Hesston College Today

START HERE, GO EVERYWHERE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . ...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ..

S p r i n g 2 0 0 8 w w w. h e s s t o n . edu

HESSTON COLLEGE

............. . . . . . . . . .

Beyond athletics for the whole person START HERE, GO EVERYWHERE

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

Editor Alumni News Graphic Design Photography Printing

Phil Richard Dallas Stutzman Nancy Miller Larry Bartel Baker Bros. Printing

Hesston College Board of Overseers Norm Yoder ’67, Henderson, Neb., Chair Wilbur Bontrager ’73, Middlebury, Ind., Vice Chair Dee Custar ’98, West Unity, Ohio, Secretary Dale Beachey ’66, Sarasota, Fla., Treasurer Ginny (Davidhizar) ’68 Birky, Newberg, Ore. Annette (Steider) ’83 Brown, Frisco, Texas Kelvin Friesen ’73, Archbold, Ohio Denton Jantzi ’94, Hesston, Kan. Harley Kooker ’66, Christiana, Pa. Phyllis (Liechty) ’69 Nofziger, Goshen, Ind. Jorge Vallejos, Goshen, Ind. Alumni Officers Jeannine (Spicher) ’81 Janzen, President, Elbing, Kan., 316-799-2890, jeanninejanzen@hotmail.com Mark Yoder ’80,Vice President, Wichita, Kan., 316-440-2813, myoder@bethelks.edu Alumni Advisory Council Royce Ac53, ’55 and Ardith (Freyenberger) ’55 Brunk, Hesston, Kan., 620-327-2080, rbrunk@southwind.net Don ’69 and Shirley (Good) ’70 Kempf, Shickley, Neb., 402-627-7595, d-kempf@inebraska.com 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 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 Lewis Miller ’01, Beemer, Neb., 402-528-3697, miller6@gpcom.net

March 2008

26

27

27-29

April

3-4 6 10-12

17

Annual International Festival, Bontrager Student Center, 5:30 p.m.

HBPA presents Boston Brass, 7:30 p.m. Hesston Mennonite Church (HMC) Prospective Student Visit Days (includes Music Scholarship Auditions Feb. 28)

Grandparent Days Bel Canto Singers and Wind Ensemble Concert, 4 p.m., HMC Prospective Student Visit Days (includes Men’s Basketball Recruit Weekend April 11-12) Graduates Dinner

May

29-May 2 1, 2, 3

3

4

5

6-June 3 30-June 12 31

July

18-19

August

22-24 25

Final Exams Student-directed one-act plays Nursing Pinning, 10 a.m., HMC Pastoral Ministries Commissioning, 1 p.m., HMC Larkfest, 7 p.m., HMC Commencement, 9 a.m., Yost Center Summer Term beings European Chorale Tour Europe Alumni Tour Fourth annual Lark Open, benefit for Athletic Department, 8 a.m. tee time, Hesston Golf Park

Hesston College Board of Overseers meeting, campus

Opening Weekend Classes begin

For sports schedules, visit the Athletics page at www.hesston.edu.

ALUMNI

N EW S

Call or write the Alumni Office to inform your classmates about your new job, the degree you just completed, your new spouse or baby, or any other significant event(s) in your life. A reply envelope is enclosed for your use.

The Alumni Office and the editorial staff welcome your news, suggestions, and responses.

Dallas L. Stutzman ’76 Vice President of Alumni and Church Relations alumni@hesston.edu Toll-free 866-437-7866 (866-HESSTON) Hesston College Alumni Office, Box 3000, Hesston, KS 67062

3 perspective

Athletics: a laboratory for learning A wise past president of a college told me that I would receive more affirmation and criticism of athletics and music than any other aspect of the college. He was right, and the reason is obvious. Athletics, music, and drama are public—where the public joins the campus—whereas classes, laboratories, field trips, and mod activities are not.

As you will read in the following pages, the decision to begin intercollegiate athletics at Hesston was not an easy choice at the time. When programs were begun, it was with the ideal that athletics would complement the academic, social, and spiritual life of the student. Today, we continue with that ideal. As you read the stories of former athletes and the column by Art Mullet (see Page 19), you will note that athletics are an important part of the whole Hesston experience.

Part of the genius of Hesston College is that the spiritual and social values of the institution are integrated throughout all of our activities rather than only given attention in classes and chapels. Rather than being an add-on or extra that is separate from academics and student life, athletics is and must be one of the laboratories where teamwork, discipline, competition, and service are taught and tested.

Given this mission for athletics at Hesston College, we must continue to promote excellence in the programs themselves, while keeping those programs aligned with the broader mission of the college. The growth of college athletics as an end in itself, fed by increasing emphasis, time, and money spent on athletics in schools and camps and the allure of professional sports, presents a challenge to college athletics at all levels.

In a study funded by the Knight Foundation in 1991 and updated in 2001, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics noted that athletics and academics had become two separate cultures, with damaging side effects of commercialization, academic transgressions, and a financial arms race between colleges for coaches, facilities, and perks for donors. However, this does not necessarily need to be the case and thankfully is not the case at Hesston College. As the report also noted, “Sports at all levels have been a source of immense satisfaction, self-discipline, and achievement for tens of thousands of young men and women.”

I am grateful for the leaders and coaches of our athletic programs who have nurtured the whole person while fielding competitive teams and helping students have great experiences together. I am also grateful for the support of the Hesston community and many who contribute financially to the athletic program.

Howard Keim, President

4 feature

An extraordinary Larks women’s basketball team

by Phil Richard

Lisa (Schmidt) ’97 Graber

Lisa (Schmidt) Graber with her husband Tim and children Cody, 2, and Morgan, 4.

For someone who has coached 21 seasons, the teams could easily become one big blur. But not for Joel Kauffman, who recently finished his 21st year as women’s basketball coach at Hesston. He sees uniqueness in each team, considers it a privilege to have been surrounded by successful players who are successful in life, and is always interested in what’s going on in their lives.

Coach Kauffman points to the 1995-96 squad (see back cover) as extraordinary, primarily because of what the 12 team members are doing today—four nurses, a physician, a surgeon, three teachers, a clinical counselor, a hairstylist, and a marketing executive turned full-time mother.

“This team was a wonderful group of young women who were successful at Hesston College and are successful now,” he said. “They were extraordinatory because they put the team first. They appreciated and respected each other and were as excited about another’s success as their own.

“I could talk all day about them,” Kauffman said. “The way they got along with each other also made them extraordinary. It was fun to listen and watch them interact.”

Lisa (Schmidt) Graber, at the time a freshman from Inman, Kan., agrees that the team was a close-nit group. “Most of us lived on the same floor and played basketball together. In fact, we did everything together and got to know each other.

“On the court, we were confident in our skills and didn’t think we could lose,” she continued. “We continue to believe in ourselves and that’s why we were and are successful.”

The team had a rough time early on, compiling a discouraging 4-11 record, but Kauffman had an idea “I thought this team had potential, so I took two players and switched their roles.”

Kauffman asked Shanna Roth, the tallest player at 6’1”, to move from the post to the perimeter. And he moved 5’8” freshman Janelle Yutzie (Salem, Ore.) to playing an inside game. “I had them playing in the wrong place,” he said. “It took 15 games to find out. Both played well at their new positions as time went along.”

Shanna (Roth) Heinz, then a freshman from Grand Island, Neb., remembers the switch well. “It turned out to be the biggest turning point in my basketball career,” she said. “I thought I might as well give it a try and experienced a freeing feeling, like I was where I was supposed to be. I played so much better. It was fun and I loved playing out there.”

The moves provided the necessary spark, and the team went on a 10-game win streak, ending the season 15-17 after winning the Region VI championship, and coming within one game of playing in the Division II NJCAA national tournament. The core of that team, including Roth, Schmidt, and

5 feature

Yutzie, returned the following season, and competed in the national tourney.

“A lot of the team’s success was because of the character of the players,” Kauffman said. “They persevered, hung together, and challenged each other.”

Another extraordinary facet of this team centered around their discussions, particularly on road trips. “We covered the whole gamut of topics,” Kauffman recalls, “from theology to pop culture to relationships and what was going on in their classes.”

