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Wichita Businessman Establishes $1 Million Endowed Fund at McPherson College

Posted On: April 15, 2016
By: MC Admin
Fern Lingenfelter

MC alumna and piano teacher Fern Lingenfelter.

McPherson College will offer a new music series and a student scholarship, thanks to a generous $1 million commitment to the college’s “Power the Future” campaign in honor of MC alumna and piano teacher Fern Lingenfelter.

Her son, Steve Clark – chairman of Clark Investment Group in Wichita, Kan. – has generously established the fund at MC to support the new Fern Lingenfelter Artist Series. This cultural series will consist of two annual music performance events with a special emphasis on piano.

Dr. Steven Gustafson, the coordinator of the college’s arts and lecture series, said that the Fern Lingenfelter Artist Series will be a significant enhancement to the college’s cultural offerings, both to the campus and surrounding communities.

“Not only will the series enrich opportunities to hear great performances,” Dr. Gustafson said, “but it is also a most fitting tribute on behalf of Mr. Clark to honor his mother, Fern Lingenfelter, and her significant work as a piano teacher and advocate for music education.”

The fund will not only support great musical performances and masterclasses for the campus and community, it will also foster future generations of musicians. After the establishment of the performance series, the fund will create the Fern Lingenfelter Scholarship in Music – an annual merit-based scholarship for one or more full-time MC students majoring in music.

“McPherson College has seen a rebirth in our music programs the last few years,” McPherson College President Michael Schneider said. “This gift solidifies both Steve’s commitment to his mother’s legacy and our place as a leader in performing arts across the state of Kansas.”

Lingenfelter taught piano in McPherson for years – both traditional college students on the MC campus and younger students at a studio downtown. She developed her skills by studying with Jessie Brown at McPherson College – where she earned a certificate in piano in 1924 – and with Swedish pianist Oscar Thorsén at Bethany College.

Lingenfelter earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1925 and later a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1938 from McPherson College. After marrying Layman Clark and leaving McPherson in 1940, Fern and Layman had one son together – Steve Clark. Lingenfelter later married William D. Stoebuck of Wichita.

History speaks to Lingenfelter’s dedication to teaching music and public piano performance; she was described in a 1939 “Quadrangle” McPherson College yearbook as “busy filling the air with music.”

Her schedule must have been packed. Her public performances are frequently mentioned in the 1920s through the 1940s in the “McPherson Daily Republican,” she played organ during services at the original First Baptist Church in McPherson until 1940, and the “Quadrangle” spoke of her “frequent recitals in the college chapel.”

Throughout her career, those she encountered remarked upon her patience, ability, and joy. She was credited with the large enrollment in the Junior Piano Department. Her students from elementary age through college won contests and learned with “unusual rapidity.”

But her kind, understated personality was likely her most remarkable characteristic. The 1932 “Quadrangle” remarked, “Although very quiet, she has a ready smile and willingly gives of her talent.”

That commitment to community, strong work ethic and a kind disposition have apparently been passed from mother to son. Steve Clark has been a central figure in the Wichita real estate market for more than 45 years and has properties in many states. His long history of supporting the local and regional community includes work with the Greater Wichita YMCA, Wichita State University, and the Kansas Board of Regents. He was honored in 2015 by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce as Wichita’s “Uncommon Citizen” and in 2013 was inducted into the Wichita Business Hall of Fame.

Although his mother passed away in 1962, Steve said he has seen a long and lasting influence from her lifetime of work. Establishing the fund is his way to say, “Thank you,” and to support the music and the instrument she loved so much.

“Music and piano were her passion, and even years later people in McPherson would tell me, ‘Your mother was my piano teacher,’” Clark said. “One of my biggest regrets is not fulfilling her desire for me to play the piano. She always spoke fondly of McPherson College. I know she would be pleased to know what the college is now doing in her remembrance.”

McPherson College’s Spring Music Tour Brings Band, Choir Performances Across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma

Posted On: March 31, 2016
By: MC Admin

McPherson College’s Spring Music Tour will include jazz pieces ranging from standards to funk/rock fusion, and choir selections covering everything from medieval chant to Freddie Mercury.

