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The Piston Foundation Awards 16 Scholarships For 2023 To McPherson College Students

2023 Piston Foundation Scholars

The Piston Foundation announced that 23 Piston Scholarships were awarded for 2023, 16 of them going to McPherson College Automotive Restoration students. This is the second year The Piston Foundation has granted Piston Scholarships to aspiring students who are training for careers in automotive restoration, collection management, and vintage motorsports.

McPherson College students receiving scholarships include:

Lindzie Archer, McPherson, Kan.
Lucas Beasley, Canton, Kan.
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, Iowa
Zoe Carmichael, Raleigh, N.C.
Jasper Fedders, Sioux Center, Iowa
Adam Hughes, Newman Lake, Wash.
Cody Kuss, Bremerton, Wash.
Carlos Leandry, McPherson, Kan.
Dryden Powell, Council Grove, Kan.
Philip Schieffelin, Limon, Colo.
Robert Schonberner, Omaha, Neb.
Riley Sojka, Wichita, Kan.
Blake Swingle, Columbus, Ohio
Elias Vasquez, Irving, Texas
Sean Whetstone, Fort Collins, Colo.
Samuel White, Topeka, Kan.

Piston scholars receive scholarships ranging from $3,750 to $5,000. The scholarships help pay tuition at the automotive school of their choice. This year, the Foundation saw a significant increase in the quality and diversity of scholarship applications compared to the initiative’s inaugural year in 2022. Twenty-three recipients were selected from among 130 applicants in 37 states, attending 27 different schools There were also 6 returning scholars, each having been one of the initial 10 to receive an award last year.

“It’s not true that young people aren’t interested in working in collector car restoration. Our 2023 Piston Scholars are proof,” said Piston founder Robert Minnick. “Each of our scholarship recipients is knowledgeable and passionate about classic cars. Our mission is to help them, and other future technicians, get the education and training they need to build their careers.”

The Piston Foundation is a public charity that works for the car enthusiast community, aiming to guide more young people down a successful career path with cars through its scholarship programs.

McPherson College Spring 2023 Honor Roll, Honorable Mention

McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in the spring 2023 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 named to the McPherson College Honor Roll for spring 2023 include:

Students with a 4.0:
Mattis Ahlgrimm, Lichtenstein, Saxony, Germany
Natalia Ahrens, Lees Summit, MO
Kaylie Akiona, Kaaawa, HI
Carter Anglin, Louisburg, KS
Robert Aurner, Topeka, KS
Bailey Avila, Corinth, TX
Rebekah Ballast, Oskaloosa, KS
Darril Baty, Sharpsville, IN
Cheneal Benne, Courtland, KS
Samantha Bennett, North Richland Hills, TX
Caeley Billings, Gardner, KS
Mia Birkes, Mcpherson, KS
Celien Botlan, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Az, France
Chase Brous, Hays, KS
Maxwell Brucks, Columbia, MO
Victoria Bruno, McPherson, KS
Fabian Camacho, Liberal, KS
Cassandra Carmichael, McPherson, KS
Hayden Casey, Sapulpa, OK
Mason Cox, Boerne, TX
Moriah Delgado, Saginaw, TX
Noah Durham, Winona, MS
Kurtis Ebling, Lindsborg, KS
Sarah Ewing, Hutchinson, KS
Koen Gakstatter, Stilwell, KS
Amanda Goering, Hutchinson, KS
Graedon Green, McPherson, KS
Aidan Grimsley, Cary, NC
Addison Haiden, Lindsborg, KS
Caden Hardgrave, McPherson, KS
Jake Hardin, Derby, KS
Kiara Hawkins, Robstown, TX
Zachary Hawley, Meade, KS
Addie Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, KS
Derika Helms, Inman, KS
Alex Hill, Murrieta, CA
Lola Hipp, Goodland, KS
Georgia Hitchcock, Cody, WY
Vanessa Hofer, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
Katelyn Huddle, McPherson, KS
Heather Hudson, Greenville, TX
Bethany Ice, McPherson, KS
Spencer Ice, Cameron, MO
Zoe erke, Great Bend, KS
Shelley Jobe, Hanford, CA
Brandt Johnson, Peyton, CO
Kennedy Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO
Jordyn Johnson, Lakewood, CO
Kadee Johnson, Groveton, TX
Laheerah Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Lasheicka Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Ketsia Kanjinga, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Kamal Kennedy, Arlington, TX
Brysen Kerby, Big Spring, TX
Raegan Kleppe, Durant, OK
Stephanie Ko, McPherson, KS
Sylvia Ko, McPherson, KS
Cooper Koestel, Hutchinson, KS
Ty Kraemer, Mcpherson, KS
Carlos Leandry Laureano, Byamon, PR
Emily Leeson, Roswell, NM
Delani List, Shawnee Mission, KS
RhyanLucas, Overland Park, KS
Alih Magana, Hutchinson, KS
Thomas Mancuso, Lititz, PA
Kendra Maples, Maywood, MO
Kael Markham, Topeka, KS
Becky Masengu, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Kenya McCain, Plano, TX
Celeste McMillen, McPherson, KS
Ellery McMurry, Greensburg, KS
Sada Mills, Salina, KS
Ezra Monroe, Melissa, TX
Jayla Moore, Forney, TX
Katelyn Moore, Douglass, KS
Trey Murphy, Wagga Wagga, Australia
Reilly Murphy, Whitehall, MI
Raegan Murphy, Whitehall, MI
Michel Mwengwe, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Marcus Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Hunter Ormond, West Palm Beach, FL
William Patterson, Louisburg, KS
Aidan Pham, Frisco, TX
Abriana Phipps, Humble, TX
Samuel Povod, Erie, PA
Robert Ramberg, Topeka, KS
Kyle Ramey, McPherson, KS
Luis Rodriguez Jr., The Colony, TX
Frank Romanaggi, Portland, OR
Daniel Rowlett, Gustine, CA
Briana Ruth, McPherson, KS
Philip Schieffelin, Limon, CO
Texas Ranger Schmidt, Camp Wood, TX
Dustin Schnacker, Tulare, CA
LoganScott, Caulfield, MO
Emily Segura, North Las Vegas, NV
Broc Selstrom, Centralia, WA
GerodShaffer, Topeka, KS
Austin Siegal, Panama City, FL
Meghan Smith, Lindsborg, KS
Olivia Smith, Wichita, KS
Taylor Starr, Milford, KS
Mason Stephens, Forney, TX
Kenneth Storer, McPherson, KS
Blake Swingle, Columbus, OH
Jonathan Tatum, Ore City, TX
Kelcie Turner, Park City, KS
Mackenzie Unruh, Hesston, KS
Courtney Ward, Venus, TX
Kinzye Whitehead, Fort Scott, KS
Kylie Willis, Huffman, TX
AmberWood, Arlington, TX
Cameron Wright, Denison, TX
Val Zarkh, Hawthorn Wds, IL
Wiktor Zaton, Lodz, Poland

