In the News

MLK Day activities aimed at community-building and inclusion

Hesston College’s annual Martin Luther King (MLK) Day celebrations will focus on diversity, equity and inclusion learning opportunities for both the on-campus and broader communities. Public events for the wider community will take place on multiple days leading up to MLK Day on January 20.

“The intersection of the American and Dr. King’s vision can help us all grow, increase our productivity and expand the impact of our businesses, civic leaders, private organizations and residents of our communities,” said Glen Guyton, executive director of Mennonite Church USA who will be the keynote presenter for Hesston’s MLK Day events. “We can do more together, increasing our cultural competence and generating opportunities for our community. That’s what Hesston College’s celebration of MLK’s legacy will be about this year – learning how we can build and offer true community together.”

Hesston College’s public MLK Day events will begin on Friday, Jan. 17 with an 11 a.m. forum at Hesston Mennonite Church that will be an introduction to the MLK Day lineup of events and gospel music singing.

On Sunday, Jan. 19, Guyton will bring the message at Hesston Mennonite Church’s morning worship service, starting at 10:30 a.m.

That same evening, at 7 p.m., Tony Brown will present his one-person stage show, I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in Word and Song, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Tickets are $12 for adults and can be purchased through the Hesston College Bookstore in Erb Hall or by calling 620-327-8104. Students college-age and younger are free. Tickets will also be available at the door.

I Go On Singing recounts the life and work of Paul Robeson, a 20th century African-American entertainer and social activist who was a courageous example of integrity and discipline in the service of peace before the time of influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela. In addition to Brown, Victor Hogstrom, president and CEO of KPTS TV Wichita (PBS), will provide the show’s narration.

Brown is an internationally acclaimed baritone and Hesston College artist in residence. His work as a musician takes him to areas of conflict around the world to use music and storytelling for peacebuilding.

On Monday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church, Guyton will present a free community workshop as a resource for anyone interested in community-building.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion were at the heart of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Guyton. “The community workshop will focus on translating those principles into a dream for the future that connects with founding principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

In addition to his role with Mennonite Church USA, Guyton’s professional background includes intercultural competency and working with people from a variety of backgrounds and socio-economic status.

Thank you to Everence for their sponsorship MLK Day events at Hesston College, and helping to offset some of the ticket cost for I Go On Singing.

Course on missional leadership open to the community

The Hesston College Bible and Ministry department is offering an opportunity for members of the local community to take a Spring 2019 semester class that will allow them to consider their faith and “mission” alongside college students.

The Missional Leadership class, led by professor Michele Hershberger, is a seminar-style class that will explore the theology and leadership strategies of missional Christian congregations and help participants empower themselves, their congregations and those with whom they worship to be missionaries in their own right.

“Many congregations don’t know how to share the good news of Jesus in a way that feels authentic or that others can hear the good news,” said Hershberger. “We need to practice making disciples. And in a paradoxical way, when we help the Spirit make disciples, we become more transformed ourselves.”

Community participants will explore and learn alongside college students, creating a class of intergenerational perspectives and experiences that can benefit all. With the seminar-style of presentation, participants will come to class with several points of discussion to share, and, being guided by the Leadership Competencies established by the Kansas Leadership Center, will create specific plans to help themselves and their congregations take the big leap to being missional.

“Church leaders and congregants often need creative ways to help their churches catch a biblical vision for mission, and we often need more training and encouragement to be the kind of leaders that help congregations do the difficult, scary work of being ‘missional,’” said Hershberger. “This class helps create plans for evangelism and discipleship training.”

Missional Leadership will meet from 6 to 7:40 p.m. on Monday nights from Jan. 21 through May 6, on the Hesston College campus. The cost to audit the class without receiving college credit is $225. To take the course for credit is $1,653.

Contact Michele Hershberger at michele.hershberger@hesston.edu with questions, or register for the class (Relg 122) by Jan. 15 online.

College makes progress on sexual misconduct and interpersonal safety task force recommendations

Two years after the Hesston College Task Force on Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Safety completed its review of the college’s procedures and systems around the topics, the college has made significant progress in the areas of recommended improvements. To date, 42 individual items have been identified and actioned from a list of six major areas of recommendation.

