” Ruth Ann shared.

Unfortunately, Ruth Ann soon learned Dick already had a girlfriend.

“His cousin happened to be standing by me,” Ruth Ann explained, “and she said, ‘Oh, don’t look. He’s had a girlfriend for three years. They’ll be getting married when he’s out of school.’”

That didn’t stop their paths from crossing again.

When both arrived at Hesston College in 1958, they met during Walk a Mile, what used to be a traditional Opening Weekend activity where students had the opportunity to meet one another.

“I did go to him, and we started talking and laughing,” Ruth Ann said.

She noticed he was wearing a ring on his little finger, but that didn’t keep them from enjoying the evening.

Later, Ruth Ann spotted Dick walking down the sidewalk while she was in the library.

“I got my pencil out and dropped it down the window,” she said.

The pencil got his attention.

From college students to newlyweds

The two eventually began dating, then they were married May 19, 1961.

Their early years together were filled with small, ordinary moments that would eventually become cherished memories.

For a short time after their wedding, they even lived in the basement of Ruth Ann’s parents while waiting for their apartment to become available.

“Her parents were just super, super nice,” Dick said.

Dick remembers Ruth Ann’s resourcefulness during their early years. When they needed a car, they were able to pay cash because Ruth Ann had saved her money.

“That was kind of one of our things, though,” Ruth Ann said. “I’m a tight person.”

Dick chuckled.

Over the years, they learned how to navigate the ordinary challenges of marriage — and plenty of unexpected ones.

Dick spent decades serving with the local ambulance department, which meant he could be called away at any time. He remembers having his keys, wallet and other necessities ready so he could get out the door quickly. His goal was to make it from the house to town in three minutes. That dedication occasionally created some interesting moments at home.

One night, Ruth Ann had rearranged the bedroom furniture. Dick, exhausted after working multiple jobs, came home and went to bed without noticing. Later that night, his pager went off. He jumped out of bed, ready to respond, and suddenly found himself disoriented.

Ruth Ann had moved the bed. After all those years, they learned to laugh at the unexpected parts of life.

Hesston became home

When Dick and Ruth Ann arrived in Hesston, the town had around 800 people. They watched the community change over the years, and today, its population is nearly 4,000.

While they changed alongside it, Hesston College remained a major part of their lives. Ruth Ann worked at the college for 31 years in the registrar’s office. Dick worked in maintenance for several years before eventually dedicating much of his career to emergency services.

Their connection to the college extended beyond their jobs. For more than 40 years, they lived in a house across from the church on campus. Their home became a place where students could stop by, visit and spend time with them.

“They came out to our house a lot,” Ruth Ann recalled.

That connection to Hesston College also became part of their family’s story. Their sons, Bob ’83 and Rick ’85 ’86, attended Hesston College, and their son Randall worked at the college as an environmental services manager. Their grandson Trevor ’13 and granddaughter Julian ’21 also attended as well.

For Ruth Ann, those relationships became some of her favorite memories. Even years later, she remains in contact with some of the students she met through her work at the college.

What began with two students arriving on campus in 1958 grew into a connection that reached across generations — through education, work, friendships and family.

What they would tell today’s students

When asked what advice they would give current Hesston College students, Dick pointed back to the relationships he and Ruth Ann formed during their college years.

“A lot of our college experience was the social interaction with different people,” he said.

For Dick and Ruth Ann, those relationships did not end when they left college. They continued through church, work, community service, family and friendships.

Their story is a reminder that college can become much more than an education. It can be where people find lifelong friends, discover a community and begin the relationships that shape the rest of their lives.

For Dick and Ruth Ann, that story began in Hesston in 1958. It continued through 65 years of marriage. And it is still being written.

They came to Hesston as two young college students. They stayed. And somewhere along the way, Hesston became home.

Hesston College to celebrate 60 years of nursing at Homecoming 2026

Alumni, friends, families and community members are invited to return to the Hesston College campus for Homecoming 2026, Sept. 25 to 27. The weekend will celebrate the Hesston Experience through reunions, traditions, athletics, student showcases and the 60th anniversary of Hesston College’s nursing program.