Kauffman found himself at the center of those discussions. “I decided in the early 1990s that if I wanted to make coaching women’s basketball worthwhile, I needed to share my journey, my faith, and my experiences with the players and make myself vulnerable.”

Heinz confirmed the importance of those discussions. “We talked about everything you could think of,” she said. “We could be serious or absolutely silly. We loved talking with Joel, who gave us a unique perspective.”

Graber, her roommate for both years, called Kauffman “a great leader. We learned a lot from him,” she said. “The team meshed well and he was as much a part of it as anyone.

“I’ll bet most of his players still check in with him,” she said. “Especially when I coached women’s basketball for seven years, I’d call and ask him for advice on the game or about life.”

Both Heinz and Graber point to the importance of their two years at Hesston. “They were two of the best years of my life,” Heinz said. “I was busy, playing in two sports (also tennis), singing in Bel Canto Singers, and I still maintained an ‘A’ average. Both years were a blast.

“At Hesston, you’re surrounded with a lot of people of the same faith,” she said. “It’s your first experience away from home, you have to keep track of your studies, but you receive support from friends and teammates. So many things happen during those two years, and Hesston is a great place to experience all that.”

After her two years at Hesston, Heinz eventually graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She served as director of marketing for a sleep diagnostic center in Wichita for two years.

Married to Bart Heinz in December 2002, Heinz now serves as full-time mother to Connor, 3, and Bryce, 1. They are expecting their third child in September.

While at Hesston, Graber’s schedule was even more demanding, playing basketball and tackling a nursing degree in two years. “I don’t think many people do that now,” she said. “But I like to have many things to do at once and manage my time. I also had nursing faculty, like Bonnie Sowers, who worked with me and believed in me.”

She admits the first semester was a huge adjustment, learning how to balance studies, basketball, and life in general. She also met her future husband, Tim Graber, a sophomore from Crawfordsville, Iowa, that first semester.

“I learned many lessons along the way, like time management, but God has a plan,” Graber said. “My parents gave me a great foundation spiritually, continued on page 6

Shanna (Roth) ’97 Heinz

Coach Joel Kauffman gives instructions to his players during a time-out.

6 feature continued from page 5

Bart Heinz took this photo of Shanna (Roth Heinz) and their two sons, Connor, 3, and Bryce,1.

but I had to build on that. Hesston College cultivated that and kept me on base theologically.

“So much of my life now is connected to Hesston College,” Graber noted.

“For example, I’m in Iowa because I met Tim at Hesston. I’m in nursing because of Hesston.”

Graber continues living with many irons in the fire. She passed the Kansas registered nurse licensure exam after her studies at Hesston College. Then she graduated from Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1999. Lisa and Tim married in June of that year and moved to near Wayland, Iowa, where Tim operates their turkey farm. They have two children, Morgan, 4, and Cody, 2, with a third child on the way in September.

Since 1999, Graber has worked part-time as an intensive care cardiovascular nurse at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, a 45-minute commute one way.

In addition, Graber started a new part-time job at the hospital early this year, operating a heart-lung bypass machine for pediatric and neo-natal patients with no other viable options. “I’m excited about it,” she said. “It offers a new challenge. And for me, it was time for something new.”

Serving Christ in Zambia

by Phil Richard

Tyler Stutzman writes at the blackboard for a 10th grade physics class of students in a classroom equipped only with wooden desks and a blackboard.

Imagine teaching high school chemistry, physics, and biology to students who don’t have textbooks. The renovated chemistry lab lacks running water or Bunsen burners. Your class of 50 to 60 students is cramped into a brick room with a tin roof, furnished only with wooden desks and a blackboard.

Since late August 2007, that’s the environment for Tyler Stutzman at Sikalongo Secondary School near Choma in southern Zambia. He’s serving a one-year term with Mennonite Central Committee SALT (Service and Learning Together).

Originally from South Hutchinson, Kan., Stutzman graduated from Hesston College in 2005, then earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in May 2007 at nearby Bethel College, North Newton, Kan. “I didn’t want to go work in a lab or continue school,” he explains, “so I decided it would be a good time to go abroad and experience something completely unfamiliar.”

Sikalongo Secondary School, located in the bush of Africa some 28 miles from the nearest town of Choma, is home to 750 students from all over Zambia. Since it’s a boarding school, boys and girls dorms are on opposite sides of the campus. The school was started by the Brethren in Christ Church, which also started a clinic and a seminary on campus.

Stutzman, who played basketball at Hesston as a freshman in 2003-04, coaches basketball. “I started going to the basketball court in the afternoon

7 feature

and playing with the students,” he said. “Since the former coach had left, they asked me to teach some things before a tournament last fall.”

The school participated in a tournament at Choma Secondary School in mid-February. “Our school took boys and girls soccer and basketball teams, boys volleyball, chess, and girls netball—like basketball, but without dribbling or backboards and played on a grass field,” Stutzman explained.

With three boys basketball teams present, the first game was between the other two teams. “As we watched,” Stutzman said, “it was immediately apparent that we wouldn’t beat one of the teams. They actually had some fundamentals and organization on offense and defense. I felt somewhat vindicated for my efforts, however, when one of my players came up to me and said, ‘Coach, that team does what you want us to do.’

“Unfortunately, our first game was against the good team, which beat us by about 40,” Stutzman recounted. “However, we did win our second game 31-29. With only three teams, second place wasn’t good enough to qualify for the next round, so boys basketball is over until May.” The Sikalongo girls team defeated the other girls team that came 14-10. “We were propelled to victory by our monstrous eight-point fourth quarter,” Stutzman said. “I wasn’t planning on coaching the girls’ team, but the coach couldn’t make it, so she asked me to fill in. With our win, we qualified for the quarterfinals March 8.”

Dallas Stutzman, vice president of Alumni Relations, and Dan Harrison, Hesston professor and former president of the alumni association, collaborated to send 10 Hesston College Larks basketballs to Tyler Stutzman this year.

Stutzman says he’s often thought of Hesston College’s slogan, “Start Here, Go Everywhere.” “Before going to Hesston, I never would have guessed I would be a teacher in the middle of Africa,” Stutzman said. “But at the college, I encountered a Jesus and a Christianity that was different than what I had grown up with. The Biblical Literature class made the Bible much more interesting, as I began to see how the stories I had learned in Sunday school were connected.

“The course that influenced me the most was Peacemaking and Justice taught by professor Marion Bontrager,” he continued. “I never would have come to Zambia without taking that class. In that class, I found a Jesus who was not just concerned with the spiritual. Instead, I was introduced to the Jesus who came to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and free the oppressed, a Jesus who came to establish the kingdom of God at a real time in history.

“With my new understanding of Christ, it became clear that salvation isn’t simply going to heaven, but becoming a part of that new creation in which there is no slave or free, male or female, Jew or Greek—where all relationships are as God intended.

“Thus, my mission became Christ’s—to feed the hungry, heal the sick, free the oppressed...and teach Zambian kids about science...or at least be someone who cares enough about them to come halfway around the world and get to know them, try to learn their language, and live like they do.”

Tyler Stutzman (right) works with some of his students in a 10th grade chemistry class.

Photos by Mark Neufeld, a fellow MCC SALT participant in Zambia.

8 Where are they now?

Hesston College provides preparation for life

by Carol Duerksen

Juliane Steiner throws to first after fielding a grounder at shortstop.

Alex (left to right), Micah (6 months), Tatiana (4), and Julianne (Steiner) Kozel.

The bird on Juliane’s shoulder is a Blue Fronted Amazon.

Ask Juliane (Steiner) Kozel to recall the highlights of her years at Hesston College, and she can’t find the words. “I’m sitting here with all these great images and different people passing through my head,” she says from her home in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. “I can’t really put them down because it cheapens them. I can’t make them sound as good as the experience really was.”

Hesston College was not Julie’s first choice. As a star softball player at Central Christian High School, Kidron, Ohio, she had dreams of playing for a Division I school, but a serious injury her senior year dashed those hopes.

“I went to Hesston mainly because Woody (Coach Forrest Miller) was really persistent and I was getting no serious responses from anywhere else.

I wasn’t appealing because of my injury, but I felt like Woody was willing to take the risk I would recover and be a positive addition to the team. At the time, I had no idea how happy I would later be with that decision,” she said.