The tour will run April 20 to 24 and will include stops in Winchester, Kan.; Meriden, Kan.; Warrensburg, Mo.; Cabool, Mo.; Stillwater, Okla.; Norman, Okla.; and McPherson, Kan. Performing groups are the 30-person McPherson College Choir, which includes the 13 students in the MC Singers, as well as the 14-piece McPherson College Jazz Band.

Dr. Josh Norris, assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, said the choirs will present a concert entitled “Madness or Genius?” with selections of works that might have considered “mad” by some in history, but true works of genius by others. Among the works are pieces composed or arranged by Aaron Copland, Henry Purcell, Igor Stravinsky, and – in fitting with the “Madness or Genius” theme – “Once Upon a Dream” from the musical “Jeckyll & Hyde” by Frank Wildhorn. The show will even include pop music selections, such as an arrangement of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Freddie Mercury of “Queen” fame.

“I know everyone will have an awesome experience,” Dr. Norris said. “The Stravinsky has been some of the most difficult music that my college students have ever undertaken.”

Kyle Hopkins, professor of music and director of bands, said the McPherson College Jazz Band will offer a mix of standards – such as Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the ‘A’ Train” and George Gershwin’s “Summertime” – and modern jazz funk/rock fusion pieces, such as “What is Hip?” by Castillo, Kupka and Garibaldi.

“Our brief set will really represent the development of America’s quintessential musical form over the past 100 years,” Hopkins said.

Taking the jazz band on tour is exciting, Hopkins said, as it’s a relatively new addition to the college’s extracurricular offerings.

“The band program is going through a dynamic ‘boom period’ and our jazz band represents that growth, energy and excitement,” he said. “These students give up their lunch breaks on Wednesdays and Fridays to come together and play some great jazz music.”

All performances for the Spring Music Tour are free and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.

McPherson College Spring Music Tour Schedule

Wednesday, April 20
11 a.m. – Winchester, Kan. (Choir-only performance)
1 p.m. – Meriden, Kan. (Band-only performance)
7:30 p.m. – Warrensburg, Mo.

Thursday, April 21
7 p.m. – Cabool, Mo.

Friday, April 22
2 p.m. – Stillwater, Okla., Stillwater High School
7 p.m. – Stillwater, Okla., University Heights Baptist Church

Saturday, April 23
5 p.m. – Norman, Okla., The University of Oklahoma

Sunday, April 24
11 a.m. – Norman, Okla., First Presbyterian Church

Monday, April 25
7:30 p.m. – McPherson, Kan., Brown Auditorium (home vocal concert)

 

Alumni Event in OKC – May 22

Posted On: March 31, 2016
By: MC Admin

Join us for an alumni gathering during the OKC Dodgers ballgame at the Bricktown Ballpark on May 22, 2016.

Cost is $50 per person and includes buffet, hat and tickets to Budweiser Deck in left field. Game time is 1:00p.m. Travel from McPherson is also available.

See event page for more information and ticket purchase.

McPherson College Hires New VP for Advancement to Lead Fundraising

Posted On: March 3, 2016
By: MC Admin

McPherson College is excited to welcome Roger Brimmerman as its new vice-president for advancement, starting May 1.

Brimmerman is filling a critical role for MC, as he leads the college’s fundraising and campaign efforts – including the current $14 million “Power the Future” comprehensive campaign. He brings about two decades of leadership and fundraising experience to the position, with more than half of that in higher education.
“Roger is a welcome addition to our community. I think he will connect well with our constituents and provide strong leadership in advancement,” said Michael Schneider, President of McPherson College. “McPherson College has a great legacy of giving and we expect Roger to continue this tradition as we focus on building our endowment.”

Most recently, Brimmerman has served as the associate vice president for development at Judson University in Elgin, Ill., from 2013 until the present. At Judson, he designed, implemented and managed the university’s $43.5 million Shaping Lives Campaign and served as the lead Major Gift Officer. He increased donor participation and the amount each donor gave, and secured six- and seven-figure gifts for Judson.

Before Judson, Brimmerman was director of development for Concordia University in Seward, Neb., from 2007 to 2013. In Concordia, he managed a $63 million campaign, and planned and managed all aspects of the university’s annual fund and planned giving program. He took the annual fund to an all-time fiscal year high and raised planned giving pledges from $43 million to $63 million.

