Academics Archives

Posted On: April 23, 2025
By: MC Admin

Students Val Zarkh, Brock Lauer, Kevin Dodds, and Professor Duke Rogers.

The McPherson College Board of Trustees approved a motion to increase the portion of the college’s endowment allocated to its student-managed investment portfolio, bringing the fund’s total valuation to more than $1 million.

Since 2011, students in the college’s Investment class have gained real-world financial experience managing a portion of the college’s endowment. What started as incremental $100,000 investments in both 2012 and 2013 has grown over time to approximately $700,000, with the latest increase pushing the portfolio over the $1 million mark.

“It’s a huge vote of confidence in what we do and trust in the class that Rod Gieselman built during his tenure on the business faculty,” said Duke Rogers, associate professor of business, who teaches the course. “To the best of my knowledge, no other KCAC-affiliated institution offers this kind of real-world hands-on experience where students get to trade in real money. It raises the stakes and accountability much more than simulators or alternative modalities for teaching the concepts.

“As with any professional money manager, if the client doesn’t see the growth or doesn’t like or agree with the decisions made with the fund, they retain the right to terminate our services. It doesn’t get more real-world than that.”

The student investment fund has paid dividends beyond just the fund’s growth. The unique class gives students real-world experience in investing before they graduate, offering marketable skills they can list on résumés. And, it has benefited student recruitment and retention.

The investment class is offered each spring and is required for business majors with a focus on finance. However, its reputation also attracts students outside the business program.

That was the case for Andy Skinner, a 2012 graduate. Skinner started as a pre-med major, but after three years, he decided to explore other options and added a minor in business administration to his biochemistry major. In his final semester, he took the investment class and was part of the first class to manage a portion of the college’s endowment.

Managing real money with real consequences fueled his excitement about investing, and today, Skinner is a certified financial planner and a member of the McPherson College Board of Trustees, serving on the financial affairs committee.

“For me, the class was the spark that led me to my future career,” Skinner said. “It was exciting to see it come full circle for me when the students presented to the board of trustees.”

Each year, students make a presentation to the financial affairs committee, walking members through the process and structure of the class, it’s trading decisions for the year, and an assessment of the portfolio’s overall performance. Val Zarkh, Brock Lauer, and Kevin Dodd represented the Spring 2024 investments class and presented the annual report at the March 7, 2025, committee meeting.

“My favorite part of the class was doing the research on current events and seeing how they would translate into what was going on in the market,” said Zarkh, a senior from Chicago. “We were able to see, given what might happen in the next year with tariffs, for example, what stocks are going to do well and what are not.”

About 30 stocks are assigned to students who do research and make recommendations to the entire class. All students in the class vote on whether to buy, sell, or hold in May each year.

“The class teaches you to do your research,” said Lauer, a senior from Strong City, Kan. “Just because everyone else thinks a stock looks good, doesn’t mean you have to.”

“It teaches you to do your due diligence before investing in a stock,” added Kevin Dodd, a senior from Tecumseh, Okla. “It helps us look at the ratios and know exactly what they mean.”

Each stock has a binder that is passed down to the next class for analysis. The students have maintained an 11% average annual return, on par with professional investors and the S&P 500. Like professional funds, the student portfolio earns a modest management fee that supports the Business Club activities, such as trips and the annual protocol dinner.

Posted On: April 21, 2025
By: MC Admin

The Higher Learning Commission recently approved McPherson College to offer a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering starting in August 2026. The new degree further diversifies the college’s academic offerings and advances its position as a practical, future-oriented, and innovative campus.

The mechanical engineering degree builds on the college’s historic academic strengths in Automotive Restoration, Natural Sciences, and Mathematics while considering the local and regional economy.

“Developing this new academic program helps meet the specific needs of our local economy and expand our reach to meet labor needs in the broader automotive industry,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “McPherson College will provide an academic program that many college-bound students seek, leveraging our strengths in math, science, and automotive restoration technology. And, it will engage area industries to offer students hands-on experiences.”

According to Amanda Gutierrez, vice president for automotive restoration, mechanical engineering comes after a national study to explore how McPherson College can build on the success of automotive restoration.

“In fall 2023, McPherson College contracted with the Center of Automotive Research (CAR), an internationally recognized, independent organization based in Detroit that researches significant issues related to the future of global mobility,” said Gutierrez. “The purpose of the study was to explore the viability of McPherson College starting an engineering program.”

After careful market analysis, CAR recommended that McPherson College leverage its strength in Automotive Restoration to develop comprehensive engineering and computer science programs, including foundational tracks like mechanical and electrical engineering. Building on the success of the automotive restoration program’s experiential learning model, the new engineering program will include industry-informed labs and ample co-op and internship opportunities.

Department of Labor statistics show that mechanical engineering is an in-demand job field with the number of open positions projected to grow by 10% annually. There are career opportunities in many fields, including agriculture, energy, transportation, and automation.

“This means that demand is going to continue to grow for mechanical engineers and our graduates will have a tremendous opportunity to begin their careers in a variety of fields,” Gutierrez said.

Posted On: April 10, 2025
By: Tina Goodwin

McPherson College and the University of Kansas School of Medicine are partnering to promote rural healthcare in Kansas. Over the next 12 months, this collaboration will provide students with experiential, service, and research learning opportunities.

“The collaboration will offer a wide range of opportunities for McPherson College students,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “Building a partnership with the KU School of Medicine expands opportunities for our students statewide and allows us to work with KU School of Medicine admissions on joint recruitment efforts. These initiatives will help better prepare students for careers in rural healthcare.”

Together, McPherson College and KU School of Medicine’s Salina campus will explore partnerships in academic health science scholarships, rural health promotion, healthcare career development, and community health resources, including joint grant funding. The collaboration also aims to establish partnerships with the Health Occupations Students of America organization, develop new service projects, and co-host tabletop simulation events.

