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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.

McPherson College Announces Teaching Awards

McPherson College announces the recipients of the 2022-23 Teaching Awards. The college presents the awards yearly at the annual Honors Convocation to one tenured and one non-tenured faculty member. This year’s recipients are Dr. Kim Stanley and Dr. Amanda Yamaski.

A committee of three students and last year’s teaching award recipients reviewed nominations in each category from students and faculty colleagues to select this year’s honorees. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of Thelma Kightlinger, the college enjoys the benefits of an endowed faculty development fund, which provides a modest honorarium for these awards.

The committee selected Dr. Kim Stanley, professor and chair of modern languages, for the tenured award. Dr. Stanley was recognized for her commitment to the college’s mission of scholarship, participation, and service in all that she does. She was nominated for her skill as an educator and for supporting students and the institution. Dr. Stanley is a respected leader on campus and is known for her thoughtful, creative, and balanced approach to projects. She has served as department chair, program reviewer, accreditation committee member, and Horizon Fund Award team.

“Her work in and out of the classroom is guided by a clear set of principles that every student should develop the capacity to read and understand the stories of others, even when, or maybe especially when, those stories differ from their own,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost, in recognizing Dr. Stanley.

Dr. Yamasaki, assistant professor of biology, was selected for the non-tenured award. She was nominated for her enthusiasm in the classroom and the high priority she places on both students’ academic development and personal well-being. In the classroom, Dr. Yamasaki is known for teaching challenging subject matter, finding creative methods to engage students, and helping them connect to the content in meaningful and lasting ways. She extends her support beyond the classroom to offer encouragement whether it’s study strategies or advice on life. One comment from her nomination said, “no matter how rough the rest of my week has been, I always leave class invigorated!”

Kansas Community Colleges and Kansas Independent Colleges Sign Universal Transfer Agreement

From the Kansas Independent College Association.

Student transfer opportunities expanded today after the Kansas Community Colleges and Kansas Independent Colleges announced initiation of a Global Transfer and Course Articulation Agreement that paves the way for students to seamlessly transfer from any Kansas Community College to any Kansas non-profit college or university. After the implementation of the agreement, any student awarded an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) from a Kansas Community College shall be deemed as having fulfilled the general education requirements of their choice of any Kansas Independent Institution. This consistent coordination and ease of transfer will help ensure students graduate on time, with less cost, and with the goal of keeping these students in Kansas.

“Across the country, debate rages on about college access and affordability,” said Kansas Independent College Association President Matthew Lindsey. “We believe that KICA and KACCT have developed a forward-thinking and sustainable resource to demonstrate to Kansas families and taxpayers we are leading the way.”

This new transfer agreement was formally adopted during a signing ceremony on Tuesday, September 20th at 2:30pm at Friends University in Wichita, following a joint discussion by presidents from both the Kansas Community Colleges and Kansas Independent Colleges on current and future opportunities to serve students better.

Kansas Association of Community College’s Executive Director Heather Morgan praised the partnership, noting “The benefits of the new transfer agreement, the student opportunities it provides, and the potential for additional partnerships to benefit Kansas students reflects the synergy that we need in higher education. We’re working to meet the needs of Kansas learners and this transfer agreement is a key link to ongoing student success and advancement.”

Dr. Michael Schneider is President of McPherson College and Chair of the KICA Board of Directors, celebrates the event by saying, “The spirit of innovation and the road to success intersect at the passion of a Kansas student. The agreement we signed today is the preamble to the new stories of enterprise that our students will write.”

Kansas leaders understand and hold strong to the quantitative proof that higher education leads to an improved quality of life for students, their families, and their communities. A positive experience while in college in Kansas leads to more students living and working in Kansas, a benefit to the entire state.

Today, more than half of Kansas college students attend one of the state’s 19 community colleges or 1 of the 20 Independent Institutions.

Fall Semester Begins With More Than 60% Participating In The Student Debt Project

MC Class of 2026

McPherson College maintained the upward enrollment trend established over the past eight years as it welcomed the class of 2026 to campus on August 24 for the start of fall semester classes. More than 60% of all students beginning the new academic year are enrolled in the college’s Student Debt Project.

In its fourth year, the debt project offers McPherson College students an opportunity to reduce their student loans by blending financial literacy education, mentorship, and work ethic while reinforcing life skills and values of personal responsibility, self-reliance, and financial well-being. Along with matching funds and a pay-as-you-go option, the program matches students with mentors to answer financial questions. This year, more than 60 alumni and friends of the college from across the country serve as mentors to individuals and small groups of students in the program. Students also gain leadership skills by serving as peer mentors for each of the mentoring groups.

So far students participating in the program have reduced their projected debt at graduation by nearly $12,000 while maintaining a higher-than-average 3.3 GPA for working students. The average debt at graduation for the class of 2022 was $16,700, one of the lowest among four-year colleges and universities in Kansas. At the end of the 2021-22 academic year, nearly 30% of the students in the debt project reported zero debt, and nearly another 30% reported less than $2,000 in debt. And 93% of the students who participate in the debt program return to McPherson College to complete their education.

“The debt project was an idea that evolved from our Community by Design strategic plan,” said Michael Schneider, McPherson College president. “It is rewarding for our campus to see the positive impact it has on our students. Especially our graduates who are leaving here with less debt on average than students at other institutions and starting their post-graduation life financially healthy.”