“I got a second chance at Hesston. And even though I never fully returned to the player I had been before, I needed to come back and struggle through a hard recovery so that I could keep being active from then on out. If I had stopped playing after my injury, I don’t know if I would have been able to return to an active lifestyle. It was my last hurrah as far as team sports go and we had a really good time.”

The “really good time” for Julie included being part of a team that qualified to compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III national tournament in 2000, and being named a second team All-American for NJCAA Division III following that season. And, while giving her a great opportunity to play softball, Hesston was also preparing Julie for next steps in her life.

“I was able to test the waters at Hesston College,” she said. “I had no idea what I wanted to do in college (besides play softball) and at Hesston that was okay. So I tried a bunch of different things out, and it wasn’t until I decided to finish later on that I realized how important that was to me. I also became a much better student during my time at Hesston. I discovered what I was good at and what things grabbed my attention.”

After Hesston, Julie married Alex Kozel, and in 2005 she completed a degree in fine art photography and sculpture from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. They live in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, with their two small daughters and work at Stansberry Children’s Home and Daycare, an organization that works with orphaned and abandoned children as well as at-risk families.

“I have yet to find a softball diamond in Bolivia,” she says. “But I’m okay with that. I learned from my experience with Hesston that it’s not until God gets us to where he wants us that we are challenged to grow in every aspect of our lives.”

9 feature

Vivid memories of Hesston College remain today

by Carol Duerksen

Can a Hesston College student-athlete go on to play professional basketball? Yes. Are his basketball skills the most outstanding memory from his coach? No. And are his basketball games the highlight of his time at Hesston?

No again.

Former Larks men’s basketball coach Luke Hartman remembers how Robert Romero ended up at Hesston College.

“Terrance Micheaux found Robert Romero when holding a Mid America Youth Basketball (MAYB) tournament in San Marcos, Texas,” he remembered.

“He called me and said, ‘Luke, I found a kid you have got to call.’ Terrance thought this left hander would be an asset to the Hesston College community.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with and being in relationship with Robert over the course of two basketball seasons. One of the most meaningful stories about Robert was when we played down in Dallas, Texas. A great number of relatives came to the game and made the difference in a win over our competitor, Dallas Christian.

“After the game, the entire group of relatives—probably at least 30 in number—came to the Golden Corral Restaurant where we were eating supper.

When it was time to leave, the team was in the vans and assistant coach Dallas Stutzman said, ‘Coach, where is Robert?’ I realized that he wasn’t in the van.

I turned to look back toward the restaurant and this group of 30 was in the parking lot, huddled up, and at the center of the group was Robert. The family was all laying hands on him and praying for him as a send-off back to college. For me, it was an excellent reminder of what we can learn from a more community-oriented culture, which stands in contrast to our North American individualistic culture. It left a powerful visual imprint in my memory.”

Robert has his own vivid memories of Hesston College, including hanging out in the Larks Nest with teammates and listening to “whatever Coach Hartman is saying and also his stories!”

But it wasn’t just Coach Hartman who was influencing Robert’s life. “I can say Hesston College helped me a lot because everybody was friendly and down-to-earth,” he recalled. “I did enjoy going to chapel every Monday and Wednesday—the singing and also hearing Mr. (Tony) Brown sing. Until this day, I am closer to God from having that great experience of those two years at Hesston College.”

After graduating from Hesston in 2003, Robert attended and played basketball at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. During his junior year (2003-04), the Lobos basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division III national tournament, before losing their next contest in overtime.

He is now playing professional basketball in Leon, Mexico (near the capital city of Mexico City) for Lechugueros De Leon (The Lettuce Pickers of Leon). Recently, the 6’5” 239-pound guard was asked to play for the Mexican

Robert Romero prepares to take a shot as a guard for Lechugueros De Leon, a professional basketball team near Mexico City, Mexico.

Robert Romero, Fall 2002

national team.

“I’m living my dreams,” he says.

“Someday I will become a coach and teach my skills to my players—not only to become a ballplayer, but to be successful in life and to always have God on your side.”

—­Carol Duerksen is a freelance writer from Goessel, Kan. She is a 1974 graduate of Hesston College and former alumni association president.

10 feature

Making “The Hesston Experience” more enjoyable

by Phil Richard

Megan Gongwer (right), midfielder for the Larks first womens soccer team, dribbles the ball ahead of several defenders.

Even though Megan Gongwer will graduate from Hesston College in May with major questions about her calling in life, she’s glad she spent two years here, and played on the college’s first women’s soccer team.

Gongwer, from Goshen, Ind., was pleased when she learned late last spring that Hesston would play its inaugural season of women’s soccer in the fall with new coach Kurt Hostetler. “I was glad because I’ve always played soccer,” she said. “So it was sort of hard not playing soccer.” She said she’s been playing soccer since she was 8-10 years old.

“Participating in the women’s soccer team last fall made my ‘Hesston experience’ more enjoyable,” Gongwer said. “I thought we did pretty well for our first year.” The team finished with a 6-6 record.

In the first game, Gongwer, as midfielder, scored the historic first goal within the first three minutes. “I sprained my ankle the day before in practice,” she recalls. “But I begged Coach Hostetler to let me play a little while.”

“It was exciting to get some playing time and to get the first goal,” she said. She willingly sat out the rest of the game.

Gongwer was named to the All-Region VI second team (Division I, National Junior College Athletic Association) following the season, after compiling 11 goals and 3 assists. “I wasn’t expecting the award,” she said, “since this was our first season and Hesston is a small school. So I was really surprised.”

According to Gongwer, playing soccer for many years has taught her several things. “You learn to work as a team and trust others,” she explained. “You also develop relationships with other players, bond together, and make memories. Some friendships I made here at Hesston will last, as will the memories.”

Gongwer claims studying is easier during the season. “You know you have a time limit to study, do your homework, sleep, etc. So you put your mind to it. My grades were better and my school work got done a lot quicker.”

One reason she decided to attend Hesston was the spiritual aspect. “I wanted to practice my beliefs and take part in activities, like chapel,” she said.

“Chapel has been good for me even when I don’t want to go. It helps me grow in my faith and beliefs.” She also attended Sunday morning worship at Hesston Mennonite Church.

She’s glad she came to Hesston. “I wouldn’t want to be at a big college,” she said. “I’ve had a good time with my friends, my roommates, and my mod.”

Gongwer has served on the Campus Activities Board (CAB) both years.

The group meets weekly with CAB director Brent Brockmueller to plan student activities. “I’ve enjoyed planning and coordinating some events,” she said.

One event she planned both years was a karaoke night at the Larks Nest, with Lincoln Perk in Hesston bringing coffee. “We’re trying to get the community to support student activities and to get students to go to these places.”

Gongwer was undecided about a major when she came to Hesston College, and she’ll leave, still seeking direction. She’s looking into service opportunities. “I’ve always wanted to do service. It will be a good break to contemplate what I want to do, get out into the world, and be more independent.”

START HERE, GO

11 feature

Do sports and medicine mix? YES

by Phil Richard

Why would a 2005 graduate of Hesston College who played on the Larks baseball team be contemplating medical school? Because Sheldon Steiner, Dalton, Ohio, likes the idea of working around sports and is considering a career in sports medicine or as a sports physician.

Steiner enjoyed his two years at Hesston College, especially professors Jim Yoder and Hugo Boschmann, who teach chemistry and biology. He excelled academically, earning a spot on the dean’s list (3.9-4.0 grade point average) three out of four semesters.

Steiner listed several factors why he came to Hesston. “I didn’t know what I wanted to major in,” he said, “so Hesston gave me two years to decide.”

He also wanted to play baseball right away, and knew he would have a better chance for playing time right away at a two-year college. “In addition, I knew I’d have leadership opportunities.” As a sophomore, he served as a resident assistant (RA) in Kauffman Court and was named captain of the baseball team.

Despite battling injuries, Steiner, playing primarily first base, batted .446 his freshman year and .331 his sophomore season. The .446 batting average was the second best in school history, trailing only the school record of .460.

As a sophomore, he led the Larks in almost all offensive categories and set a school record for career hits with 79.

“We didn’t have the best record,” he said, “but I had a good experience. I learned a lot from (coach) Art (Mullet), and had fun with my teammates.

