Academics Archives

Posted On: May 31, 2022
By: MC Admin

McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in the spring 2022 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention. To qualify for the Honor Roll, students must be a full-time student and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the previous term. 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 2022 include:

Israel Acosta, Houston, TX
Clarissa Adamyk, McPherson, KS
Natalia Ahrens, Lees Summit, MO
Kaylie Akiona, Kaaawa, HI
Davis Alksnis, Latvia
Wyatt Allen, Topeka, KS
Amanda Ambrosy, Haslet, TX
Carter Anglin, Louisburg, KS
Lindzie Archer, McPherson, KS
Bailey Avila, Corinth, TX
William Bandy, Bel Air, MD
Thane Barta, Anchorage, AK
Darril Baty, Sharpsville, IN
Luke Beddow, Pauls Valley, OK
Michael Beltran Rubio, Bogota, Cundinamarca, Columbia
Cheneal Benne, Courtland, KS
Samantha Bennett, North Richland Hills, TX
Caden Beurkens, Byron Center, MI
Caeley Billings, Gardner, KS
Mia Birkes, Mcpherson, KS
Brady Blanka, Wamego, KS
Taylor Bohannon, Belle Plaine, KS
Kevine Bondo, Cape Girardeau, MO
Molly Booker, Roseville, CA
Kyrstin Branscum, Gravette, AR
Felix Bravo, Hanford, CA
Owen Braxmeyer, Manhattan, KS
Garrett Brenning, Culbertson, NE
Kaelan Brockway, Salina, KS
Raegin Bromenshenkel, Phoenix, AZ
Oscar Brouwer, Groningen, Netherlands
Maggie Brown, Wallace, KS
Cedric Brown, Culpeper, VA
Maxwell Brucks, Columbia, MO
Kourtney Brumley, McPherson, KS
Victoria Bruno, McPherson, KS
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, IA
Jaden Cain, Wichita, KS
Jacob Campbell-Roberson, Nyack, NY
Kaci Chadwick, Cheyenne Wells, CO
Colton Chamberlain, Reno, TX
Kade Chapman, Durham, OK
Vannesa Cisneros, North Highlands, CA
Tate Clem, Wichita, KS
Cole Coggins, Kiowa, KS
Isiah Collins, Henderson, NV
Daniel Connell, High Peak, Derbyshire, UK
Austin Cooper, Carmichael, CA
Abigail Cordova, Henderson, NV
Susanne Cunningham, Chanute, KS
Joseph Cyr, Saint Louis, MO
Jesse Davis, Fontana, CA
Antoine Detavernier, Bruges, Belgium
Anthony DeVries, Arvada, CO
Wendy Diaz, McPherson, KS
Katherine Dudte, Canton, KS
Braden Dunn, Frisco, TX
Kurtis Ebling, Lindsborg, KS
Mackenzie Egan, Vandreuil Dorion, Quebec, Canada
Gershom Epp, Hesston, KS
Sarah Ewing, Hutchinson, KS
Brionnah Fessler, McPherson, KS
Nathanael Fetters, Whitewright, TX
Caleb Feuerstake, Waterdown, Ontario, Canada
Heidi Fischer, Aledo, TX
Jadin Fleming, Castle Rock, CO
Theodore Flint, Sagle, ID
Hayden Foster, Little Elm, TX
Koen Gakstatter, Stilwell, KS
Taeylon Garland, Fort Hood, TX
Naomi Campbell Gateka, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa
Martin Gentes, Florence, MA
Alexandra Gipson, Harrison, AR
Johannes Glymour, Manhattan, KS
Kollin Goering, McPherson, KS
Kurt Golubski, Paola, KS
Conrad Gramckow, Ojai, CA
Alexis Grattan, Newton, KS
Sierra Grow, Halstead, KS
Michael Halgren, Leawood, KS
Madison Hall, The Colony, TX
Jailynn Hammel, Salina, KS
Bailey Hartley, Arp, TX
Jonathan Hawkins, Baldwin City, KS
Scott Hayford, Spring Creek, NV
Derika Helms, Inman, KS
Rachael Hendricks, McPherson, KS
Shyanne Henkis, Laveen, AZ
Sydney Hicks, Broomfield, CO
Lola Hipp, Goodland, KS
Jonathan Hoffman, Wysox, PA
Caleb Houghton, McPherson, KS
Lauren Houston, Sugar Land, TX
Heather Hudson, Greenville, TX
Adam Hughes, Newman Lake, WA
Ethan Huston, Saint John, KS
Spencer Ice, Cameron, MO
Thomas Impson, Durant, OK
Tya Jackson, Wichita, KS
Makenzie Jansonius, Prairie View, KS
Zoe Jerke, Great Bend, KS
Anika Jobe, Eudora, KS
Kadee Johnson, Groveton, TX
Brandt Johnson, Peyton, CO
Kennedy Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO
Jordyn Johnson, Lakewood, CO
Cameron Jones, Harrison, AR
Gracia Kasongo, Lubumbashi, Zaire,
Polina Khoroshevskaya, Kemerovo, Russia
Raegan Kleppe, Durant, OK
Alexander Ko, McPherson, KS
Stephanie Ko, McPherson, KS
Sylvia Ko, McPherson, KS
Jacob Koehn, Wichita, KS
Christa Kondziola, North Newton, KS