McPherson College students will have increased access to KU School of Medicine’s Rural Scholars and Urban Scholars programs, providing guaranteed admissions for qualified undergraduates. Additionally, faculty, staff, and students from KU’s Salina campus will visit McPherson College as guest lecturers in classes and at pre-professional organization activities. The collaboration will also facilitate connections between McPherson College undergraduate researchers and KU School of Medicine students. As part of the collaboration, KU School of Medicine will provide a scholarship for one McPherson College student to participate in mentored student research and team-teaching experiences.

“Rural healthcare is in crisis,” said Dr. Tyler Hughes, dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina. “This collaboration is aimed at helping rural students have access to the pathway that leads to a satisfying career in the medical field. Teamwork between KU School of Medicine-Salina and liberal arts colleges in Kansas will aid in building a pipeline of excellent medical professionals for rural patients throughout our state.”

McPherson College’s commitment to healthcare education continues to grow. In addition to its well-established natural science program, the college launched a new Health Science program in 2020, offering academic tracks in clinical, administrative, behavioral, and community health. The college also partnered with the McPherson Center for Health to provide hands-on learning experiences in clinical and non-clinical areas of the hospital. In June 2024, McPherson College received $2.1 million in congressionally directed funding from Senator Jerry Moran to support rural and community health initiatives.

Posted On: January 8, 2025
By: MC Admin

McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in the fall 2024 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention. Students must be full-time and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the last term to qualify for the Honor Roll. Students earning a grade point average from 3.25 to 3.54 are named to the Honorable Mention Roll.

Students earning a 4.0 GPA for fall 2024 include:

Kara Alexander, Mason Hall, Tobago and Trinidad
Lyla Anderson, Dublin, TX
Faith Askin, Springfield, MO
Jonavan Asuncion, Mission Viejo, CA
Stephan Quentin Baofa Bilambo, Kinshasa-Ngaliema, DRC
Maxwell Barba, Chester, MD
Baelyn Barnes, Amarillo, TX
Darril Baty, Sharpsville, IN
Seid Benak, Highlands Ranch, CO
Samantha Bennett, North Richland Hills, TX
Rayne Berkhalter, Atchison, KS
Logan Blades, Meridian, ID
Ava Bolin, Roff, OK
Ryan Boosman, Phoeniz, AZ
Lucy Bowman, McPherson, KS
Katelynn Brogan, Auburn, KS
Oscar Brouwer, Groningen, Netherlands
Maxwell Brucks, Columbia, MO
Jack Carpenter, Weatherford, TX
Reagan Chapman, Coahoma, TX
Samuel Christy, Claremore, OK
Wyatt Conklin, Topeka, KS
Kenzie Cooper, Wamego, KS
Mason Cox, Boerne, TX
Leann Dalinghaus, Seneca, KS
Jara Davidson, Lakin, KS
Marcello Dean, Placerville, CA
Raina Decker, McPherson, KS
Andrew Dehn, Orange Grove, TX
Dyron Dixon, Leander, TX
Kevin Dodd, Tecumseh, OK
Noah Durham, Winona, MS
Jaden Ediger, Galva, KS
Isabella Ellerbee, Winston, GA
Aaron Elvin-Temple, Lindsborg, KS
Annika Ernstrom, SanLuis Obispo, CA
Colin Evers, Urbandale, IA
Petra Fernandez Garcia, Ituzaingo, Argentina
Enya Fierens, Lubbeek, Flemish Brabant, Belgium
Tyler Foster, Derby, KS
Trey Fredrickson, Highlands Ranch, CO
Koen Gakstatter, Stilwell, KS
Naomi Campbell Gateka, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Margarida Gomes De Almeida, Queijas, Lisbon , Portugal
Lamar Gordon, Fayetteville, GA
Maddison Gorman, Clay Center, KS
Jacob Guignard, Oakdale, CA
Laura Guillamat-Ribo, Platte City, MO
Caden Hardgrave, McPherson, KS
Arianna Harlan, Derby, KS
Ky-Le Heim, Comptche, CA
Auburn Hill, Anthony, KS
Pia Hinricher, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Vanessa Hofer, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
Christopher Jackson, Holliday, TX
Zoe Jerke, Great Bend, KS
Evan Kemp, Bolivar, MO
Nicholas King, Lafayette, IN
Jackson Kiser, New Castle, CO
Stephanie Ko, McPherson, KS
Cooper Koestel, Hutchinson, KS
Brody Kramer, Clay Center, KS
Noah Landever, Shawnee Mission, KS
Sidney Larrew, Swink, CO
Elijah Leck, McPherson, KS
Samantha Lombela, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lauren Machado, Elizabeth, CO
Parker Martin, Skiatook, OK
Kenya McCain, Plano, TX
Claire McCullough, Salina, KS
Ellery McMurry, Greensburg, KS
Paige Miltenberger, Wildwood, MO
Molly Minster, Slidell, LA
Jayla Moore, Forney, TX
Mathew Mossman, Colorado Springs, CO
Eduardo Muller Morschel, Ivoti, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Arthur Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Marcus Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Gracie Nelson, McPherson, KS
Noah Nix, Eustis, FL
Adysen Norton, Goddard, KS
Garrett O’Connor, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Lorenzo Orlandi, Tavernelle, Umbria, Italy
Tayton Ornelas, Kismet, KS
Mason Patrick, Fairborn, OH
Emily Peterson, Canton, KS
Caleb Pezold, Mokane, MO
Malia Pfeiff, Moundridge, KS
David Poll, Byron Center, MI
Monica Pollock, Puyallup, WA
Alena Rupp, Wamego, KS
Hayden Russell, Melrose, MA
Luisina Sandrone Tais, Villa Nueva, Cordoba, Honduras
Kaitlyn Sarsfield, La Vernia, TX
Philip Schieffelin, Limon, CO
Braden Schiffner, Denver, CO
Texas Ranger Schmidt, Camp Wood, TX
Ty Schroeder, Hesston, KS
Chase Shetler, McPherson, KS
Hannah Smalley, Hutchinson, KS
Charles Smith, Miami, TX
Aysia Smithhisler, Spring Hill, KS
Jamie Sparks, Ballwin, MO
Taylor Starr, Milford, KS
Enzo Storani, Port St. Lucie, FL
Zane Sullivan, Aubrey, TX
Jonathan Tatum, Ore City, TX
Ky’rell Taylor, Junction City, KS
Balazs Temesvari, Budaörs, Pest, Hungary
Noah Ryan Thomas, Delta, BC, Canada
Samantha Thompson, Forney, TX
Marie Laureen Anna Everdina van Drunen, Zeist, Utrecht, Netherlands
Christopher Wagner, Maple Valley, WA
Jayson Wasserfuhr, Erftstadt, North Rhine-W, Germany
Antonio Watson, Oklahoma City, OK
Mandra Wenzl, Wichita, KS
Jonathan Wille, Manhattan, KS
Corvus Williams, Clay Center, KS
Maddie Willison, Buhler, KS
Jacob Winters, Lynchburg, VA
Hali Wolke, Wichita, KS
Val Zarkh, Hawthorn Wds, IL

