Hesston College Today spring 2011

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S P RI N G 2 0 1 1 w w w. h e sst o n . e d u

Erb Hall Renovation

Hesston College Today is the official publication of Hesston College, published three times yearly at Hesston, Kan., for alumni and friends of Hesston College. Address correspondence to Hesston College Today, Box 3000, Hesston, KS 67062, or e-mail to rachels@hesston.edu.

Editor Alumni News Graphic Design Photography Printing

Rachel Schlegel Dallas Stutzman Nancy Miller Larry Bartel Baker Bros. Printing

Hesston College Board of Overseers Norm Yoder ’67, Henderson, Neb., Chair Kelvin Friesen ’73, Archbold, Ohio,Vice Chair Dee Custar ’98, West Unity, Ohio, Secretary Dale Beachey ’66, Sarasota, Fla., Treasurer Ginny (Davidhizar) ’68 Birky, Newberg, Ore. Wilbur Bontrager ’73, Middlebury, Ind. Annette (Steider) ’83 Brown, Frisco, Texas Luke Hartman ’89, Harrisonburg,Va. Denton Jantzi ’94, Hesston, Kan. Harley Kooker ’66, Christiana, Pa. Phyllis (Liechty) ’69 Nofziger, Goshen, Ind. Jorge Vallejos, Sandy Springs, Ga. Alumni Officers Mark Yoder ’80, President, Wichita, Kan., 316-440-2813, myoder@bethelks.edu Jan (Swartz) ’74 Erb,Vice President, Hesston, Kan., 620-327-2321, erbhouse@cox.net Alumni Advisory Council Kermit Ac57, ’60 and Clydene (Jantz) ’61 Gingerich, Mountain Home, Idaho, 208-845-2875, kcgingerich@gmail.com Don ’69 and Shirley (Good) ’70 Kempf, Shickley, Neb., 402-627-7595, donaldkempf@windstream.net Patsy (King) ’75 and Doug ’74 Unruh, Perryton, Texas, 806-435-4558, patsyunruh@hotmail.com Lynn ’80 and Janice (Leichty) ’80 Hostetler, Kalona, Iowa, 319-656-3022, hobunch@kctc.net Glen ’88 and Rhonda (Yoder) ’88 Rhodes, Arthur, Ill., 217-543-2440, glenarhodes@yahoo.com Ben ’97 and Angie (Book) ’98, ’02 Savanick, Scottdale, Pa., 724-887-0193, skyben51@hotmail.com Jeremy ’00 and Erin (Nebel) ’00 Kempf, Goshen, Ind., 574-903-0577, jeremykempf@mennonitemission.net Dave Miller ’07, Milford, Neb., 402-761-4393, david67@windstream.net

Table of Contents

4

Cover story: Making the old “new” new again. The 42-year continuing history of Erb Hall central and west.

6 Alumni profile: Marissa King.

How Hesston College led Marissa King to discover a passion for education and the Spanish language.

7 Student profile: Lyn Ungang. One student’s reflections on the journey to Hesston College and college life.

8 When I was a student… Alumni and current students share favorite memories and lessons from life in the Hesston College dorms.

10 Thanks for sending your very best. A celebration of alumni families with current Hesston College students.

11 Excel Industries’ gift to Erb Hall rooted in father’s philosophy of business, giving. Excel Industries’ lead gift to the Erb Hall Renovation Project was inspired by the relationship built among the Roy Mullet family, Hesston College and Excel Industries.

ALUMNI

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14 15 19

Campus community celebrates Elam Peachey’s life and service.

Elam Peachey will be remembered as a vital member of the Hesston College mission and community.

Coach ends 30-year Hesston career. A look at Art Mullet’s contributions and legacy as he completes his final semester as baseball coach and athletic director.

News briefs. Find out the latest news from campus.

Alumni news. Catch up on the lives and accomplishments of classmates and friends.

Columns. A staff and student perspective on the upcoming Erb Hall Renovation Project.

Visit www.hesston.edu for news and upcoming events.

N EW S

• The new year brings new beginnings as well as endings. Hesston College is planning many exciting activities on campus and across the country in 2011: Erb Hall Campaign Updates; Common Threads: Anabaptist and African-American Songs and Stories of Suffering and Hope; Bel Canto and Chorale choir performances; athletic events; President Keim and

faculty presentations; Tony Brown Peace concerts; and Mennonite Church USA Convention July 4 to 9.

• The unexpected death of colleague, supervisor and friend Elam Peachey has caused all of us at Hesston College to value what is most important in our lives. Elam will be greatly missed.Your prayers during this time are appreciated.

• Through relationships with Shoua Moua ’90, Jeff Wintermote ’80 and Herm Weaver ’79, four Hmong pastors from Thailand and the U.S. visited our campus in early January.This was a wonderful interaction exploring opportunities for Hmong students to come for a Hesston education. It was a moment when I clearly knew why I work at Hesston College as a part of God’s Kingdom!

• Alumni are invited to Homecoming 2011 September 23 to 25, which will focus on an Aviation alumni reunion and presentations, and class reunions with small affinity group gatherings.

• To ensure you are getting all the latest Hesston and classmate informa- tion updates, visit the alumni page at www.hesston.edu to give your

contact information, as well as to tell us about your new job, degree, spouse, baby or other life events.

Dallas L. Stutzman ’76, Director of Alumni and Church Relations

3 Perspective

More than places to eat and sleep Some of the fondest memories of our alumni who were here as traditional students (ages 18 to 22) are from their lives in the dorm. Of course, they remember pranks, and those stories get embellished and stretched as they are retold over the years. But beyond the fun, the residence hall experience is usually one of the most formative of their lives.

At Hesston College, students learn to live in a close community. Their roommates and mod mates may be from other states, countries and cultures. They test their ideas in late-night conversations. They talk with their peers about important life decisions. They learn to lead as resident assistants, ministry assistants and student ambassadors. In our most recent alumni survey, alumni ranked our academic programs and student support systems very high. However, an even greater margin of difference between Hesston College and our comparison group is the quality of our Student Life programs.

This is why the Erb Hall central and west renovation project is so important. We must provide a comfortable, up-to-date and energy efficient living environment for our students. Residence halls are more than places to eat and sleep. They are the places where students meet lifelong friends, make important decisions and develop leadership skills.

Kauffman Court and Erb east have been remodeled in the last 10 years, but Erb central and west have original plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems and furnishings. Elsewhere in this issue you will find an opportunity to contribute to this project, and I hope you are able to do so.

I close this column with a tribute to Elam Peachey, a dedicated servant of Christ and advocate of Hesston College. He left this life far too soon for us, and we will miss his diligence, gentleness, curiosity and optimism. I will always be grateful for our friendship and his service to Hesston College.

Howard Keim, President

4 Cover Story

Making the old “new” new again

by Rachel Schlegel Freshmen Kenny Graber, Stryker, Ohio; Bradley Sandlin, Valley Center, Kan.; Stephen Quenzer, Visalia, Calif.; and Harrison Beachey, New Paris, Ind., play a video game in their Erb west lounge.

Curtis Denlinger

Archive photo

Orpha Zimmerly, affectionately known as Miss Zim, led the groundbreaking for Erb central and west March 26, 1968.

The best way to confuse a Hesston College graduate who attended in the 70s, 80s, or 90s is to say “Old Erb” when talking about Erb Hall central and west wings. In 2000, central and west, the dorm that had been known as “New Erb” for 30 years, lost its title to the newly renovated Erb east. In a matter of months, central and west will look to regain its historical alias as the college renovates the 42-year-old dorms.

