In the News

Hesston College Theatre to present disco-rock musical “Xanadu”

Hesston College Theatre will bring sparkle, roller skates and chart-topping hits to the stage this spring with its production of “Xanadu.” Performances will take place at 7 p.m. March 5 to 7 and at 2 p.m. March 8 in Keim Center’s Black Box Theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $12 for adults and seniors, available at the door or in advance at hesston.edu/showtix or by calling 620-327-8104.

Directed by Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi, the high-energy musical plays a larger part in the overall message Jantzi wishes to convey throughout this year’s performances.

“I wanted to keep with the theme we had established with the fall play and Christmas show of fantastical stories and light-heartedness,” Jantzi says.

Set to the electrifying soundtrack of the 1980 cult film, the Broadway musical version of “Xanadu” by Douglas Carter Beane reimagines the story with sharper comedy, a streamlined story and additional characters. The show follows Greek muse Kira as she descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif., on a quest to inspire struggling artist Sonny Malone to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco.

“It took all the best stuff the movie offered – romance, roller skating and an incredible soundtrack, and ditched the poor special effects and loose storyline. He tightened it by introducing additional muses, which created clearer conflict, comedic relief, and he let the music really tell the story,” Jantzi explains. “After all, this movie soundtrack had five chart-busting hits in 1980 and all of them are in this show.”

Audiences can expect glittering costumes, infectious choreography and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor.

“This is a disco-rock musical,” Jantzi says. “Anyone born in the ’70s or earlier who knew this movie or music will experience some sweet nostalgia. Anyone born after the ’70s will either know it from their parents, or they will simply appreciate the comedy and the music that is still heard today. And really, how many shows can a director pull out a disco ball and a pegasus? Have I mentioned the awesome music?”

The cast features lead actors Anja Martinez of Topeka, Kan., and Angel Sinnett of McPherson, Kan., as Kira and Sonny Malone. Ashleigh Williams of Eaton, Co., portrays Calliope; Rey Tipton of Hesston, Kan., plays Melpomene; Evelyn Gaertner of Newton, Kan., is Erato; Sebastian Pavlovich of Lindsborg, Kan., appears as Thalia; Adam Wonser of Goessel, Kan., plays Terpsichore; and Chloe Robinson of Moore, Okla., portrays Euterpe. The cast also features Josh Fleming ’25, Hesston College flight instructor, as Danny McGuire; Cindy Smith of Park City, Kan., and Constance Feldt of Wichita, Kan., in multiple ensemble roles; and Brody Hutto of Bel Aire, Kan., appearing as Hermes.

The production team includes stage manager Alyssa Coonce, of Hutchinson, Kan.; assistant stage manager and dramaturg Brody Hutto of Bel Aire, Kan.; lead carpenter Sam Setiawan of Goshen, Ind.; co-costume designers Evelyn Gaertner of Newton, Kan., and Chloe Robinson of Moore, Okla.; hair and makeup designer Constance Feldt of Wichita, Kan.; and props chief Ava Huynh of Lam Dong, Vietnam.

Recommended for audiences of all ages, “Xanadu” promises an evening of laughter, nostalgia and unapologetic fun.

Becky Ruth - A legacy family story

For many families, Hesston College isn’t just a place — it’s part of the story that gets passed down.

One alum, Rebecca “Becky” Ruth Ac59, ’62, recently shared her family’s Hesston College legacy — a story that spans four generations and nearly a century. It’s a reminder of how deeply HC can become woven into a family’s life.

While Hesston College started out as a Mennonite school and drew primarily Mennonite students for decades, Becky’s family didn’t fit the mold. All four generations that attended HC were not Mennonite. In addition to Becky, her family story includes:

• Her parents, Robert “Bob” Ruth Ac29 and Cecile (Stratton) Ac33 Ruth
• Her sister, Mary Catherine Ruth Ac55
• Her daughters, Rachel (Regier) ’89 Short and Molly (Regier) ’91 Anderson
• And her granddaughter, Tess Anderson ’21

Growing up just steps from campus, Hesston College was part of everyday life for Becky’s family.

“Having grown up in Hesston on the corner of Main Street and Academy, HC was, for all these years, an integral part of my life,” she shares.

While some buildings from her time are gone or have changed, Becky’s memories are vivid and joyful. She remembers watching basketball games in Athletic Hall, attending lectures and concerts in Hess Memorial Hall, roller skating on campus sidewalks, attending open houses in the dorms, playing at the bird sanctuary and even sliding down the concrete ramp behind Hess Hall.