Before entering the realm of higher education, Brimmerman held leadership positions with Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America in Omaha, Neb., from 1997 to 2003, culminating with the Nebraska Team field director. He primarily worked in fundraising, products sales, increasing membership and endowment, and recruiting volunteers. He successfully exceeded fundraising and membership goals in four years and increased volunteer participation all six years.

He also served in leadership positions for a variety of automotive and manufacturing companies in Fremont and Omaha, Neb., from 1979 to 1997, while also serving in the United States Army Reserves as a Sergeant and seeing service in Operation Desert Storm.

He has led as chair or served on boards of multiple service and leadership organizations, including the Association of Lutheran Development Executives, Kiwanis, and the Fremont Area Philanthropy Group. The Mid-America Council of Boy Scouts of America named him Executive of the Year in 1999 and he was a Regional and National Distinguished Executive in Boy Scouts of America in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002.

“I am very excited about coming to McPherson College as the next vice president of advancement,” Brimmerman said. “I am looking forward to being a part of the campus and McPherson communities and meeting all of the constituents who have been part of the great legacy and culture of giving here at MC. It is that legacy and culture that excites me about coming to MC.”

‘The Mousetrap’ at MC Features Set Similar To Traditional Design of Longest-Running Stage Show

Posted On: February 26, 2016
By: MC Admin

In a McPherson College theatre season that has placed classic and popular shows in unusual settings, one show stands out from the rest… because it’s so traditional.

Eric Johnson, a 1989 MC graduate and guest director for “The Mousetrap,” said the college production’s set closely mirrors the one that has been used in the West End of London for 63 years – making this Agatha Christie mystery the world’s longest-running play of any kind.

The McPherson College production will have a substantially shorter run – 7:30 pm., March 4 and 5 in Brown Auditorium.

This theatre season has Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” set in a pirate cove, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” placed on a giant art drafting table, the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare fable in “The Great Cross Country Race” receiving a steampunk treatment, and “Hotel Paradiso” moving from France to New Orleans.

Against that backdrop, well, the longest-running play using a classic set design actually proves a contrast. Johnson said the show selection was all part of trying to give those in performing arts at MC the most diverse experience possible.

“You want to expose your students to as much as you can,” he said. “Settings, genres, styles.”

Johnson said that audiences should come to “The Mousetrap” because there’s no place else to see the murder mystery other than within the walls of a theatre. Because of a quirk in how Christie licensed this play, officially licensed movies couldn’t be produced until the original live production closed. Because the first production hasn’t closed in 63 years, well…

“This one, if you want to see it, you’ve got to see it on the stage,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that Christie is the bestselling novelist in history, with more than a billion copies sold in English and another billion in 100 foreign languages. As a playwright, she’s only been outsold by William Shakespeare. For the printed word generally, only the Christian Bible has outpaced Christie and Shakespeare. Johnson said after reading Christie, it’s no mystery why that is.

“I think people enjoy trying to figure out the whodunit,” he said. “What she does so well is presenting a strong case for how each character could have done it. If it’s done well, the audience is actively involved getting to the bottom of it before the author lets us know.”

But don’t expect solving the mystery to be easy. Even Eric Johnson couldn’t do it on his first read.

“She had me all the way to the end,” he said.

“The Mousetrap” is showing at 7:30 p.m. March 4 and 5. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3.50 for children ages high school and younger as well as seniors. Reservations may be made by contacting the theatre box office at 620-242-0444 or at [email protected].

Cast is: Whitney Murray, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (Voice on Radio); Deiah Curtis, sophomore, Great Bend, Kan. (Mollie Ralston); James Covel, senior, Wichita, Kan. (Giles Ralston); Chris Rakowski, junior, Joppa, Md. (Christopher Wren); Ashley Burch, freshman, Pittsburg, Kan. (Mrs. Boyle); Austin Crosby, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (Major Metcalf); Aubrey Hollinger, sophomore, Lyons, Kan. (Miss Casewell); Josh Hall, senior, Tonganoxie, Kan. (Mr. Paravicini); and Logan Schrag, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (Detective Sergeant Trotter).

