Hesston College


Hesston College is a private college in Hesston, Kansas, United States. It is associated with the Mennonite Church USA and has an enrollment of about 400 students who typically come from about 30 states and 15 other countries.

History

Opening in 1909 as Hesston Academy and Bible School, Heston College has offered collegiate level classes since 1915. Founded by T.M. Erb and A.L. Hess after approval by the Kansas-Nebraska Mennonite Conference and endorsement by the Mennonite Board of Education. Hesston College was affiliated with Mennonite Church and operated by MBE until 2002 when Mennonite Church merged with other denominations and Mennonite Church USA was formed. High school level classes were offered until 1963.
In 1981, the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains was founded at the college.

Educational facilities

The main Hesston campus consists of 12 buildings, including two residential dormitories, an administration building, library, a number of academic buildings, and two gymnasiums. It also has a baseball diamond, a softball field, soccer field, a weight room, and four tennis courts.
The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains is a arboretum located 1 block south of the main campus.
The aviation program has facilities at the Newton City-County Airport east of Newton, Kansas.
The Nursing program, in addition to facilities on the main campus, has affiliations with local hospitals, including Newton Medical Center and Prairie View Mental Health Center in Newton, Schowalter Villa in Hesston, and Via Christi-St. Francis Campus, Via Christi-St. Joseph Campus, and Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Athletics

The Hesston athletic teams are called the Larks. The college is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the National Christian College Athletic Association, primary competing in the NAIA's Continental Athletic Conference since the 2025–26 academic year. The Larks previously were in the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Kansas Jayhawk [Community College Conference] starting in 2018–19.
Hesston competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity teams. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, flag football, soccer, softball and track & field.

Joining the NAIA

On April 7, 2025, Hesston announced that the school would join the NAIA and the NCCAA, effective 2025–26.

Administration

Academic DeansYears served
John Denlinger Charles1909-1923
Noah Oyer1923-1924
Edward Yoder, 1924-1928
Paul Erb 1924-1928
Edward Yoder1928-1932
Paul Erb1932-1941
Ivan R. Lind1941-1949
Walter Oswald1949-1953
Justus Holsinger1953-1959
Paul Bender 1959-1961
Paton Yoder1961-1970
Clayton Beyler 1970-1971
Clayton Beyler1971-1973
Gerri Lichti1973-1978
Jim Mininger1978-1995
Paul Keim1995-1997
Bonnie Sowers 1997-1998
Marcus Yoder1998-2006
Bonnie Sowers 2006-2007
Sandra Zerger2007-2014
Brent Yoder2014-20??
Dr. Carren Moham20??-2021
Joan Griffing2021-Present

as of January 2025

Notable people

;Alumni
;Faculty