“I do remember when Hess Memorial Hall was completed and thinking that it was a rather ‘grand’ place,” she recalls.

But what mattered most wasn’t just the campus — it was the sense of belonging.

“Even though being non-Mennonite and living off campus, I always felt a part of the academic community,” Becky explains. “Good friendships were formed during my six years at HC, and I continue to this day to cherish good memories of class time and the wonderful teachers and professors who were an invaluable part of my education.”

That feeling — of being known, welcomed and shaped — is still at the heart of Hesston College today.

Melva Kauffman Lecture Series to explore “slow peace” with Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach March 25 and 26

Hesston College will host the annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series March 25 to 26, 2026, welcoming internationally recognized peace studies scholar and Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach for a three-part series titled “Slow Peace: Lessons from Grassroots Peacebuilders in Colombia.”

The 2026 lecture theme addresses a striking global reality: 2025 marked one of the most violent years since World War II, with the highest number of armed conflicts recorded in seven decades.* Dr. Lederach will draw on these global trends, alongside stories of courage and resilience from Colombia, to offer reflections on what she calls “slow peace,” a patient, community-rooted approach to building peace with justice in difficult contexts.

“Grassroots peacebuilders in Colombia have spent generations cultivating hope and sowing the seeds of peace amid ongoing violence,” says Dr. Lederach. “Through this lecture series, we will hear their stories, feel their pain. Their patient dedication to the everyday work of building peace with justice will give us critical insight into the possibilities for transforming our own cycles of violence and cultivating a more livable and just future.”

While the example may come from abroad, it’s a message that will hit home.

“Here in the U.S., we need to hear that peace truly works,” says Michele Hershberger, HC Bible professor and event coordinator. “True peace comes slowly and I believe it only comes through the help of the Spirit. And true peace always includes challenging the oppression in the system — it’s hard work — but it does work. What a gift of hope for us today and also what a great challenge.”

Churches, community members and campus guests are invited to attend any or all sessions. Congregations with regular Wednesday evening adult programming are encouraged to consider relocating their March 25 gatherings to the 7 p.m. lecture session, making it a shared learning experience for classes, small groups or entire church bodies.

All events are free and open to the public and will be held at Hesston Mennonite Church (HMC) at 309 S Main in Hesston, Kan., unless noted otherwise. The event schedule is as follows: 

Wednesday, March 25

11 to 11:30 a.m. — “Cultivating Abundant Life: Guardians of Hope in Times of Violence”
HMC sanctuary

7 to 8:30 p.m. — “Learning to Feel the Grass Grow: Building Slow Peace in Colombia”
HMC sanctuary
Reception to follow in the HMC community center

Thursday, March 26

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Lunch with Dr. Lederach, students and community
Hesston College’s Bontrager Student Center dining hall
(Meal at your own expense.)

7 to 8:30 p.m. — “Youth Provoking Peace: Intergenerational Coalitions for Resilient Futures”
HMC sanctuary

Dr. Lederach serves as assistant professor of peace studies at the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Services at Chapman University (Orange, Calif.). Her work centers on grassroots movements, restorative justice and the long-term, relational practices that shape sustainable peace. Her research includes more than a decade of collaboration with communities in Colombia who continue to navigate the aftermath of more than fifty years of armed conflict.

Founded in memory of longtime Hesston College faculty member Melva Kauffman, the annual lecture series invites speakers who engage faith, scholarship and justice in ways that challenge and inspire the community. Dr. Lederach’s work reflects Kauffman’s commitment to thoughtful inquiry, meaningful dialogue and the pursuit of peace rooted in lived experience. For more information about the Melva Kauffman Lecture Series, contact Michele Hershberger. 

*Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program

Dr. Angela Lederach ʼ04, is a Hesston College alum and currently serves as the assistant professor of  peace studies at the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities and Social Services at Chapman University.

Winter Community Day to feature free basketball, activities and family-friendly fun

Hesston College invites friends, alumni, families and neighbors to campus for Winter Community Day on Saturday, February 14, where they can share their love for the Larks with a full day of free basketball and family fun activities in Yost Center.

Community Day is designed to celebrate Lark athletics while creating a welcoming space for the broader Hesston community to gather, connect and enjoy game-day traditions. In addition to a full day of basketball, it will feature performances by the Lark dance team, halftime activities, prize giveaways, free haircuts and free rally towels for the first 100 fans. HC President Mark Landes will even get involved in halftime competitions, going head-to-head against HC students, area youth and even his wife, Dee Dee Landes.