“Looking back, I’m happy I came to Hesston,” he said. “I’d do it again.”

Steiner graduated with honors (magna cum laude) from The College of Wooster (Ohio) in spring 2007, majoring in biology. He played baseball, too, leading the Scots in almost every offensive category last spring. He was also named as a 2007 ESPN The Magazine second-team Academic All-American.

In addition, Steiner was one of 29 male spring sport student-athletes nationwide awarded a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA. Steiner is taking some time off from formal studies, although he is studying for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Beside working part-time at the Dalton YMCA, he volunteers in the Medic-Aide program at Wooster Community Hospital, a program designed to assist pre-med college students gain valuable experience through observation in different departments of the hospital.

In addition, Steiner helped coach the middle school basketball team at Central Christian School, Kidron, Ohio, his alma mater, and is an assistant varsity baseball coach for the high school team this spring.

Steiner is the son of Dean and Prudy Steiner, Dalton, Ohio. Prudy (Kratzer) graduated from Hesston in 1972, then served as a college staff member 1976 to 1978. His older brother, LaMont, graduated from Goshen (Ind.) College in 2005. His younger brother, Tyler, also played baseball for the Larks and graduated from Hesston in 2007.

Sheldon Steiner, standout baseball player for The College of Wooster Fighting Scots, prepares to hit against Otterbein College.

Photo by Matt Dilyard, The College of Wooster

Sheldon Steiner Hesston College Fall 2003

O EVERYWHERE

12 a look

back—centennial stories

“Aggressively Opposed” to Intercollegiate Athletics

by John E. Sharp

Ray Kauffman attends modern basketball game Nov. 8, 2007 Ray Kauffman was in attendance at Yost Center when the Larks played the Tabor College JV (B) team Thursday, November 8, 2007, some 52 years after the Hesston’s first intercollegiate basketball game. And this time, Hesston College won, 102-68.

Kauffman was impressed with the facilities and this year’s team.

“What a difference—we played in old Hess Hall, which was new then. Also, that was the first game players were permitted to wear shorts. Before then, our male basketball players always wore white, long pants.Those maroon and white basketball uniforms were beautiful to behold. Hesston College has come a long way.

“And looking back, introducing varsity athletics, in my first year of teaching, just out of Goshen (Ind.) College, is a most rewarding memory and meaningful achievement,” Kauffman said. “That year of teaching plus four prior years as a student at Hesston were some of the most challenging and best years of my life. “’Start here and go (everywhere),’ it’s true,” Kauffman said.

For nearly 50 years, Hesston academy and college athletics were confined to intramural games—basketball, baseball, tennis—by school policy. In the 1920s, intramural skirmishes were sometimes open to the public.

In the first public event of the second term of the 1921-22 academic year, the senior academy men, sure that they were invincible, challenged the entire campus to a game of basketball.

The opposition could create an all-school team of any combination. But before they could prove their case, the game was rained out, literally. The studentfinanced and student-built gym could not handle the “veritable downpour” of rain. Puddles on the floor from the leaking roof became “larger and more numerous” as the game progressed, until finally the game was called with the all-school team in the lead 23-12.

As dean, J.D. Charles helped to shape a philosophy of athletics that limited sports to intramural games. A series of the dean’s lectures led to a position statement adopted by the student athletic association. The association declared itself “aggressively opposed” to intercollegiate sports because they were “detrimental” to the educational goals, the intellectual standards of scholarship, and the moral standards of institutions and students.

Educational goals of schools and students are compromised, they said, when a few skilled players are “overtrained” at the expense of the majority who need physical exercise. Granting special privileges to star athletes reduces the intellectual standards of scholarship, impairs an athlete’s “power of concentration” and distorts the “relative values in life.” An intercollegiate athletic program is also “unquestionably detrimental” to a school’s moral standards because it fosters a “win-at-any-cost” mentality, including the “evils of unfair play, rivalry, a form of gambling, and kindred evils.” For all these reasons, the athletic association pledged to oppose the pressures of acculturation and cooperate with the administration to maintain a full intramural athletic program.

The first intercollegiate varsity sport, men’s basketball, came in 1955-56 when Ray Kauffman was interim athletic director. With President Roy Roth’s support, Kauffman and coach “Mean” Gene Miller proposed varsity basketball to the faculty. Evan Oswald, athletic director on sabbatical that year, supported the move. After several meetings, some of them heated, the faculty acquiesced, and President Roth took the proposal to the Mennonite Board of Education.

Nelson Kauffman, MEA board chair, at first adamantly opposed the proposal, then finally consented. With board endorsement, Hesston’s first varsity basketball team, which included our own Marion Bontrager, challenged Tabor College’s B squad—and lost 61-52.

The game is believed to have been played Friday, January 27, 1956.

—Hesston College historian John E. Sharp ’73 is writing a centennial history about the college, founded in 1909. Sharp is also a history professor at the college.

13 a look

back—centennial stories

Keeping athletics in its proper perspective

Marion Bontrager, then

by Susan Miller Balzer

The fact that Marion Bontrager, Hesston College Bible and Ministry professor since 1973, watched only half of this year’s Super Bowl game before sitting down to grade ‘Bib lit’ papers tells something about his philosophy.

As a student-athlete at Hesston College more than 50 years ago, he said, “The issue for me was to not have athletics dominate my life or be my god.”

Just shy of 6 feet—“in those days, not a bad height (for a basketball player)”—Bontrager came to Hesston College in 1955 just in time to play on the first intercollegiate varsity men’s basketball team. Until that year, Hesston College students played only intramural sports (see article on facing page).

Bontrager played forward and guard on an eight-man team. The jump shot had just come into the game a few years before and fouls were called more frequently then since no physical contact was permitted. Compared to today, much less time was spent practicing.

President Roy Roth was instrumental in getting intercollegiate athletics started at Hesston College and getting Bontrager to come as a student. “Roy Roth recruited me,” Bontrager said. “The fact I played ball probably didn’t hurt—but they didn’t recruit basketball players, they recruited students.”

During his student years at Hesston, Bontrager sang baritone with a male quartet, and sang in Collegiate Choir; took part in the Choral Union, Forensics, and Peace Society; served as YPCA (Young People’s Christian Association) vice president, the Journal religion editor, and as hall manager of The Elms (college-owned off-campus housing); played basketball and baseball—all while taking courses leading toward a history major and a minor in physical education in secondary education at Goshen (Ind.) College two years later.

“I was terribly busy,” he said. “I was overly committed and terribly competitive.” Bontrager said his identity was tied up with winning every game and “(Athletic Director) Evan Oswald challenged me on that. He said, ‘Marion, why don’t you learn how to play?’”

Oswald, Coach Eugene Miller, President Roth, and other Hesston faculty contributed to the life of the young student and helped him develop leadership skills. “I found how athletics and recreation contribute ... in life,” Bontrager said. “I learned the value of play beyond competition.” Playing on a team “teaches you how to cooperate and support others, and how to follow the authority of the coach.

“Athletics teaches about life—winning and losing, success and failure— and discipline. You need to eat right, prepare for games, and get rest. (Athletics teaches) mental toughness and internal strength—to not give up.

“The challenge is to keep (athletics) in its proper perspective.”

—Susan Miller ’67 Balzer is a free-lance writer in Hesston, Kan. She serves as a staff reporter at the Hesston Record.

Marion Bontrager, now

Professor Marion Bontrager works with a class of Biblical Literature students.

14 feature

Jocelyn Forshee ready for the next challenge

by Phil Richard

Jocelyn Forshee, a sophomore from Concordia, a small town in northern Kansas, has moved on to her next challenge.

She began February 5 as a student at Bethel College, North Newton, Kan., aiming for a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in management.

Forshee said she grew a lot during her three semesters at Hesston College. “It was an opportunity to go to college to grow into the person I am,” she said. “I started to do things that I wanted to do and enjoy.”

For instance, prior to coming to Hesston College, she went to a Catholic church every Sunday. “We did it as a family,” she said. “My time at Hesston allowed me to see that I want to go to church every Sunday.

That was an area of spiritual growth for me.”

Forshee said she appreciated the small class size at Hesston College.

“It was easier to be on a one-to-one basis with the teacher,” she said, “and the teacher always knew when you weren’t there. So usually they would check to see if I was okay or if I needed something.