Brooke Krapes, Arvada, CO
Matthew Kroeker, Wichita, KS
Dane Kudera, Baggs, WY
Lauren Kunda, Claremont, CA
Drew Labertew, McPherson, KS
Arianna Lathrop, Fort Worth, TX
Emily Leeson, Roswell, NM
Toby Leffew, Reno, NV
Madison Logan, Driftwood, TX
Samantha Lombela, Johannesburg, South Africa
Tyler Loy, Topeka, KS
Jocelyn Mabery, Haltom City, TX
Lauren Machado, Elizabeth, CO
Carelle Mampasu, Kinshasa, Congo
Thomas Mancuso, Chesapeake Beach, MD
Daniel Marcano, San Jose, Costa Rica
Tyler Marcum, Missouri Valley, IA
Ellyce Mares, Riverside, CA
Kael Markham, Topeka, KS
Colby Marshall, Montgomery, TX
Dylan Martell, Colorado Springs, CO
Bethany Masters, Howe, TX
Grace Maxey, Damascus, OR
Benedict Kirabo Mbogga, Oxford, England
Kenya McCain, Plano, TX
Evan McGoldrick, Flower Mound, TX
Hannah McKay, Golden, CO
Celeste McMillen, Kittanning, PA
Wyatt Miceli, Woodacre, CA
Cole Miller, Mcpherson, KS
Christopher Miller, West Milton, OH
Maria Miranda, Great Bend, KS
Palmer Moe, Seattle, WA
Austin Moffet, Toronto, KS
Ezra Monroe, Melissa, TX
Ethan Montalvo, La Feria, TX
Braylon Moody, Pine Bluff, AR
Jayla Moore, Forney, TX
Katelyn Moore, Douglass, KS
Tanner Morrow, Topeka, KS
Arni Mualumba, Kinshasa, Congo
Madison Mullen, Wichita, KS
Vanessa Mundo, Houston, TX
Trey Murphy, Wagga Wagga, Australia
Paul Kapya Mwengwe, McPherson, KS
Michel Mwengwe, Lubumbashi, Congo
Hunter Nicholas, Amarillo, TX
Fabio Nickel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Alexis Obregon, Atascosa, TX
Jason Okoro, Plano, TX
Haven Ousley, Camden, MS
Grant Owens, Hutchinson, KS
Alexandrea Pak, Pulyallup, WA
Erica Paradise, Bakersfield, CA
Emma Parker, Hayden, ID
James Pawlak, Palatine, IL
Emily Peterson, Canton, KS
Aidan Pham, Frisco, TX
Corianne Phelps, Peck, KS
Carly Pomrenke, Brighton, CO
Sierra Portenier, Phillipsburg, KS
Jeremy Porter, Seneca Falls, NY
Quintin Powell Jr, Terry, MS
Brianna Powers, Adel, IA
Kennan Puckett, Mesquite, TX
Kaden Quint, Hutchinson, KS
Tyler Rainey, Saint Louis, MO
Robert Ramberg, Topeka, KS
Kaden Rapp, Hennessey, OK
Logan Rees, Franklin, IN
Gregorio Rivera, McPherson, KS
Luis Rodriguez Jr., The Colony, TX
Devin Roff, Comstock, WI
Cameron Rogers, Elkview, WV
Frank Romanaggi, Portland, OR
Curtis Rose, Midwest City, OK
Daniel Rowlett, Gustine, CA
Claudia Russe, Frsco, TX
Briana Ruth, McPherson, KS
Kendyl Saffer, Arriba, CO
Natalia Salto, Cimarron, KS
Andrew Schaefer, Sag Harbor, NY
Dustin Schnacker, Tulare, CA
Kody Scholl, Colorado Springs, CO
Robert Schonberner, Omaha, NE
Alexander Schoneweis, Lincoln, NE
Cole Schroeder, Russell, KS
Logan Scott, Caulfield, MO
Emily Segura, North Las Vegas, NV
Madison Servaes, McPherson, KS
Gerod Shaffer, Topeka, KS
Aidan Sharkey, Deland, FL
Austin Siegal, Panama City, FL
Eliseo Silva, Sterling, KS
Emma Singleton, North Las Vegas, NV
Meghan Smith, Lindsborg, KS
Olivia Smith, Wichita, KS
Ross Smith, Panama City, FL
Amare Sonson, Jackson, GA
Valick Sorter, Kismet, KS
Sarah Stebbins, Pittsburg, KS
Andrew Steinbeck, Liberty, MO
Mason Stephens, Forney, TX
Kenneth Storer, McPherson, KS
Colby Swift, Sedgwick, KS
Tristan Szabo, Sparks, NV
Xavier Taylor, Waynesville, MO
Emily Terry, Springfield, MO
Reagan Thai, Las Vegas, NV
Samantha Thompson, Forney, TX
Sean Thomson, Blandford Forum, UK
Kaden Tichenor, Holcomb, KS
Adriana Tilleman, Paris, TX
Trinity Tovar, Haslet, TX
Brandy Trengove, Denver, CO
Nicholas Turner, Hemphill, TX
Mackenzie Unruh, Hesston, KS
Leandro Vera, McPherson, KS
Hannah Wagner, San Antonio, TX
Antonio Watson, Oklahoma City, OK
Morgan Watson, Loveland, CO
Kassidy Weaver, Katy, TX
Collin Wedel, Moundridge, KS
Ann Weesner, Hutchinson, KS
Isaak Welch, Pacific City, OR
Matthew Whitney, McPherson, KS
Benjamin Wiebe, Laramie, WY
Austin Wiley, Kansas City, MO
Luca Winterton, Thunderidge, England
Ellis Woodruff, Princeton, TX
Andrew Woods, Nevada, TX
Cameron Wright, Denison, TX
Val Zarkh, Hawthorn Woods, IL