Those recommendations included:

• Implementing modules to raise awareness of sexual misconduct and options for victims
• Establishing a transparent reporting and investigating procedure for incidents of sexual misconduct
• Developing a system in the institution including policy development and the hiring and assigning of personnel to manage issues of sexual misconduct
• Creating a system which supports victims of sexual misconduct
• Creating a system which holds offenders of sexual misconduct accountable for their action
• Forming a system of institutional accountability which prioritizes transparency and proactively mitigates future incidents of sexual misconduct

“Overall, the task force noted that Hesston’s campus is safe, but, unfortunately, that doesn’t mean we’re immune to incidents occurring or that we don’t have areas we could improve on to offer additional support for reporters of sexual misconduct,” said Monica Miller, Hesston College director of human resources and Title IX coordinator. “We recognize that we’ve had missteps in the past, but the purpose of the task force’s work was to help us understand where and how we can do better for the campus community moving forward.”

Some of the actioned responses to date include:

• The addition of a campus safety section to the Hesston College website that is intuitive and efficient for people to use.
• Including mandatory Title IX training to all first-year students and faculty and staff on an annual basis. So far in fall 2019, 81 percent of students and 70 percent of faculty and staff, have completed the training.
• Implementation of annual reporting of Title IX reports by semester to the Administrative Council and Board of Directors, as well as an annual overview report to faculty and staff.
• Training 12 faculty and staff members to be College Support Persons whose role is to walk with reporters through reporting and investigation stages
• Engaging SafeHope, a county-wide advocacy and support organization for reporters of domestic and sexual violence, as a resource for the Hesston College community. A SafeHope representative comes to campus weekly to meet confidentially with those interested in their services.

Miller noted that Hesston College’s general approach to creating a safer campus for all students is to focus on healthy relationships through regular educational and informational opportunities around the topic.

“By helping students understand healthy relationships and how to be in them, it creates a framework and gives options if they find themselves in situations that are unhealthy,” said campus counselor Julie Lehman.

Moving forward, the college has plans in place for continued response to the recommendations.

“Implementing responses to the areas of recommendation is not a one-and-done process, rather we view it as a continuous activity evaluating what we have in place and revamping it to ensure the ongoing safety of our students,” said Miller.

Among items in process, Hesston is exploring offering campus-wide bystander intervention training through Goshen (Ind.) College’s Prevention Intervention Network for spring 2020. The college is also working to establish consistent and transparent policies and standards around information sharing in situations of misconduct. In addition, the college is working with a local artist to create a physical memorial to be completed by fall 2020 that acknowledges broken relationships resulting from institutional shortcomings and errors in judgment, and serving as a vow to do better as a community.

Hesston College invites individuals to report any past incidents of misconduct that occurred on campus to Miller at 620-327-8265 or through the anonymous online reporting form on the college’s Campus Safety pages. We also encourage any past incidents to be reported to local law enforcement or Safehope.

“Still, Small Voice” music and theatre performance to portray the gentle side of Christmas

Hesston College will celebrate the Christmas season with a performance combining music and theatre in “Still, Small Voice,” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at Hesston Mennonite Church. The performance is free and open to the public.

“‘Still, Small Voice’ is meant to remind us to stop and be intentional in enjoying the serenity and beauty of the birth of Christ,” said Rachel Jantzi, theatre professor. “The program will capture a gentler side of Christmas, reflecting that first night at the manger, and an alternative to the busy, noisy rush that often surrounds the holidays.”

Poetry, prose and other reflections performed by Hesston College theatre students will reflect the quiet and calm of the nativity and be echoed by music of the same sentiment. Hesston College choirs, under the direction of Russell Adrian, will perform the music.

“Yes, there was a heavenly host, travelers from afar and word spreading about a new King,” said Jantzi. “At the heart of it all, though, there were young parents and a newborn baby boy, tucked away from the clamor.”

The program’s repertoire will include a diverse selection of music and theatrical styles as well as well-loved traditional Christmas pieces and storytelling.

A study of biblical prophets and Revelation available for community members

Community members interested in ministry, church leaders and anyone with a general interest in the Bible are invited to join the Hesston College Prophets and Revelation course for the spring 2020 semester.

Taught by Bible and Ministry professor Michele Hershberger, the class meets on Monday night from 6 to 7:45 p.m.. The first class of the semester will meet Monday, Jan. 20 and the last class of the semester will be May 4.

The curriculum is focused on readings and discussions of scripture from the books of Jeremiah and Revelation. Participants are also allowed and even encouraged to bring their supper to the class time.

“The class functions as a symposium,” said Hershberger. “We eat supper and discuss the pertinent issues that rise from the assigned Bible readings and other books. We choose what is important to talk about, and many conversations go deep. There is an element of surprise to each session.”