Of all the factors that create the Hesston College Experience, dorm life dominates the memories that surface when on-campus students and alumni reminisce. Dorms are where students spend a majority of their time and develop lasting friendships. Study sessions, plans for the next great prank and conversations of life, love and faith are common dorm room themes.

If the rooms in Erb Hall central and west could talk, they would have countless stories to tell. The 92 rooms have been home to Hesston College students for 42 years. Many students have studied at the same desk their parents did some 20 years before. Closets have held four decades of fashion, and the furniture has been moved into more arrangements than can be counted.

After 42 years, Erb central and west is showing its age. Rusted pipes and worn furniture have left the building in need of a facelift. The windows, roof and bathrooms have all been updated in previous phases of improvement. The dorm rooms and lounges are scheduled to be renovated beginning in May after graduation and finished by the time students return in August.

“Students love Erb central and west for the benefits of community lounge space and not having to walk outside to meals when it’s cold, but they are ready for an update,” said Brent Brockmueller ’01, who is in his sixth year as Resident Director. “The paint, carpet and furniture are worn and dingy. At first glance, it’s not the most welcoming space.”

An enrollment boom in the mid-1960s led to a need for more student housing. Even after completing Kauffman Court in 1967, which added rooms for 160 men, and renovating Erb east to house 100 women, the college planned for an addition to Erb Hall that would house 184 women.

Orpha Zimmerly, Dean of Women, turned the first shovel of dirt for the new addition at the groundbreaking March 26, 1968.

The first wave of women moved from Green Gables into the new dorms in January 1969. On March 15, 1969, 25 more women transitioned from the 25-year-old Bungalow to their new living space. The building was dedicated

5 Cover Story

May 31, 1969, during commencement weekend.

Now at the 42-year mark, the construction and furnishings can boast durability, as the infrastructure and furniture remain mostly in the original form, having withstood the depreciation of time and thousands of students. Interiors and corroding pipes, however, reveal their age.

“The rooms are really showing the many years of use,” said Brockmueller.

“There are marks on the wall, closet units are coming loose, and the dressers and desks look worn. The newer furniture in Erb east and Kauffman Court gives space-saving options that aren’t available with what is in central and west.”

The Erb Hall central and west renovations have been an ongoing process over the last several years. Along with updated paint and carpet as needed, the building got new windows winter 2006 and a new roof summer 2007.

The bathrooms were renovated summer 2010, along with new mattresses.

The upcoming renovation will include new interiors and furniture, replacing rusty pipes, and new heating and cooling units. Plans include the possibility for lounges connecting central and west wings, a large community lounge over the bookstore and an elevator making all four floors accessible to everyone.

“Over and over again I see students in central and west using the common lounge spaces as places to gather and hang out with one another,” said Brockmueller. “We need to make what we have an inviting and comfortable space.

When we recruit students, we want to be able to show them that we have nice places for them to live.”

Sophomore Shelby Barrett from Beloit, Kan., confirmed Brockmueller’s sentiments.

“When I was looking at colleges, the condition of the dorms was an important factor for me,” said Barrett. “Hesston has the benefit of having larger rooms. The renovation will make all of the dorms a place students want to live.”

Besides making the space more comfortable and efficient for students, the renovation will also improve the college’s carbon footprint and reduce utility costs.

“This renovation is not only critical for the impact on the student experience, but also to address aging infrastructure,” said Don Weaver, Vice President of Finance and Auxiliary Services. “Replacing aging pipes and heating and cooling systems removes the risk of failure and lowers the overall cost of operation.”

The college is continuing a $3 million campaign to raise funds for the remaining improvements by 2011. Donors have pledged $2 million to date.

In the end, a question that remains is: Will the impending renovation mean “Old Erb” wins back its historical “New Erb” title?

Clayton Bontrager

Freshman Jason Tennefoss, Greenwood, Del., and sophomores Dani Klotz, Wakarusa, Ind., and Sheralynn Neff, North Newton, Kan., relax in an “old Erb” dorm room.

6 Alumni Profile

Marissa King ’05 First-grade teacher, Teach for America

Education after Hesston: B.A. in education and Teaching English as a Second Language from Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.). Working on M.A. in education at North Central University (Prescott, Ariz.)

Tell us about your career.

After graduating from Hesston I went to Guatemala for the Central American Study and Service program, which included three months of intensive language study, family stays and immersion in Central American culture. I stayed in Guatemala for two and a half more months to teach English.

I returned to Michigan to work as a parent liaison in an elementary school, taught English as a Second Language and took classes at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo).

I then enrolled at the University of Querétaro (central Mexico) for six months because of my love for Spanish.

When I returned to the U.S., I enrolled at Eastern Mennonite University where I earned my degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language in 2008, while working at Rosetta Stone as an assistant producer. While in Guatemala I came to believe that education is the means for change, so I applied for Teach for America, which works in under-resourced schools. The program helped me get certified to teach. I am in my third year of teaching first grade in Phoenix in a neighborhood where 97 percent of the population are not native English-speakers.

What are your biggest career accomplishments?

The idea that all children deserve an excellent education is what fuels my work. It makes a difference when students have a teacher who cares and is dedicated to academic success. My greatest accomplishment is watching my students leave my classroom with the skills to fulfill their potential.

Marissa King’s passion for education and Spanish began at Hesston College.

Which Hesston College instructors had an influence on you?

Lois Misegadis and Maria Day challenged me to be excellent in their classrooms rather than status quo.

What do you think about Hesston’s number two ranking?

I was quite surprised to hear that Hesston was named the number 2 twoyear college in the country until I looked at the evaluation standards. I was not surprised by the high student engagement score because of the quality professors who care and work to meet students’ individual needs. My classes at Hesston were interactive, engaging and rigorous.

How did Hesston College help determine the path your life and career would take?

So much of what I did at Hesston prepared me for studying abroad and working with people in a neighborhood where I am in the minority. My Spanish classes helped me understand the populations I wanted to communicate with and see the difficulties immigrants face. Art classes helped me approach problems in a more creative way.

7 Student Profile

Lyn Ungang ’12 Freshman, member of women’s basketball and soccer teams, Erb Hall Renovation Student Committee member Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D. Parents: Athanasus and Betty Ungang Major: Athletic training

How did you choose Hesston?

I was planning to go to McPherson (Kan.) College because of family connections. I started looking at small Christian colleges in the area. I found Hesston and applied. I had the opportunity to play basketball here, which was a big part of my decision to come. My dad, who is a pastor, had worked with a Mennonite community in Canada, and he was a supporter of my decision to go to a Mennonite school.

What activities were you involved with in high school?

I was a three-sport athlete in high school. I played basketball, soccer and ran track. I was also involved with DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), a student business organization and was the state secretary my senior year.

How did you decide on your major?

I had a job-shadowing experience and internship at an orthopedic institute during high school that started my interest in athletic training. My ultimate goal is to be a physical therapist. My experience with athletic training at Hesston has been positive. I spent about an hour each day during the fall semester in the training room with the athletic trainer (Clay Stauffer ’99) where I learned to tape ankles and do other basic tasks. I also helped Clay during basketball games. This semester I am taking his Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries class.

What have been some highlights from your Hesston College experience so far?

I really enjoyed General Psychology class with Dan Harrison last semester. I find myself analyzing my friends from time to time. Making friends and spending time with them has also been a lot of fun. I hang out in second floor Erb central mods often because that is where some of my friends live. We have a lot of fun and a lot of laughs together.

What do you think about Hesston’s number two ranking?