Students with a 3.55+:
Israel Acosta, Houston, TX
Niraj Adhikari, Austin, TX
Wyatt Allen, Topeka, KS
Amanda Ambrosy, Haslet, TX
Nicholas Amos, Simpsonville, SC
Lindzie Archer, McPherson, KS
Leia Barnes, Hutchinson, KS
Luke Beddow, Pauls Valley, OK
Thomas Boyer, Rogers, AR
Felix Bravo, Hanford, CA
Kaelan Brockway, Salina, KS
Nathan Brown, Concordia, KS
Maggie Brown, Wallace, KS
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, IA
Caden Bush, Watkinsville, GA
Noah Carpenter, Kearney, NE
Kade Chapman, Crawford, OK
Tate Clem, Wichita, KS
Brandon Clifford, Carlisle, PA
Connor Collins, Floresville, TX
Ander Compere, West Park, FL
Daniel Connell, High Peak, Derbyshire, England
Zane Cornejo, Wellington, KS
Susanne Cunningham, Chanute, KS
Martin Delgado Agudelo, Bogota, Capital District, Colombia
Wendy Diaz, McPherson, KS
Dyron Dixon, Leander, TX
Kevin Dodd, Tecumseh, OK
Connor Donaho, Meeker, OK
C Eaheart, Harper, TX
Mackenzie Egan, Vandreuil Dorion, QC, Canada
Aaron Elvin-Temple, Lindsborg, KS
Gershom Epp, Hesston, KS
Nathanael Fetters, Whitewright, TX
Caleb Feuerstake, Waterdown, Canada
Hayden Fry, Cushing, OK
Summer Garcia, Ontario, CA
Naomi Campbell Gateka, Ouagadougou, West Africa
Miranda Gaytan, Edinburg, TX
Martin Gentes, Florence, MA
Joseph Glazener, Anchorage, AK
Kurt Golubski, Paola, KS
Alexis Grattan, Newton, KS
Nathan Hall, Windsor, NY
Rachael Hendricks, McPherson, KS
Zamauria Herring, Atchison, KS
Adam Hughes, Newman Lake, WA
Romin Jimenez, Arvada, CO
Hunter Jones, Hallettsville, TX
Eli Jordan, Claremore, OK
Andrew Kemp, Smyrna, GA
Brooke Krapes, Arvada, CO
Matthew Kroeker, Wichita, KS
Dane Kudera, Baggs, WY
Cody Kuss, Bremerton, WA
Irshad Lagarde, Harbor City, CA
Brandon Lockett, Carrolton, TX
Madison Logan, Driftwood, TX
Samantha Lombela, Johannesburg, South Africa
Tyler Loy, Topeka, KS
Lauren Machado, Elizabeth, CO
Matthew Mahan, Topeka, KS
Colby Marshall, Montgomery, TX
Gabrielle Martin, Norman, OK
Benedict Kirabo Mbogga, Oxford, England
Richard Mbuyamba, Johannesburg, South Africa
Lucas McAlister, Noblesville, IN
Evan McGoldrick, Flower Mound, TX
Christopher Miller, West Milton, OH
Noah Miller, Chanhassen, MN
Martin Millos, Vigo, Spain
Maria Miranda, Great Bend, KS
Meghan Morris, Burleson, TX
Elijah Muehler, McPherson, KS
Cash Nab, Fleming, CO
Arthur Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Kamryn Nolan, Mulvane, KS
Kalli Olivar, North Richland Hills, TX
Kapema Ongala, Denver, CO
Ashlee Oster, Wichita, KS
James Pawlak, Palatine, IL
Andrew Penrose, McPherson, KS
Emily Peterson, Canton, KS
Carly Pomrenke, Brighton, CO
Alvin Poole, Houston, TX
Sierra Portenier, Phillipsburg, KS
Jeremy Porter, Seneca Falls, NY
Katelyn Potestio, Mansfield, TX
Kennan Puckett, Mesquite, TX
Kaden Quint, Hutchinson, KS
Logan Rees, Franklin, IN
Laurenz Ries, Oglesby, IL
Gregorio Rivera, McPherson, KS
Olivia Rodriguez, McPherson, KS
Adryan Rodriguez, Amarillo, TX
Cynarah Rodriquez, Amarillo, TX
Curtis Rose, Midwest City, OK
Claudia Russe, Frisco, TX
Kento Saiki, McPherson, KS
Natalia Salto, Cimarron, KS
Alexia Sandoval, Rocky Ford, CO
Brandi Satterfield, Bellevue, NE
Andrew Schaefer, Sag Harbor, NY
Alexander Schoneweis, Lincoln, NE
Eliseo Silva, Sterling, KS
Hannah Smalley, Hutchinson, KS
Sarah Stebbins, Pittsburg, KS
Joseph Stefanese, Rockaway, NJ
Rebecca Steffen, Vinton, IA
Oliver Stout, Sandusky, OH
Tristan Szabo, Sparks, NV
Ryan Tate, Denton, TX
Genesis Thompson, Austin, TX
Dalton Vogts, Moundridge, KS
Hadley Waldren, Hutchinson, KS
Joshua Warner, Milan, MI
Kassidy Weaver, Katy, TX
Benjamin Weekly, Bishop’s Stortford, England
Ann Weesner, Hutchinson, KS
Matthew Whitney, McPherson, KS
Benjamin Wiebe, McPherson, KS
Nicholas Wilson, Hutchinson, KS
Luca Winterton, Thunderidge, England
Camden Wiseman, Overland Park, KS