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

Evariste Abeli, Kinshasa, Congo
Nicholas Acierno, Phoenix, AZ
Cori Alexander, Haslet, TX
Andres Artola, Miami, FL
Sarah Asher, Kansas City, MO
Victoria Ates, Dallas, TX
Robert Aurner, Topeka, KS
Mason Ball, Spring, TX
Ellen Barrett, McPherson, KS
Harley Blaske, Sylvia, KS
Cameron Boyce, Tebbetts, MO
Thomas Boyer, Rogers, AR
Tate Brewer, McPherson, KS
Chase Brous, Hays, KS
Kobe Brown, Balch Springs, TX
Hannah Butler, McPherson, KS
Julia Canales, Big Spring, TX
James Canar, Longmont, CO
Cassandra Carmichael, Raleigh, NC
Noah Carpenter, Kearney, NE
Kevinn Castillo, Miami, FL
Arian Cervoni Ortiz, Conroe, TX
Joe Chapman, Roeland Park, KS
Zane Cornejo, Wellington, KS
Cailey Cornett, Lindsborg, KS
Katherine Corrigan, Phoenix, AZ
Moriah Delgado, Saginaw, TX
Prince Difima, Kinshasa, Congo
Zachary Dittert, Hillsboro, KS
Dyron Dixon, Leander, TX
Paul Calvin Dusabe, Commune De Limete, Zaire
Thomas Eichelberger, Euless, TX
Sierra Flanigan, Wichita, KS
Rolando Fletes, San Tan Valley, AZ
Joshua Fowler, Round Rock, TX
Hayden Fry, Cushing, OK
Summer Garcia, Ontario, CA
Nathaniel Gaut, Scottdale, PA
Miranda Gaytan, Edinburg, TX
Darby Gilbert, Bay Minette, AL
Riley Granger, Lebanon, IN
Tavian Gray, Hutchinson, KS
Graedon Green, McPherson, KS
Samuel Grim, Johnstown, CO
Sean Guzman, Aurora, CO
Nathan Hall, Windsor, NY
Addie Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, KS
Clayton Henderson, Dexter, KS
Kelly Hoffman, Wysox, PA
Dashawn Holliman, Fresno, CA
Bailey Hulce, Baldwin City, KS
Carlos Jacobo, Great Bend, KS
Trevor Johnson, La Mesa, CA
Jacob Jonas, Cedarburg, WI
Eli Jordan, Claremore, OK
Lasheicka Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Jennyfer Kemper, Creede, CO
Jordan Kingcaid, Fort Worth, TX
Morgan Kobe, Fate, TX
Carson Lambakis, Yukon, OK
Matthew Mahan, Topeka, KS
Isabel Medina, Garden City, KS
Emma Meinholdt, Topeka, KS
Michael Mercer, Topeka, KS
Martin Millos, Vigo, Spain,
Khalil Morris, Tulsa, OK
Nathan Muamba, Kinshasa, Congo
Colin Murphy, Garnet Valley, PA
Tyler Natkin, Warrington, PA
Tyler Neshyba, Anna, TX
Immanuel Newsome, Yukon, OK
Anselm Nyambuka, Arlington, TX
Brett Oden, Sterling, KS
Kayla Ortiz, Brownsville, TX
Frances Parish, Anderson, MO
Calijah Peay, Glenn Heights, TX
Andrew Penrose, McPherson, KS
Carissa Peters, Frisco, TX
Katelyn Potestio, Mansfield, TX
Dryden Powell, Council Grove, KS
Joseph Ramirez, Hutchinson, KS
Chloe Ramirez, Pearland, TX
Melvin Reid, Waterford Works, NJ
Dustin Rhoads, Tonganoxie, KS
Parker Roberts, Carbondale, KS
Hunter Robinson, Edgewood, TX
Wildiomar Roman Morales, Vega Alta, PR
Christopher Roshell, Grand Prairie, TX
Kento Saiki, McPherson, KS
Gustavo Sanchez, Hidalgo, TX
Robert Schmidt, Litchfield Park, AZ
Kaitlyn Sedlack, Broken Arrow, OK
Brianna Shaw, Tulsa, OK
Jordan Simmons, Royse City, TX
TiJanae Simmons, Baytown, TX
Naomi Smith, Farmington, NM
Riley Sojka, Wichita, KS
James Solomon, McKinleyville, CA
Rebecca Steffen, Vinton, IA
Oliver Stout, Sandusky, OH
Genesis Thompson, Austin, TX
Alexander Van Patten, Almena, KS
Isaiah Vazquez, Montebello, CA
Lacy Weaver, Midlothian, TX
Zhiyuan Wei, Guangdong, China
John Wells II, Newton, KS
Lucas Williams Fernandez, London, UK
Collin Young, Garland, TX

Posted On: May 23, 2022
By: MC Admin

McPherson College conferred bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees to 130 students at the 134^th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at McPherson Stadium.

In his final ceremony, which completed a nearly 40-year career at McPherson College, Dr. Bruce Clary, vice president for academic affairs, gave the homily. Dr. Clary has held the position of VPAA since 2014; however, during his career at McPherson College, he has worked in development and alumni affairs, as Spectator advisor, faculty chair, and professor of English. He is a 1977 graduate of McPherson College and earned a master’s degree in English from Wichita State University and a Ph.D. in English from Kansas State University. Dr. Clary will retire in July after 39 years of service to the college. In his homily, he praised students for persisting through unpredictable obstacles caused by the pandemic during the past two years.

“You have learned things that will serve you well the rest of your life,” said Dr. Clary. “The most lasting impact of education is the profound recognition that the world, life and other human beings are infinitely complex. The truly educated presume they know very little.”

The ceremony included the presentation and hooding of honorary doctorate recipients, Richard and Melanie Lundquist, who are among California’s most significant philanthropists. The faculty and Board of Trustees voted unanimously to bestow the Doctor of Humane Letters upon the Lundquists in 2020; however, disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the ceremonial hooding until this year’s commencement. During her commencement address, Melanie Lundquist surprised the college with the announcement of a $25 million gift. It is the largest gift ever received by a private liberal arts college in Kansas and among the largest of any Kansas college or university.

“At McPherson College, you learned how to think outside the building, not just the box – keep at it,” said Lundquist, in her address to the students. “At times, it will not be easy. Please, persevere. If someone tells you it cannot be done, you tell them to go sit in the corner and watch you do it.”

Names of the graduating class of 2022, the Commencement video, and photos of the day can be found at www.mcpherson.edu/graduation.

More about the historic gift announcement can be found at https://www.mcpherson.edu/2022/05/25m-surprise-gift-announced-during-mcpherson-college-commencement/

Posted On: May 22, 2022
By: MC Admin

Commencement Speaker Dr. Melanie Lundquist encourages students to persevere and embrace the nuances in life as she announces largest gift in college’s history.

California philanthropists and Giving Pledge Signatories Drs. Melanie and Richard Lundquist, LHD, shocked the McPherson College community during its 134^th Commencement Ceremony, announcing the couple’s $25 million gift to the college for the Building Community Campaign – the largest gift in the college’s 135-year history. The Lundquists gift completes the campaign early, having raised $53 million in under three years. It is the largest gift ever to a small, private liberal arts college in Kansas and among one of the largest to any college in Kansas. The previous largest gift to McPherson College was $10 million.

“McPherson College is a special place that embraces the love of humanity,” said Melanie Lundquist, while announcing her and her husband’s first major philanthropic gift outside of California. “After a decade of knowing McPherson College, your president, and your provost, we know our $25 million is the right big bet.”

McPherson College has seen tremendous growth, with a 300 percent increase in applications and 40 percent increase in enrollment since 2009. Their Building Community fundraising campaign was launched in October 2019 with a goal of $20 million, which was met 2 ½ years ahead of schedule in December 2020. A $50 million stretch goal was then established. Now, with the addition of the Lundquist’s $25 million gift, the stretch goal has been surpassed by $3 million, two years earlier than expected.

WATCH: Melanie Lundquist’s announcement of gift to McPherson College.

“We are deeply grateful to Richard and Melanie for their incredible generosity to McPherson College. This gift will help put our Community by Design strategic plan on a new trajectory ensuring the new campus commons is built and strengthening the college’s academic programs as well as support the student debt project, which enables students to graduate debt-free,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “The impact of the Lundquists’ gift and friendship is truly immeasurable.”

The Lundquists’ relationship with McPherson College began in 2012, when Melanie donated tool sets to the school’s Automotive Restoration program in honor of Richard’s birthday. Since then, the Lundquists have become regular supporters of the college. In 2019, during a McPherson College event at their home in Pebble Beach, the Lundquists announced the first-ever $1 million gift to the college’s Automotive Restoration program, the only four-year degree program of its kind in the U.S. Earlier this month, Richard donated his prized Enzo Ferrari 1972 365GTB/4 Daytona, marking the first Ferrari in the automotive restoration program’s 45-year history.