Students named to the McPherson College Honor Roll for fall 2024 include:

Brent Aamodt, Valley Center, KS
Niraj Adhikari, Sandy, TX
Lindzie Archer, McPherson, KS
Carlo Arevalo, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Robert Aurner, Topeka, KS
Kennedy Batchelder, Bishop, CA
Joanna Bejar, Saratoga, CA
Olivia Bell, North Las Vegas, NV
Sadie Bell, Winter Park, FL
Mackenzie Birch, Topeka, KS
Stewart Bishop, Manhattan, KS
Harley Blaske, Sylvia, KS
Sarah Bliss, Thornton, CO
Matthew Bomersback, Kirkland, Quebec
Hunter Boneau, Melissa, TX
Nikola Boris, Kent, WA
Christian Brown, Melissa, TX
Tristen Brown, Conroe, TX
Kamryn Brown, Chula Vista, CA
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, IA
Fabian Camacho, Liberal, KS
Kaycee Carter, Rocklin, CA
Canon Cavanaugh, Hutchinson, KS
Jalen Chavez, San Angelo, TX
Michael Christensen, Idaho Falls, ID
Brandon Clifford, Carlisle, PA
Tate Collison, Pierce, NE
Ryan Cox, Canyon, TX
Mikayla Craver, Topeka, KS
Avery Crosswhite, Topeka, KS
Aeneas Davis, Las Vegas, NV
Wendy Diaz, McPherson, KS
Natalie Dicksion, Lexington, OK
Katie Dix, McPherson, KS
Alyssa Dixon, Celeste, TX
Summer Dorn, Piedmont, OK
Carson Ernstsen, Tulsa, OK
Jacob Esch, Fowlerville, MI
Mason Evans, Elizabeth, CO
Dayjsha Fanning, Bel Aire, KS
Tara Feeney, Ft. McDowell, AZ
Joshua Ferguson, Kensington, KS
Danica Floyd, Kinsley, KS
William Foote, Roosevelt, UT
Ian Foster, Wichita, KS
Caitlynn Frost, Wichita, KS
Alexandria Garcia, Enid, OK
Matthew Garcia, Spring, TX
Kierstyn Gilbert, Salina, KS
Brooklyn Gosvener, Lucas, KS
Juliette Graf, Decatur, GA
Chloe Guzman, New Braunfels, TX
Alexander Haberstroh, Delmar, MD
Logan Hamilton, Claremore, OK
Jake Hardin, Derby, KS
Jonathan Harding, Mount Crawford, VA
Alaina Harkins, Edmond, OK
Addie Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, KS
Natalie Henning, Weatherford, TX
Makynna Hinkle, Azle, TX
Niobe Holder, Fort Wayne, IN
Samantha Hollingsworth, Loomis, CA
Julius Howard, Denver, CO
Aubrey Huber, Paola, KS
Miranda Hunt, McKenna, WA
Jack Jensen, Lake Forest, IL
Jaxon Jensen, Cedar City, UT
Anthony Kaiser, Parker, CO
Andrew Kemp, Smyrna, GA
Ryder Konczak, Longview, TX
Simon Koontz, North Newton, KS
Jared Kramp, Saint Clair, MI
Charlie Kubena, Midlothian, VA
Cody Kuss, Bremerton, WA
Trey Kysiak, Ponder, TX
Carlos Leandry Laureano, Byamon, Puerto Rico
Toby Leffew, American Fork, UT
Aubrey Leyba, Glendale, AZ
Cesar Lopez, San Antonio, TX
Landri Lopez, Platte City, MO
Campbell Lyons, Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Seth Madron, McPherson, KS
Oscar Martinez, Lyford, TX
Sebastian Marwah, Clay Center, KS
Henry McDonough, Tucson, AZ
Nathan McIntosh, Clovis, NM
Celeste McMillen, Kittanning, PA
Xander McNitt, Denver, CO
Dallin McQuigg, Castle Rock, CO
Christopher Miller, West Milton, OH
Trenton Miller, Elizabeth, CO
Jack Mintz, Agoura Hills, CA
Andres Mora-Castillo, Hutchinson, KS
Breanna Morck, Mount Hope, KS
Meghan Morris, Burleson, TX
Mack Morris, Hillsdale, OK
Simon Mulumba Mukadi, Kinshasa, DRC
Raegan Murphy, Whitehall, MI
Brayden Noland, Saint Charles, MO
London Norris, Arkansas City, KS
Isaac Dizolele Nsunda, Kinshasa-Ngaliema, DRC
Alyssa Nutt, McPherson, KS
Carolina Oliveira, Santa Maria Da Feira Aveiro, Portugal
Hunter Ormond, West Palm Beach, FL
Ashlee Oster, Wichita, KS
Conner Pearson, Mesquite, NV
Carson Perez, Roseville, CA
Jaden Polovina, Fort Worth, TX
Carly Pomrenke, Brighton, CO
Hunter Powell, Lyons, CO
Kennan Puckett, Mesquite, TX
Abel Reichert, Bussum, North Holland, Netherlands
Gabriel Renn, Canon City, CO
Celestina Retumban, Ridgeland, MS
Savannah Robles, Irving, TX
Mathieu Rocha, Lubbock, TX
Melissa Rogers, Corpus Christi, TX
Curtis Rose, Midwest City, OK
Caleb Samland, Moundridge, KS
Hilberto Sanchez, Oakland, CA
Alexia Sandoval, Rocky Ford, CO
Stephanie Schmidt, Altenahr, Rhineland-Pala, Germany
Coen Scott, Buckeye, AZ
Logan Scott, Caulfield, MO
Jacob Skartvedt, Azle, TX
Ernest Skehan, Waynesboro, PA
Tegyn Smeltzer, Derby, KS
Kelby Smith, Lees Summit, MO
Wyatt Smith, Pilot Point, TX
Angel Solis, Anthony, TX
Michael Starr, Lake Jackson, TX
Sarah Stebbins, Pittsburg, KS
Natalie Street, Galva, KS
Brogan Stucky, Pretty Prairie, KS
Tijs Stumphius, s-Hertogenbosch, North B, Netherlands
Blake Swingle, Columbus, OH
Thomas Tencer, Seattle, WA
Anthony Thomas, Brookfield, IL
Nicholas Thompson, Louisville, KY
Ashanti Thompson, Phoenix, AZ
Ryan Thornton, Nicholasville, KY
Liliane Tshaka Walina, Kinshasa, DRC
Drake Valenzuela, Northridge, CA
Sijmen Cornelis Wytse van der Zee, Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
Juan Vargas, Navasota, TX
Elias Vasquez, Irving, TX
Matthew Vigil, Lubbock, TX
Dalton Vogts, Moundridge, KS
Hadley Waldren, Hutchinson, KS
Quinton Walker, Allen, OK
Courtney Ward, Weatherford, TX
Kayik Wildcat, Boulder, CO
Olivia Williams, Lawrence, KS
Kylai Wilson, Wichita, KS
Katelyn Wilson, Hutchinson, KS
Alexis Wolfe, Alma, NE
Luke Wood, Shawnee Mission, KS
Kayla Wood, Longmont, CO
Megan Wright, Woodbridge, CA
Max Younie, Pratt, KS
Wiktor Zaton, Lodz, Poland