 

Students named to the McPherson College Honorable Mention for spring 2023 include:

Nathan Addis, Hutchinson, KS
Diezel Balko, Crawford, CO
Heidi Beckham, Attica, KS
Tori Beeson, Wichita, KS
Joseph Bellisario, Barrington, IL
Michael Beltran Rubio, Bogota, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Taylor Bohannon, Belle Plaine , KS
Maelynne Bonner, Tonganoxie, KS
Zachary Bredfield, Heppner, OR
Raegin Bromenshenkel, Phoenix, AZ
Oscar Brouwer, Groningen, Netherlands
Christian Brown, Melissa, TX
Dajuan Brown, Pasadena, CA
Jesse Cammisano, Pleasant Hill, MO
Tanner Cardoza, Hanford, CA
Nathan Cartmell, Hutchinson, KS
Daveigh Castaneda, San Antonio, TX
Cole Coggins, Kiowa, KS
Christian Davis, Fate, TX
Antoine Detavernier, Bruges, Belgium,
Isaac Dizolele Nsunda, Kinshasa-Ngaliema, Democratic Republic of Congo
Jaxon Douthit, Shawnee, OK
Nathan Drouin, Atlanta, GA
Nehemiah Figueroa, Pottstown, PA
Octavius Flient, Oklahoma City, OK
Hayden Foster, Little Elm, TX
Ian Foster, Wichita, KS
Mark Frates, Arvada, CO
Elias Freed, Crested Butte, CO
Ryan Frerich, Lincoln, NE
Thomas Frick, Carefree, AZ
Alexandrea Garcia, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Riley Granger, Lebanon, IN
Samuel Grim, Johnstown, CO
Michael Halgren, Leawood, KS
Jacob Hammon, Buffalo Grove, IL
Fidel Hatch, Piedmont, OK
Kelly Hoffman, Wysox, PA
Julius Howard, Denver, CO
Bailey Hulce, Baldwin City, KS
Noah Huls, Aurora, NE
Ethan Huston, Saint John, KS
Carlos Jacobo, Great Bend, KS
DeAngelo Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
Fabrice Kambale Wa Kahala, Florence, AL
Julian Karlic, Fallston, MD
Gracia Kasongo, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
Courtney Keyes, Lyons, KS
Jordan Kingcaid, Fort Worth, TX
Morgan Kobe, Fate, TX
Joshua Kuczek, Nutley, NJ
Clifford Kuhnel, Lynn Haven, FL
Toby Leffew, American Fork, UT
Christian Lujan, Salina, KS
Jerome Mabry, Milwaukee, WI
Blake Maddock, Oakdale, CA
Tyler Marcum, Missouri Valley, IA
Killian McDonald, Topeka, KS
Palmer Moe, Seattle, WA
Marco Moncada, Crystal City, TX
Meghan Monroe, McPherson, KS
Ethan Montalvo, La Feria, TX
Paul-Marie Muangu Mutondo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Junior Mutombo, Kinshasa-ngaliema, Democratic Republic of Congo
Amanda Nagy, McKinney, TX
Sergio Najera, Wichita, KS
Fabio Nickel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Graham Noblett, Fairport, NY
Haven Ousley, Camden, MS
Alexandrea Pak, Pulyallup, WA
Emma Parker, Hayden, ID
Daniel Paul, Bakersfield, CA
Jacquiline Pfautz, Andover, MN
Arriyonn Phillips, Matteson, IL
Gabe Porras, Lawrence, KS
Amari Robb, Folsom, CA
Parker Roberts, Carbondale, KS
Cameron Robertson, Baton Rouge, LA
Devin Roff, Comstock, WI
Kendyl Saffer, Arriba, CO
Nathan Saffer, Arriba, CO
Aidan Salazar, Laredo, TX
Robert Schmidt, Litchfield Park, AZ
Robert Schonberner, Omaha , NE
Ty Schroeder, Hesston, KS
Aidan Sharkey, Deland, FL
Teegan Shepard, Perkins, OK
Paul Sita, Kinsasha, Democratic Republic of Congo
Lauren Skinner, Fate, TX
Mason Small, Yarmouth, ME
Charles Snyder, Emporia, KS
Noah Stahl, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Thomas Tencer, Humble, TX
Reagan Thai, Las Vegas, NV
Grant Thimmesch, Inman , KS
Eludie Tsasa Nsunda, Kinshasa-Ngaliema, Democratic Republic of Congo
Anthony Valdez, Azle, TX
Alexander an Patten, Phillipsburg , KS
Hannah Wagner, San Antonio, TX
Antonio Watson, Oklahoma City, OK
Isaak Welch, Pacific City , OR
Alexis Wolfe, Alma, NE
Collin Young, Garland, TX

McPherson College Celebrates Class Of 2023 In Commencement Ceremony

2023 MC Graduate Group Photo

McPherson College conferred Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees to 171 students at the 135th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 20, 2023, at McPherson Stadium.