“That’s why I moved on to Bethel College,” she said, “because I should have a similar experience there. I’m not much for big classes.”

Forshee will continue playing volleyball at Bethel. “Being on a team at Hesston helped me move into college life,” she said. “I had people I knew right away and they were always there to turn to.”

Occasionally, she remembers that last December, she was named as a volleyball Second Team AllAmerican for Division II, National Junior College Athletic Association. She admitted that the honor produced some worries. “I found myself hoping that I could live up to that standard and play like an All-American,” she said. “But I was honored to have been chosen when many other women deserved the honor, too.”

What will she miss at Hesston? “One thing definitely will be not being around my twin, Jessica (a sophomore on the Larks women’s basketball team). This will be the first time in our entire lives that we’ve been separated.”

Last fall, the twins spearheaded a fund-raiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to breast cancer research, and to support women with breast cancer. During an invitational volleyball tournament hosted by the Larks September 21-22 as part of Homecoming Weekend, $715 was raised in honor of their mother, Debra, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in August.

Forshee said things are back to normal after her mother had a double mastectomy in early October. “It definitely brought our family closer together,” she said. Debra and her husband John also have an older daughter, Jonelle, who is a senior at the University of Kansas.

The effort was also an eye-opener for Forshee. “I started to notice things that I can do to help fight breast cancer and raise funds,” she said. “What we did was so small compared to what others have done, but we made a huge impact. It shows that big or small, you can do things for the good.”

15 ef c h i lf de raet nu r o

alumni

THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR VERY BEST

101 students came to Hesston College as children of alumni for the 2007-08 school year.

This represents 23 percent of the Fall 2007 total student population, and more than 30 percent of traditional-age students at Hesston this year.

Luke Aeschliman­—Jay ’74 former faculty and Cynthia (Bontrager) ’76 former staff Aeschliman, Bradenton, Fla. Heidi Baker—Sue (Horning) ’81 former staff and John Baker, Mohnton, Pa. Linea Bartel—Lonnie ’83 and Julie (Wyse) ’82 Bartel, Iowa City, Iowa Rebecca Bender—Lamar ’73, ’97 and Karen (Esbenshade) ’97 staff Bender, Hesston, Kan. Naomi Blosser—Gail (Smith) ’78 and Randy Blosser, Goshen, Ind. Heidi Boese—Gary ’81 former staff and Marlene (Diener) ’81 staff Boese, Hesston, Kan. Jerod Bontrager--Jerre ’70 and Lucy (Gerber) ’73 Bontrager, Hesston, Kan. Natalie Bontrager--Wilbur ’64 and Annie Bontrager, Shortsville, N.Y. Jenae Boshart--Annette (Graber) ’78 Von Tersch and Gale Boshart ’76 (deceased), Wayland, Iowa Matt Boyts--Teresa (Dreier) ’76 and Randy Boyts, Fort Worth, Texas Marci Cornwell--Lisa ’06 and Joe Cornwell, St. John, Kan. Aubrey Crouse--Dawn Crouse ’02, Canton, Kan. Caleb Detweiler--Tim ’72 former staff and Carol (Bachman) ’74 former staff Detweiler, Washington, Iowa Danika Diener--Ronald ’72 and Marilee Diener, Goshen, Ind. Abby Erb--Jim ’73 and Jan (Swartz) ’74 Erb, Hesston, Kan. Kimberly Friesen--Kelvin ’73 and Jane Friesen, Archbold, Ohio Brent Garber--Regena (Beckler) ’74 and Dan Garber, Hutchinson, Kan. Michelle Gibbens--Kandace Silvernale ’04, Newton, Kan. Dylan Gingerich--Rudy ’75 and Colleen Gingerich, Mountain Home, Idaho Heidi Gingerich--Mary Lou (Miller) ’76 and Ed Gingerich, Parnell, Iowa Laura Goering--Tim ’76 staff and Susan (Brenneman) ’76 former staff Goering, Moundridge, Kan. Caleb Gugel--David ’79 and Julie (Link) ’79 Gugel, Wauseon, Ohio Tara Harms-Becker--Ivan ’85 and Darla Harms-Becker, Hesston, Kan. Dustin Heppner--Laura (Hochstetler) ’67 and Mark Heppner, Salem, Ore. Kory Hiebert--Lucinda (Sparrow) ’91 and Mike Hiebert, Goessel, Kan. Alicia Hochstetler--Mardi (Willems) ’77 and Doug Hochstetler, Albany, Ore. Yvonne Hooley--Elaine (Leatherman) ’78 and Jim Hooley, Wayland, Iowa Timothy Horn--Mary Jean (Thoman) ’77 and Dean Horn, West Liberty, Ohio Jordan Hostetler--Mike ’79 and Betty Hostetler, Harper, Kan. Tony Hostetler--Lynn ’80 and Janice (Leichty) ’80 Hostetler, Kalona, Iowa Jordan Jantzi--Arlene (Nissley) ’72 and Randy Jantzi, Lebanon, Ore. Sarah Jantzi--Dave ’82 and Lori (Miller) ’82 Jantzi, Albany, Ore. Brittany Jepsen--Brad ’77 and Susan (Eichelberger) ’78 Jepsen, Shelton, Neb. Jeremy Kaufman--Lowell Kaufman ’81, Wakefield, Neb. Emily King--Bob ’74 and Reba King, Danville, Ill. Meredith Kliewer--Susie (Springer) ’72 and Glen Kliewer, Hillsboro, Kan. Joel Kratzer--Doug ’79 and Donna (Musselman) ’78 Kratzer, Dalton, Ohio Katelin Landes--Kendra (Roth) ’83 and Jeff Landes, Iowa City, Iowa Kenyon Lederman--Todd ’81 and Cindy (Troyer) ’82 Lederman, Middlebury, Ind. Jaycee Lopez--Sheila (Roberts) ’84 and Tony Lopez, Chandler, Ariz.

Kaitlyn Mast--Delvin ’78 former staff and Anita (Nyce) ’80 Mast, Weatherford, Okla.

Jason Marner--Joann (Roth) ’78 and Stan Marner, Brighton, Iowa Chloe Martin--Jerry ’81 and Jeanette Martin, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Daniel Martin--Mike ’81 and Yvonne (Detweiler) ’81 Martin, Harrisonburg, Va. Luke Mason--Jim ’75 staff and Becky staff Mason, Hesston, Kan. Janell Maust--Rene ’82 and Mafra (Swartzendruber) ’82 Maust, Goshen, Ind. Mike Mendez--Chago ’74 and Marcia (Weaver) ’73 staff Mendez, Hesston, Kan. Bethany Miller--Craig ’84 and Jenelle (Weaver) ’85 Miller, Marion, S.D.

Kaely Miller--Jo (Voth) ’77 and Daniel Miller, Newton, Kan. Nick Miller--Lewis ’01 and Norma Miller, Beemer, Neb. Rhonda Miller--John ’76 staff and Roxanne (Erb) ’76 Miller, Hesston, Kan. Shane Miller--Lou (Schlabach) ’75 and Jerry Miller, Wellman, Iowa Kara Mishler--Kenda (Kropf) ’83 and Bob Mishler, Shipshewana, Ind. Alison Moncado--Delaine (Naffziger) ’71 Stolzle, Goddard, Kan. Jesse Nussbaum--Cheryl (Snyder) ’72 and Larry former staff Nussbaum, Wichita, Kan. Katelyn Nussbaum--Jonathan ’82 and Becky Nussbaum, Union, Mich.

Kristin Nussbaum--Marcia (Wiebe) ’84 and Gene Nussbaum, Phoenix, Ariz.

Daniel Penner--Faith (Hershberger) ’74 and Tim Penner, Harper, Kan. Jordan Pierce--Jina Brenneman ’83, Palmer Lake, Colo.

Megan Pinkerton--Joanna (Gerber) ’81 and Randy Pinkerton, Wichita, Kan. Megan Pope--Helen ’93 and Dion Pope, Wichita, Kan. Abigail Roth--Al ’81 and Rhonda Roth, Wood River, Neb. Andrew Rudolphi--Faye Gerig ’73 and Leo Rudolphi, Marengo, Iowa Tyler Sauerwein--Mark ’79 and Teresa Sauerwein, Newton, Kan. Zac Schlegel--John ’73 and Roxanne Schlegel, Shickley, Neb. Luke Schmidt--Richard ’77 and Pam (Gray) ’79 Schmidt, North Newton, Kan. Kaitlin Schmucker--Darrel ’80 and DeeAnn (Short) ‘80 Schmucker, Sacramento, Calif.