Participants will learn the cultural and historical background of the prophets and the book of Revelation, how to read prophetic and apocalyptic genre and identify literary cues for interpretation to glean preaching topics and enhance worship.

“The course can serve as a refresher for pastors and Sunday School teachers on the prophetic books and the book of Revelation, give new ideas for sermons and worship themes and be the start for a new vision in a ministry setting,” said Hershberger.

The audit rate for Prophets and Revelation is $240. Financial aid is not available.

Interested participants should register for the course by January 15 by completing the online community application.

Holiday performance to feature a returning HBPA favorite

A returning Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts (HBPA) group, The Swingles, will present the series’ annual holiday performance with their “Winter Tales” program at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus.

The Swingles are HBPA’s only repeat performer in the 2019-20 season, first taking the series stage for the 2015-16 season. The concert is being sponsored by KMUW – Wichita Public Radio and KHCC – Radio Kansas.

Hailing from London, the ever evolving Swingles have pushed the boundaries of vocal music for more than 50 years, and the seven young singers that make up today’s group are driven by the same innovative spirit that has resulted in five Grammy® wins since the 1960s.

“The vocal and choral world has changed considerably in the last 50 years…But The Swingles have managed to hold on to their distinctive niche and continue to thrive,” said a Chicago Sun-Times review.

The Swingles were born in 1963 when American-born Ward Swingle assembled a group of Parisian singers to sing Bach’s keyboard music. The resulting album, “Jazz Sebastian Bach,” launched the group to fame.

Over the last half century, the group’s repertoire has expanded to include music across the spectrum – both covers and original songs. They have released more than 50 recordings and appeared on numerous film and TV soundtracks, including Glee, Grey’s Anatomy, Sex and the City, and Milk.

Their “Winter Tales” program mixes selections from their year-round repertoire with seasonal specialties, including gorgeous and surprising arrangements of traditional carols, winter-themed originals and nostalgic classics.

The Guardian praised the group’s versatility, saying, “Stunning reinventions of songs by the likes of John Martyn, Elbow and Mumford & Sons, with subtle beatboxing and audacious harmonies…superhero singing to truly raise goosebumps.”

That versatility has led to collaborations with artists as diverse as the Modern Jazz Quartet, Jamie Cullum and Labrinth. Luciano Berio was one of the first composers to explore the sound of The Swingles’ amplified voices in an orchestral setting, and the group continues to perform his groundbreaking “Sinfonia” around the world.

In addition to a busy touring schedule, the groups present their own London A Cappella Festival at Kings Palace each January in partnership with Ikon Arts Management. The festival is the first of its kind in the city, and welcomes the finest vocal talent from around the world.

Single tickets for The Swingles are available starting at $25, with discounts available for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 620-327-8104 or in person at the Hesston College Bookstore or Bethel College Thresher Shop during regular business hours.

The next HBPA performance will feature The Queen’s Cartoonists on Feb. 7.

Started in 1982 as Hesston Performing Arts, the series expanded in 1998 when Hesston College joined forces with Bethel College for The Hesston-Bethel Performing Arts series. The series presents five performances by world-renowned or regionally acclaimed artists each year. HBPA is funded in part by the cities of Hesston and North Newton, Excel Industries and Hustler Turf Equipment (Hesston), the North Newton Community Foundation, the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Area businesses and patrons provide additional funding for the HBPA series.

Keyboard Festival will feature Baroque music from performers across age ranges

Piano and organ students ranging from elementary- to college-age will learn from accomplished musicians and compete in Hesston College’s second keyboard festival and competition on Saturday, Nov. 23.

In celebration of great composers like Handel, Vivaldi and Bach, the festival will focus on the Baroque period of music that ranged from the early 1600s to about 1750.

“Hesston College has strong organ and keyboard faculty; especially our Baroque keyboard instrument study is wonderful,” said Dr. Mei Li, adjunct piano instructor. “This festival gives us a chance to invite world-class organists and pianists as guest artists, and to give keyboard students from the state an opportunity to learn from them.”

Participants will compete by age division in a morning competition, interwoven with workshop presentations. In the afternoon, faculty and guest performers will hold masterclasses.

At 3:45 p.m., division finalists will perform a recital, which will determine age division winners. The public is welcome to attend the finalists recital in Hesston Mennonite Church on the Hesston College campus.

Keyboardists resourcing the event include guest artist, Dr. Steven Spooner, as well as Hesston College faculty members Dr. Li, and Ken Rodgers, M.A.