At first I was surprised to hear that Hesston was ranked number two. But after a semester on campus, I was able to see that it made sense, and I realized I picked a good college. Everybody here cares about you and wants to make sure you succeed.

Why is the Erb Hall Renovation Project important?

Students live here for nine months out of the year. It is important to have a nice living space and for the college to take care of what we have.

Lyn Ungang tapes a student athlete’s ankle in the training room as part of her athletic training classes.

8 Erb Hall

When I was a student. . .

One of my favorite things about living in the dorms was the conversations. Homework, classes, professors, family, hometowns and boys were all discussed in the hallway, in the dorm rooms and even the bathroom.

—Amanda (Heinrichs) ’95 Tyacke I and several friends once found a broken toilet which we intended to make into a planter or cooler for storing drinks. We just could not get it clean enough, so we decided it would be perfect for extra seating.

—Eric Short-Miller ’85 My fondest memory is the water fights in the dorms. Everyone had water balloons and launchers and water guns. No one was mad for getting wet. Let’s face it, it gets hot in Hesston. One time we accidentally broke a window.

—Brad Biocca ’96 The best prank we pulled in E3WS was creating a ball pit in the bathtub halfway full of water. We got a good laugh when friends would jump in the ball pit and jump right back up out of the cold water. I definitely miss all the friendships and being able to see those people day in and day out.

—Caleb Waidelich ’08 We once pulled a prank where we moved all the mod furniture into the RA’s room and her furniture into the mod lounge.

—Dawn (Schertz) ’89 Meyer

Archive photos

Back photo: Students in the 1990s.

Front photo: Student circa 1980

My friends and I wanted to go camping one night, but it was too cold, so we proceeded to move every potted plant and tree on campus to the first floor of Erb. Half the fun was distracting the RDs and quietly stealing the plants directly behind them. We built a tent in “the jungle,” complete with as many ornamental yard animals as we could find, an electric fireplace “campfire,” and a huge Girl Scout Cookie banner we “found.” All of the “borrowed” items were later returned of course. Getting caught a couple of times while returning them was worth the confused looks we got from some.

—Tyson Teeter ’94 We used to do aerobic exercises on second floor of Erb central. We would wear bright colors and meet in the center lounge area once or twice a week for music and quality time with friends. Even with the intensive cardio workout, we still gained the Freshman 15!

—Melody (Short) ’85 Short-Miller

9 Erb Hall

I love my mod! We are a very close group of girls and have a lot of fun.

Living in the dorms has taught me how to respect someone else’s space and privacy. My roommate and I have connected so well, and we really have something special. I hope that we are able to keep our friendship alive wherever we go after Hesston. The best prank pulled on us was when some boys put rotten eggs in our ceiling. It smelled awful! We attempted to get them back by putting the eggs in their mod, but by then you could pin point where the eggs were just by the smell.

—Kaedi LeFevre ’12 What I love most about living in the dorms is always having people around. I don’t have any siblings to hang out with at home, so having a roommate and always having people around me at school has been awesome. Living in the dorms has made me a more social person and always up for anything.

The best prank that I pulled was moving my roommate’s car onto the soccer practice field while she was gone. My friends and I used car paint to write “#1 KU fan,” and “I love KU!” on her car (she’s a K-State fan). Then we moved two soccer goals around her car and locked them together with bike locks.

—Lauren Weaver ’12 At 3 a.m. Oct. 4, 1975, Mary Lou (Schmidt) ’77 Bonham and I used bed sheets to dress as ghosts. We then crept around Erb Hall quietly shaking girls awake. Just as they would wake up, we would slip out the door. The next morning, some people were shaken up by the experience and some were furious. We confessed to being the ghosts later that day. That evening, as I was showering, the curtain was pulled back and a large pot of cold water was dumped on me. My roommate and I decided that every night for the remainder of our college life, we would lock our door.

—Beth Landis ’77 I appreciated the camaraderie with my mod mates in Erb Hall. Living in the dorm allowed me to experience living in a faith community. A favorite prank was dropping pennies from the third floor stairwell to interrupt the moment as guys kissed the girls goodnight at the bottom of the stairs.

—Wilma (Ressler) ’81 Cender One of my favorite pranks was when some girls in my mod made caramel covered “apples” (onions) for our brother mod. After their initial disgust, the guys liked the idea so much that they tried to share them with other guys in Kauffman Court.

—Allison Miller ’99

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10 Campus News

Thanks for sending your very best 83 alumni families sent students to Hesston this year.

Hannah Bachman—Beth ’75 Gerig and Dean Bachman, Tiskilwa, Ill. Jesse Baer—Sheila Yoder Baer ’84 and Jonathan Baer, Villa Ridge, Mo. Erin Banman—Teri (Mullet) ’92 and Jeff Banman, Lenexa, Kan. Jonathan Burkholder—Glenn ’79 and Mary Burkholder, Warden, Wash.

Jessica Coffman—Paul ’84 and Shelly Coffman, LaGrange, Ind. Michael Darby—Donna (Miller) ’76 and Carl Darby, Iowa City, Iowa Matthew Diller—Rod ’77 and Gwen Diller, Goshen, Ind. Jill Eigsti—Janice (Long) ’83 and Michael Eigsti, Goshen, Ind. Angela Entz—Charis (Wiebe) ’81 and Charles Entz, Whitewater, Kan. Becca Erb—Jim ’73 and Jan (Swartz) ’74 Erb, Hesston, Kan. Jodi Ferguson—Emily (Erb) ’82 and Mike Ferguson, Kalona, Iowa Lauren Franz—Raymond ’78 and Janet Franz, Hesston, Kan. Laura Good—Jeff ’81 and Kendra Good, Fisher, Ill. Kenny Graber—Joe ’83 and Karen (Miller) ’83 Graber, Stryker, Ohio Kirsti Graffenberger—Brian ’84 and Susie (Lather) ’84 Graffenberger, Albany, Ore. Jade Hathaway—David ’87 and Jeanette (Kauffman) ’87 Hathaway, Goshen, Ind. Josiah Hershberger—Roger ’75 and DeAnn (Willems) ’76 Hershberger, Richmond, Va. Erin Hershey—Ron ’88 and Rhoda (Lehman) ’87 Hershey, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Samantha Hines—Sam ’80 and Carol (Rupp) ’80 Hines, Newton, Kan. David and Phillip Hochstetler—Tim ’81 and Becky (Steider) ’81, former staff, Hochstetler, Strang, Neb. Kerri Hostetler—Lynn ’80 and Janice (Leichty) ’80 Hostetler, Kalona, Iowa Caleb Kandel—Jerry ’89, former staff, and Denise Kandel, Kouts, Ind. Katelyn Kaufman—Peter ’77 and Janel (Beyeler) ’78 Kaufman, Fonda, Iowa Melissa Keiry—Margo (Wittrig) ’82 and Dave Keiry, Central Point, Ore. Jonathan King—Nick ’72 and Ronda King, Hillsboro, Kan. Jordan King—Glen ’78, former faculty, and Judy King, Dalton, Ohio Megan Leatherman—Dean ’80 and Sondra (Wedel) ’80, faculty, Leatherman, Hesston, Kan. Sarah Lederman—Todd ’81 and Cindy (Troyer) ’82 Lederman, Middlebury, Ind. Kaedi LeFevre—Dennis ’83 and Jen (Friesen) ’84, faculty, LeFevre, Hesston, Kan. Rudy Litwiller—Russell ’72 and Sherry Litwiller, Minier, Ill. Allison Martin—Calvin ’78 and Karalee (White) ’76 Martin, Crawfordsville, Iowa Jaime Metzker—Jim ’77 and Sheri (Loganbill) ’77 Miller, Lebanon, Ore. Andrea McChesney—Neil McChesney’02, Hesston, Kan. Courtney Mast—Delvin ’78, former staff, and Anita (Nyce) ’80 Mast, Weatherford, Okla.