“Thank you to the Lundquists for their generous gift to McPherson College. McPherson College is important to the success of our state, and this gift will not only help the college continue to grow, but it will also greatly benefit the McPherson community. I appreciate the Lundquists for understanding how vital institutions like McPherson College are to our local communities and the nation, and I look forward to seeing the benefits of their generosity for years to come,” said Kansas’ senior U.S. Senator Jerry Moran.

Later in the commencement address, Lundquist lauded the college’s ethos and encouraged the students to carry that throughout their life.

“At McPherson College, you learned how to think outside the building, not just the box – keep at it,” said Lundquist. “At times, it will not be easy. Please, persevere. If someone tells you it cannot be done, you tell them to go sit in the corner and watch you do it.”

“We can all agree – McPherson College is a special place that embraces the love of humanity,” concluded Lundquist. “Give your time, talent, and treasure for the love of humanity.”

In November 2020, McPherson College conferred honorary doctorates on Melanie and Richard to recognize the couple’s significant body of work in driving systemic change in K-12 public education, health care delivery, and innovation, as well as the environment. The Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) degrees were awarded by McPherson College’s Board of Trustees and faculty, who voted unanimously to recognize the Lundquists with the honorary degrees. Due to the pandemic, the hooding ceremony was delayed until this year’s commencement exercises.

“We are transitioning beyond our support of K-12 public education and are hoping this gift spurs more support of well-run small liberal arts colleges in the U.S.,” said Richard Lundquist, who will be joining the College’s Board of Trustees. “We hope this gift will cause everyone to pay greater attention to the value of small liberal arts colleges. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and helping implement their ‘Community by Design’ campus expansion plans.” Lundquist is President & CEO of Continental Development Corporation, one of the most respected owners and developers of Class-A commercial, office, hotel and retail real estate projects in California.

About Dr. Melanie Lundquist, LHD

Dr. Melanie Lundquist, LHD, is an activist philanthropist whose voice is as fearless as her philanthropic work. Melanie and her husband Richard are agents of change and two of California’s most significant philanthropists. They have appeared four times on The Philanthropy 50, the annual list of America’s 50 most generous philanthropists. The Lundquists are signatories of the Giving Pledge, the movement where some of the U.S.’s wealthiest individuals and couples commit to give more than half their wealth away. Their gifts have helped transform public education and health care delivery, spur biomedical research and innovation, and propel efforts to combat climate change. They are co-founders of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a sustainable, national turnaround model for underserved non-charter K-12 public schools. Melanie was named “Philanthropist of the Year” in 2019 by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Both Melanie and Richard were recognized by the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education in 2018 for their efforts to accelerate student achievement in the nation’s second-largest school district. Melanie is a sought-out voice on public education and philanthropic issues. She has been quoted in top-tier media outlets, including the New York Times and appeared on Bloomberg Television. Melanie is a member of the University of Southern California (USC) President’s Leadership Council and the USC Rossier School of Education’s Board of Councilors, as well as Vice Chair of the Board at the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. Melanie holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from USC in communicative disorders/speech pathology and audiology, as well as a credential as a specialist in special education.

About Dr. Richard Lundquist, LHD

Dr. Richard Lundquist, LHD, is a native and lifelong resident of Southern California. Richard is considered one of California’s most respected real estate developers. In 1988, he became President & CEO of Continental Development Corporation. By the mid-1990s, Richard completed his purchase of Continental Development Corporation, which has now developed well over 5 million square feet of commercial buildings. Recently, his company and a development partner secured approval to build and lease a new 14-acre headquarters and training facility to the Los Angeles Chargers NFL team. During the pandemic, he co-developed and opened the 5.7-acre Del Rey campus, the newest office campus on the Westside of Los Angeles, where Electronic Arts – the pioneering video game company – is the anchor tenant. Richard’s company is also the landlord for the global headquarters of electric vehicle automaker Fisker, Inc. as well as the iconic American automotive magazine, Motor Trend. Continental Development also developed Continental Park, considered the largest mixed-use office park in Los Angeles County. In February 2008, the company completed construction of and opened the InterContinental San Francisco, the largest new hotel developed in San Francisco in the last thirty years. For over three decades, Richard has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the El Segundo Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds for El Segundo, CA public schools, where Continental Development is headquartered. Richard served for over ten years as Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Richard also serves on the El Segundo Economic Development Corporation Board of Governors and the Lundquist Institute’s Board of Directors. Richard earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Southern California.

Posted On: May 16, 2022
By: MC Admin

Amanda Gutierrez, executive vice president and provost of McPherson College.

Amanda Gutierrez has been named executive vice president and provost of McPherson College. She has worked at McPherson College for more than 16 years. Her most recent role has been vice president for automotive restoration, a position she has held since 2012.

Gutierrez began her career with the college in 1995 when she served as director of annual giving. After a brief hiatus to start a family, she served on the board of trustees from 2006 to 2009. She returned to campus to lead the advancement team and quickly set herself apart as a fundraiser connecting with key automotive industry partners. The vice president for automotive restoration position was created based on the potential she identified for student opportunities and industry support in the field.

“Under Amanda’s leadership, the automotive restoration program has become a center of excellence in the industry with record enrollment, substantial fundraising increases, and a bold vision to elevate the academic experience,” President Michael Schneider said. “She will bring considerable experience and thoughtful insight to her new role and help lead growth initiatives for the entire campus.”

The position aligns with goals set in the college’s Community by Design strategic plan that calls for nurturing entrepreneurial faculty and developing attractive academic programs modeled after recent successes in automotive restoration.

“With initiatives like the Student Debt Project and new academic programs like health sciences, McPherson College is poised for significant growth in the next several years and I am happy to bring what I have learned from the automotive restoration program to facilitate growth across campus,” Gutierrez said. “I value the culture and community of our faculty and campus community and look forward to our work together as we set a course for the future of the college.”

As executive vice president and provost, Gutierrez will provide administrative leadership for academics, the registrar’s office, compliance and institutional research, and academic support services. She will supervise the health science and automotive restoration programs. While transitioning into her new role, Gutierrez is also directing the search for a new vice president of academic affairs. The new VPAA will replace Dr. Bruce Clary, who is retiring after 39 years with the college on July 1, 2022.

“I have been working closely with Bruce Clary for more than a year and have learned a great deal from him,” Gutierrez said. “He has been an inspiring leader for the faculty for many years and our academic programs have flourished under his leadership. Our work moving forward honors his legacy.”