The Nursing Showcase will commemorate six decades of nursing education. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the program’s history and tour Bonnie Sowers Nursing Center, including its simulation labs and learning technology.

“The Nursing Showcase is an opportunity to celebrate that history while also looking toward the future,” shares Gregg Schroeder, director of nursing education and health studies and HC class of ’86 nursing alum. “I hope visitors experience a sense of pride in what Hesston’s nursing program has accomplished and get a glimpse of how nursing education has evolved.”

From simple simulated patients to high-fidelity manikins and virtual and augmented reality, nursing students now have access to technology that helps them develop hands-on skills, clinical reasoning and judgment before interacting with patients in clinical settings. Schroeder says that while the technology has changed, the heart of Hesston’s nursing program remains the same.

“Most importantly, I hope visitors see that we still develop the human side of nursing — the knowledge, clinical judgment, compassion and commitment that we nurture during their time at Hesston,” Schroeder explains.

In addition to celebrating the nursing program, Homecoming weekend will offer a variety of opportunities for alumni, students, families and friends to reconnect with the Hesston community.

Other Homecoming highlights include Passport to Our Global Community, softball and baseball alumni games, a reverse Druber’s run, the Biblical Literature in a Modern World session and the annual Homecoming Family Festival.

While there is much to do and enjoy during Homecoming 2026, Lisa (Hostetler) ’90 Longacher, vice president of advancement, shares what she is most looking forward to.

“The Passport to Our Global Community session showcases a few of our international students who will share about their respective cultures,” she explains. “This is a fun way to hear from our students as well as to learn about different cultures.”

The weekend will also bring together two Hesston traditions: alumni connection and ice cream. Clay’s Cones, founded by John ’11 and Saralyn (Murray) ’19 Oyer, will sell ice cream on Friday night during the volleyball game and reverse Druber's run. Then Salted Creamery, founded by Kendra Burkey ’00, will sell ice cream Saturday night during the Family Festival and men’s soccer game.

“What do you do when there are two local businesses started by HC alumni,” asks Longacher? “You invite each of them to come and serve ice cream both nights of Homecoming!”

A complete schedule of Homecoming Weekend 2026 events and registration information is available at hesston.edu/homecoming.

Truth, rumor and reputation take center stage in “The Children’s Hour”

Hesston College Theatre will present Lillian Hellman’s “The Children’s Hour” October 1 to 4 in the Black Box Theater in Keim Center for Performing Arts Education.

Set at a private 1930s New England boarding school for girls, “The Children’s Hour” follows Karen and Martha whose lives, careers and relationships are upended when a student, seeking to escape punishment, invents a damaging rumor about the two women. As the accusation spreads through the community, the play explores the destructive power of deception and prejudice.

Hesston College Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi first encountered the play as an undergraduate student and returned to it during graduate school. Twenty-five years later, she wants to direct it for her 50th show produced on HC theatre's stage. 

“The vulnerability of its characters and the fact that it’s rooted in a true event made an impact on me,” Jantzi explains. “It provided many layers to work through as a young actor and even more so as a director. I have also enjoyed watching my students come to appreciate a piece I found moving when I was their age.” 

The themes of the play continue to resonate with modern audiences, particularly its exploration of how financial power and social position can influence the lives of people without either. The production also examines how quickly sensationalism can take precedence over truth.

“I love watching my students come to appreciate a piece I found moving when I was their age,” Jantzi says.

One of the production’s challenges has been finding the balance between the play’s tragic ending and the vibrant lives of its central characters.

“It’s a play that ends tragically, but these are not tragic women,” Jantzi shares. “They are lively, sassy, loving individuals, and I want to make sure we see all sides of these complex characters.”

The cast and crew are bringing the empathy and maturity necessary to explore the play’s difficult subject matter. Student designers are also taking on leadership roles for the production, giving HC theatre students an opportunity to develop their technical and creative skills.

The community is invited to come experience the show October 1 to 3 at 7 p.m. and October 4 at 2 p.m. in Keim Center’s Black Box Theater. Tickets are available at the door or online at hesston.edu/showtix, $10 for adults and $5 for students. Parental guidance is encouraged for minors; this show contains topics of homophobia and suicide that may be unsettling to certain audiences.  

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.