Crew is: Eric Johnson ’89, McPherson, Kan. (director); Crystal Osner, senior, Conway Springs, Kan. (stage manager); Whitney Jefferson, senior, Houston, Texas (assistant stage Manager); Dr. Rick Tyler ’74, professor of speech and theatre (technical director); Osner, Callie Atkins, junior, Stillwater, Okla.; Burch; Nora Grosbach, sophomore, Evergreen, Colo.; Hollinger (costumes); Crosby, Lucas Jez, freshman, Westfield, Mass.; Mason Polston, freshman, Emporia, Kan.; Phil Reinhardt, freshman, Tenants Harbor, Maine; Karl Timmerman, junior, Tulsa, Okla.; and Stagecraft class (set construction); Murray (props); Lora Kirmer, senior, Holly, Colo. (lights); Marissa Patton, senior, Tribune, Kan. (sound); and Abby Trenkle, senior, Haysville, Kan. (box office)

McPherson College Alumnus Creates Card Game Based on Adorable Vampires, Called ‘Vampsylvania’

Posted On: February 25, 2016
By: MC Admin

The inside of C. Michael Hall’s mind is a fascinating place, where science fiction, fantasy, collectible card games, comic books, and roleplaying games all gather to meet and mix.

“All of that sort of swirls together into this perfect maelstrom of geekery,” said Hall, a 2011 alumnus McPherson College in Portland, Ore.

That maelstrom in his head often pops out a wonderful new creative work. Most recently, the result of his internal hurricane is “Vampsylvania.”

Vampsylvania is a card and dice game designed, developed and drawn by Hall featuring the most delightful little undead vampires. The full-color artwork is a perfect mix of cartoon charm and classic movie monster campiness – where Charlie Brown intersects with Eddie Munster.

“It was really an outgrowth of pushing myself to do new things,” Hall said. “My goal was to make something adorable. I wanted it to be really cute.”

Each player takes on the role of an enthusiastic “newbie” vampire. There’s just one barrier to their reign of “terror” – they’ve unfortunately turned undead near the most vampire-savvy village in existence.

“You’re a bad guy of fairly limited competence when it comes right down to it. The shtick is that this is the town that’s completely prepared to deal with you,” Hall said. “While you’re competing against each other, there are times where you have to begrudgingly help each other. I thought that would make for a really fun social dynamic and gameplay dynamic.”

Hall was able to secure enough crowdfunding in less than 24 hours to produce and sell Vampsylvania. Since then, he has been able to secure more than double his original funding goal, with weeks still remaining in the campaign.

Hall said a number of his experiences as a student at McPherson College were important inspirations that led to Vampsylvania. He became more deeply interested in theories of game design in classes taught by Dr. Kerry Dobbins, assistant professor of history. Dr. Dobbins uses the Barnard “Reacting to the Past” curriculum in many classes. The series uses an immersive game over several weeks to help students better understand historical events.

Next, MC started an entrepreneurship initiative while Hall was attending. While he wasn’t directly involved in the initiative, Hall thinks just being exposed to the concepts may have planted a seed that led him to try independently funding and producing Vampsylvania as an entrepreneurial venture.

Most relevant to Vampsylvania, while at MC, he partnered with the director of library services to create the art for “Library of the Living Dead” – a unique guide to the college’s Miller Library, which used a classic zombie story to introduce students to library resources.

That experience led to a whole series of commissions to create similar “Library Comics” for other institutions using the same movie-monster, science fiction and fantasy tropes. These included “Monster Clash” (2011) for the Wilton Library Association of Wilton, Conn.; “Supreme Librarians in Metaspace” (2012) for the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University; “Sundown at the Library” (2012) for the Graham Library at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan.; and “Secret of the Pirate Library” (2014) for Independence Community College in Independence, Kan.

That work culminated with the publication of “Information Now: A Graphic Guide to Student Research,” on which he was a co-author. The full-length textbook published in October 2015 by the University of Chicago Press is written as an engaging graphic novel. It covers how to engage students in “information literacy.” Among the methods are, of course, graphic novels and comics (and, yes, for the nerds, geeks and genre fans, that is very “meta.”)

Hall said that now he is working hard on developing two more games and writing and illustrating a full-length graphic novel.

“This is something people are going to seeing from me a lot in the near future,” he said.

His perfect storm of ideas, it appears, is far from spent.

Learn more about Vampsylvania at vampsylvania.blogspot.com and about all of C. Michael Hall’s work at www.cmichaelhall.blogspot.com.