Students named to the McPherson College Honorable Mention for fall 2024 include:

Mackenzy Angle, Wichita, KS
Tori Beeson, Wichita, KS
Dominique Bell, Grand Prairie, TX
Taylor Berkheimer, Ault, CO
Nicholas Berryman, Saint Petersburg, FL
Levi Betts, Washburn, MO
Cal Bieler, Newton, KS
Marissa Bogholtz, Nassau, NY
Felix Bravo, Hanford, CA
Tate Brewer, McPherson, KS
Traie Buhler, Cedar City, UT
Quentin Burgess, Oklahoma City, OK
Anthony Campanelli, Kenilworth, NJ
Dakota Campbell, Kennard, TX
Jacob Campbell-Roberson, Nyack, NY
Nathan Cartmell, Hutchinson, KS
Acacia Chrisjohn, Hesston, KS
Abigail Coe, Charleston, SC
Lheanne Collantes, Sacramento, CA
Connor Collins, Floresville, TX
Christopher Cox, Thornton, TX
Seth Dennis, Morrison, OK
Brayton Dewell, Fowler, KS
Arianna Diaz, Houston, TX
Kyle Doberer, McPherson, KS
C Eaheart, Harper, TX
Alyssa Espinoza, Galva, KS
Jaydin Fils-Aime, Union, NJ
Octavius Flient, Oklahoma City, OK
Christopher Foster, Enterprise, AL
Alexander Gillispie, Pueblo, CO
Joseph Glazener, Anchorage, AK
Amanda Goering, Hutchinson, KS
Joseph Gonzales, Spring, TX
Noah Good, Katy, TX
Gabe Goodnight, Wagoner, OK
Melaney Granados, Cactus, TX
Shaquille Grimes, Bristol, PA
Aidan Grimsley, Cary, NC
Kameron Hamid, Spring, TX
Calip Harjo, Okmulgee, OK
Kevin Hasley, Eagle, CO
Zachary Hawley, Meade, KS
Aaron Hess, Aurora, OR
Trey Hill, Derby, KS
Bailey Hulce, Baldwin City, KS
Carlos Jacobo, Great Bend, KS
Daniel Kaiser, Parker, CO
Kamal Kennedy, Arlington, TX
Jason Kim, Manhattan, KS
Victoire Kinyema, McPherson, KS
Effie Kolb, Hugoton, KS
Ty Kraemer, Mcpherson, KS
Brooke Krapes, Arvada, CO
Aumario Landrum, Wichita, KS
Caden Laumeyer, Nashua, MT
Dominic Lawrence, Edmonds, WA
Travis Leasure, Junction City, KS
Rhyan Lucas, Shawnee, KS
Maurice Mack, Gardner, KS
Cameron Maguire, Carmel, CA
Joel Maldonado, Fort Worth, TX
Ari Manoogian, Sarasota, FL
Nolan Martin, Bell Aire, KS
Osmar Martinez, Lyford, TX
Mackenzie McEachron, Kansas City, KS
Evan McGoldrick, Flower Mound, TX
Qur’an McKinney, Houston, TX
Michael Medina, Houston, TX
Carlos Mendez, Eagle Pass, TX
Isaac Miller, Middleville, MI
John Morris, Ross, CA
Jeremiah Mosley, Cypress, TX
Reilly Murphy, Whitehall, MI
Cash Nab, Fleming, CO
Amanda Nagy, McKinney, TX
Sergio Najera, Wichita, KS
Cynthia Nakata, Fresno, CA
Kamryn Nolan, Mulvane, KS
Daniel Norris, Leander, TX
Francisco Paradis, Maimon, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Daniel Paul, Bakersfield, CA
Owen Phillips, Wilmington, NC
Allyson Pierce, Wichita, KS
William Pittman, Charles City, VA
Alyssa Porcelli, Anchorage, AK
Breckyn Porter, Moundridge, KS
Katelyn Potestio, Mansfield, TX
Samuel Povod, Erie, PA
Connor Powers, Des Plaines, IL
Jon Quire, North Las Vegas, NV
Gabriel Reyes, Olive Branch, MS
Amari Robb, Folsom, CA
Parker Roberts, Carbondale, KS
Triztyn Rodriguez, Irving, TX
Tre Ruffin, Junction City, KS
Ryan Sakombi, Kinshasa, DRC
Troy Saladin, Umatilla, FL
Cheyn Sanders, Tempe, AZ
Elizabeth Scheuerman, Wichita, KS
Isaac Schneider, Tribune, KS
Blake Slizewski, Three Lakes, WI
Makenzi Smithee, Justin, TX
Riley Sojka, Wichita, KS
Jack Southern, Wagoner, OK
Gracie Speltz, Mansfield, TX
Joseph Stefanese, Rockaway, NJ
Samuel Stufflebeam, Basehor, KS
Tristan Szabo, Sparks, NV
Wayne Tackett, Midlothian, TX
Genesis Thompson, Elgin, TX
Elliot Ullmann, Bradenton, FL
Carsen Walker, Ulysses, KS
Johanna Walker, Franklin, KS
Brayden Walters, Canon City, CO
Amarion White, Newnan, GA
Matthew Williams, Los Angeles, CA
Charity Williams, Charlotte, NC
Aviana Youngbird, San Marcos, TX