Rod Gieselman, professor of business at McPherson College, was the commencement speaker. Professor Gieselman has taught in the MC business department for 20 years. Students in his investments course manage a portion of the college’s endowment that consistently out-earns market averages and has grown from an initial $200,000 to $550,000. In his address, he encouraged the Class of 2023 to continue developing.

“Every day going forward, you will continue to develop who you are, your perspectives, beliefs, empathy, and character,” he said. “The process of becoming a whole person is a lifelong process. Hopefully, McPherson College has pushed you to continue developing in a positive direction.”

Olivia Smith, the senior class representative, and Professor Vicki Schmidt, associate professor of education, also addressed the class.

The commencement ceremony concluded with Dr. Michael Schneider, president of McPherson College, who thanked for the students for making it a great day to be a Bulldog.

“As you scatter out into the world, remember your degree is a milestone but just the beginning of the expectations you have now as a graduate of McPherson College,” he said. “This campus will change over the next several years but don’t forget to come home.”

Names of the graduating class of 2023 and the commencement video can be found at: www.mcpherson.edu/graduation.

McPherson College Is First Kansas College To Make The Green Chemistry Commitment

Manjula Koralegedara, professor of chemistry, with MC students.

Green Chemistry Commitment Signer

McPherson College became the first college in Kansas to adopt the Green Chemistry Commitment by registering with Beyond Benign, the official partner of the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute. The Green Chemistry Commitment is a program for colleges and universities that supports educators and students to approach chemistry from a green perspective to solve problems in the 21st century.

Manjula Koralegedara, professor of chemistry, began introducing green chemistry practices to McPherson College in 2014 after attending a workshop at the University of Oregon organized by the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute.

“The concepts clicked with me,” Professor Koralegedara said. “Usually, we only hear about chemicals when they are associated with bad events, but in reality, we can’t live without chemical products. Green chemistry explores how we can achieve the same results while reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous substances. Early integration of green chemistry concepts into college curriculum prepares students for the future and gives our graduates an advantage when looking into careers.”

Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce and or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. This approach requires an open and interdisciplinary view of material and product design, applying the principle that it is better to consider waste and hazard prevention options during the design and development phase rather than disposing, treating, and handling waste and hazardous chemicals after a process or material has been developed.

Implementing green practices has had an overall positive impact on the natural science program, according to Dr. Jonathan Frye, professor of natural science and chair of the department. Waste disposal costs and water usage have been reduced, and students are becoming more conscious of their actions beyond the classroom. The natural science program has also incorporated green chemistry into its curriculum.

“As I teach the principles of green chemistry, I have seen students change their habits,” Koralegedara said. “From something as simple as using a metal water bottle instead of single-use plastic bottles shows they are conscious about what they are doing and the impact it has on our environment.”

Green chemistry involves using 12 principles to thoughtfully design and implement chemical products and processes to minimize hazardous waste and use more benign methodologies. It focuses on the environmental impact along with the economic and societal implications of the practices implemented in labs.

“It’s a relatively new concept but catching on quickly,” Koralegedara said. “The chemical industry is changing and implementing green chemistry more and wants employees with that knowledge.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow five percent by 2031, with 7,800 openings for environmental scientists and specialists on average each year.

While Professor Koralegedara is pleased with the results of green chemistry processes in the natural science program, she would like to support efforts campuswide. She is considering how other programs could implement some of the practices. She is a member of the American Chemical Society and is the chair-elect for the Wichita local section.

Beyond Benign administers and supports the Green Chemistry Commitment and provides annual feedback and support from leading scientists and industry partners in the field to all participating institutions. By signing the Green Chemistry Commitment, McPherson College joins a consortium of 120 other colleges and universities worldwide.

Dr. Matt Skillen Joins McPherson College As Assistant Provost And Dean Of Faculty

Dr. Matt Skillen, assistant provost and dean of faculty

Dr. Matt Skillen, assistant provost and dean of faculty

McPherson College announces Dr. Matt Skillen will join the college as assistant provost and dean of faculty. In this position, Dr. Skillen will work closely with the provost and others on campus to align academic priorities with the college’s strategic plan, Community by Design 2.0.

“It is an honor to be named the assistant provost and dean of faculty at McPherson College,” Dr. Skillen said. “My family and I are excited to join the McPherson community, and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues.”

Dr. Skillen has served in various roles at Elizabethtown College for the last 14 years. In his current role as the R.W. Schlosser Professor of English and the Dean of Faculty and Associate Provost for Student Learning, he has championed faculty development and continuous professional growth. He has also supported programs that advance student learning, like the first-year experience, second-year program, the Core general education program, and Momentum – Etown’s bridge experience for first-generation college students. He has dedicated himself to truly transformational educational experiences and improving conditions for teaching, learning, and ongoing professional growth throughout his career.

“Dr. Skillen brings to this role an enthusiasm for teaching and learning,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost and executive vice president. “His creative and relational style will be a great asset to our campus community. I am excited to work with him and to welcome his family to McPherson.”

Previously at Elizabethtown College, Dr. Skillen served as a professor in the English department, director of the English education program, department chair for the English and communications departments, and director of the Etown College Teaching and Learning Design Studio. Before his employment at Etown, he served as a classroom teacher for Maize USD 266 in Maize, Kan., and as a graduate teaching assistant at Kansas State University.

He is married to Rebekah Skillen, a registered nurse and certified childbirth educator. They have two children.

