Hesston College will welcome alumni and friends from across the country and around the world to campus Sept. 25 to 27, for A Hesston College Homecoming 2015 with the theme “A campus transformation.”
The weekend will feature events celebrating the new campus entry and the newly renovated Northlawn Center for Performing Arts Education.
The public is invited to join the celebration for many of the events throughout the weekend. Early bird registration is encouraged by Sept. 6, and can be completed online.
Event highlights for Friday, Sept. 25, include:
• A ribbon cutting for the new campus entry will kick off the weekend’s celebrations at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 25, from the north campus entry.
• Several music performances will accompany the weekend’s celebration. Performing arts students and faculty will present Tiny Desk Concert-style solos and ensemble performances by the Bel Canto Singers, Chorale and Chamber Orchestra to showcase the Northlawn renovations from 3 to 4 p.m.
• A group of former faculty members will be inducted as emeritus faculty and honored for their years of service and contributions to the college at 4 p.m., in the Hesston Mennonite Church Sanctuary.
• A Family Festival with fun for all ages will be at 6 p.m., on the lawn north of the soccer field. Festival activities include bouncy houses and barrel train rides for children as well as women’s and men’s soccer games at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
• A 9 p.m. coffeehouse in Northlawn’s Campus Worship Center will feature singer/songwriter and 2000 graduate Jeremy Kempf, who has led worship at the Mennonite Church USA Kansas City 2015 national convention, 2005 graduate and musical theatre performer Fjaere Harder Nussbaum and other alumni and student performers. Druber’s Donuts and Lincoln Perk coffee will be served.
Event highlights for Saturday, Sept. 26, include:
• A dedication ceremony for Northlawn Center for Performing Arts Education will be at 9:30 a.m., at the campus entry and an open house in Northlawn. The program includes an unveiling and presentation of a Green Gables replica scale model by Hesston College alumnus Mel Diller and a hymn sing.
• The annual Alumni and Friends Banquet will be at 6 p.m., in the Bontrager Student Center Dining Hall. The evening will feature an ethnic dinner, speaker and 2012 graduate Zenawit Nerae and recognition of reunion classes, emeritus faculty and Campus Entry/Northlawn donors. Cost for the banquet is $25 and includes admission to the Performing Arts Showcase following the dinner. Reservations are required.
• The Performing Arts Showcase will be at 8 p.m., in the Hesston Mennonite Church Sanctuary, and will feature outstanding alumni, faculty and student performers including Fjaere Harder Nussbaum, Jon Helmuth, The Sunflower Trio and the Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, Chorale and Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children 12 and younger and may be purchased through the Hesston College Bookstore or at the door.
The college will share in a joint worship service with alumni and the Hesston Mennonite Church congregation at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, at Hesston Mennonite Church. Jeremy Kempf will lead worship music and 2002 graduate Jeremy Shue from Silverwood Mennonite Church (Goshen, Ind.) will bring the message. The service will also feature combined college choirs and alumni speakers.
Start here for more information and a full weekend schedule.