Karena Mast—Ron ’77 and Waneta (Auker) ’77 Mast, Mifflintown, Pa. Saralyn Mast—David ’81 and Karen (Stoltzfus) ’82 Mast, Ephrata, Pa. Andy Miller—Craig ’84 and Jenelle (Weaver) ’85 Miller, Marion, S.D. Katie Miller—Loren ’80 and Sharon Miller, Rio Rancho, N.M. Brandi Moore—Connie (Rogers) ’85 Janzen, Wichita, Kan.

Children of Alumni Scholarship Hesston College offers a $1,000 scholarship to children of alumni. If one or both parents have attended Hesston College, students receive that amount for each year they attend Hesston College.The scholarship is given automatically as part of the financial aid package.

Leah Mueller—Chuck ’78 and Ruth, former faculty, Mueller, Halstead, Kan. Joel Murray—John ’81 and Krista (Miller) ’82, staff, Murray, Hesston, Kan. Sheralynn Neff—Kathleen (Bitikofer) ’76 and Dana Neff, North Newton, Kan. John Oyer—Gary ’81, faculty, and Louisa Oyer, Hesston, Kan. Shawnti Peachey—Ed ’76 and Gwen (Heyerly) ’76 Peachey, Corvallis, Ore. Jordan Penner—Lee ’83 and Debra Penner, Newton, Kan. Krista and Leah Rittenhouse—Jane (Birky) ’78 and Don ’78 Rittenhouse (deceased), Mount Pleasant, Pa. Alex Roth—Clark ’82, former staff, and Deb (Swartzendruber) ’83, faculty, Roth, Hesston, Kan. Solomon Rudy—Carolyn (Peachey) ’79 and Jon Rudy, Manheim, Pa. Kelsey Schrock—Dawn (Schlabaugh) ’80 and Ezra Schrock, Wellman, Iowa Mallory Schroeder—Janice (Miller) ’77, staff, and Jim Schroeder, Newton, Kan. Becca Short—Deb (Grieser) ’79 and Randy Short, Archbold, Ohio Mara Short-Miller—Eric ’85 and Melody (Short) ’85 Short-Miller, Bellingham, Wash.

Josiah Simpson—Teresa (Kaufman) ’80 and Ross Simpson, Lytton, Iowa London Smith—Jeff ’87 and Kathy (Reber) ’87 Smith, Archbold, Ohio Ryan Sprunger—Jedd ’80 and Nanette Sprunger, Dalton, Ohio Danielle Stauffer—Lora (Leichty) ’76 and Gene Stauffer, Burlington, Iowa Megan Stauffer—Vince ’86 and Sandra Stauffer, Milford, Neb. Alyssa Steiner—Mitch ’81 and Dawn (Birky) ’813 Steiner, Dalton, Ohio Kate Steury—Doug ’77 and LuAnn (Steider) ’77 Steury, New Paris, Ind. Rachel Stoltzfus—Arthur ’78 and Regina Shands Stoltzfus, Elkhart, Ind. Jason Stubby—Rick Stubby ’93, Newton, Kan. Kara Stutzman—Dallas ’76, staff, and Jan (Unruh) ’72, former staff, Stutzman, Hesston, Kan. John Swartley—Teresa (Shumaker) ’84 and John Swartley, Elkhart, Ind. Stephanie Swartzendruber—Marge (Kempf ) ’80, former staff, and Will Swartzendruber, Shickley Neb. Cassie Sweetser—Debra (Fisher)’83 and Richard Sweetser, Goshen, Ind. Isaac Tice—Enos ’80 and Carolyn Tice, Salisbury, Pa. Colby Troyer—Kevin ’79 and Sharon Troyer, Waterford, Pa. Laura Unruh—John ’81 and Elaine (Slagell) ’82 Unruh, Newton, Kan. Sarah Unruh—Mark ’83 and Barb (Stutzman) ’83 Unruh, Durham, Kan. Joel Unzicker—Tony ’87 and Carol (Snyder) ’87 Unzicker, Goshen, Ind. Libby Waltner—Amy (Kingsley) ’80 and Kevin Waltner, Hurley, S.D. Adam Weaver—Bob ’70 and Phyllis (Miller) ’70, staff, Weaver, Hesston, Kan. Lauren Weaver— Rodger ’86, former faculty, and Bev (Guy) ’86 Weaver, Hesston, Kan. Rachel Weaver—Ken ’82 and Linda (Troyer) ’84 Weaver, Inola, Okla.

Rachelle Wenger—Ron ’82 and Rebecca Wenger, Bloomfield, Mont.

Ryan Wengerd—Dave ’81 and Sherry (Wells) ’80 Wengerd, Goshen, Ind. Lorena Weymouth— Yolanda (Huebert) ’81 and Phil Weymouth, Subiaco, Ark. Wendy Whitcher—Sid ’70 and Kathy (Erb) ’71 Whitcher, Hesston, Kan. Jesse Woodward—Steve Woodward, ’78, former staff, Goshen, Ind. Corey Wyse—Mike ’83 and Julia Wyse, Archbold, Ohio Anna Yoder—Velma (Zook) ’78 and Willard Yoder, Garden City, Mo. Evette Yoder—Ruth (Otto) ’71 and Lowell Yoder, Phoenix, Ariz.

Tyler Yoder—Dale ’81 and Phyllis Yoder, Bay Port, Mich.

Heidi Zehr—Cal ’80 and Carol Zehr, Tiskilwa, Ill.

11 Campus News

Excel Industries’ gift to Erb Hall rooted in father’s philosophy of business, giving

By Marathana Prothro

Brothers Bob Ac63, ’65 and Paul ’70 Mullet remember well the station wagon that brought their family to Hesston in 1958. Their parents, Roy and Bess Mullet, were moving the family from a farm in Montana to Kansas so their five sons wouldn’t have to commute 25 miles to attend high school in the dead cold of an eastern Montana winter.

At the time, the Mullet family attended Red Top Mennonite Church in Bloomfield, Mont., where Bob estimates about 10 percent of the church’s members were attending Hesston Academy or Hesston College. So Roy ’61 figured he and Bess could solve the problem of the kids commuting to school by buying a place in Hesston where the sons could be close to family and educational opportunities.

Little did they, or their new neighbors, know the impact the Mullet family would have on their new community. It’s been a half century since the Mullets made that move, and with Roy’s death on Jan. 14 of this year, many at the college and in the community are reflecting on the legacy he has left.

The family’s most significant influence has come by way of Excel Industries, a manufacturer of industrial and residential lawnmowers located in Hesston. In addition to being one of the largest employers in Harvey County, Excel has established a charitable giving philosophy that allows the company to give roughly 10 percent of its profits each year to philanthropic efforts – most of which are focused in the local community.

Excel made the lead gift of $500,000 for the Erb Hall Renovation Project, and it’s a gift that reflects the long-standing relationship between the Mullet family, Hesston College and Excel Industries. The connection goes beyond all five of Roy and Bess’s sons attending either the academy or the college.

The college played a role in getting Roy connected with the company back in 1960.