Gutierrez will continue to spend a portion of her time working with the automotive restoration program to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership sometime in the next year.

Posted On: May 12, 2022
By: MC Admin

Elmer O. Dalke, a long-time McPherson resident who passed away in 2002, is gifting $2.6 million through his charitable foundation to expand career-focused learning opportunities for McPherson College students. The gift is a major contribution to the McPherson College Building Community campaign, which has received over $25 million in donations and commitments, making it the largest campaign in school history.

The Elmer Dalke Center for Career and Experiential Learning will be a prominent part of the future Campus Commons building planned for construction on the campus of McPherson College. Additionally, the Dalke Endowment for Career and Experiential Learning will be created to ensure students are career-ready when they graduate.

“Elmer’s legacy has supported hundreds of students finding and navigating their pathway through college and into the workforce. This gift will permanently enhance the career-oriented student experience at McPherson College,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider.

Dalke had a tremendous impact on McPherson College students who worked alongside him. He was a mentor to many McPherson College students employed at the McPherson Dillons grocery store, where he served as the store manager for 40 years. He not only provided part-time jobs for students to fund their tuition, but he also helped them develop important career skills they could use after graduation. He was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church where he was a Sunday school teacher and led Bible study groups. He was also a member of the Baptist Church Foundation serving as both a deacon and trustee.

“Elmer was a gentle giant of a man who was kind and considerate. He worked in the food and produce industry managing the McPherson Dillons store for many years. His family experienced tragedy with the loss of a son in 1967 when his Air Force jet crashed, but he didn’t let it discourage him. Instead, he continued to work hard and focused on offering a helping hand to others,” said Rodger Swanson, Dalke Charitable Foundation trustee. “Elmer didn’t seek attention, and if he was with us today, he would humbly but preferably without fanfare, accept the accolades for his personal and charitable foundation gifting. He was always a gentleman, and it was my honor to represent him along with his long-time friends and attorneys, Bob Wise and Randee Koger.”

Over the years, the Dalke Charitable Foundation has provided thousands of dollars to support McPherson College students on their pathway to careers and graduate school. These gifts have fueled a transformation at McPherson College by providing funding for numerous internship programs in the areas of service-learning and entrepreneurship, as well as career preparation activities at various businesses and organizations in the McPherson area. The programs supported by Dalke funding have encouraged increases in graduation rates and job placement rates at McPherson College that lead the nation.

Posted On: May 11, 2022
By: MC Admin

For the first time since 2019, McPherson College gathered in person to recognize the academic and leadership achievements of students, faculty and staff at the Annual Awards Convocation on Wednesday, May 11 in Brown Auditorium.

Recipients were as follows:

Athletics

Female Scholar-athlete of the Year – Emma Singleton
Male Scholar-athlete of the Year – Dan Connel

Technology Department – Auto Restoration

Julian “Pop Rice Award – Jonathan Hoffman
Paul Russell Award for Excellence – Cedric Brown

Business

KSCPA John J. Killian Accounting Scholarship – Meghan Smith
Outstanding Business Student – Polina Khoroshevskaya

Curriculum & Instruction

Model Educator Award – Ryan Bosque, Alexandra Gipson
Teacher of Promise Award – Colby Swift, Kaden Tichenor

History & Politics

Leland L. Lengel Memorial Scholarship – Kurtis Ebling, Anthony DeVries
Marvin and Doreen Will Memorial Scholarship – Kurtis Ebling, Tavian Gray

Natural Science

Natural Science Senior Research Award – Bionnah Fessler, Erica Paradise, Emma Singleton
Freshman Chemistry Student of the Year – Arianna Lathrop
Freshman Biology Student of the Year – Maggie Brown
Presented Undergraduate Research at the Kansas Academy of Sciences – Brionnah Fessler (2^nd place, oral presentations), Emma Singleton (3^rd place, oral presentations), Erica Paradise, Madison Hall

Behavioral Sciences

Outstanding Psychology Students – Jadin Fleming, Hannah McKay
Outstanding Sociology Students – Kollin Goering, Shyanne Henkis
Behavioral Sciences Senior Thesis Award – Anika Jobe, Vanessa Cisneros

English

Content Editor of Inscribe – Alexis Grattan, Jacqueline Gullion
Design Editor of Inscribe – Lola Hipp

Art & Design

Winners of the Annual McPherson College Student Art Competition:

Best in Studio Arts – Madison Mullen
Best in Graphic Design – Junior Silva
Best in Photography – Abigail Briscoe

Five State Photo Competition & Exhibition

Matt Mahan for Veyron & Mini
Madison Mullen for Tysana & In My Bed
Xavier Powel for The Other Side
Junior Silva for bison & Hands
Cameron Wright for Frame in Frame

AIGA Wichita Student Portfolio Forum

Best in Typography – Mackenzie Unruh
Art & Design Students of the Year – Cheneal Benne, Junior Silva

Physical Education

Physical Education and Health Award for Academic Excellence – Nicholas Turner
Interdisciplinary Health Science Award for Academic Excellence – Jake Pearson

Who’s Who in the McPherson College Class of 2022

Thane Barta, Molly Booker, Cedric Brown, Kourtney Brumley, Vanessa Cisneros, Jadin Fleming, Theodore Flint, Alexandra Gipson, Sierra Grow, Shyanne Henkis, Polina Khoroshevskaya, Hannah McKay, Kody Scholl, Emma Singleton, Kaden Tichenor

Professor of the Year – Dr. Stephen Hoyer, behavioral science

Staff Person of the Year – Registrar Office staff – Tricia Hartshorn, Rhianna Reed, and Jerod Corbus

Student Government Association

Shayanne Henkis, SGA president
Olivia Smith, SGA president-elect

Posted On: January 24, 2022
By: MC Admin

Performing at Carnegie Hall has been the pinnacle for musicians since it opened in 1891. This year, in March, the McPherson College Choir will have the opportunity to perform in the iconic venue, along with Mississippi State University Choir and accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble, under the baton of Bradley Vogel, director of choral activities at McPherson College.

The choir will perform on Saturday, March 19 at 7 p.m. Among the selections the choir will perform is “Te Deum”, which it will perform again for local audiences at the spring concert on May 15 complete with orchestral players to replicate the New York City performance. Discounted tickets are available through McPherson College for anyone who would like to attend the Carnegie Hall concert. Ticketing information is available by contacting the college Alumni Office at [email protected].

Originally, the choir was invited to perform in May, however, the performance date was moved up due to scheduling adjustments. The accelerated timeline is challenging both for rehearsing and for fundraising to pay for trip expenses, according to Dr. Vogel.