McPherson College Announces New Director Of Choral Activities

Andrew Voth, new director of choral activities and assistant professor of music.

Andrew Voth, new director of choral activities and assistant professor of music.

McPherson College announces Andrew Voth will join the faculty as the new director of choral activities and assistant professor of music. He previously taught middle school and high school choir in Goessel, Kan., and is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“I am excited to get back to Kansas and start making music with the students at McPherson College,” Voth said. “Music can be an incredibly important part of the college experience, and I am excited to help current and future Bulldogs create lasting memories and life-long musical skills. This is truly a dream come true for me.”

While completing his graduate studies, Voth has served as a teacher assistant for the choral department by leading the University Chorus and Masters Singers and as assistant conductor in the Chorale Lab Choir and Madrigal Singers. He also oversaw pre-service teachers in their practicum and student teaching experiences. His current research focuses on providing teachers with resources to create more accessible choral classrooms by integrating a cultural model of disability and culturally responsive teaching.

“We are eager to welcome Andrew to McPherson College,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost. “Our students responded to his energy and expertise when he visited campus. He will be a great addition to the MC performing arts program.”

Voth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree with education licensure from Bethel College in 2013 and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020. His other professional experience includes serving as assistant conductor and soloist for the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus, an ensemble of approximately 200 that performs two concerts each year to raise money for the Mennonite Central Committee. He was also choir director at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in Whitewater, Kan., and Lorraine Avenue Mennonite church in Wichita.

MC Recognizes Students at Awards Convocation

Prof Kyle Hopkins with MC Who's Who Students

McPherson College recognized the academic and leadership achievements of students, faculty and staff at the Annual Awards Convocation on Wednesday, May 3 in Brown Auditorium.

Recipients were as follows:

Athletics

  • Female Scholar-athlete of the Year – Georgia Hitchcock
  • Male Scholar-athlete of the Year – Trey Murphy

Technology Department – Auto Restoration

  • Julian “Pop Rice Award – Colby Marshall
  • Paul Russell Award for Excellence – Matthew Kroeker

Business

  • Outstanding Business Students – Meghan Smith & Luis Rodriguez

Curriculum & Instruction

  • Model Educator Award – Georgia Hitchcock & Kurt Golubski
  • Teacher of Promise Award – Alexis Gratten & Kassidy Weaver

History & Politics

  • Leland L. Lengel Memorial Scholarship – Breanna Morck & Cooper Koestel
  • Marvin and Doreen Will Memorial Scholarship – Kurtis Ebling & Tavian Gray
  • Outstanding Senior Thesis – Kento Saiki
  • Phi Alpha Theta National Historians Honor Society: Kento Saiki, Kurtis Ebling, Breanna Morck, Cooper Koestel, Kurt Golubski, Palmer Moe, Ben Weibe, Sarah Ewing

Natural Science

  • Burkholder Research Award – Olivia Smith
  • Merit Research Award – Bethany Ice, Nathan Saffer, Annie Weesner
  • Chemistry Achievement Award – Phillip Schieffelin & Katelyn Huddle
  • Biology Achievement Award – Phillip Schieffelin
  • Presented Undergraduate Research at the Kansas Academy of Sciences – Olivia Smith (1st place, Oral Presentations), Austin Apple, Nathan Saffer, Annie Weesner

Behavioral Sciences

  • Outstanding Behavioral Sciences Student Award – Kennedy Johnson
  • Outstanding Behavioral Sciences Senior Research Award – Peyton Lindsey
  • Outstanding Behavioral Sciences Student Award – Caleb Feuerstake

Art & Design

  • Five-State Photo Competition & Exhibition – Dane Kudera, Cameron Wright, Ryan Tate, Lindzie Archer, Nick Wilson, Susanne Cunningham, Chloe Jones, Eliseo Silva, Dashawn Holliman (each had one or more photos selected for the show), Maria Miranda (three photos in the show and received 3rd place)
  • AIGA Wichita Student Portfolio Forum – Mackenzie Unruh, Cheneal Benne, Eliseo Silva, Sylvia Ko
  • Art & Design Students of the Year – Dashawn Holliman

Physical Education

  • Department of Health and Sports Studies Award for Outstanding Graduate – Amanda Ambrosy, Bailey Avila, Brandt Johnson, Lasheicka Joseph, Kendra Maples

Who’s Who in the McPherson College Class of 2023

  • Kaylie Akiona, Cheneal Benne, Alexis Gratten, Georgia Hitchcock, Spencer Ice, Bethany Ice, Matthew Kroeker, Luis Rodriguez, Meghan Smith, Olivia Smith, Grace van Asselt, Annie Weesner

Professor of the Year – Dr. Allan van Asselt, professor of chemistry

Staff Person of the Year – Brian Martin, director of auto restoration projects

Student Government Association

  • Olivia Smith, SGA president
  • Taylor Bohannon, SGA president-elect

 

Two McPherson College Students Receive KICF Scholarships

MC student Cassandra Carmichael

Cassandra Carmichael

Two McPherson College students received scholarships from The Kansas Independent College Foundation (KICF), celebrating the diverse and talented student community committed to excellence, virtue, and integrity. Cassandra Carmichael was awarded a First Generation Scholarship, and Heather Hudson was awarded a Future Leaders in Education Scholarship.

The Kansas Independent College Foundation received over 70 nominations for the annual merit-based scholarships. A volunteer panel of nine judges helped select the 21 winners, who represent seven of the KICF’s 21-member schools. Each nominee was asked to submit a detailed essay about their leadership training, future career goals, and why they chose an independent option for their higher education.

