McPherson College announces the recipients of the 2026-27 Teaching Awards. The awards are presented at the annual Honors Convocation held during Homecoming. This year’s recipients are Professors Cory Unruh and Dustin Wilgers.

Students and faculty submitted an overwhelming number of nominations that identified deserving faculty for the awards. A committee of students and last year’s teaching award recipients reviewed the nominations and selected one tenured faculty member and one non-tenured faculty member to receive the awards.

Cory Unruh

This year’s non-tenured award recipient, Professor Cory Unruh, is an assistant professor of automotive restoration technology, teaching courses in electrical and electronic systems. In his fourth year at the college, Unruh quickly established himself as an engaging and supportive faculty member. Students shared that he is the type of professor that goes well beyond to help them succeed.

Dustin Wilgers

Dustin Wilgers, professor of biology, received the tenured faculty teaching award. He was awarded the non-tenured faculty teaching award in 2016. Dr. Wilgers’ colleagues and students who supported his nomination noted his ability to connect between many different people and departments through his scholarship and teaching. He is described in nominations as thoughtful, supportive, helpful, and gracious. One nomination said of Wilgers, “he is someone who lives out the college’s mission every day to educate and support all students through scholarship, participation, and service.”

Kyle Hopkins – 2026 Outstanding Bandmaster

The Kansas Bandmasters Association named Kyle Hopkins its 2026 Outstanding Bandmaster. Hopkins is professor of music, director of bands, and chair of the music department at McPherson College.

Since joining the McPherson College faculty in 2013, Hopkins has led the band program through a period of unprecedented growth and success. Today, McPherson College has one of the largest band programs in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. College ensembles have been selected to perform at the Kansas Music Educators Association State Convention five times in the past eight years. Most recently, the jazz band performed at the 2025 convention.

Hopkins holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Washburn University, and Kansas State University. Before returning to college to earn his first music degree, he was a disability examiner for the State of Kansas specializing in childhood disabilities. He later served as director of bands for McPherson Public Schools for 12 years before joining the McPherson College faculty.

In addition to being a sought-after clinician, conductor, and adjudicator, Hopkins performs as principal horn with the Salina Symphony, and as substitute horn the Wichita Grand Opera and Wichita Symphony.

He will receive the award during the Kansas Bandmasters Association annual convention, July 15-18, in Wichita.

The Kansas Bandmasters Association is the state’s leading professional organization for band directors. Its mission is to build better bands by providing educational opportunities, special programs, and recognition for band musicians, students, and directors throughout Kansas.

The Higher Learning Commission has approved McPherson College to offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science starting in August 2026. The new degree expands the college’s academic offerings and builds on decades of success in preparing graduates for careers in science and technology.

The computer science program will provide students with a strong foundation in programming, computer systems, and emerging technologies while preparing them for careers in software engineering, cybersecurity, information technology, and data science.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. More than 300,000 openings are projected each year, on average, driven by both industry growth and the need to replace workers leaving the workforce.

The new four-year degree will offer a combination of in-person, online, and hybrid courses. Instruction will be provided by current faculty with expertise in computational sciences, data analytics, and supercomputing, along with industry experts who bring decades of teaching and professional experience.

The computer science degree complements the college’s continued expansion of its STEM offerings. Last year, the college announced the addition of a new Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and recently hired Michael Stichter, an automotive restoration alumnus and professional engineer, to lead the new program. Together, the two degrees build on the college’s longstanding academic strengths while addressing local and regional workforce needs.

In addition to new academic programs, McPherson College has also invested in students’ academic spaces with the addition of new science spaces and equipment in Melhorn Hall as well as a new computer lab in Mohler Hall.

Students and families should be aware of the changes to student financial aid that take effect on July 1, according to Andy Olsen, director of financial aid at McPherson College. Significant updates to federal financial aid programs are included in new federal legislation commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill.

The federal changes will apply to all new students and new borrowers. Current students and families may also notice differences from what they have experienced in the past.

“It’s important to remember that each student and family situation is different, and the best way to navigate your options is to reach out to our office,” Olsen said.

The McPherson College financial aid office is monitoring the new federal guidelines and encouraging students and families to contact the office with questions at [email protected].

Key changes in the new guidelines

• Parent PLUS Loans (new students and new borrowers): Annual borrowing will be capped at $20,000, with a lifetime limit of $65,000.
• Legacy (limited exception) borrowers: McPherson College students that have already borrowed before the 2026-27 school year, may continue to receive Parent PLUS Loans without the new limits for up to three academic years if they continue to meet eligibility requirements for legacy status.
• Direct Loans: Loan amounts will be reduced for students enrolled in less than full-time (fewer than 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate.) Students who drop from full-time to part-time enrollment during a semester may be subject to a reduction in loan eligibility in a subsequent semester based on the reduced enrollment level. Students should consult with an academic advisor or the financial aid office before dropping classes to understand the potential impact on aid eligibility.
• Student Aid Index (SAI): Students with an SAI at or above twice the maximum Pell Grant will no longer qualify for a minimum Pell Grants.

For more detailed information about individual student and family situations, Olsen recommends visiting the One Big Beautiful Bill update page at www.studentaid.gov for guidance on federal student aid changes.