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

History

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

Educational facilities

The main 50 acre Hesston campus consists of 12 buildings, including two residential dormitories (Erb hall and Kaufman Court), an administration building, library, a number of academic buildings, and two gymnasiums. It also has a baseball diamond, a softball field, soccer field, a weight room, and four tennis courts. The Dyck Arboretum of the Plains is a 25 acre arboretum located 1 block south of the main campus. The aviation program has facilities at the Newton City-County Airport east of Newton, Kansas. The Nursing program, in addition to facilities on the main campus, has affiliations with local hospitals, including Newton Medical Center and Prairie View Mental Health Center in Newton, Schowalter Villa in Hesston, and Via Christi-St. Francis Campus, Via Christi-St. Joseph Campus, and Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Athletics

The official mascot for the Hesston College athletic teams is the Larks. The Larks have 13 teams: baseball, softball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, track and field, golf and flag football which was added for the academic year 2022–2023. Hesston participates in the NJCAA, and was given full membership in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference in 2018.

Administration

as of July 2024

Notable people