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2009-10-20 issue:

Hesston holds centennial homecoming

Music groups, centennial sculpture unveiling, speakers all part of celebration

by Carol Duerksen

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Would it advance the cause of Christ to establish a school somewhere in the West in which Bible work is made a specialty?”

That was the query, crafted by Anna Smith King and posed to delegates of the Mennonite Church’s Kansas-Nebraska district conference held in Cheraw, Colo., on Oct. 18, 1907.
The answer to that question was celebrated by more than 1,000 people at Hesston (Kan.) College’s Centennial Homecoming Sept. 25-27.


Cast members for Quilters perform during homecoming weekend. Photo by Larry Bartel.

Herm Weaver was one of the celebrants. Currently the conference minister for Mountain States Conference, Weaver told his story—the story of a young man who showed up at Hesston in the fall of 1977 because a high school advisor told him he should go to college.

Weaver found his way to the administration building, and there he discovered that he was three days early and that most prospective students register before they arrive. He hadn’t.

“For the next few days Bill Mason patiently walked me through the process of entering college,” Weaver said. By the time the other students arrived, he had completed an aptitude test, filled out a schedule of classes and found jobs both on and off campus.

Weaver and his daughters, Hope, a 2009 Hesston grad, and Chloe, a sophomore, shared their dreams for Hesston College during the opening chapel service. Also introduced at the service were the newest emeritus faculty members Jim Mininger, Jake Rittenhouse and Gerry Sieber.

The centennial sculpture by Paul Friesen, “Prairie Cloister,” was unveiled. Friesen, Hesston alumnus and emeritus faculty member, was commissioned by the college to create a sculpture celebrating the centennial year. He chose to work with a red cedar log because red cedar trees were some of the first trees to be planted on the campus.

Lana (Yoder) Dale and Luanne (Yoder) Southern, sisters who graduated from Hesston in 1981, returned to share as keynote speakers at the Saturday evening alumni banquet.

“We’re not here to see through each other; we’re here to see each other through,” Dale said, summarizing their college memories and how Hesston’s emphasis on service to the church and the world has impacted their lives and careers.

Following the banquet, the centennial music gala took center stage, featuring alumni from across generations, current college music groups and individuals, and the Centennial Choir.

On Sept. 27, Tim Shue and the alumni band gathered people in, bluegrass style; followed by artist-in-residence Tony Brown’s moving rendition of “Prepare Ye the Way” from Godspell.

Peter Wiebe, former Hesston College interim president and Hesston Mennonite Church pastor, shared a message titled “Back to the Future: Century II.”

He briefly recalled the contributions of Hesston’s eight presidents, then took a phrase from Eugene Peterson’s translation of Hebrews 12:1-2.

“At this place, many people are called out,” Wiebe said. “That’s why we need Hesston College. Since it’s a two-year school, our students immediately become leaders. We need to get on with the original vision—help people prepare themselves for ministry.”

Herm Weaver couldn’t agree more. “Several years ago, while teaching at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Va., I got a package in the mail,” he said. “It was a giant framed certificate that had my name on it and noted that I had earned a Ph.D. I sat that day in my office, remembering and giving thanks for Ernie Martin, my high school counselor, and remembering my first days at Hesston College. [I gave] thanks for such a place as this that could receive and nurture such a person as I.

“Last week found me in Southern India working on a peacebuilding adventure with Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Hindus from across India, and Christians from Bangladesh. My dream is that Hesston College will continue to be a place where a simple person like me can be welcomed totally unprepared, and nurtured, and helped to find meaning and purpose.”

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