After working at the local turkey plant and Hesston Corporation, among other places, Roy decided to enroll in classes at Hesston College. One of his instructors, Dr. Cal Redekop, was working with a local group of men who were establishing what would become Excel. Cal was impressed by Roy, and the two became more like friends than professor and student, Bob says.

“We still run the company with the same philosophy Dad and Cal established in the beginning,” said Bob, now vice president at Excel.. Even though we’re not totally family owned, we strive to be a family oriented company that has maintained a philosophy of giving and a connection to Hesston College.”

With the start of the campaign to raise funds for the renovation of Erb Hall, President Howard Keim and Vice President of Advancement Yvonne Sieber contacted Excel about making a gift.

Larry Bartel

Paul and Bob Mullet

“The timing was right,” said Paul, President and CEO at Excel. “We had a buildup of funds that we wanted to give and use for something that really needed to get done.”

Though none of the Mullets lived in Erb Hall (it wasn’t the norm for “townies,” or local kids to live on campus back then), Bob and Paul each have positive memories connected with Erb. Plus, a show-and-tell featuring crumbling, rusty pipes with Hesston’s Campus Facilities Director Jim Mason convinced them of the project’s importance.

“The need really struck a chord with me,” Bob says. “This is more my personal philosophy, but Hesston College has a unique product in the opportunities it provides for first-year students to be involved in a plethora of activities, and our father always had a philosophy of wanting to support the college. Excel’s gift to this project allowed us to continue his legacy.”

12 Campus News

Partners Ponder

by Jon Helmuth ’91

My Hesston experience was a definite life-staging point for me. I was an artist and music student and found the faculty and classes very rewarding. The Hesston educational process brought me a very diverse and broad approach to learning. I always have likened my Hesston Experience as gaining a “method of learning” rather than just an education. In other words, Hesston taught me how to teach myself in life.

My wife and I decided to become Hesston College Partners because we wanted to set up a more consistent support for Hesston and make it a regular part of our yearly giving plan. I’m very much a product of the Hesston Experience and really believe in the values and mission of Hesston College. It is always interesting to me when I see the life skills gathered at Hesston College finding a way into my daily activities and future plans.

The friendships I made during my time at Hesston were definitely the strongest of any of my school experiences and I’m sure that I share that sentiment with others.

Because of the impact Hesston College continues to have on my life, investing in the continuing future of the college is a logical choice.

Photo by Joanne Kaser/Josephney Photography

Campus community celebrates Elam Peachey’s life and service The Hesston College campus community was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Elam J. Peachey from a heart attack Jan. 6, 2011. Elam, a Development Officer and Planned Giving Advisor, was 70 years old.

Elam worked at Hesston College in various roles in Development since September 1990, including Development Officer, Director of Development and Executive Vice President for Advancement. At the time of his death he was a part-time Development Officer and Planned Giving Advisor. He also served as board chair for the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains and as co-chair for the college’s centennial celebration in 2009.

“Elam was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and the church,” said President Howard Keim. “We will miss his dedication to the mission of the college, his careful work, his kindness and generosity.”

Elam built relationships with many Hesston College Partners and donors in his 20 years at Hesston College and maintained connections with churches and other constituents. Working with John Griffin, Sr., Elam was at the forefront of establishing planned giving as part of the college’s development efforts.

“Elam’s understanding of planned giving and philanthropy was a gift to the college and the many with whom he worked,” said Vice President of Advancement Yvonne Sieber.

Elam’s colleagues will remember him for his deep love for Hesston College and the broader Mennonite church. Among the things that gave Elam the most joy in his work were the relationships he enjoyed with colleagues, students, alumni, donors and Partners.

“Elam as a person embodied the spirit of community that is Hesston College,” said Director of Alumni and Church Relations Dallas Stutzman. “He maintained high quality relationships within the college and also across the college’s many constituencies and the Mennonite church. His untimely death is a great loss to the college, Hesston and broader church community.”

Elam is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters Shana Peachey Boshart and her husband David, of Parnell, Iowa; Cheryl Peachey Stoner and her husband, Robert, of Hesston; and Leigh Ann Peachey O’Halloran and her husband, Keith, of Hesston; nine grandsons, one granddaughter-in-law, and one great-granddaughter.

Memorials have been established for Hesston College and with the Mennonite Church USA Racial/Ethnic Leadership Education fund. Family and friends also may sign an online guestbook available on the Development page of the Hesston College website, www.hesston.edu.

From left: Gabe, Jon holding Josh, Lisa holding Kate, Ben

13 Campus News

Coach ends 30-year Hesston career

by Andrew Sharp

HESSTON COLLEGE

Art Mullet talks strategy with Garrett Kutz ’11 of Sarasota, Fla.

The end of the academic year will have Hesston College saying goodbye to more than just the departing graduates. Longtime athletic director and baseball coach Art Mullet will retire at the end of the year, his 30th on the Hesston campus. During his time at Hesston, Mullet witnessed athletic facilities expansions and improvements, dedicated countless hours to the baseball field, a program and its players, and developed lasting relationships with numerous coaches, players, parents, faculty and staff.

Upon arrival at Hesston in 1980, Mullet took office in Hess Hall. Yost Center, current home of Larks basketball and volleyball, opened two years later. From his new office, Mullet witnessed several athletic facility upgrades that he lists as the most significant changes to the athletic department during his tenure. The Campus Activities Center was completed in 1991, and oncampus tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields were also significant additions.

The number of athletic programs has grown, from five in 1980 to 11 today.

The growth of the athletic department and his baseball program has been gratifying for Mullet. Improvements and upkeep of facilities speak to his care and precision, and it is in the care of the baseball facility itself that one can see his passion for his players and the game intersect.

“As a player, I recall how much I enjoyed playing on a great diamond, and I’ve always wanted my players to have that same privilege,” Mullet said. “To maintain a facility at a high level requires a huge amount of time and effort, but the rewards have been well worth it.”

Undoubtedly the most gratifying aspects of his job, however, have been found in the shared experience of the more than 300 players he coached.

“Coaching kids who genuinely enjoy the game, who work hard and care about their teammates has been an extremely gratifying part of my time here,” Mullet said. “To see players enjoy the game and experience a certain degree of success has been rewarding for me.”

Mullet’s love of the game and his players has rubbed off on countless numbers of his young men who laced up their spikes for the Larks. For many, Mullet served as a mentor and friend as much as a coach.

“To say that playing for Art changed my life would be an incredible understatement,” said Dave Gora ’99, Charleston W.Va. “I knew from the moment I met him that he was a special man. Art was a friend, coach, mentor and a father to me during my time at Hesston. There is no doubt in my mind that God led me to Hesston so that Art could change my life.”

A Feb. 15 season opener marked the last time Mullet will lead the Larks through a spring schedule. Along with managing games and practice preparation, Mullet will continue to mentor his players on a daily basis and care for the field he loves.

14 News Briefs

Hesston College hosted 164 sixth graders from John Marshall Middle School in Wichita Nov. 30 as part of Marshall’s Achievement Via Individual Determination program. The program is designed to get students thinking about college and to prepare them for success through secondary education and beyond. The Marshall students visited 11 sites on campus where they participated in educational activities with college students, faculty and staff.

..........

Students in First-Year Experience class spent time assessing and rediscovering their beliefs as they learned about basic beliefs and misconceptions of Islam and the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam.

The students read the New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea, heard guest presentations and hosted an interfaith dialogue and meal with members of the Islamic Society of Wichita.

“People get too caught up in the story of differences, but we both believe in peace and helping the poor,” said Zach Baumgartner, a freshman from Hesston, Kan. “I think the main thing to remember is not how we are different, but how we are working toward the same things.”