The day begins at 11 a.m. with women’s junior varsity basketball against Bethany College, followed by the women’s varsity matchup against Arkansas Baptist College at 1 p.m. The afternoon concludes with the men’s varsity basketball game against Arkansas Baptist College at 3 p.m. All games will be played in Yost Center and admission is free.

Fans are also encouraged to take advantage of added Community Day touches like free haircuts provided by Christy (Berkey) ’03 Pickerill of CC’s Family Hair and burgers available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to support HC’s Grill Club and flag football team. A partnership between Lincoln Perk and Sage & Juliette Coffee Co. is also bringing a coffee truck on-site for those who may need a mid-day pick-me-up.

Whether cheering on the Larks, enjoying lunch or taking advantage of the day’s activities, attendees are encouraged to come take part in the Hesston College experience. Stay up-to-date on the day’s activities by visiting hesston.edu/communityday.

Now accepting submissions for Hesston College’s playwriting festival

A blank page. A bold idea. Ten minutes on stage. Hesston College Theatre is once again inviting south central Kansas playwrights to turn their stories into live performance through the return of the “Pen to Paper to Performance” playwriting festival. Open to first-time and experienced writers, the festival celebrates original voices and the creative process from script to stage.

The theatre department will accept submissions for the 10-minute play festival through March 8 and notify eight selected playwrights March 15, with their works produced as part of the final showcase event on May 1 and 2. Playwrights whose scripts are selected will receive a percentage of box office earnings.

Founded in 2017 by Hesston College Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi, “Pen to Paper to Performance,” often called P3, was designed to create meaningful connections between local playwrights, student performers and audiences. Performed by Hesston College theatre students, the festival provides a unique opportunity for new and familiar voices to be heard and shared through live theatre.

“Over the years, audiences and playwrights kept asking when P3 would return, and that’s been really encouraging,” Jantzi says. “It’s clear this is something people value, and I’m excited to continue building it as an every-other-year experience.”

One element that sets this festival apart is the post-show talkback session following each performance.

“During the talkback, playwrights have the chance to share their creative process and reflect on what it’s like to watch their words come to life on stage,” Jantzi explains. “It gives audiences insight they don’t usually get with other performances, and it deepens the connection between the writers, performers and audience.”

Past festivals have featured a wide range of styles and subjects, including nonfiction pieces rooted in personal or historical events, fictional works exploring social issues, fables and folktales and lighthearted comedies and dramas. Jantzi encourages writers of all ages and experience levels to submit a script on a topic that matters to them.

“Don’t let a lack of experience or age hold you back,” Jantzi says. “Read a play to get a sense of formatting, then start writing. Everyone has a story to tell, and this is a great place to begin sharing it.”

10-Minute Play Festival submission criteria

Scripts are accepted until March 8. Eight selected submissions will be produced in the final showcase event, “Pen to Paper to Performance,” May 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. in Keim Center Black Box Theater on the Hesston College campus. Winning submissions will be notified March 15 and will receive a percentage of the box office earnings. Rehearsals for the chosen shows will begin the following week.

Submission rules:

• No more than two plays per playwright.
• Scripts should fall between eight and 12 pages and run roughly 10 minutes.
• Suggested number of characters is three to five.
• Location and setting expectations should be minimal for the sake of logistics.
• No musicals.
• Original work only; no previously produced work.
• Submissions will be acknowledged via email, but no critiques will be offered.
• Please staple hard copies of scripts. Please no binders, covers or folders.
• Director reserves the right to edit for the sake of time or logistics in collaboration with the playwright.
• Work from outside of Kansas will not be considered.

How to submit:
Please submit both a hard copy and an emailed copy. Hard copies will not be returned. Plays should include a cover page with the following information:

• Play title
• Playwright’s name
• Playwright’s phone number
• Playwright’s email address

Deliver or mail submissions to:
Hesston College
c/o Rachel Jantzi, Keim Center
PO Box 3000
Hesston, KS 67062

Email an identical copy to rachelj@hesston.edu with “10-minute play” in the subject line.

Hesston College honored MLK Day through community service projects

In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day last week, Hesston College students, faculty and staff dedicated themselves to serving the local community by participating in more than a dozen service projects throughout Hesston and Newton.