MC student Heather Hudson

Heather Hudson

“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their goals, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said Matt Lindsey, KICF president. “Kansas will succeed when it supports all students, including adult learners, veterans, teachers, parents, and more. These scholarships are our contribution to that success.”

Carmichael, an automotive restoration student from Raleigh, N.C., was among five other students receiving a First Generational Scholarship for $1,000, and Hudson, an elementary education major from Greenville, Texas, was one of two students receiving the Future Leaders in Education Scholarship for $750.

McPherson College Announces Honor Roll, Honorable Mention for Fall 2022

McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in the fall 2022 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 named to the McPherson College Honor Roll for fall 2022 include:

Mattis Ahlgrimm, Lichtenstein, Saxony, Germany
Natalia Ahrens, Lees Summit, MO
Kaylie Akiona, Kaaawa, HI
Wyatt Allen, Topeka, KS
Amanda Ambrosy, Haslet, TX
Carter Anglin, Louisburg, KS
Lindzie Archer, McPherson, KS
Sarah Asher, Kansas City, MO
Robert Aurner, Topeka, KS
Bailey Avila, Corinth, TX
Diezel Balko, Crawford, CO
Rebekah Ballast, Oskaloosa, KS
Leia Barnes, Hutchinson, KS
Darril Baty, Sharpsville, IN
Tori Beeson, Wichita, KS
Michael Beltran Rubio, Bogota, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Cheneal Benne, Courtland, KS
Jakob Betzing, Glienicke/Nordbahn, Bran, Germany
Caden Beurkens, Byron Center, MI
Caeley Billings, Gardner, KS
Mia Birkes, McPherson, KS
Alexander Blossom, Mooresville, NC
Maelynne Bonner, Tonganoxie, KS
Lucy Bowman, McPherson, KS
Isabella Bradley, McPherson, KS
Tate Brewer, McPherson, KS
Kaelan Brockway, Salina, KS
Maggie Brown, Wallace, KS
Maxwell Brucks, Columbia, MO
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, IA
Fabian Camacho, Liberal, KS
Anthony Campanelli, Kenilworth, NJ
Jacob Campbell-Roberson, Nyack, NY
James Canar, Longmont, CO
Kaci Chadwick, Cheyenne Wells, CO
Joe Chapman, Roeland Park, KS
Taehyun Choi, East Meadow, NY
Tate Clem, Wichita, KS
Brandon Clifford, Carlisle, PA
Cole Coggins, Kiowa, KS
Ander Compere, West Park, FL
Daniel Connell, High Peak, Derbyshire, England
Mason Cox, Boerne, TX
Susanne Cunningham, Chanute, KS
Moriah Delgado, Saginaw, TX
Martin Delgado Agudelo, Bogota, Capital District, Colombia
Katie Dix, McPherson, KS
Dyron Dixon, Leander, TX
Madison Dobson, McPherson, KS
Darcy Dodd, Umbarger, TX
Noah Durham, Winona, MS
Kurtis Ebling, Lindsborg, KS
Harley Ferralez, Hesston, KS
Nathanael Fetters, Whitewright, TX
Caleb Feuerstake, Waterdown, Canada
Heidi Fischer, Aledo, TX
Elias Freed, Crested Butte, CO
Ryan Frerich, Lincoln, NE
Thomas Frick, Carefree, AZ
Hayden Fry, Cushing, OK
Koen Gakstatter, Stilwell, KS
Kaleb Gaona, Lubbock, TX
Naomi Campbell Gateka, Ouagadougou, Congo
Martin Gentes, Florence, MA
Mya Gildon, Mounds, OK
Johannes Glymour, Manhattan, KS
Kurt Golubski, Paola, KS
Conrad Gramckow, Ojai, CA
Graedon Green, McPherson, KS
Nathan Hall, Windsor, NY
Caden Hardgrave, McPherson, KS
Jake Hardin, Derby, KS
Zachary Hawley, Meade, KS
Addie Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, KS
Derika Helms, Inman, KS
Rachael Hendricks, McPherson, KS
Lola Hipp, Goodland, KS
Vanessa Hofer, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Australia
Kelly Hoffman, Wysox, PA
Alexander Holmes, Topeka, KS
Lauren Houston, Sugar Land, TX
Tabansi Howes, San Antonio, TX
Katelyn Huddle, McPherson, KS
Heather Hudson, Greenville, TX
Adam Hughes, Newman Lake, WA
Spencer Ice, Cameron, MO
Shelley Jobe, Hanford, CA
Kennedy Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO
Jordyn Johnson, Lakewood, CO
Laheerah Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Lasheicka Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Fabrice Kambale Wa Kahala, Florence, AL
Gracia Kasongo, Lubumbashi, Zaire
Andrew Kemp, Smyrna, GA
Kamal Kennedy, Arlington, TX
Brysen Kerby, Big Spring, TX
Summer Kirkman, Walnut, MS
Raegan Kleppe, Durant, OK
Sylvia Ko, McPherson, KS
Stephanie Ko, McPherson, KS
Jacob Koehn, Wichita, KS
Cooper Koestel, Hutchinson, KS
Christa Kondziola, North Newton, KS
Ty Kraemer, Mcpherson, KS
Dane Kudera, Baggs, WY
Cody Kuss, Bremerton, WA
Carlos Leandry Laureano, Byamon, Puerto Rico
Ryan Lee, Omaha, NE
Peyton Lindsey, Prairie Village, KS
Delani List, Shawnee Mission, KS
Brandon Lockett, Carrolton, TX
Gabrielle Lopez, Wichita, KS
Rhyan Lucas, Overland Park, KS
Lauren Machado, Elizabeth, CO
Alih Magana, Hutchinson, KS
Jimmy Mai, Gainesville, GA
Thomas Mancuso, Lititz, PA
Kael Markham, Topeka, KS
Gabrielle Martin, Norman, OK
Becky Masengu, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Christian Maxey, Damascus, OR
Kenya McCain, Plano, TX
Evan McGoldrick, Flower Mound, TX
Ellery McMurry, Greensburg, KS
Ally Miller, Havana, KS
Noah Miller, Chanhassen, MN
Maria Miranda, Great Bend, KS
Ezra Monroe, Melissa, TX
Ethan Montalvo, La Feria, TX
Jayla Moore, Forney, TX
Meghan Morris, Burleson, TX
Elijah Muehler, McPherson, KS
Trey Murphy, Wagga Wagga, Australia
Cash Nab, Fleming, CO
Arthur Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Marcus Nardy, Eauze, Midi-Pyrenees, France
Graham Noblett, Fairport, NY
Kamryn Nolan, Mulvane, KS
Tyler Norris, Arvada, CO
Veronica Orlans, McPherson, KS
Hunter Ormond, West Palm Beach, FL
Kayla Ortiz, Brownsville, TX
Ashlee Oster, Wichita, KS
Haven Ousley, Camden, MS
Melia Palmejar, San Antonio, TX
Daniel Paul, Bakersfield, CA
James Pawlak, Palatine, IL
Emily Peterson, Canton, KS
Aidan Pham, Frisco, TX
Abriana Phipps, Humble, TX
Sierra Portenier, Phillipsburg, KS
Jeremy Porter, Seneca Falls, NY
Brianna Powers, Adel, IA
Kennan Puckett, Mesquite, TX
Robert Ramberg, Topeka, KS
Kyle Ramey, McPherson, KS
Laurenz Ries, Oglesby, Germany
Gregorio Rivera, McPherson, KS
Amari Robb, Folsom, CA
Luis Rodriguez Jr., The Colony, TX
Devin Roff, Comstock, WI
Frank Romanaggi, Portland, OR
Daniel Rowlett, Gustine, CA
Claudia Russe, Frsco, TX
Briana Ruth, McPherson, KS
Camila Sanchez, Bradenton, FL
Gustavo Sanchez, Hidalgo, TX
Alexia Sandoval, Rocky Ford, CO
Philip Schieffelin, Limon, CO
Robert Schonberner, Omaha, NE
Alexander Schoneweis, Lincoln, NE
Logan Scott, Caulfield, MO
Emily Segura, North Las Vegas, NV
Madison Servaes, McPherson, KS
Teegan Shepard, Perkins, OK
Austin Siegal, Panama City, FL
Eliseo Silva, Sterling, KS
Lauren Skinner, Fate, TX
Brooklyn Skinner, Jenks, OK
Hannah Smalley, Hutchinson, KS
Meghan Smith, Lindsborg, KS
Riley Sojka, Wichita, KS
Taylor Starr, Ness City, KS
Joseph Stefanese, Rockaway, NJ
Mason Stephens, Forney, TX
Cambre Strange, McPherson, KS
Colby Swift, Sedgwick, KS
Blake Swingle, Kalispell, MT
Tristan Szabo, Sparks, NV
Khanhvy Ta, Wichita, KS
Jonathan Tatum, Ore City, TX
Thomas Tencer, Humble, TX
Reagan Thai, Las Vegas, NV
Grant Thimmesch, Inman, KS
Kelcie Turner, Park City, KS
Mackenzie Unruh, Hesston, KS
Grace van Asselt, McPherson, KS
Isaiah Vazquez, Montebello, CA
Dalton Vogts, Moundridge, KS
Courtney Ward, Venus, TX
Joshua Warner, Milan, MI
Antonio Watson, Oklahoma City, OK
Kassidy Weaver, Katy, TX
Benjamin Weekly, Bishop’s Stortford, England
John Wells II, Newton, KS
Kinzye Whitehead, Fort Scott, KS
Matthew Whitney, McPherson, KS
Kylie Willis, Huffman, TX
Luca Winterton, Thunderidge, United Kingdom
Alexis Wolfe, Alma, NE
Amber Wood, Arlington, TX
Cameron Wright, Denison, TX
Val Zarkh, Hawthorn Wds, IL