..........

Curtis Denlinger

Top: Students from John Marshall Middle School in Wichita fly a flight simulator during their campus visit.

Bottom: Bassam Samarah from the Islamic Society of Wichita.

Hesston College’s nursing program was formally granted re-approval for the full eight years by the Kansas State Board of Nursing at a Dec. 13 and 14 meeting in Topeka. The board’s recommendation came from a two-day campus visit in late September, when a site team visited with nursing faculty and assessed the program’s facilities, curriculum and resources.

..........

Hesston College welcomed new faculty members to start the second eight weeks of the fall semester. An English faculty position was vacated by an instructor leaving for a new opportunity at Wichita (Kan.) State University. Holly Nickel and Dr. Merle Schlabaugh ’68 along with current faculty member Rosie Jantz ’72 picked up the classes for the remainder of the academic year.

..........

Joel Kauffman

Joel Kauffman ’80 has been hired as athletic director. Kauffman has worked at Hesston since 1987 and served as women’s basketball coach until 2008. He also has taught humanities courses, served as co-athletic director and baseball coach during Art Mullet’s sabbatical and coached the softball team for one season. He has served as Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid since summer 2007, a role he will continue until his responsibilities in the athletic department begin this summer.

..........

Jessica Cleveland

Jessica Cleveland ’06 has been names volleyball coach. Cleveland played for the Larks from 2004-2005. Cleveland has begun her new role.

15 Alumni News

Alumni gather for reunion

1930-1939

From 1964 to 1966, Hesston College brought eight students from across the country to Erb Hall where they bonded by living, studying, playing, pulling pranks and going to chapel together.

Orv Gingerich, Duane Kauffman, Richard Kauffman, Harley Kooker, Michael Lambright, Lloyd Mumaw, Lorne Rideout and Duane Sauder formed deep friendships during their time at Hesston. They all went their separate ways after graduation but managed to stay in touch from time to time.

In 2001, 35 years after graduating from Hesston College, Sauder proposed all eight men, along with their wives, meet at his house in Archbold, Ohio, for a weekend reunion. That reunion was the first time they had all been together since 1966.

“It was one of the most incredible weekends of my life,” recalls Kooker.

“We spent one whole day just sitting around and catching up. There was a lot of laughter and tears as we remembered our years at Hesston College and what has transpired in our lives since then.”

The 2001 reunion was the beginning of a tradition for the group. Since then they have managed to meet every other year. The 2009 reunion was postponed because of the college’s centennial celebration, but October 2010 found all eight men and their wives at Kooker’s cabin in the Pennsylvania mountains for another weekend of reminiscing and reconnecting.

Erma (Kaufman) Ac32 Snyder Miller, Filer, Idaho, Feb. 10, 2010 Rachel (Byler) Ac34 Powell, Wellman, Iowa, Jan. 7, 2011

DEATHS

1940-1949 Lee Kanagy, Ac43, Belleville, Pa., published two books: A Pilgrim’s Journey: Remembering My Amish Roots and A Pilgrim’s Journey II: Following God’s Call to Japan.

DEATHS

Emilie (Wiebe) Ac41 Busenitz, Newton, Kan., Aug. 16, 2010 Lucille (Yoder) ’41 Detrow, wife of Arthur Detrow ’50, Leetonia, Ohio, Sept.

30, 2010 Waldimer Wiebe ’41, Whitewater, Kan., Aug. 21, 2010 Neva White ’41, Hesston, Kan., Nov. 13, 2010 Eunice Troyer Ac44, Harper, Kan., Oct. 22, 2010 LaVerne (Hartzler) Ac46, ’48 Wolfer, Hutchinson, Kan., Nov. 25, 2010 Don Eash Ac47, ’49, Wellman, Iowa, Oct. 6, 2010 Herbert Entz Ac48, Whitewater, Kan., Aug. 10, 2010 Martha Epp Ac48, Whitewater, Kan., Oct. 21, 2010 Janice Freyenberger, wife of Joe Freyenberger Ac48, Wayland, Iowa, Aug. 12, 2010 Menno Helmuth, husband of Dorothy (Kreider) Ac48 Helmuth, Kalona, Iowa, Aug. 19, 2010

1950-1959 DEATHS Photo provided by Harley Kooker From left – Harley and Kate Kooker, Christiana, Pa.; Duane and Joan Kauffman, Harrisonburg, Va.; Richard and Suzanne Kauffman, Glen Elyn, Ill.; Orv and Cleta (Roth) ’66 Gingerich, Minneapolis, Minn.; Michael and Rose Lambright, Chalfont, Pa.; Lloyd and Ferne Mumaw, Dalton, Ohio; Lorne and Carol (Sharick) ’67 Rideout, Exeter, Ontario, Canada; Duane and Nedra (Freyenberger) ’66 Sauder, Archbold, Ohio.

David Buschert Ac53, ’54, husband of Joyce (Stutzman) ’54 Buschert, Goshen, Ind., Nov. 1, 2010 Allen Brooks Ac56, Elkhart, Ind., July 27, 2010

1960-1969 Elvon ’64 Kauffman, Keizer, Ore., works as an office manager at Woodburn Dragstrip.

16 Alumni News DEATHS

Richard Friesen ’64, Formosa, Argentina, Aug. 11, 2010

1970-1979 Susan (Steider) ’72 Miller, Orrville, Ohio, began a two-year Mennonite Voluntary Service assignment August 2010 in La Jara, Colo., as Program Outreach and Office Assistant with La Puente Home Inc. Dan ’73 and Regina (Reeser) ’74 Bumstead, Zambia, Africa, are participating in village ministry, including discipleship-oriented Bible study groups and completing a children’s home in Livingstone, under the organization of Love’s Door.

Vonda (Steckly) Temple ’78, Los Lunas, N.M., works as a nurse at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, and received the Excellence in Peri-Operative Nursing Award at the 2010 Nursing Excellence Awards. She is also a member of the Hospital Nurse Practice Council and the Hospital Research Council and is a community representative on the Solid Waste Ad Hoc Committee in Valencia County.

DEATHS

David Schlegel ’70, Shickley, Neb., Dec. 10, 2010

1980-1989 Bonifacio Dewasse ’81, Hershey, Pa., was named Employee of the Year for 2009-10 at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State University’s School of Medicine.

Loren Hostetter ’81, Harrisonburg, Va., and his family moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in August 2009, initially working for the U.S. Agency for International Development as the resident agricultural advisor and designing two agricultural projects under the Presidential Feed the Future Initiative. In September 2010, Loren joined Mennonite Economic Development Associates to manage a new project developing rice and textile value chains to be launched in 2011. Loren spent 15 years working in disaster relief and development in Bolivia, Uganda, Tunisia, Romania, Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, for CARE, World Vision, UMCOR, MCC and USAID.

Rick Bixler ’82, East Lansing, Mich., completed a specialist degree in school psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy and currently works as a psychologist for Lansing Public Schools.

Robert Carlisle ’83, Chiang Mai, Thailand, teaches English at The American University Alumni Language Center.

DEATHS

Byron Showalter ’81, Scio, Ore., Oct. 21, 2010

BIRTHS

Tim ’85 and Jennifer Shue, Kidron, Ohio: Veena Wren, July 1, 2010 Monte ’86 and Monica Handrich, New Paris, Ind.: Amber Marie, April 17, 2010

1990-1999 Chad Frey ’92, Newton, Kan., was named managing editor for the local newspaper, The Newton Kansan.