Students and employees partnered with local organizations, nonprofits and community members to complete a wide range of projects focused on meeting practical needs and strengthening community connections. Projects included making hygiene kits for Mennonite Central Committee, assisting STEAMwSeniors at Hesston Area Senior Center, outdoor work at Camp David International, washing dishes at Hesston Mennonite Church, cleaning and window painting at Hesston Public Library, helping Newton Community for Racial Justice run an escape room at the Newton Public Library, supporting Caring Hands Humane Society in Newton, aiding in campus facilities cleanup efforts, as well as yard work for area homeowners.

The service projects were organized by Michele Hershberger, campus pastor and faculty member, as a way to honor Dr. King’s legacy by putting his call to service, justice and community engagement into action.

“When we gathered as a whole community on the opening day of spring semester, we talked about self-righteous service versus true service,” Michele explained. “Our goal for January 19 was to serve like Dr. King served, as people willing to serve every day and as people showing honor to those we serve, respecting every person. Dr. King saw service as a lifestyle. We want to be like that, too.”

Students’ collective efforts demonstrated a shared commitment to learning beyond the classroom while contributing positively to the wider community.

Local farm owner Rachel Horst was one of several community members on the receiving end of these efforts. Her son Andrew Horst, a ʼ97 graduate of Hesston College, made a special trip to Hesston to help direct volunteers and expressed his gratitude to see the next generation of Larks involved in the community.

“I live in California. It’s hard for my mom to do all this work,” he shared. “This is one of the things that is special about the college and the kind of thing that I remember. It’s that folks show up, and even if it's just picking up sticks, that really means something and that's how we can make this warm energized place that we can all share in.”

The MLK Day service projects are part of Hesston College’s ongoing emphasis on Dr. King's values of civic duty and leadership by example. By engaging in service, students are encouraged to develop leadership skills, empathy and a deeper understanding of their role in creating positive change in their local communities.

College announces fall 2025 academic honors

Hesston, Kan. - Hesston College Registrar Heidi Hochstetler announced the names of full-time students whose fall 2025 semester grades earned them a place on the Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00 GPA) and Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA).

Dean’s List (3.90 to 4.00 GPA)

First-year students


Logan Britton, Yale, Okla.

Kennedie Esparza, Erie, Colo.

Mateo Gonzalez, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain

Bethanie Haag, Wichita, Kan.

Ivin Kollabathula, Manado, Indonesia

Liam Leikeryd, Ugglum, Sweden

Violet McEntire, Derby, Kan.

Kory Meireis, Kingman, Kan.

Samuel Rojas, Cartago, Costa Rica

Jezel Sisneros, Albuquerque, N.M.

Hugo Soubran, Capbreton, France

Hugo Jakob von Sicard, Sundsvall, Sweden

Shuri Yoshida, Tokyo, Japan

Sophomores


Blen Bezuwork, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Christopher Cammllarie, Mckinney, Texas

Krysten Carter, Missouri City, Texas

Miyu Fujii, Higashinariku, Japan

Evelyn Gaertner, Newton, Kan.

Serena Hewes, Battle Ground, Wash.

Misaki Kurata, Habikigaoka, Japan

Anja Martinez, Topeka, Kan.

Isabella Milla Orridge, Plano, Texas

Keira Rankin, Frazier Park, Calif.

Suryansh Shetty, Auckland, New Zealand

Diego Taira, Pueblo Libre, Peru
Nedas Vaivada, London, England
Sakura Yamada, Tokyo, Japan
Ryan Ziesch, Goddard, Kan.

Juniors


Gresa Arapi, Cypress, Texas

Brandon Chim, Amarillo, Texas

Ethan Connelly, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Mariah Hall, Lawton, Okla.

Joshua Hylton, Centralia, Wash.

 Jaycee Mathis, Wichita, Kan.

Anna McIntire, Lawrence, Kan.

Brandi Olivarez, Burleson, Texas

Elsa Rayneau, Malang, Indonesia

Lissette Tovar, Wichita, Kan.

Ashleigh Williams, Eaton, Colo.

Seniors and unclassified students


Tana Hayworth, Lincoln, Kan.

Devin Miller, Hesston, Kan.

Alexandria Nickel, Newton, Kan.

Isabella Reece, Wichita, Kan.

Evangelina Zogu, North Newton, Kan.

Honor Roll (3.50 to 3.89 GPA)

First-year students


Elita Arapi, Cypress, Texas

Brooklyn Bailey, Newton, Kan.

Jochem Bakkenes, Veenendaal, Netherlands

Julian Cruz-Torres, Snohomish, Wash.

Vilde Dahlberg, Hovshaga, Sweden

Sondre Einarsrud, Holter, Norway

Brody Hutto, Bel Aire, Kan.