 

Students named to the McPherson College Honorable Mention for fall 2022 include:

Nathan Addis, Hutchinson, KS
Niraj Adhikari, Austin, TX
Nicholas Amos, Simpsonville, SC
Daniela Arellanes, Lewisville, TX
Alexis Baylor, Plano, TX
Adam Benalcazar, Phoenix, MD
Samantha Bennett, North Richland Hills, TX
Kevine Bondo, McPherson, KS
Samuel Box, Macclesfield, England
Felix Bravo, Hanford, CA
Owen Braxmeyer, Manhattan, KS
Zachary Bredfield, Heppner, OR
Raegin Bromenshenkel, Phoenix, AZ
Oscar Brouwer, Groningen, Netherlands
Nathan Brown, Concordia, KS
Christian Brown, Melissa, TX
Tristen Brown, Conroe, TX
Caden Bush, Watkinsville, GA
Jesse Cammisano, Pleasant Hill, MO
Tanner Campbell, Moore, OK
Hayden Casey, Sapulpa, OK
Cory Chairs, Memphis, TN
Katherine Corrigan, Phoenix, AZ
Aaron Cyrus, Carrollton, TX
Brayton Dewell, Fowler, KS
Wendy Diaz, McPherson, KS
Zachary Dittert, Newton, KS
Jaxon Douthit, Shawnee, OK
Jonathan Edmunds, Fresno, CA
Hudson Edwards, Andale, KS
Mackenzie Egan, Vandreuil Dorion, QC, Canada
Joseph Ellison, Mississauga, ON, Canada
Aaron Elvin-Temple, Lindsborg, KS
Dayjsha Fanning, Bel Aire, KS
Jasper Fedders, Sioux Center, IA
Baxter Ferguson, Houston, TX
Alexandra Foley, Lakewood, CO
Hayden Foster, Little Elm, TX
Cameron Fouts, Eddy, TX
Lauren Fuksa, Andover, KS
Summer Garcia, Ontario, CA
Sarah Georgiou, Hesston, KS
Zachary Gerber, Los Gatos, CA
Amanda Goering, Hutchinson, KS
Samuel Grim, Johnstown, CO
Kiara Hawkins, Robstown, TX
Emma Heglin, Syracuse, KS
Bailey Hulce, Baldwin City, KS
Noah Huls, Aurora, NE
Zoe Jerke, Great Bend, KS
Kadee Johnson, Groveton, TX
Brandt Johnson, Peyton, CO
DeAngelo Johnson, Oklahoma City, OK
Eli Jordan, Claremore, OK
Aidan Klaas, Somerset, WI
Kane Kolar, West, TX
Andrew Laird, Charlotte, NC
Alyssa Lambert, Wichita, KS
Aumario Landrum, Wichita, KS
Toby Leffew, American Fork, UT
Madison Logan, Driftwood, TX
Tyler Loy, Topeka, KS
Phebe Lyne, Barnard, KS
Campbell Lyons, Whitby, ON, Canada
Mark MacDougall, Manhattan, KS
Blake Maddock, Oakdale, CA
Tyler Marcum, Missouri Valley, IA
Lucas McAlister, Noblesville, IN
Killian McDonald, Topeka, KS
Celeste McMillen, Kittanning, PA
NhlakaniphoMethula, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Drake Miller, Rupert, ID
ChristopherMiller, West Milton, OH
Meghan Monroe, McPherson, KS
Katelyn Moore, Douglass, KS
Breanna Morck, Mount Hope, KS
Matisyn Moses, Scott City, KS
Peniel Mpoyi, Lubumbashi, Congo
Simon Mulumba Mukadi, Kinshasa, Congo
Michel Mwengwe, Lubumbashi, Congo
Tyler Natkin, Warrington, PA
Jeremiah Naylor, Heber, CA
Fabio Nickel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Alexandrea Pak, Pulyallup, WA
Carissa Peters, Frisco, TX
Jacquiline Pfautz, Andover, MN
Arriyonn Phillips, Matteson, IL
Carly Pomrenke, Brighton, CO
Alvin Poole, Houston, TX
Samuel Povod, Erie, PA
David Rees, Gisborne VIC, Australia
Parker Roberts, Carbondale, KS
Ryan Robertson, Ordway, CO
Gillian Rodgers, Justin, TX
Olivia Rodriguez, McPherson, KS
Curtis Rose, Midwest City, OK
Nathan Ruble, Memphis, TN
Draven Ruiz, Carmel, NY
Aidan Salazar, Laredo, TX
Natalia Salto, Cimarron, KS
Brandi Satterfield, Bellevue, NE
Andrew Schaefer, Sag Harbor, NY
Robert Schmidt, Litchfield Park, AZ
Dustin Schnacker, Tulare, CA
Jose Serrano, Stockton, CA
Gerod Shaffer, Topeka, KS
Zachary Sill, Platte City, MO
Hannah Simmons, Stafford, KS
Ernest Skehan, Waynesboro, PA
Darren Slatter, Hallettsville, TX
Ross Smith, Panama City, FL
Liam Spaw, Golden, CO
Emma Speer, Cedar Vale, KS
Rebecca Steffen, Vinton, IA
Oliver Stout, Sandusky, OH
Gabriel Stratta, Bryan, TX
Philip Swank, Pomona, KS
Katelynn Swindall, Tulsa, OK
Ryan Tate, Denton, TX
Eludie Tsasa Nsunda, Kinshasa-Ngaliema, Congo
Alexander Van Patten, Phillipsburg, KS
Jewelissa VanMeter, McPherson, KS
Hannah Wagner, San Antonio, TX
Lacy Weaver, Midlothian, TX
Ethan Weinhoffer, Hesston, KS
Nicholas Wilson, Hutchinson, KS
Camden Wiseman, Overland Park, KS
Megan Wright, Woodbridge, CA
Collin Young, Garland, TX

McPherson College Student Recognized In NextGen Under 30 Program

MC student Emma SpeerMcPherson College student Emma Speer was among the inaugural class of the NextGen Under 30 recognized at an awards ceremony in Topeka on Dec. 2. NextGen Under 30 is a recognition program developed by the Kansas legislature that celebrates the talent cultivated in Kansas to keep young professionals in the state.

Speer was selected from the sports and outdoors nomination category. She is a senior from Cedar Vale, Kan., and plans to graduate in May with a degree in sociology, then pursue a master’s degree in social work. She is also a member of the Bulldog shotgun sports team.

“Receiving this award shows that people are aware of your passions and achievements,” Speer said. “This award isn’t just a symbol of one’s achievements, but a symbol of the dedication and passion they have to create new opportunities in Kansas and influence future generations.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor David Toland hosted the winners at a Day at the Capitol in October.

“The NextGen Under 30 experience has been amazing,” Speer said. “It allowed me to learn about the careers and passions of other young individuals around the state. Listening to successful Kansas residents and their inspiring stories was very eye-opening.”

The NextGen Under 30 program encourages the next generation of innovative, creative, and inspiring individuals who push the boundaries in various categories or endeavors. Award winners were selected based on their participation and contribution to their communities. A panel of business and civic leaders served as judges.

“Recognizing exceptional individuals in Kansas is essential to the success of our state and the future of our economy,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce Toland.