Juanita Marks ’92, Tulsa, Okla., works at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa on the ortho/ neurosurgery floor. She is pursuing a master’s in nursing.

Jeff ’92 and Dana (Jackson) ’92 Selzer, Salatiga, Indonesia, are serving at an international school in Indonesia since fall of 2009.

Jeff teaches Bible and P.E. classes in the high school and Dana teaches 1st grade.

Stephanie (Harvey) Danker ’96, former faculty, Harrisonburg, Va., teaches at Eastern Mennonite University and James Madison University and is working on her dissertation in art education through the University of Illinois.

Austin Kaufmann ’96, Seoul, Korea, is a full-time lecturer and teaches writing classes to undergraduate university students in the College English Program at Seoul National University, Korea’s top university.

Ko Knurowski ’99, Lebanon, Ore., is boys basketball coach at Sweet Home High School and was appointed athletic director for the 2010-11 year.

MARRIAGE

Nate Wyse ’97 and Heather Barhydt, Middlebury, Ind., July 10, 2010

Angie Martin ’99 and Brent Brockmueller ’01 and, Hesston, Kan., Oct. 16, 2010

BIRTHS

Chris ’92 and Susan Hershberger, Wooster, Ohio: Jett Michael, born Dec. 28, 2009, received for adoption Tonia (Stutzman) ’95, former staff, and Kevin Martin, Weatherford, Okla.: Elliana Marie, Sept. 14, 2010 Valerie (Jantz) ’95 and Stephen Seely, Inola, Okla.: Jacinda Joy, July 13, 2010 Rick ’95 and Janeken Sieber, Philadelphia, Pa.: Calla Wiley, Sept. 22, 2010 Marty ’96 and Hannah (Osborne), ’99 Troyer, Houston, Texas: Clara Sue, Oct. 16, 2010 Craig Nebel ’98 and Kristen Grillin, Lancaster, Pa.: Oliver Dean, Dec. 1, 2009 Julia (Wyse) ’98 and Chris Richer, West Unity, Ohio: Miriam Joy, July 12, 2010 Brent ’98 and Rachel (Hoffman) ’98 Yoder, Jacksonville, Ill.: twins Natalie Ann and Olivia Kay, Sept. 10, 2010 Jill (Charles) ’99 and Jeff Stoltzfoos, Alexandria, Va.; twins Grace Lee and Clare Marie, Sept. 11, 2010

2000-2009 Andy Hook ’01, Huchinson, Kan., is youth minister at Grace Episcopal Church.

Gordon Miller ’01, La Jara, Colo., began a two-year Mennonite Voluntary Service assignment August 2010 as maintenance and repair assistant with La Puente Home Inc. Renee (Chestnut) ’02 Johnson, Buhler, Kan., is finishing her R.N. license.

Bilen Wecheffo Mammo ’02 graduated with dual degrees (B.S in Biology and B.A. in International Affairs with a minor in East Asian Studies) from University of Nevada, Reno.

He is a customer and partner experience program manager at Microsoft, Inc. Theodore Sitther ’02, Silver Spring, Md., works for Mennonite Central Committee in the Washington D.C. office, and is pursuing a master’s in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.

Mary Beth Laughlin ’03, Roswell, Ga., is attending Liberty University, majoring in Biblical studies and volunteering at Kudzu Playhouse Theater.

Feb. 11, 2009

17 Alumni News Laurel Mast ’03, Wayland, Iowa, began a one-year term with Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2010 in Rochester, N.Y., as a nurse with the Oak Orchard Community Health Center.

Benjamin ’03 and Sarah Schlegel, Kokomo, Ind., are co-youth pastors at Howard-Miami Mennonite Church while he works toward his master of divinity at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

Natasha Diener ’05, Goshen, Ind., is serving a one-year service assignment with Mennonite Central Committee’s SALT program in Bolivia as an after-school program worker.

Aaron Nussbaum ’05, Manitoba, Canada, has been appointed associate program director of Camps with Meaning, a ministry of Mennonite Church Manitoba.

Sandy Kusuma ’06, Jakarta, Indonesia, works in IT for HPI-Agro, a palm oil company.

Lindsay (Suderman) ’06 Smith, Wichita, Kan., graduated in May 2010 from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work and will graduate in May 2011 with a master’s in social work.

Nathan Schrock ’06, Harper, Kan., took second place with his nine-drawer quartered figured walnut dresser at the 2010 International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta, Ga. Nathan is a wood technology student at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. Chris ’06 and Elise (Litwiller) ’06 Voth, Davenport, Iowa. Chris works as a web developer at Nerdwerx, Inc., and Elise graduated December 2010 from St. Ambrose University with a doctor of physical therapy.

Jocelyn Forshee ’07, Wichita, Kan., is director of fan relations for Wichita Thunder Hockey, and was named the Central Hockey League’s employee of the month for November 2010.

Darnell Neff ’07, North Newton, Kan., is serving a three-year term in Tanzania as an information technologist.

Naomi Tice ’08, Salisbury, Pa., began a one-year term with Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2010 in Boulder, Colo., as recreation and leisure coordinators’ assistant with Out & About.

Kirsten Garver ’09, Newton, Kan., works at Prairie View, Inc. in Newton, Kan. Kate Alison ’10, Hesston, Kan., began a one-year term with Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, as case aide with Catholic Charities, Archdioceses of San Antonio, Inc. Kendra Alison ’10, Hesston, Kan., began a one-year term with Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2010 in Baltimore, Md., as an administrative assistant with Project PLASE (People Lacking Ample Shelter and Employment) Inc. Nathan Ensz ’10, South Euclid, Ohio, attends Notre Dame College where he is double majoring in psychology and international business, and plays on the men’s basketball team.

Ana Loucks ’10, Hesston, Kan., began a one-year term with Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2010 in Tucson, Ariz., as a migration and refugee services volunteer with Catholic Social Services.

John Murray ’10, Phoenix, Ariz., began a new assignment as youth pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church in Glendale, Ariz.

DEATHS

Steven Moran, husband of Heather Moran ’00, Wichita, Kan., Sept. 10, 2010 Chloe Weaver ’10, Alamosa, Colo., Oct. 24, 2010

MARRIAGES

Ilona Hochstetler ’01, staff, and Matthew Roberts, Kokomo, Ind., Aug. 28, 2010 Ben Alison ’03 and Sara Blake, Harrisonburg, Va., Aug. 7, 2010 Lee Eichelberger ’03 and Rebekka DeVries, Wayland, Iowa, May 29, 2010 Andrew Gingerich ’03 and Mary Leichty, Hubbard, Ore., June 19, 2010 Carrie Hartzler ’03 and Suman Bhandari ’09, Irving, Texas, July 23, 2010 Joshua Kauffman ’04 and Megha Hamal ’05, Springfield, Ill., Feb. 20, 2010 Elisa Eberspacher ’05 and Patrick Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo., June 26, 2010 Chelsea Jackson ’05 and Matthew Villines, Hydro, Okla., Aug. 14, 2010 Brent Gehman ’06 and Julie Shirk, Denver, Pa., Aug. 28, 2010 Janene Goertzen ’06 and Thayne Sparke, Henderson, Neb., July 17, 2010 Craig Roth ’06 and Caitlin Gruenhagen, Wauseon, Ohio, Jan. 9, 2010

Lindsay Suderman ’06 and AJ Smith ’07, Wichita, Kan., Oct. 8, 2010 Drew Cole ’07 and Jessica Couch ’07, Mulvane, Kan., May 1, 2010 Abby Miller ’07 and Andy Findley, Elkhart, Ind., Aug. 21, 2010 Matt Ropp ’07 and Rachel Kauffman ’07, Harrisonburg, Va., July 24, 2010 Naomi Blosser ’09 and Thomas Tennefoss ’10, Greenwood, Del., Oct. 16, 2010 Angie Ross ’10 and Logan Gingerich, Grand Rapids, Mich., July 17, 2010