Posted On: November 7, 2024
By: MC Admin

Path to Pebble wins Best Documentary Short Film at the Grand Motoring Film Festival.

McPherson College’s documentary gets top prize for short film

“The Path to Pebble,” a documentary chronicling the incredible story of McPherson College’s decade-long journey to compete at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, won Best Documentary Short Film at the Grand Motoring Film Festival on October 31 at Hilton Head Island.

The film was released in August to coincide with this year’s Pebble Beach Concours and commemorate the college’s historic podium finish at the most prestigious car show in the world. In 2023, McPherson College’s 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet – restored by students in the college’s Automotive Restoration program – secured second in class at the 72^nd Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The victory marks the first time in Concours history that a student-restored car has ranked in the top three in class.

Legendary television host and comedian Jay Leno narrates the film, saying, “Pebble Beach is all about turning heads. And some heads were turned that day. A student entry had never placed in this elite competition.”

In its eighth year, the Grand Motoring Film Festival is North America’s only competitive automotive film festival. This year, films from nine countries and 15 states competed for top honors in multiple juried categories. A team of McPherson College students, faculty and staff also participated in the 2024 Hilton Head Island Concours with the car, earning Best in Class.

“The Path to Pebble” can be viewed at www.mcpherson.edu/path-to-pebble.

Posted On: October 22, 2024
By: MC Admin

McPherson College announces the recipients of the 2024-25 Teaching Awards. The awards are presented at the annual Honors Convocation held during Homecoming. This year’s recipients are Ami Martinez and Lindsey Burgey.

A committee of students and last year’s teaching award recipients reviewed nominations from students and faculty colleagues to select one tenured faculty member and one non-tenured faculty member to receive the awards.

Ami Martinez

This year’s tenured award recipient, Ami Martinez, is an assistant professor of English. Understanding and care are the two most prominent qualities mentioned in the nominations of Professor Martinez. She is recognized for her work in the classroom and as a mentor.

One commenter said, “I had Ami during my freshman year, and she always looked out for me and helped me through a really tough time. This year, even though I don’t have her in class, she sends check-in emails and encourages me to see her if I need help. She is an amazing person and teacher.”

Lindsey Burgey

Lindsey Burgey, assistant professor of business, received the non-tenured faculty teaching award. She was recognized for her caring and supportive approach to students and her love of McPherson College.

“Lindsey always makes classes easy to understand and is always understanding and helpful,” said one nomination. Another nomination said, “This professor is one of my favorite teachers. No matter if I have a problem or not, she is always willing to help me out.”

Posted On: September 17, 2024
By: MC Admin

The McPherson College band received the highest distinction for a college band in Kansas by being selected to perform at this year’s Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) state convention in February. The milestone is even more significant since the band program has been selected to perform five times in the past eight years.

“Few bands at any level get selected to perform at KMEA,” said McPherson College Director of Bands Kyle Hopkins. “Our five selections in the past eight years really sets us apart from other private institutions. Since 2018 our concert band has been selected three times and our jazz band two, which is a historic accomplishment for a private Kansas college.”

The McPherson College Jazz Band is among fewer than 50 other college and high school instrumental and vocal ensembles performing at the state conference, which will be held February 27-28 in Wichita at Century II. It is the only private college jazz ensemble selected to perform this year.

Ensembles are selected to perform through a “blind” audition process, and no ensemble can be selected in consecutive years. The MC band program consists of 57 members from many academic programs and includes a concert and a jazz band. The band’s first public performance this academic year will be on September 30.

Posted On: September 9, 2024
By: MC Admin

A new space to socialize and collaborate with classmates, faculty, and staff opens its doors in a repurposed building on campus this week. The Boiler House is a new café in the middle of campus offering additional food options for lunch and dinner with a hip vibe and indoor/outdoor seating.