Megan Schrock--Dawn (Schlabaugh) ’80 and Ezra Schrock, Wellman, Iowa Zach Schroeder--Janice (Miller) ’77 staff and Jim Schroeder, Newton, Kan. Hilary Shirk--Ed ’78 and Phyllis (Schmidt) ’78 Shirk, Woodland Park, Colo.

Kayla Short--Peggy (Wyse) ’80 and Mike Short, Archbold, Ohio Kelsey Shue--Terry ’77 and Kay (Nussbaum) ’78 Shue, Dalton, Ohio Chris Snyder--Ron ’81 and Cheryl (Hertzler) ’82 Snyder, Akron, N.Y. Steffen Sommers--Mick ’83 and Julie (Zehr) ’83 Sommers, Elkhart, Ind. Grant Sprunger--Jedd ’80 and Nanette Sprunger, Dalton, Ohio Bethany Stauffer--Lora (Leichty) ’76 and Gene Stauffer, Burlington, Iowa OriAnn Stauffer--Mahlon ’76 and Annette (Epp) ’77 Stauffer, Littleton, Colo.

Roxanne and Ryan Stauffer--Barry ’78 and Brenda (Kroeker) ’78 Stauffer, Beaver Crossing, Neb. Rachel Steckly--Blane ’81 and Nan (Stuckey) ’81 Steckly, Milford, Neb. Michael Steury--Doug ‘77 and LuAnn (Steider) ‘77 Steury, New Paris, Ind. Matt Stuckey--Linda (Aeschliman) ’75 and Mike Stuckey, Archbold, Ohio Todd Stutzman--Dallas ’76 staff and Jan (Unruh) ’72 former staff Stutzman, Hesston, Kan. Hannah Titus--Karleen (Kauffman) ’85 and Dean Vitermark, Roland, Iowa Naomi Tice--Enos ’80 and Carolyn Tice, Salisbury, Pa. Jordan Tonn--Kerrie ’93 and Gary Tonn, Hutchinson, Kan. Adam Troyer--Rose (Wenger) ’77 and Mark Troyer, Lititz, Pa. Jennifer Troyer--Terri (Sampson) ’95 and Tony Troyer, Haven, Kan. Jason Unruh--Lewis ’76 and Carrie Unruh, Peabody, Kan. Katelin Unruh--Mark ’83 and Barbara (Stutzman) ’83 Unruh, Durham, Kan. Marcus Unruh--Lowell ’77 and Pam (Gerig) ’77 Unruh, Wayland, Iowa Hope Weaver--Herm ’79 and Cindy (Ruhl) ’79 Weaver, Nederland, Colo.

Kendall and Lance Wenger--Brenda (Steckly) ’79 staff and Dwayne Wenger, Hesston, Kan. Joshua Wiebe--Carl ’79 and Mary (Meyer) ’80 Wiebe, Millersburg, Ohio Peter Wintermote--Jeff ’80 and Tammy (Vogt) ’81 Wintermote, Turpin, Okla.

Isaac Wyse--Duane ’74 and Cecilia (Hooley) ’74 Wyse, Wauseon, Ohio Amanda Yoder--Roger ’79 and Rhonda (Nussbaum) ’79 Yoder, Goshen Ind. Kyla Yoder--Judy (Wagler) ’75 and Calvin Yoder, Kalona, Iowa Lauren Zehr--Michael ’78 and Rebecca Zehr, Wauseon, Ohio Katrina Zerger--Lynette (Beake) ’82 Alshanski, Moundridge, Kan. and Dick Zerger, Moundridge, Kan.

16 Alumni News Notes, Spring 2008

1920-1929 Death

Erma (Stutzman) Ac28 Lauber, Tofield, Alta.

(Canada), Oct. 12, 2007

1930-1939 Deaths

Opal (Bitikofer) Ac31 Pankratz, Hesston, Kan., Oct. 24, 2007 Estella (Zook) Ac38 Kieffaber, Lenexa, Kan., May 3, 2007 Bertha (Weaver) Miller Ac37, Nampa, Idaho, Nov. 11, 2007 Mary (Wall) Wiens Ac38, Hillsboro, Kan., June 4, 2007

1940-1949 Deaths

Lois (Diller) Ac43, ’46 Hershberger, Hesston, Kan., Nov. 20, 2007 Donald Ruegg, husband of Mary Ann (Eichelberger) Ac44, ’47 Ruegg, Durham, N.C., Oct. 22, 2007 Rachel Driver Ac45, ’47, Centennial, Colo., Feb. 2, 2008 Verne Bachman, husband of Aline (Young) ’48 Bachman, Moundridge, Kan., Nov. 24, 2007

alumni news

1970-1979

David Martin ’73, Akron, Pa., participated in a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) bike tour and pedaled 292 miles to raise money for MCC’s peace work.

Lynn Fielitz ’79, Walden, N.Y., was promoted to chief of instruction in the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy. He was also elected to the board of directors for the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Deaths

Phyllis (Hess) ’72 Gorno, Lititz, Pa., May 26, 2007 Marcie (Carey) ’78 Ritter, Akaska, S.D., July 20, 2007

1980-1989

Mike Liller ’81, Hillsborough, N.C., works for SAS, a software company, as a pilot in their corporate flight department.

Marcia (Bock) ’81 Myers, Nixa, Mo., has completed 25 years of work as a registered nurse.

Hope (Kauffman) Ac53 ’55 Lind, Harrisonburg, Va., and her husband, Cliff, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a birding trip to Kenya and Tanzania. She serves on the Virginia Advisory Council for the Hesston College Development office.

Deaths

Dale Nitzsche Ac50, Lexington, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2007 Neva Kay (Bute) Ac50 Shetler, wife of Paul Shetler Ac50, Filer, Idaho, Nov. 20, 2007 Elizabeth Detwiler Ac51, Lansdale, Pa., Sept.

30, 2007 Durbin Zook ’52, husband of Mildred (Yoder) Ac47, ’51 Zook, Goshen, Ind., Nov. 13, 2007 Elizabeth Mullet Ac55, Dunedin, Fla., Sept. 2, 2007

1960-1969

Sharon (Wyse) Miller ’63, Ambler, Pa., traveled to Italy and Switzerland this past summer as part of her sabbatical from her lead pastor position at Ambler Mennonite Church.

Randy ’89 Mishler, Vancouver, Wash., spent two years in Puebla, Mexico, teaching at a pastor’s conference and a youth retreat. He works at City Bible Church in Portland, Ore.

Death

Sandy Claypool former staff, wife of Stacy Claypool ’84, Hesston, Kan., Nov. 13, 2007

Births

Jerry ’81 and Shelly Brenneman, Kasilof, Alaska: Finn James Emery, Nov. 26, 2007 Phil ’83 and Jana Landes, Bridgewater, Va.: Cooper, Sept. 11, 2007 Matt ’86 and Lisa Litwiller, New Paris, Ind.: Bridget Caroline, Oct. 6, 2007 Bret ’87 and Heidi Detrick, New Hudson, Mich.: Calvin, July 30, 2006 Loren ’87 and Keri Mast, Linville, Va.: Tyler Jay, Jan. 14, 2007

1990-1999

Randy Kenagy ’91, Frederick, Md., is the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA’s) new chief of staff for its government affairs division.

1950-1959

Jerry Unruh Ac59, ’61, Hesston, Kan., retired in April 2007 after working 45 years in health care institutions. In September, Jerry and his wife Elaine moved to Schowalter Villa retirement community.

Glen ’88 and Rhonda (Yoder) ’88 Rhodes live in Arthur, Ill., where Glen was ordained in September 2007 at Arthur Mennonite Church.

He serves as minister of discipling and is the Ministry Team leader. Rhonda teaches 3rd grade at Arthur Elementary School.

Kevin Yoder ’82, Elkhart, Ind., his wife Sharon, and their three daughters, returned from six years in Kenya, East Africa, with Eastern Mennonite Missions to co-pastor Olive Mennonite Church.