“Preparing two 15-minute works, both with their own complexities, in only 17 rehearsals will cause us to bring out our best in organization, concentration, and diligence,” Dr. Vogel said. “I’m confident that the motivation of the end result – a performance in Carnegie Hall – will be sufficient for us to meet the requirements of the task.”

Donations to support the choir’s trip to Carnegie Hall can be made online at www.mcpherson.edu/giving/make-a-gift by selecting “choir” from the drop-down menu. About half of the $40,000 necessary to pay for all expenses related to the trip has been secured.

Posted On: December 16, 2021
By: MC Admin

McPherson College recognizes its highest academic achievers in the fall 2021 Honor Roll and Honorable Mention. To qualify for the Honor Roll, students must be a full-time student and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the previous term. 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 2021 include:
Israel Acosta, Houston, TX
Clarissa Adamyk, McPherson, KS
Nathan Aguinaga, Ferris, TX
Natalia Ahrens, Lees Summit, MO
Kaylie Akiona, Kaaawa, HI
Wyatt Allen, Topeka, KS
Alexander Amaral, Elk Horn, IA
Amanda Ambrosy, Haslet, TX
Carter Anglin, Louisburg, KS
Lindzie Archer, McPherson, KS
Sarah Asher, Kansas City, MO
Thane Barta, Anchorage, AK
Darril Baty, Sharpsville, IN
Luke Beddow, Pauls Valley, OK
Michael Beltran Rubio, Bogota, Columbia
Cheneal Benne, Courtland, KS
Samantha Bennett, North Richland Hills, TX
Caden Beurkens, Byron Center, MI
Caeley Billings, Gardner, KS
Mia Birkes, Mcpherson, KS
Taylor Bohannon, Belle Plaine, KS
Molly Booker, Roseville, CA
Ryan Bosque, Castro Valley, CA
Thomas Boyer, Rogers, AR
Felix Bravo, Hanford, CA
Owen Braxmeyer, Manhattan, KS
Tate Brewer, McPherson, KS
Kaelan Brockway, Salina, KS
Maggie Brown, Wallace, KS
Dillyn Brown, Osage City, KS
Maxwell Brucks, Columbia, MO
Kourtney Brumley, McPherson, KS
Victoria Bruno, Los Angeles, CA
Joseph Bryant, Riverview, FL
Edwin Buiter, Ireton, IA
Caden Bush, Watkinsville, GA
Jaden Cain, Wichita, KS
Julia Canales, Big Spring, TX
James Canar, Longmont, CO
Tyler Carrasco, Littleton, CO
Kaci Chadwick, Cheyenne Wells, CO
Kade Chapman, Durham, OK
Vannesa Cisneros, North Highlands, CA
Tate Clem, Wichita, KS
Cole Coggins, Kiowa, KS
Isiah Collins, Las Vegas, NV
Connor Collins, Floresville, TX
Abigail Cordova, Henderson, NV
Susanne Cunningham, Chanute, KS
Joseph Cyr, Saint Louis, MO
Anthony DeVries, Arvada, CO
Wendy Diaz, McPherson, KS
Dylan Dilks, Hesston, KS
Katherine Dudte, Canton, KS
Braden Dunn, Frisco, TX
Paul Calvin Dusabe, Commune De Limete, Zaire
Kurtis Ebling, Lindsborg, KS
Mackenzie Egan, Vandreuil Dorion, Canada
Courtney Eickbush, McPherson, KS
Gershom Epp, Hesston, KS
Sarah Ewing, Hutchinson, KS
Leta Feldhausen, Liberal, KS
Nathanael Fetters, Whitewright, TX
Caleb Feuerstake, Waterdown, Canada
Samantha Fiore, Gun Barrel City, TX
Heidi Fischer, Aledo, TX
Jadin Fleming, Castle Rock, CO
Hayden Foster, Little Elm, TX
Amber Fredrick, Hutchinson, KS
Hayden Fry, Cushing, OK
Jackson Fuhrer, Radford, VA
Fidelie Futi, Kinshasa, Congo
Koen Gakstatter, Stilwell, KS
Abagail Garza, Fort Worth, TX
Naomi Campbell Gateka, Ouagadougou, Congo
Nathaniel Gaut, Scottdale, PA
Martin Gentes, Florence, MA
Alexandra Gipson, Harrison, AR
Johannes Glymour, Manhattan, KS
Kollin Goering, McPherson, KS
Kurt Golubski, Paola, KS
Maddison Gorman, Clay Center, KS
Conrad Gramckow, Ojai, CA
Graedon Green, McPherson, KS
Samuel Grim, Johnstown, CO
Sierra Grow, Halstead, KS
Nathan Hall, Windsor, NY
Kaleb Hamblin, Riverton, UT
Madelyn Hankins, Blackwell, OK
Bailey Hartley, Arp, TX
Addie Heitschmidt, Lindsborg, KS
Derika Helms, Inman, KS
Joel Hendricks, McPherson, KS
Zamauria Herring, Atchison, KS
Joseph Herrmann, El Dorado Hills, CA
Sydney Hicks, Broomfield, CO
Lola Hipp, Goodland, KS
Kelly Hoffman, Wysox, PA
Caleb Houghton, McPherson, KS
Lauren Houston, Sugar Land, TX
Heather Hudson, Greenville, TX
Adam Hughes, Newman Lake, WA
Bailey Hulce, Baldwin City, KS
Noah Huls, Aurora, NE
Haley Hurst, Norman, OK
Spencer Ice, Cameron, MO
Thomas Impson, Durant, OK
Makenzie Jansonius, Prairie View, KS
Zoe Jerke, Great Bend, KS
Anika Jobe, Eudora, KS
Kennedy Johnson, Colorado Springs, CO
Kadee Johnson, Groveton, TX
Jordyn Johnson, Lakewood, CO
Brandt Johnson, Peyton, CO
Lasheicka Joseph, West Palm Beach, FL
Polina Khoroshevskaya, Kemerovo, Russia
Raegan Kleppe, Durant, OK
Alexander Ko, McPherson, KS
Stephanie Ko, McPherson, KS
Jacob Koehn, Kansas City, MO
Christa Kondziola, North Newton, KS
Brooke Krapes, Arvada, CO
Matthew Kroeker, Wichita, KS
Sharon Kroul, Agua Dulce, CA
Dane Kudera, Baggs, WY
Arianna Lathrop, Fort Worth, TX
Emily Leeson, Roswell, NM
Toby Leffew, Reno, NV
Madison Logan, Driftwood, TX
Daniel Lopez, Joshua, TX
Lily Lougheed, Salado, TX
Cameron Luther, Alexandria, VA
Lauren Machado, Elizabeth, CO
Matthew Mahan, Topeka, KS
Thomas Mancuso, Chesapeake Beach, MD
Tori Maples, Maywood, MO
Daniel Marcano, San Jose, Costa Rica
Tyler Marcum, Missouri Valley, IA
Kael Markham, Topeka, KS
Colby Marshall, Montgomery, TX
Dylan Martell, Colorado Springs, CO
Bethany Masters, Howe, TX
Jacob Maston, Blanchard, OK
Jaden Mayfield, McPherson, KS
Benedict Kirabo Mbogga, Oxford, Great Britian
Kenya McCain, Plano, TX
Evan McGoldrick, Flower Mound, TX
Savannah McHugh, Wichita, KS
Hannah McKay, Golden, CO
Celeste McMillen, Kittanning, PA
Ellery McMurry, Greensburg, KS
Isabel Medina, Garden City, KS
Tyler Menard, Westmoreland, NH
Wyatt Miceli, Woodacre, CA
Ezra Monroe, Melissa, TX
Ethan Montalvo, La Feria, TX
Jayla Moore, Forney, TX
Madison Mullen, Wichita, KS
Trey Murphy, Wagga Wagga, Australia
Paul Murphy, Independence, MO
Michel Mwengwe, Lubumbashi, Congo
Paul Kapya Mwengwe, Lubumbashi, Congo
Hunter Nicholas, Amarillo, TX
Fabio Nickel, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Alyssa Nutt, McPherson, KS
Brett Oden, Sterling, KS
Haven Ousley, Camden, MS
Emma Parker, Hayden, ID
James Pawlak, Palatine, IL
Andrew Penrose, McPherson, KS
Carissa Peters, Frisco, TX
Emily Peterson, Canton, KS
Aidan Pham, Frisco, TX
Corianne Phelps, Peck, KS
Carly Pomrenke, Brighton, CO
Jeremy Porter, Seneca Falls, NY
Brianna Powers, Adel, IA
Kennan Puckett, Mesquite, TX
Kaden Quint, Hutchinson, KS
Robert Ramberg, Topeka, KS
Kaden Rapp, Hennessey, OK
David Rees, Gisborne VIC, Australia
Logan Rees, Franklin, IN
Brittany Roberts, Mansfield, TX
Luis Rodriguez Jr., The Colony, TX
Devin Roff, Comstock, WI
Frank Romanaggi, Portland, OR
Briana Ruth, McPherson, KS
Kendyl Saffer, Arriba, CO
Daniel Salinas IV, Mercedes, TX
Natalia Salto, Cimarron, KS
Katherine Saul, Porter, TX
Andrew Schaefer, Sag Harbor, NY
Robert Schonberner, Omaha, NE
Alexander Schoneweis, Lincoln, NE
Cole Schroeder, Russell, KS
Logan Scott, Caulfield, MO
Madison Servaes, McPherson, KS
Gerod Shaffer, Topeka, KS
Eliseo Silva, Sterling, KS
Andrew Siokalo, Whitby, Canada
Meghan Smith, Lindsborg, KS
Olivia Smith, Wichita, KS
Madelyn Stanley, Royse City, TX
Mason Stephens, Forney, TX
Kenneth Storer, McPherson, KS
Colby Swift, Sedgwick, KS
Reagan Thai, Las Vegas, NV
Genesis Thompson, Austin, TX
Samantha Thompson, Forney, TX
Sean Thomson, Blandford Forum, UK
Kaden Tichenor, Holcomb, KS
Adriana Tilleman, Van Alstyne, TX
Brandy Trengove, Denver, CO
Mackenzie Unruh, Hesston, KS
Grace van Asselt, McPherson, KS
Leandro Vera, Guayaquil, Guayas
Dalton Vogts, Moundridge, KS
Hannah Wagner, San Antonio, TX
Antonio Watson, Oklahoma City, OK
Hannah Wedel, Halstead, KS
Isaak Welch, Pacific City, OR
Benjamin Wiebe, Laramie, WY
Luca Winterton, Thunderidge, UK
Henry Wolf, Chattanooga, TN
Kevin Wolfe, Malvern, PA
Ellis Woodruff, Princeton, TX
Cameron Wright, Denison, TX
Collin Young, Garland, TX