“I love the modern vibe,” said McPherson College student Malia Pfieff. “I think it’s what students are looking for on campus.”

The Boiler House is an imaginative reuse of an existing utility building on campus that housed the campus boiler system. It offers new spaces for the campus and community to gather.

“I’m excited about having a place to eat outside,” said McPherson College student Carlos Jacobo. “I really like the aesthetics, and the food is good.”

Another student, Kenya McCain, added, “I can definitely see students grabbing a seat in the corner and studying here.”

The Boiler House will offer a limited menu of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and soups, managed by the campus food service partner, Sodexo. An additional treat at the new venue is homemade ice cream served by Indigo Moo’d of Lindsborg. Students can use their dining dollars, included in their meal plans, to purchase food. The Boiler House will also serve pre-bottled alcoholic drinks only indoors after 5 p.m.

“This is a great place for teams to walk over after practice and grab dinner,” said Reilly Murphy, a McPherson College volleyball player. “I also like that it’s open to the community. I think students are excited about sharing our campus with the community and feeling a part of McPherson.”

Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m., with food service ending at 8 p.m. The Boiler House will be open some weekends for special events, such as home athletic games. To-go options are available, and Sodexo plans to add an online ordering feature to its app.

Posted On: May 30, 2024
By: MC Admin

McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in the spring 2024 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention. Students must be full-time and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the last term to qualify for the Honor Roll. Students earning a grade point average from 3.25 to 3.54 are named to the Honorable Mention Roll.

Students earning a 4.0 GPA for spring 2024 include:

Carter Anglin, Louisburg, KS
Faith Askin, Springfield, MO
Maxwell Barba, Chester, MD
Darril Baty, Sharpsville, IN
Lucas Beasley, Canton, KS
Samantha Bennett, North Richland Hills, TX
Caeley Billings, Gardner, KS
Mia Birkes, Mcpherson, KS
Logan Blades, Meridian, ID
Taylor Bohannon, Belle Plaine, KS
Ava Bolin, Roff, OK
Celien Botlan, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Az, France
Owen Braxmeyer, Manhattan, KS
Brandon Clifford, Carlisle, PA
Wyatt Conklin, Topeka, KS
Kenzie Cooper, Wamego, KS
Mason Cox, Boerne, TX
Moriah Delgado, Saginaw, TX
Wendy Diaz, McPherson, KS
Katie Dix, McPherson, KS
Dyron Dixon, Leander, TX
Kevin Dodd, Tecumseh, OK
Noah Durham, Winona, MS
Kurtis Ebling, Lindsborg, KS
Isabella Ellerbee, Winston, GA
Aaron Elvin-Temple, Lindsborg, KS
Jace Essig, Paradise, TX
Mariah Fede, Fairhope, AL
Petra Fernandez Garcia, Ituzaingo,
Enya Fierens, Lubbeek, Flemish Brabant, Belgium
Amanda Goering, Hutchinson, KS
Margarida Gomes De Almeida, Queijas, Lisbon, Portugal
Ivan Gomez, Katy, TX
Maddison Gorman, Clay Center, KS
Tavian Gray, Hutchinson, KS
Jacob Guignard, Oakdale, CA
Addison Haiden, Lindsborg, KS
Madelyn Hankins, Blackwell, OK
Caden Hardgrave, McPherson, KS
Arianna Harlan, Derby, KS
Zachary Hawley, Meade, KS
Addie Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, KS
Derika Helms, Inman, KS
Rachael Hendricks, McPherson, KS
Zamauria Herring, Atchison, KS
Alex Hill, Murrieta, CA
Vanessa Hofer, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
Heather Hudson, Greenville, TX
Hunter Jones, Brenham, TX
Andrew Kemp, Smyrna, GA
Sylvia Ko, McPherson, KS
Cooper Koestel, Hutchinson, KS
Ryder Konczak, Longview, TX
Ty Kraemer, Mcpherson, KS
Brooke Krapes, Arvada, CO
Lauren Kunda, McPherson, KS
Elijah Leck, McPherson, KS
Rhyan Lucas, Shawnee, KS
Jerome Mabry, Milwaukee, WI
Alih Magana, Hutchinson, KS
Thomas Mancuso, Lititz, PA
Parker Martin, Centennial, CO
Oscar Martinez, Lyford, TX
Kenya McCain, Plano, TX
Henry McDonough, Tucson, AZ
Ally Miller, Havana, KS
Martin Millos, Vigo, Spain
Sada Mills, Salina, KS
Jack Mintz, Agoura Hills, CA
Benedikt Moesbauer, Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany
Meghan Monroe, McPherson, KS
Brianna Morales, Newton, KS
Meghan Morris, Burleson, TX
Evan Morrison, Sebringville, Ontario, Canada
Elijah Muehler, McPherson, KS
Simon Mulumba Mukadi, Kinshasa, Congo
Cash Nab, Fleming, CO
Arthur Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Marcus Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Fabio Nickel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Kayla Ortiz, Brownsville, TX
Ashlee Oster, Wichita, KS
Francisco Paradis, Maimon, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
James Pawlak, Palatine, IL
Caden Pemberton, Larkspur, CA
Carson Perez, Roseville, CA
Emily Peterson, Canton, KS
Caleb Pezold, Mokane, MO
Malia Pfeiff, Moundridge, KS
Sierra Portenier, Phillipsburg, KS
Hunter Powell, Lyons, CO
Kennan Puckett, Mesquite, TX
Robert Ramberg, Topeka, KS
Logan Rees, Franklin, IN
Alena Rupp, Wamego, KS
Luisina Sandrone Tais, Villa Nueva, Cordoba, Argentina
Andrew Schaefer, Sag Harbor, NY
Philip Schieffelin, Limon, CO
Dustin Schnacker, Tulare, CA
Robert Schonberner, Omaha, NE
Logan Scott, Caulfield, MO
Chase Shetler, McPherson, KS
Cara Shultz, Kingman, KS
Eliseo Silva, Sterling, KS
Hannah Smalley, Hutchinson, KS
Taylor Starr, Milford, KS
Sarah Stebbins, Pittsburg, KS
Joseph Stefanese, Rockaway, NJ
Shey Storesund, Panora, IA
Courtney Ward, Weatherford, TX
Calvin Washington, Naperville, IL
Labron Wilson, Freeport, East Grand Bahama
Jacob Winters, Lynchburg, VA
Camden Wiseman, Overland Park, KS
Val Zarkh, Hawthorn Wds, IL