Eric Kniss ’85, Greensboro, N.C., is taking courses at the University of North Carolina in preparation to enter graduate studies for a master of fine arts degree.

Brian McGinnis ’85, Sidney, Mont., is overseeing a $20 million remodeling project as president of the Sidney Health Center board of directors.

Chris Borovicka ’87, Jefferson City, Mo., was upgraded to Captain at Southwest Airlines in August 2007. He has been employed with Southwest Airlines since January 2001.

Daniel Bran ’93, Guatemala City, Guatemala, serves as senior pastor at North Hills Bible Church.

Dayvid Graybill ’93, Colorado Springs, Colo., participated in an MCC bike tour and pedaled 292 miles to raise money for MCC’s peace work.

Brad Schweitzer ’94, Hesston, Kan., purchased Sorb Computers, a computer consulting and repair company in Hillsboro, Kan.

Kate Harkness ’96, Wichita, Kan., a Captain with the 184th Medical Group, Kansas Air National Guard, spent six months at Balad AB, Iraq, at the hospital serving as a nurse practitioner/trauma.

17 alumni news Terri Sterneker ’96, McPherson, Kan., was featured last November in the McPherson Sentinel’s ongoing series titled “Women of DistinctionMedicine” for her work in the emergency room at Memorial Hospital in McPherson and her liaison role as a sexual assault nurse examiner.

Gale Hess ’99, Lancaster, Pa., works as a medical social worker at Landis Homes Retirement Community, Lititz, Pa. He recently won second place in a benefit bicycle race around the periphery of Lancaster County.

Marriages

Tanya Helmlinger ’92, ’98 and Ben White, Kingman, Ariz., May 22, 2007 Tim Friesen ’99 and Karla Amstutz, Akron, Pa. Nov. 4, 2006 Ryan Neufeld ’99 and Tonya Cervantez, Sun City, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2007 Wongel Worabo ’99 and Fikre-Yesus Mesfen, Goshen, Ind., May 29, 2005

Births

Mary Jane (Puryear) ’91 and Joel Pena, Lancaster, Pa.: Samuel Joel, Mar. 1, 2007 Nancy (Galliart) ’91 and Joe Stuchlik, Newton, Kan.: Holly Mae, Oct. 18, 2007 Jeremy ’92 and Jyl (Boettger) ’98 Ewy, Newton, Kan.: Hope Elizabeth, Nov. 19, 2007 Chris ’92 and Susan Hershberger, Wooster, Ohio: Rider Alan born June 20, 2006; received for adoption Feb. 12, 2007 Juanita (Martin) ’92 and Christopher Horst, Ephrata, Pa.: Larisa Joy Horst, May 29, 2007 Anna Wyse ’92 and Ben Yoder, Harrisonburg, Va.: Martha Ann, Sept. 12, 2007; Sam Edwin born May 31, 2007, received for adoption June 2007 Julie (Diller) ’93 and Darren Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, Kan.: Ty Quinton, Nov. 20, 2007 Lori (Gingerich) ’93 and Tony Roetlin, Coralville, Iowa: Elizabeth Grace, Oct. 12, 2007 Chad ’94 and Laurie Dove, Valley Center, Kan.: Rowan Grier, Nov. 4, 2007 Brad ’94 and Christine ’94 Schweitzer staff.

Hesston, Kan.: Rianna Catherine, Nov. 1, 2007 Chris ’95 and Elizabeth Alliman, Kansas City, Mo: Gilbert Richard, Nov. 6, 2007 Karl ’95 and Lara (Reeb) ’97 Stempel, Tucson, Ariz.: Joshua Elden, Oct. 3, 2007 Tonia (Stutzman) ’95 and Kevin Martin, Weatherford, Okla.: Zachary Paul, July 19, 2007 Chris ’95 and Judy Mummau, East Waterford, Pa.: Carter Nelson, Dec. 19, 2007 Carrie (Nickel) ’96 and Todd Miller, Topeka, Kan.: Audrey Loryn, Oct. 14, 2007 Darla (Knepp) ’96 and Eddie Trejo, Melbourne, Australia: Lucia Isabella, Sept. 26, 2007

Marty ’96 and Hannah (Osborne) ’99 Troyer, Elkhart, Ind.: Malakai Osborne, Sept. 12, 2007 Courtney ’96 and Beth Zehr, Spokane, Wash.: Adelaide Jean, Oct. 30, 2007 Deb (Kilheffer) ’97 and Peter Haddad, Scottdale, Pa.: Sophia Rose of Sharon, Nov. 1, 2007 Mark ’97 and Wendy (Wenger) ’97 Hochstedler, Alfred Station, N.Y.: Isaac Lee, Sept.

14, 2007 Crystal (Hershey) ’97 and Jesse Wenger, Alexandria, Va.: James Amos Daniel, Aug. 29, 2007 Lynn ’97 and Anita Roth, Archbold, Ohio: Leah Ellen, Sept. 4, 2007 Ben Yoder ’97 and Elizabeth Finley Yoder, Onalaska, Wis.: Phoebe Marie, Sept. 28, 2007 Carl ’98 and Kristin Kauffman, Keezletown, Va.: Phoebe Yoder Kauffman, Nov. 17, 2007 Joel ’98 and Abbie (Bauman) ’99 Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio: Lillian Beth, Aug. 11, 2007 Gentry Yoder ’98 and Michelle Miller, Kalona, Iowa: Candance Ann, Sept. 29, 2007 Corina (Martin) ’99 and Mike Stubbs, Denver, Pa.: Emma Lyn, Apr. 23, 2007 Wongel Worabo ’99 and Fikre-Yesus Mesfen, Goshen, Ind.: Arkey Fikre-Yesus, Nov. 16, 2007 Ryan ’99 and Bethany (Freed) ’98 Umble, Atglen, Pa.: Kai Reagan, Dec.17, 2007

2000-2007

Kendra Burkey ’00 faculty, received her master’s degree in communication from Wichita State University in December 2007.

John Michaels ’01, Millersburg, Ohio, was licensed as youth pastor at Pleasant View Mennonite Church, North Lawrence, Ohio, on Oct. 21.

Jessica Schrock-Ringenberg ’02, Archbold, Ohio, was ordained for pastoral ministry at Zion Mennonite Church, Archbold, Oct. 14. She served as pastor-in-residence at Hesston College November 12-14.

Joshua Gross ’04, Goodfield, Ill., began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in August 2007 in Boulder, Colo., as a program staff member with Boulder Shelter for the Homeless.

Luis Padilla ’04, Broadway, Va., works as a behavioral specialist (mentor) at Crossroads Counseling Center.

Nathanael Shue ’04, Wichita, Kan., completed the Super King Air 350 Initial Course, concluding with an BE-300 SIC type rating.

Andrew Willems ’04, Kalona, Iowa, began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service in San Antonio, Texas, as a House of Teen’s program assistant with Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church, starting in September 2007.

Nicholas (Nick) Stoddard ’05, Kalona, Iowa, a senior biblical studies major at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va., received first prize in the bi-national C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest granting him a cash gift and scholarship to attend a peace-related conference for his speech, “Connect the Dots.”

Tiffany Hochstetler ’07, Ogema, Minn., began a one-year term of Mennonite Voluntary Service September 2007 in St. Louis, Mo., as a special education teacher/teacher’s aide with Edgewood Children’s Center.