Students named to the McPherson College Honorable Mention for fall 2021 include:
Nathan Addis, Hutchinson, KS
Davis Alksnis, Latvia,
Austin Apple, Wiggins, CO
Michael Banks, Fort Worth, TX
Aubree Beggs, Graham, TX
Jack Bradley, Mounds, OK
Kyrstin Branscum, Gravette, AR
Chase Brous, Hays, KS
Sydney Burton, Stilwell, KS
Hannah Butler, McPherson, KS
Jacob Campbell-Roberson, Nyack, NY
Tanner Cardoza, Hanford, CA
Joe Chapman, Roeland Park, KS
Jacob Christopher, Overland Park, KS
Daniel Connell, High Peak, Derbyshire, England
Peyton Conner, Littleton, CO
Austin Cooper, Carmichael, CA
Zane Cornejo, Wellington, KS
Cailey Cornett, Lindsborg, KS
Katherine Corrigan, Phoenix, AZ
Moriah Delgado, Saginaw, TX
Antoine Detavernier, Bruges, Belgium
Dyron Dixon, Leander, TX
Clara Dressman, Frankfort, KS
Nathan Drouin, Atlanta, GA
C Eaheart, Harper, TX
Sedrick Ellis, Bluff Dale, TX
Jasper Fedders, Sioux Center, IA
Baxter Ferguson, Houston, TX
Theodore Flint, Sagle, ID
Marshall Ford, Booneville, MS
Sergio Gallegos, South Hutchinson, KS
Miranda Gaytan, Edinburg, TX
Joseph Glazener, Anchorage, AK
Ryan Graves, Topeka, KS
Cooper Hack, Casper, WY
Michael Halgren, Leawood, KS
Clayton Henderson, Dexter, KS
Shyanne Henkis, Laveen, AZ
Dashawn Holliman, Fresno, CA
Ethan Huston, Saint John, KS
Florine Ibale, Cedar Hill, TX
Tya Jackson, Wichita, KS
Carlos Jacobo, Great Bend, KS
Trevor Johnson, La Mesa, CA
Jacob Jonas, Cedarburg, WI
Cameron Jones, Harrison, AR
Gracia Kasongo, Lubumbashi, Zaire
Liliane Kathoheryo, Goma, NordKivu, Zaire
Jordan Kingcaid, FortWorth, TX
Drew Labertew, McPherson, KS
Macey Lauridson, Hudson, CO
Dominic Leech, Ravenna, NE
Isaac Linscheid, McPherson, KS
Tyler Loy, Topeka, KS
Jocelyn Mabery, Haltom City, TX
Blake Maddock, Oakdale, CA
Grace Maxey, Damascus, OR
Nhlakanipho Methula, KwaZulu-Natal, Congo
William Miller, Carrollton, TX
Christopher Miller, West Milton, OH
Maria Miranda, Great Bend, KS
Palmer Moe, Seattle, WA
Maison Moseley, Woodward, OK
Nathan Muamba, Kinshasa, Congo
Vanessa Mundo, Houston, TX
Tyler Natkin, Warrington, PA
Graham Noblett, Fairport, NY
Tyler Norris, Arvada, CO
Jason Okoro, Plano, TX
Kalli Olivar, North Richland Hills, TX
Grant Owens, Hutchinson, KS
Samuel Palecki, Stilwell, KS
Alvin Patterson, Saint Louis, MO
Sareena Perez-Gonzalez, Wichita, KS
Blake Peterson, Buhler, KS
Ken’Yontae Pinkard, Tyler, TX
Anthony Powell, Leavenworth, KS
J’Kobi Reddick, Tampa, FL
Gregorio Rivera, Colorado Springs, CO
Parker Roberts, Carbondale, KS
John Robinson, Spearman, TX
Cameron Rogers, Elkview, WV
Curtis Rose, Midwest City, OK
Nathan Ruble, Memphis, TN
Claudia Russe, Frisco, TX
Kento Saiki, Monterey, CA
Ashley Seibel, Moses Lake, WA
Aidan Sharkey, Deland, FL
Brooklyn Skinner, Yukon, OK
Maria Smoot, Tumwater, WA
Riley Sojka, Wichita, KS
Sarah Stebbins, Pittsburg, KS
Rebecca Steffen, Vinton, IA
Oliver Stout, Sandusky, OH
Caleb Strecker, Bentonville, AR
Colby Stuart, Baytown, TX
Apostolis Jeorje Tassis-Laskos, Amesbury, MA
Xavier Taylor, Waynesville, MO
Bralyn Thomas, Houston, TX
Jason Torres, Palmdale, CA
Mychael Tripp, Orange, NJ
Kassidy Weaver, Katy, TX
Lacy Weaver, Midlothian, TX
Ann Weesner, Hutchinson, KS
Matthew Whitney, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Dalton Womack, Cushing, OK
Andrew Woods, Nevada, TX
Val Zarkh, Hawthorn Wds, IL