Kreyton Johnson, San Tan Valley, Ariz.

Michihiro Koga, Tokyo, Japan
Jonah Krumme, Wichita, Kan.
Nathaniel Lewis, Wichita, Kan.
Colby Nafziger, Canton, Kan.
Keira Pineda, Comanche, Okla.
Saul Pineda, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Vari Rua, Las Vegas, Nev.
Brody Smith, Faxon, Okla.
Jaiden Trevelyan, London, England

Sophomores


George Bates, Newton, Kan.

Akiva Brown, Plano, Texas

Arissa Cathey, Abilene, Kan.

Sequoia Cochran, Louisville, Ky.

Abigail Cox, El Paso, Texas

Hanah DeBelle, Castle Rock, Colo.

Cambry Duerksen, Hillsboro, Kan.

Lydia Foster, Copan, Okla.

Taiga Goto, Chiyoda-ku, Japan

Zachery Graham, Derby, Kan.

Hope Guinn, Wichita, Kan.

Aaron Hartman, Abilene, Kan.

Amy Hunley, Owensboro, Ky.

Kaleb Kindley, Mannford, Okla.

Trentis Lane, Houston, Texas

Devin Lewis, DeSoto, Texas

Landen Meyer, Hesston, Kan.

Moriah Ortiz, Lakin, Kan.

Tanna Owens, Durango, Colo.

Sebastian Pavlovich, Lindsborg, Kan.

Emma Pfannenstiel, Newton, Kan.

Alexander Radu, London, England

Abygail Romero, Baldwin Park, Calif.

Jay Smith, Arlington, Wash.

Jackson Sundermeyer, Parker, Colo.

Kevyn Velazco, Aragua, Venezuela

Juniors


Anton Cook, Whitewater, Kan.

Sarah Hanson, Park City, Kan.

Adrian Noriega, Marana, Ariz.

Hauw Celline Raharjo, Semarang, Indonesia

Seniors


Max Claerhout, Hesston, Kan.

Joanna Gomez Ramirez, Hesston, Kan.

Katelyn Soles, Maize, Kan.

Colleges to partner in community MLK Day commemoration and celebration

Hesston College will partner with Bethel College and other community organizations to host “Community, Commemoration and Celebration,” a series of events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, Jan. 18 and 19.

The weekend will highlight the historic connection between Dr. King and Bethel College, where he spoke in Memorial Hall on Jan. 21, 1960, delivering an address titled “The Future of Integration.” While excerpts of that speech have been played in Memorial Hall in the past, the full recording has never been publicly shared there.

The listening event is part of a collaborative effort between Hesston College and Bethel College, with additional partners including Newton Community for Racial Justice and the Newton Public Library.

Events begin Sunday, Jan. 18, with a 3 p.m. concert at Hesston Mennonite Church (309 S. Main St., Hesston). The program will feature combined Bethel and Hesston choirs, the Central Kansas Master Chorale and Bethel alumna Roz McCommon of Bellevue, Wash., along with her band.

On Monday, Jan. 19, Hesston College will host a community prayer breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Bontrager Student Center on the Hesston College campus (301 S. Main St.). Later that day, Newton Community for Racial Justice will sponsor an interactive escape room experience at the Newton Public Library (223 E. 7th St.) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The experience will feature clues connected to the history and legacy of Dr. King’s life and work.

The weekend continues Monday evening at Bethel College in North Newton. A listening event of Dr. King’s 1960 speech will take place at 6 p.m. in Memorial Hall (300 E. 27th St.). At 7 p.m., many of the musicians from Sunday’s concert, along with the Bethel orchestra, will present “A Better World: The Journey of MLK,” a project created by McCommon.

All events are free and open to the public. Additional details will be shared at bethelks.edu/MLK as the dates approach.

Fowl predicament at Hesston College uncovers irreplaceable flock

The smoke has cleared in Hesston College’s J.D. Charles Hall of Science and Arts, but cleanup is still underway following a May 9 fire that left the building unusable for the current academic year. While restoration efforts have been in full force over the past several months, the fate of HC’s feathered friends in the building was uncertain.

The specimens in question were part of an exhibit prepared from 1948 to 1956 by Richard Schmidt, then-HC staff taxidermist from Goessel, Kan., for Hesston College’s Maurice Yoder Memorial Museum located in Charles Hall. The collection was not exposed to the fire, but chemical smoke damage coupled with arsenic used in their preservation 70 years ago resulted in 260 specimens with an unknown future.