BIRTHS

Michelle (Stutzman) ’00, and David Guengerich, Schwenksville, Pa.: Hezekiah Jude, Aug. 30, 2010 Kris ’00, staff, and Megan White, Hesston, Kan.: Henry Isaiah, Sept. 20, 2010 Angela (Swartzendruber) ’01 and Joseph Hackman, Emmaus, Pa.: Ila Grace, Jan. 15, 2010 Rebekah (Love) ’01 and Matt Skillen, Elizabethtown, Pa.: Wyatt Matthew, Oct. 20, 2010 Trina (Hochstetler) ’02 and Trennis Sensenig, Stone Lake, Wis.: Justin Daniel, March 26, 2010 Benjamin ’03 and Sarah Schlegel, Kokomo, Ind.: Jeremiah Aalen, Oct. 4, 2010 Kara (Kaufman) ’04 and Derek Klingenberg, Peabody, Kan.: Alyssa Jo, May 17, 2010 Phillip ’05 and Aimee (Stutzman) ’05 Kauffman, Haven, Kan.: Jordan John, Nov. 29, 2010 Jeremy ’08 and Michele Patterson, Hutchinson, Kan.: Cora Belle, Nov. 18, 2010 Laura (Epp) ’08 and Jesse Vap, Edgar, Neb.: Trent Dean, July 2, 2010 Brett ’09 and Traci Miller, Newton, Kan.: Harrison Dean, Oct. 30, 2010

Faculty/Staff John Blosser, former faculty, will retire from Goshen College after the 2010-11 school year after teaching 30 years. Blosser taught art and humanities courses at Hesston College for 20 years and joined the art faculty at Goshen College in 1999.

Mary Moritz Bradshaw, former faculty, Newton, Kan., is an English Language Learners teacher for Newton Public Schools and was named a 2010 National Board Certified Teacher by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

18 Alumni News Nate Faul, former faculty, Chandler, Texas, works for Mewbourne Oil Company in Tyler, Texas, as a corporate pilot.

Dwight Roth, former faculty, Hesston, Kan., and Karen Sheriff LeVan, faculty, Newton, Kan., presented at the 2009 AARP National Conference. Their presentation was published as a chapter in Diversity and Aging in the 21st Century: The Power of Inclusion.

DEATH

Elam Peachey, staff, Hesston, Kan., Jan. 6, 2011

BIRTH

Bradley Kauffman, faculty and Renee Kanagy, Newton, Kan.: Rowan Lev Kanagy, Nov. 5, 2010

Alumna launches organization to help Haitian orphans Wendy (Boll) ’97 Van Wingerden and her husband Jake turned the tragic death of their 11-year-old daughter, Ashley, into an opportunity to support orphaned children in Haiti.

Ashley was killed in an accident almost six months before a massive earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti. Jake traveled to Haiti six weeks after the earthquake to help Double Harvest, an organization operated by his family that helps establish and develop agricultural projects in developing countries.

While in Haiti, Jake was deeply affected by the many orphaned children he saw.

“We wanted to do something to help the orphan crisis, and we felt God pulling us toward building an orphanage,” said Wendy.

After doing some research, Wendy and Jake realized there were already plenty of Haitian-run orphanages without the financial ability to provide for the children or the skill to rebuild the crumbled buildings. The Van Wingerdens refocused their efforts on partnering with existing orphanages and schools to rebuild, repair and expand rather than starting something new.

Ashley’s Orphans was launched in July 2010. Individuals can donate money to support a child through covering day-to-day expenses, or to a building fund, which is being used to rebuild a school.

“When you are grieving and in the middle of loss, you find little purpose in life,” said Wendy. “We were searching for an eternal purpose, and God opened all of these doors for us.”

Find Ashley’s Orphans online at ashleysorphans.com, or receive information and updates at the Ashley’s Orphans Facebook page.

Photo provided by Wendy Van Wingerden.

Jake and Wendy Van Wingerden (back left) pose with Haitian orphans and orphanage director Osner Dieudonne.

19 Columns

A classic dorm tale The year was 1973 and I was a freshman entering Hesston College. Due to crowding in Kauffman Court, I was assigned to live in Erb Hall west. Our mod was the first group of males allowed to live in Erb Hall, and it appeared to me to be an upgrade as it placed us much closer to the female side of the campus community (a plywood wall kept us separate), and Erb Hall was airconditioned and Kauffman Court was not.

As it turned out, life in Erb was all that I hoped it could be. We had a varied and diverse group of occupants who got along very well and made sure that dorm life was never dull.

Fast forward to the present where I am now responsible for the care and maintenance of that same dorm room I occupied 37 years ago. The single pane windows that would weep all year long and freeze into a thick layer of frost on the inside during the winter months have been replaced with energy efficient windows. A new insulated roof has been added, and the bathrooms were completely renovated this past summer.

The remaining carpet and furniture can only be described as “vintage” as they are exactly the same as when I lived there. Further, and most importantly, the 42-year-old piping is failing, and the leaks are a challenge to repair.

There are positives as well. The Erb structure is still very sound, the rooms are spacious by today’s standards and the mod layout is effective.

I look forward to replacing the “vintage retro” of Erb central and west with modern and comfortable materials and equipment.

The college has shown great stewardship in maintaining and getting maximum utility out of this living area. Put simply: we have gotten our money’s worth, but the need for new investment is here.

Jim Mason ’75 Director of Campus Facilities

Glamorous? No. Important? Yes. The Erb Hall Renovation Project won’t turn our dorms into five-star hotel rooms. Right now we have basic furnishings—beds, desks, dressers and closets. We have heat, air conditioning, electricity and water. When we return to Hesston College in August, we will still have all of those things, we will just have an updated version and without the threat of pipes bursting.

So we ask ourselves, “Why should I give money to this project?” The answer is simple: Dorm life is essential to Hesston College. This place must serve as a home for students, as many come from long distances and can’t go home frequently. The new furnishings in the rooms, such as dressers and beds, will provide comfort and options for space-saving arrangements. New furniture in the lounges is important because this is where much of our socialization occurs. In my mod and sister mod, there are always people sitting out in the lounge doing homework, watching a movie, or just chatting. These places are essential to dorm life because it gives students a place to connect with others and experience community.

The new infrastructure is also important but for much less visible reasons. Even though new pipes and electrical systems can’t be seen by walking into a room or through a hallway, their effect can. Think of the time and money required for aging pipes, electrical and heating and air conditioning systems in a standard house; then think of those same issues in a college dorm.

This project might not be the most glamorous thing we could imagine, but that doesn’t make it any less important to the students who call Erb Hall home.

Leah Mueller ’12 Student Committe member Halstead, Kan.

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Wichita, KS Permit No. 68

Box 3000 Hesston, KS 67062 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED (If you are a parent receiving your child’s mail, please forward his or her current address to Hesston College Today)

Save the date SEPT. 23-25, 2011

A HESSTON COLLEGE HOMECOMING A View From Everywhere HIGHLIGHTS

START HERE, GO EVERYWHERE

• Aviation Alumni Reunion and Presentations • BBQ Picnic and Family Fun Festival • The Larks are “In the Nest”– sports, social and music events • Partner Appreciation Event • Traditional Alumni Banquet and Program