Posted On: November 5, 2021
By: MC Admin

Bob Green and president Michael Schneider

Bob Green with MC president Michael Schneider

Reflecting on all the relationships he formed during his time as a professor at McPherson College, Bob Green, emeritus professor of English, was inspired to establish a permanent scholarship for first-generation students in need of financial assistance who attend McPherson College.

“I gained a lot as a teacher at McPherson College,” Green said. “I worked with people of faith and skill. I have gratitude for the people I worked with while I was there.”

Green, who lives in Wichita, was assistant professor of English for 27 years before retiring in 1993. His wife, Gayla, also worked as a library assistant in Miller Library and earned a bachelor’s degree in English from McPherson College in 1983. Green said, due, in part, to her critical management of their finances, he and his family realized it was within their resources to fund a scholarship and worked with the McPherson College Advancement Office to establish the Bob and Gayla Green Endowed Scholarship to honor his wife who passed away last year.

“As a professor, I always encouraged my students to think,” Green said. “My career was over by the time Siri and Alexa came on the scene, but they can’t answer questions like ‘why am I here?’ You have to do some thinking about that.”

He said that some of the most memorable times for him were when students would come back to campus, sometimes after as long as 20 years, and tell him they still remember what he taught them and how it made a difference in their lives.

“Professor Green literally taught me how to write. My writing abilities have been foundational to my career,” said Ted Bray, a 1992 McPherson College graduate. Bray, a marketing executive with over 25 years of experience, has held leadership roles with prominent technology companies, including Accenture, Oracle, and AT&T.

“There were many times, especially during the Vietnam War when issues were raised on campus, that I was able to sit down with students and have a dialogue and real conversations,” Green said. “I had the opportunity to build relationships over the years that I value.”

It was not surprising to colleagues, like Kim Stanley, professor of English, that Green would find a way to continue to support McPherson College students long after he left. Stanley had the office next to Green’s and has known him for the 32 years she has been at the college.

“It’s just like Bob to think of yet another way to be useful to students,” she said. “Bob was always the quiet person everyone could rely on to listen and provide carefully considered advice. He took a strong personal interest in his students.”

With the endowed scholarship, Bob and Gayla Green’s legacy will continue to support McPherson College students into the future.

Posted On: October 28, 2021
By: MC Admin

Fiber Studio in Wichita is featuring the work of the McPherson College art and design faculty in an exhibition now through December 11. Art faculty will be at the studio on November 5 and December 3 to discuss their work.

The exhibition was originally on display at McPherson College in September and features sculpture, photography, graphic design, painting, and digital performance art. Faculty participating in the exhibit include Kelsy Gossett Dennis, Michaela Valli Groeblacher, David Harmon, Nathan Pollard, and Dee Erway-Sherwood.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to take our exhibit to Wichita. The Fiber Studio gallery frames our works beautifully and allows us to reach out to a wider audience,” Valli Groeblacher, associate professor of art and gallery director at McPherson College, said. “The title of our show, “Title in Progress,” was meant to communicate that we all are works in progress, that our artworks are always in progress, and that, as a group, we have fun together. We are a great team!”

In addition to the exhibit, Professor Valli Groeblacher and Kim Stanley, professor of English, presented a workshop at Fiber Studio for teachers attending the Kansas Art Educators’ Association annual conference. They spoke about teaching creativity in art and writing.

Fiber Studio is located at 418 South Commerce in Wichita and is open by appointment or on final and first Fridays of every month from 6 to 9 p.m.

Quicklinks

Category: Academics

McPherson College Honor Roll, Honorable Mention for Spring 2022

McPherson College Celebrates Class of 2022 in Commencement Ceremony

$25M Surprise Gift Announced During McPherson College Commencement

Gutierrez Named Executive Vice President and Provost at McPherson College

Dalke Charitable Foundation Gifts $2.6 Million To McPherson College

MC Recognizes Students at Awards Convocation

McPherson College Choir to Perform at Carnegie Hall

McPherson College Honor Roll, Honorable Mention for Fall 2021

Long-Time Professor, Family Establish Permanent Scholarship

Faculty Artwork Exhibited At Wichita Studio