Dr. Spooner, who serves on the piano faculty at the University of Kansas (Lawrence), is hailed among the forefront of American pianists. Passionately devoted to the solo recital as a platform for innovation, he has performed often at venues such as the Salle Cortot in Paris, the Shanghai Concert Hall, Budapest’s Great Hall of the Liszt Academy, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Dr. Li began studying piano as a five-year-old in China with the renowned Chinese piano pedagogue, Zhaoyi Dan. After earning a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Sichuan Conservatory of Music and working as a teaching assistant for Professor Dan, Li came to the U.S. in 2006 with a full scholarship to study at Northern Illinois University (DeKalb), earning a performance certificate and master’s degree in piano performance. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kansas, under the tutelage of Dr. Spooner.

Rodgers teaches organ at Hesston College, and has accompanied Hesston choirs on bi-annual European tours since the late 1980s, as well as performed recitals throughout Germany and the United States. Rodgers earned a master’s degree in church music from the University of Kansas. In addition to teaching, he has performed frequently as a collaborative pianist for former internationally-acclaimed baritone Anthony Brown throughout the world. Rodgers is also a founding member of the Sunflower Trio, which features piano/organ, violin and tenor voice.

Masterworks concert weaves music, story and art in a program for all ages

Hesston College choirs will be joined by vocalists from the community and professional orchestra for Hesston College’s annual masterworks performance on Saturday, November 16 at Hesston Mennonite Church. The 2019 concert features “Song of Wisdom” from Old Turtle, a choral and orchestra setting that combines narration and music.

A family program especially suited to children will be from 4:15 to 5 p.m., and the full program will be at 7 p.m. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be collected to help offset program costs.

Based on the children’s book by Douglas Wood (1992), “Song of Wisdom” combines narration and music as it illustrates a story of a disagreement between God’s creation about the nature of God. Mountains, rivers, stars, ants, lions and bears break into argument until the wise Old Turtle brings a new perspective, stating, “God is all that we dream of, and all that we seek…all that we come from and all that we can find.”

Once humans inhabit the earth, they also begin quarreling and lose sight of God. It is then up to all of creation to show them God’s presence.

The musical telling of the story will be paired with story narration by Hesston College faculty emeritus Jim Yoder and illustrations by artist Cheng-Khee Chee from the original book projected in on-screen accompaniment.

In addition to the “Song of Wisdom” feature, the evening concert will include Handel’s Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major performed with orchestra and Hesston music professor Ken Rodgers on the organ. The finale includes the audience singing the hymn “O Day of Peace” to the tune of “Jerusalem” by Sir Charles Hubert Parry with the orchestration by Edward Elgar, made famous from the closing ceremony of the BBC Proms.

Andover Organ Series opens fourth season with French organist

Hesston College is pleased to announce the opening concert of the Andover Organ Series fourth season on Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church. French organist Pierre Queval will perform the recital. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Andover Organ Series features concerts by organists from around the world on the Opus 116 Andover pipe organ, built by the Andover Organ Company of Methuen, Mass., at Hesston Mennonite Church. The company builds and restores mechanical action pipe organs, and since its founding in 1948, has restored more than 500 organs across the United States, as well as building new instruments

Queval was the first organist in the Andover Organ Series when it began in 2016, and is the first return of an organist for the series.

Queval will perform music by Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Widor, Alain, and Vierne. He will conclude the evening with an improvisation. A reception and a chance for audience members to interact with Mr. Quevall will follow the concert.

Born in the region of Nantes, Queval is a recent graduate of the master’s program at the Conservatoire de Paris where he was an organ student of Michel Bouvard and Olivier Latry. He studied improvisation with Thierry Escaich, Laszlo Fassang, Philippe Léfèbvre and Jean-François Zygel. His undergraduate degree is in improvisation as well.

Since 2014, Queval has been the “Organiste Titulaire” of the Cavaillé-Coll/Haerpfer-Ermann organ at Saint-Ignace in Paris, and since 2007 the assistant organist of the historical Debierre organ at Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Port in Nantes. He regularly performs recitals across France and in Paris at churches including Notre-Dame, Saint-Eustache, La Trinité, Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Séverin.

Queval is also the founder of the Meigma Trio with the flautist Charlotte Berthomé and violonist Mathilde Gandar, and the Orpezzo Ensemble with the mezzo Anne-Claire Couchourel and trumpeter Vincent Mitterrand. He is the organ teacher at the Conservatory of Laon, Soissons and Gagny (France).