Cheneal Benne, who has been in the program for three years said, “The biggest benefit I receive is definitely the matching funds. It has been my motivator to be smart about my spending habits.”

The Student Debt Project is just one way to gain important career experience. A majority of McPherson College students work at part-time jobs or internships that when paired with a career-focused curriculum gives them an advantage when they join the job market. At commencement in May, two-thirds of the graduating class had secured jobs, military service, or post-graduation placement. That is three times the national average. After six months, 95% of McPherson College graduates are employed or accepted into graduate school.

“The Student Debt Project, along with our focus on experiential learning gives our students a head start when they join the competitive job market or apply for graduate school,” said Amy Beckman, executive director of the Career and Experiential Learning Office. “McPherson College students are eager to enter the workforce to gain valuable experience for their future careers.”

Learn more about campus resources or becoming an employer partner at the Career and Experiential Learning Office.

McPherson College Teacher Education Program Receives Accreditation

The teacher education program at McPherson College received national accreditation from the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) as well as state accreditation from the Kansas State Board of Education after program reviews earlier this year.

CAEP is a professional accreditor focused on accrediting teacher education programs at colleges and universities in the United States. It sets the national standards in teacher education and granted McPherson College full accreditation through 2028. The state accreditation status is valid through June 30, 2029

“Receiving full accreditation from CAEP and KSDE validates the quality of our program,” said Shane Kirchner, professor and chair of the teacher education program. “This process helps ensure that the future teachers we prepare are ready for the challenges they will encounter in the classroom.”

Dr. Kirchner, along with Dr. Vicki Schmidt and Professor April Counts, M.A.Ed., M.A., comprise the teacher education program.

The program at McPherson College offers licensure in 16 areas. The college also offers an accelerated program to incoming freshmen that leads to a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction degrees with licensure in K-6 and endorsement of either ESOL or special education completed in as little as four years.

Learn more about the teacher education program at www.mcpherson.edu/teacher-education.

Kansas Student Receives Full-Tuition Presidential Scholarship

Rebekah Ballast, MC Scholarship recipient

Rebekah Ballast, a 2022 graduate of Oskaloosa, KS High School, was ready to see another part of the world and thought she would attend college out of state until she visited McPherson College. Ballast competed in one of the five Presidential Scholarship days at the college and was selected to receive a full-tuition scholarship.

“I was apprehensive at first because it was not what I had in mind,” she said about the college. “After I visited campus, I could actually see myself there and I was able to meet faculty and sit in on a class and was very encouraged.”

Ballast will major in theatre and plans to participate in the choir when she joins the campus this fall. She was selected from a field of 107 high school seniors to receive the four-year renewable, full-tuition scholarship awarded to one student each year. Students who apply to McPherson College and qualify academically are eligible to compete in the Presidential Scholarship program. Award packages, combined with Merit Scholarships, range from $12,000-$22,000 per year for first-time freshmen based on their high school academic record, round table discussion, personal interview, and cognitive ability test.

Even before receiving the scholarship, Ballast said McPherson College was among her top choices. She applied to 13 schools in five states and was accepted to nine schools. After visiting two out of state, she determined they would not be affordable.

“The Presidential Scholarship day was a great experience and reinforced my decision to attend McPherson College. It was really cool to meet the staff and visit with current students to hear about their college experiences,” Ballast said. “It was unbelievable when I found out I had gotten the scholarship. I was still a little away from comfortably affording college but would have made it work, so the scholarship takes that pressure off of me and my family.”

Ballast has been active in community theater, as well as theater opportunities with her church and at school, and she is looking forward to learning more about every facet of the theater.

“I’m looking forward to being immersed in all aspects of theater at McPherson College and working with other students who are passionate about theater,” she said. “I met assistant professor Jen Pollard on my visit. I loved her excitement. She was the kind of person I envisioned working with at college.”

McPherson College Student Receives KICF Scholarship

Lola Hipp

Lola Hipp working in the campus graphic design lab.

Lola Hipp was recognized by the Kansas Independent College Foundation (KICF) for excellence in academics, character, and integrity, along with her commitment to the value of a private college education in Kansas. She was among 20 students from private colleges across the state to receive the Maud Wyatt Recognition Scholarship presented by KICF.

Hipp, who is from Goodland, KS, is a junior at McPherson College majoring in art & graphic design. Her plans after college include becoming an in-house designer for a company focused on rebranding or working as a photographer. During her time at McPherson College, she has worked as a graphic designer for the campus creative arts journal, Inscribe. She is a member of the shotgun sports team, active in the Bulldog Adventure Program, and a student ambassador for the college.

Along with her studies, Hipp also participates in the McPherson College Student Debt Project. As a member of the program, she works two part-time jobs while attending college and is making progress toward reducing her student debt prior to graduation.

“I wasn’t sure about going to a private college at first, but McPherson College was one of the best colleges I toured,” Hipp said. “The two main reasons for choosing McPherson College were the class sizes and the staff. I appreciate being able to directly communicate with my professors and being recognized by name. As a first-generation student, it helps to know if I have questions, I can talk to my advisor or coach and they will help me find an answer.”

McPherson College Honor Roll, Honorable Mention for Spring 2022

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

McPherson College Celebrates Class of 2022 in Commencement Ceremony

MC graduates of 2022

McPherson College conferred bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees to 130 students at the 134th 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/