Marriages

Kendra Burkey ’00 faculty and Nathan Bartel, Newton, Kan.., Dec. 30, 2007 Matt Boshart ’01 and Rachel Sitzman, Omaha, Neb., June 2, 2007 Jeremy Klopfenstein ’01 and Elise Hazelwood ’02, Clinton, Iowa, Oct. 6, 2007 Monte Unruh ’01 and Jana Schroeder, Perryton, Texas, May 26, 2007 Adam Gingerich ’02 and Erin Wagner ’03, Wilsonville, Ore., Aug. 19, 2007 Luke Leichty ’02 and Summer Miller, Wayland, Iowa, Aug. 10, 2007 Maria Tschetter ’02 and Brian Paff, Chicago, Ill., Aug. 11, 2007 Ginette Friesen ’03 and Chad Swanson, Lincoln, Neb., June 23, 2007 Matt Troyer ’03 and Elizabeth Miller, Elkhart, Ind., Sept. 1, 2007 Abby Gould ’05 and Eder Garcia, Salem, Ore., Sept. 14, 2005 Jesse Nonnemacher ’06 and Kaley Wilson, Eastlake, Ohio, Nov. 24, 2007

Births

Travis ’00 and Heather Morris, Souderton, Pa.: Carter Travis, Oct. 2, 2007 Jason ’01 and Tiffany Knox, Rantoul, Ill.: Abby Kate, Aug. 2, 2007 Greg ’02 and Kaisha Reber, Anthony, Kan.: Jaibin Cole, Dec. 9, 2006 Trina (Hochstetler) ’02 and Trennis Sensenig, Stone Lake, Wis.: Jaylin Sara, Sept. 23, 2007 Nick ’02, former faculty and Jackie (Bornowsky) ’02 Stanberry, Goddard, Kan.: Owen Nicholas, Aug. 9, 2007

Continued on page 18

18 alumni news

Faculty/Staff

Jeffrey Gundy, former faculty, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship grant to lecture at the university of Salzburg in Salzburg, Austria, March-June 2008.

Gundy is professor of English at Bluffton (Ohio) University.

Patty Meier, faculty, completed her master’s degree in education, with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction from Emporia (Kan.) State University in December 2007.

Jenna Billings, faculty, received her master’s degree in Reformation Studies from the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland, in December 2007.

Jeanne Billings, staff, completed her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kan., in December 2007

Fourth Lark Open May 31 The fourth annual Lark Open benefit for the Hesston College Athletic Department will be held at the Hesston Golf Park Saturday, May 31.

The four-person scramble will begin at 8 a.m., with registration starting at 7 a.m. Lunch will be catered at the golf course.

Athletic Director Art Mullet said the money raised will be used for upgrades in the weight training and athletic training rooms.

For more information, contact Art Mullet at 620-327-8278; e-mail artm@ hesston.edu.

Join us for a fun day of golf with family, alumni, and friends, a wonderful way to support HC athletics as described in this issue of Hesston College Today.

Friesen Center for the Visual Arts to be completed this spring

Construction on the $2 million Friesen Center for the Visual Arts continues, with completion anticipated in late April or early May.The building is named in honor of Paul and Wilma Friesen, Hesston, Kan. Friesen began the Hesston College visual arts department in spring 1957. Located between Northlawn (music and theatre) and Charles Hall (the sciences), the new building will provide teaching space for ceramics, painting, print-making, and drawing; a computer lab for graphic design and digital photography; an art gallery; and faculty offices. Dedication is planned for Homecoming Weekend September 26-28, 2008.

New organ dedicated March 2

Hesston Mennonite Church (HMC) and Hesston College dedicated a new pipe organ during the church’s morning worship service Sunday, March 2.

The dedication occurred in the new HMC sanctuary.

Organists from the congregation and students from Hesston College provided prelude music.

That evening, a concert featured the new Andover 17-rank, mechanical (tracker) organ and organist Kenneth Rodgers, college music faculty member who teaches organ and piano. A choir consisting of college and church members sang several selections, accompanied by the organ.

Both Hesston Mennonite Church and Hesston College contributed to the $265,000 cost of the organ.

May 30-June 12

Sara (Zook) ’02 and Paul Swisher, Philadelphia, Mo.: Colton Wayne, Oct. 5, 2007 Casey ’03 and Rachel Rohrer, Springs, Pa.: Lily Virginia, Oct. 19, 2007 Troy ’05 and Verena Weaver, Irwin, Ohio: Amelia Gayle, Aug. 21, 2007

Europe Tour 2008

Continued from page 17

A few late additions still are welcome for the Hesston College Alumni Relations Europe tour this summer. According to Dallas Stutzman, vice president of alumni relations, 24 alumni and friends have made reservations for the May 30-June 12 tour.

Ken Rodgers, music faculty member and tour co-host with Stutzman, said, “I’m looking forward to leading alumni in a historical tour that will expand on the work we’ve been doing with Hesston students for the last 30 years.”

Rodgers and music professor Bradley Kauffman will co-direct the biennial European Chorale tour with about 35 students May 6-June 3.

The alumni and friends tour begins in Amsterdam, where the group will visit various sites, hear concerts by Hesston’s European Chorale, and worship with the Mennonite congregation in Haarlem.The next destination is Friesland, highlighted by a visit to the monument outside Witmarsum, the village of Menno Simons’ birth.

While in Germany, the group will visit Cologne and Neuwied.

Strasbourg, France, is next, followed by a visit to old castles and flower-lined streets in quaint villages in a scenic area of the Alsace region.

At Langnau, Switzerland, the group will worship June 8 with the oldest Mennonite congregation in the world.Then the group will visit Trachselwald Castle, where Anabaptists were held prisoner.The tour ends in Lucerne and Zurich, full of Anabaptist history.

For more information, or for travel specific questions or arrangements, contact the Hesston College Alumni Relations Office toll-free at 866-437-7866 (866-HESSTON); locally at 620-327-8109; or e-mail brendae@hesston.edu.

19 columns

Developing and educating the whole person

By Art Mullet

In the sports world, our culture has moved in the direction of specialization. Rather than focus on the sport in season, many youth are pushed to play/practice one sport year-round. I fear that our emphasis on specialization today will result in early burn-out and often a resentment toward the system that pushed them, and yet failed them.

Because of my belief in a well-rounded person, I have chosen to teach and coach at a small college such as Hesston College. The emphasis here has always been to develop and educate the whole person. Our student-athletes experience the competitiveness of junior college sports, yet must also balance this challenge with academic rigors, and rich social and spiritual opportunities. Many college coaches would not allow players to miss a practice for any reason. To me, it’s actually a good feeling when a player asks to miss a practice in order to go to a study group, or spend an extra hour working on a paper. It’s a reminder to me that he or she has his or her priorities in order.

Our student-athletes at Hesston traditionally achieve an overall higher grade point average than does the general student population. Despite the long hours of practice and games, they are using their “free-time” more wisely and the self-discipline they are learning on the field or court, carries over to their academic life.

Most of our student-athletes come to Hesston College from successful high school experiences. Many were the “stars” on their teams and were used to winning, and receiving much adulation. At Hesston, due to the competitiveness of our schedules, many of our programs do not annually achieve glowing records.

Our athletes begin to gain a new perspective on life…that one does not win all the time, and “Maybe I’m not the best player on the team after all!”

Learning to deal with these new challenges, and often adversity, is part of the growth of our student-athletes. And particularly at Hesston, having social interaction in the mods, and close personal connections with coaches, faculty, and staff, encourages that important maturation to take place.

Yes, I’m proud to say I’ve spent 33 of my 41 years in education at two small Christian colleges. Mentoring young persons as they develop and watching as they learn life skills through sports has been precious to me.

Art Mullet, who has begun his 27th year as Larks baseball coach, has been Hesston College athletic director and a faculty member since 1980.

The editor’s desk Play Ball!

I grew up with sports and enjoy many of them yet today. Watching sporting events in person or on TV helps me release daily stress, and forget about worries or deadlines for a few minutes or hours.

On the younger side of 50, I participated in and enjoyed many sports. The exercise and team work provided many health benefits, meaningful friendships, learnings, and fun.

Now, as my lung cancer status remains “stable,” I enjoy working out at the local wellness center, and occasionally helped with play-by-play of Larks’ home basketball games. Of course, I’ll be watching March Madness (college basketball).

Marion Bontrager cautions us on page 13 to keep sports in its proper perspective.

Since I can be quite competitive and hate to lose, his word is a good reminder.

To that end, the apostle Paul used track and field imagery in several of his writings to early churches, like in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown (perishable wreath) that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

My NIV Study Bible says the Corinthians were familiar with the foot races in their own Isthmian games, which occurred every other year and were second only to the Olympic games in importance.

Yes, I’ll probably watch the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing. But we Christians need to remember that the Olympics are not the ultimate goal.

Our goal should be to win the race in our journey with God by loving “the Lord your God with all your heart...soul...strength... and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

(Luke 10:27) May it be so for each of us.

Phil Richard, editor philr@hesston.edu

Box 3000 Hesston, KS 67062

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

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