Students named to the McPherson College Honor Roll for spring 2024 include:

Lindzie Archer, McPherson, KS
Carlo Arevalo, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Tori Beeson, Wichita, KS
Cal Bieler, Newton, KS
Kevine Bondo, McPherson, KS
Raeghan Borman, Haslet, TX
Felix Bravo, Hanford, CA
Kaelan Brockway, Salina, KS
Katelynn Brogan, Auburn, KS
Oscar Brouwer, Groningen, Netherlands
Kamryn Brown, McPherson, KS
Maxwell Brucks, Columbia, MO
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, IA
Caden Bush, Watkinsville, GA
Anthony Campanelli, Kenilworth, NJ
Jameson Caro, Haileah, FL
Juan Chavez, Salem, OR
April Conilogue, Longmont, CO
Mikayla Craver, Topeka, KS
Susanne Cunningham, Chanute, KS
Oliver Danzer, Eschenbach, Bavaria, Germany
Andrew Dehn, Orange Grove, TX
Dylan Dilks, Hesston, KS
Zachary Dittert, Newton, KS
Annika Ernstrom, McPherson, KS
Alyssa Espinoza, Galva, KS
Jasper Fedders, Sioux Center, IA
Tara Feeney, Ft. McDowell, AZ
Tyler Foster, Derby, KS
Caitlynn Frost, Wichita, KS
Hayden Fry, Cushing, OK
Alexandria Garcia, Enid, OK
Miranda Gaytan, Edinburg, TX
Joseph Glazener, Anchorage, AK
Maritza Gonzalez, Eagle Pass, TX
Nathan Hall, Windsor, NY
Jailynn Hammel, Salina, KS
Alexis Heckeroth, Kansas City, MO
Noah Huls, Aurora, NE
Isaiah Hunter, Lees Summit, MO
Jordyn Johnson, Lakewood, CO
Devayne Johnson, Amarillo, TX
Josiah Jones, Stafford, VA
Joel Kaira, Fort Worth, TX
Kamal Kennedy, Arlington, TX
Brysen Kerby, Big Spring, TX
Simon Koontz, North Newton, KS
Brody Kramer, Clay Center, KS
Trey Kysiak, Ponder, TX
Aumario Landrum, Wichita, KS
Carlos Leandry Laureano, Byamon, PR
Samantha Lombela, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lauren Machado, Elizabeth, CO
Ari Manoogian, Sarasota, FL
Kael Markham, Wakarusa, KS
Gabrielle Martin, Norman, OK
Benedict Kirabo, Mbogga, Oxford, Great Britain
Evan McGoldrick, Flower Mound, TX
Ellery McMurry, Greensburg, KS
Tanner Morrow, Topeka, KS
Paul-Marie Muangu Mutondo, Kinshasa, Congo
Reilly Murphy, Whitehall, MI
Kamryn Nolan, Mulvane, KS
London Norris, Arkansas City, KS
Alyssa Nutt, McPherson, KS
Carolina Oliveira, Santa Maria Da Feira, Portugal
Hunter Ormond, West Palm Beach, FL
Tayton Ornelas, Copeland, KS
Caleb Pavlicek, Canon City, CO
Jaden Polovina, Fort Worth, TX
Alvin Poole, Houston, TX
Katelyn Potestio, Mansfield, TX
Samuel Povod, Erie, PA
Celestina Retumban, Ridgeland, MS
Amari Robb, Folsom, CA
Parker Roberts, Carbondale, KS
Olivia Rodriguez, McPherson, KS
Melissa Rogers, Corpus Christi, TX
Katelyn Ruiz, McPherson, KS
Kendyl Saffer, Arriba, CO
Andrea Salas, Albuquerque, NM
Cheyn Sanders, Tempe, AZ
Alexia Sandoval, Rocky Ford, CO
Dawson Sawyer, Brechin, Scotland
Elizabeth Scheuerman, Wichita, KS
Texas Ranger, Schmidt, Camp Wood, TX
Wyatt Smith, Pilot Point, TX
Jamie Sparks, McPherson, KS
Hailey Stage, Broken Arrow, OK
Oliver Stout, Sandusky, OH
Blake Swingle, Columbus, OH
Jonathan Tatum, Ore City, TX
Reagan Thai, Las Vegas, NV
Noah Ryan, Thomas, Delta, Canada
Genesis Thompson, Elgin, TX
Ashanti Thompson, Phoenix, AZ
Alex Tran, San Jose, CA
Mackenzie Unruh, Hesston, KS
Drake Valenzuela, Northridge, CA
Alisha Will, Salina, KS
Matthew Williams, Los Angeles, CA
Maddie Willison, Buhler, KS
Tuyee Yang, Fresno, CA
Collin Young, Garland, TX
Wiktor Zaton, Lodz, Poland

Students named to the McPherson College Honorable Mention for spring 2024 include:

Niraj Adhikari, Sandy, TX
Brandon Aguayo, Mounds, OK
Ghaliyah Ali, San Antonio, TX
Jonathan Altidor, Pompano Beach, FL
Tatyana Alvarado, Natalia, TX
Robert Aurner, Topeka, KS
Faheem Baghezza, Austin, TX
Baelyn Barnes, Amarillo, TX
Leia Barnes, McPherson, KS
Kennedy Batchelder, Bishop, CA
Nevaeh Beal, Carrollton, TX
Christian Brown, Melissa, TX
Ethan Buller, Moundridge, KS
Fabian Camacho, Liberal, KS
Cassandra Carmichael, McPherson, KS
Dason Cook, Broken Arrow, OK
Christian Davis, Fate, TX
Seth Dennis, Morrison, OK
Brayton Dewell, Fowler, KS
Jaden Downs, Pearland, TX
Calvin Doyle, Brighton, CO
Colin Evers, Urbandale, IA
Zoe Fernandez Garcia, Ituzaingo, Argentina,
Nathanael Fetters, Whitewright, TX
Ian Foster, Wichita, KS
ChristopherFoster, Enterprise, AL
Grayson Freeman, Liberty, MO
Ryan Frerich, Lincoln, NE
Sergio Gallegos, South Hutchinson, KS
Rakai Gantt, Excelsior Springs, MO
Dylan Gantz, Stafford, KS
Martin Gentes, Florence, MA
Joseph Gonzales, Spring, TX
Nicolas Gonzalez, Wichita, KS
Shaquille Grimes, Bristol, PA
Logan Hamilton, Claremore, OK
Jacob Hammon, Buffalo Grove, IL
Jake Hardin, Derby, KS
Alaina Harkins, Edmond, OK
Megan Harris, Sapulpa, OK
Trey Hill, Derby, KS
Shelley Jobe, Hanford, CA
Effie Kolb, Hugoton, KS
Cody Kuss, Bremerton, WA
Alivia Lange, Conway Springs, KS
Elijah Littrice, Germantown, TN
Cesar Lopez, San Antonio, TX
Isaac Lopez, Visalia, CA
Lily Lougheed, Mountain Home, AR
Campbell Lyons, Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Daniel Marcano, San Jose, Costa Rica,
Tyler Marcum, Missouri Valley, IA
Osmar Martinez, Lyford, TX
Becky Masengu, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Lucas McAlister, Noblesville, IN
Celeste McMillen, McPherson, KS
Carlos Mendez, Eagle Pass, TX
Molly Minster, Slidell, LA
Maria Miranda, Great Bend, KS
Palmer Moe, Seattle, WA
Ethan Montalvo, La Feria, TX
Breanna Morck, Mount Hope, KS
Jeremiah Mosley, Cypress, TX
Sergio Najera, Wichita, KS
Anselm Nyambuka, Alvarado, TX
Macyn Olson, Meade, KS
Alexandrea Pak, Pulyallup, WA
William Patterson, Wildwood, MO
James Pennington, Greenwood, MO
Allyson Pierce, Wichita, KS
Jeremy Porter, Seneca Falls, NY
Tyler Powell, Cypress, TX
Gavin Richardson, McPherson, KS
Devin Roff, Comstock, WI
Kourtnie Rohn, Holden, MO
Ty Schroeder, Hesston, KS
Gerod Shaffer, Topeka, KS
Colton Shivers, Miltonvale, KS
Brooklyn Skinner, Jenks, OK
Mason Small, Yarmouth, ME
Riley Sojka, Wichita, KS
Valick Sorter, Kismet, KS
Daryn Stack, Brea, CA
Tristan Szabo, Sparks, NV
Thomas Tencer, Seattle, WA
Anthony Valdez, Azle, TX
Alexander Van Patten, Phillipsburg, KS
Dalton Vogts, Moundridge, KS
Hannah Wagner, San Antonio, TX
Hadley Waldren, Hutchinson, KS
Johanna Walker, Franklin, KS
Antonio Watson, Oklahoma City, OK
Ethan Weinhoffer, Hesston, KS
Courtney Wickham, Claremore, OK
Marquis Willoughby, Brooklyn, NY
Kevin Wolfe, Malvern, PA
Amber Wood, Arlington, TX
Cameron Wright, Denison, TX

Posted On: May 23, 2024
By: MC Admin

McPherson College conferred Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees on 158 students at the 136^th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at McPherson Stadium.

Dr. Kim Stanley, professor of English at McPherson College, was the commencement speaker. Professor Stanley taught in the MC English department for 36 years and retired at the end of the 2024 academic year. She is among the most beloved and sought-after professors on campus and engaged in impactful ways across campus during her tenure. She is a discussion leader for the book talks sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Council, and worked with prisoners in the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, encouraging them to read storybooks to their young children.

In her speech, Dr. Stanley shared quotes from some of the freshman composition papers turned in four years ago by members of the Class of 2024, reminding them to look for the poetry within themselves.

“In your adult world, you’ll be facing challenges that my generation didn’t have to meet,” she said. “I hope that your time here has helped you develop the virtues of tolerance, fairness, cooperation, kindness, and courage that you’re going to need to face that world.”

Taylor Bohannon, the senior class representative, also addressed the students.

The commencement ceremony concluded with Dr. Michael Schnieder, president of McPherson College, who encouraged students always to remember their time at McPherson College.

“As you make your way out into the world, don’t forget to come back occasionally,” he said. “And don’t forget who you are. You are Bulldogs!”

Names of the graduating class of 2024 and the commencement video can be found at: www.mcpherson.edu/graduation.

Quicklinks

Category: Academics

McPherson College Expands Student-Managed Investment Fund

McPherson College Adds Mechanical Engineering Degree

McPherson College and KU School of Medicine Announce Collaboration

McPherson College Honor Roll, Honorable Mention

“Path To Pebble” Wins At Film Festival

McPherson College Announces Teaching Awards

MC Jazz Band Earns KMEA Selection

New Café Opens On McPherson College Campus

McPherson College Honor Roll, Honorable Mention for spring 2024

McPherson College Celebrates Class of 2024 in Commencement Ceremony