After several failed attempts to connect with a taxidermist willing to take on the extensive project of cleaning and restoring over 200 birds, Hesston College was at a loss. Numerous inquiries from community members as to the fate of this collection made the value to the HC community apparent, but without someone willing to do the necessary work to restore them, the college was running out of options to keep the birds.

Moving forward on a wing and a prayer, Ben Miller, Hesston College director of campus facilities, was able to connect with Wes Becker, president of the Kansas Association of Taxidermy (KAT) and the owner of M&W Taxidermy in Mount Hope, Kan. Once Becker learned that renowned taxidermist Richard Schmidt was the creator of this collection, it was enough to pique his interest and make the short road trip to Hesston to see the collection for himself.

“I was pretty amazed with the variety of birds,” Becker recalled. “Richard obviously specialized in those little tiny birds, but the quality of the work, even still today, is as good as 90% out there. It’s top quality work for sure.”

After the visit, Becker secured additional support from another industry expert, Museum Conservation and Wildlife Art Specialist Rick Krane of New Hampshire, who is also president of Anglers Artistry Inc. The duo were able to work with HC to quickly get the ball rolling and are currently on location, working to restore every bird in the collection.

This was a surprise, but a welcome turn in events for Hesston College as the true value of this collection has been uncovered. In fact, Krane shared in initial conversations with the college that this collection is literally “irreplaceable.”

“Older, cohesive avian collections that haven’t been broken up, damaged or lost to time are disappearing,” he said. “Maybe a couple dozen remain in any real continuity, and even that number shrinks each decade.”

Becker also spoke to the value of this collection saying, “Just the variety of birds, to be able to get to see birds that you can’t legally harvest, you can’t legally possess or anything. I think almost every single bird in there is federally protected. Even zoos don’t have most of these.”

Sharing in their sentiments is emeritus HC faculty member Lorna Harder.

“We have here a collection of birds, many of which are becoming rare,” she said. “They’re not necessarily threatened or endangered status, but they’re on watch lists already because the numbers have just been declining.”

It’s safe to say Schmidt is a legend in the taxidermy world, adding additional value to the collection. KAT even established the Richard H. Schmidt Memorial Award of Excellence in his honor. Each year it’s given to the highest scoring mount at their annual state competition. KAT’s website says, “This award is meant to honor all the hard work, passion, high standards and mastered abilities that went into a taxidermy piece to make it as close to real life as possible. It is the most elite and sought after award for the KAT and its members.”

“Preparators like Schmidt built the foundation for how America learned its wildlife,” Krane explained. “You can see that heritage in the Hesston pieces: the wiring, the posture, the feather articulation…it all speaks to a period of meticulous, disciplined workmanship. These mounts weren’t made for décor; they were made for education, for accuracy, for truth.”

Krane says the significance of this bird collection is three-fold. There’s historical significance as it provides a snapshot of a quickly fading academic era. Scientifically, it preserves forms and morphology. There’s also artistic significance as it represents a now very rare school of craftsmanship.

“This isn’t just a group of birds,” he shared. “It’s an intact chapter of natural history, and sadly there are very few chapters like this left.”

Over the years, the collection has remained a constant in its original exhibit space in Charles Hall, giving Hesston College biology and science students an up close and personal view of the winged creatures, adding a level of educational significance. Harder also recalls it being a resource for area schools to visit, as well as adult groups, when she worked in Charles Hall in the 1980s.

“But beyond that, it is a resource that very few colleges have,” she explained. “And our college is small, our community is small, and it’s accessible to a large number of people on a regular basis who want to come and look and see. I think accessibility is huge.”

Schmidt’s family was also grateful to learn about the turn in events.

"The descendants of Richard H. Schmidt are very pleased that Hesston College will be able to restore his taxidermy mounts after the fire. He made these more than 70 years ago, so it's wonderful to know they will be in good shape for years to come,” shared Paul Schrag of Newton, Kan., Schmidt’s grandson. “As supporters of Mennonite higher education, maintaining a high-quality display at Hesston College is important to us, and we trust that current and future students will benefit from the products of his skill and dedication."

Krane and Becker are on campus now, working under Krane’s Academy of Wildlife Art, to clean and restore all of the birds in the collection. They expect to complete the project in about a week. At that time, the collection will be stored safely while the cleaning and restoration of Charles Hall continues. The collection won’t remain caged up for long, though.

“The college is committed to getting the collection back on display,” Hesston College President Mark Landes said. “We also hope to create an enhanced exhibit space that students and the community can enjoy for generations to come.”