McPherson College Alumnus Wins Contest to Design New Bulldog Mascot

Posted On: February 10, 2016
By: MC Admin

There’s a new face for McPherson College’s Bulldog mascot, and it was one of MC’s own alumni who designed the new logo.

Evan Hiebert ’14, McPherson, Kan., submitted two designs for the “Design the Bulldog” contest, which was open to all McPherson College alumni, students, faculty and staff to enter. The grand prize for winning the contest is $1,000 and – even more meaningfully to Hiebert – that MC will now use his design as the college’s official mascot.

Hiebert said it meant a lot that McPherson College would ask its extended campus family to design the official Bulldog.

“I think it shows a lot of pride in the work,” he said, “and shows a lot of trust in the program.

Both designs by Evan Hiebert were selected into the group of five finalists, which were selected by a 24-person committee of students, faculty, staff and alumni that included cabinet members, coaches, each academic division, alumni board members, student leaders and more.

The three other finalist designs were by Nathan Holthus, senior, McPherson, Kan.; Cord Cunningham ’14, Wichita, Kan.; and Darin Donaho ’08, Denver, Colo.

After the finalists were selected, voting was then opened to all students, faculty, staff and alumni. About 900 people voted online, with Hiebert’s winning design the strong favorite.

Colleen Gustafson, promotions and new media manager, said it was important to the college to involve the MC community in the process of selecting the new Bulldog.

“We wanted to make sure that the people who care the most about the college – our students, faculty, staff and alumni – could actively be part of this portion of our identity,” she said. “We wanted to have all voices heard.”

This is the second Bulldog design created by MC alumni. The previous design was created by Darren Hendricks in 2004, when he was director of communications at the college. The goal was to create an athletic mascot that could also represent the other areas of the college.

The resulting design marked the first time that the college had its own unique mascot design. Previously, the college had made use of different clip art.

The college will soon start phasing in the new design across publications, stationery, websites, and anywhere else McPherson College’s Bulldog appears.

McPherson College Alumna Receives Prestigious Statewide Teaching Award

Posted On: January 8, 2016
By: MC Admin
Aspen Frey '14

MC alumna Aspen Frey ’14 recipient of the 2015 Horizon Award.

It’s rare for a teacher to get called down to the office of Lincoln Elementary School to find the school principal, the director of instruction and the district superintendent all waiting there.

When Aspen Frey – a December 2013 graduate of McPherson College – found that group waiting for her on Jan. 5, she was – understandably – a little apprehensive.

But all were smiling, and then the voice of Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson came through the speakerphone… congratulating her on winning a 2015 Horizon Award.

“I was just so shocked,” Frey said. “I was happy knowing that all my hard work was being noticed. It was such an honor, and I was so humbled to find out that I was one of the winners.”

The annual awards are sponsored by the Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association and the Kansas State Department of Education. Each school district in Kansas may nominate one elementary and one secondary teacher for the award, which is for teachers who have just completed their first year as a full-time professional in the classroom.

Out of those potential 586 nominees statewide, just one elementary and one secondary teacher are chosen for the award in each of the state’s four regions, which correspond to the Kansas Congressional districts.

Frey teaches kindergarten and first grade special education students at Lincoln. She said she strives to adapt her lessons to students’ needs and learning styles, stays positive, uses fun and engaging methods to keep students interested, and carefully organizes each day so that students know what to expect.

Her education at McPherson College prepared her well to excel in teaching, she said, giving her constructive criticism and the freedom to explore and be creative. Because the MC program had her observing in schools as soon as her sophomore year, Frey said she received critical real-life experience throughout her college years.

“I was very thankful to be in schools right away and see what the career was all about,” she said. “It definitely prepared me.”

Cody Rierson, principal at Lincoln Elementary and himself a 2005 graduate of McPherson College, said he knew soon after Frey started observing and teaching as a student in his classrooms that he wanted her on the Lincoln team.

“The way that she carried herself, and the way that she worked with the students and the staff, I knew that I wanted her to be part of what we are doing,” Rierson said. “Her positive attitude, friendliness and genuine caring for students put her above any other candidate for the Horizon Award.”

Rierson said it was hard to overstate Frey’s quality as a teacher.

“The kids absolutely love her,” Rierson said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things. Those students would do anything for her. She’s a great person. You can tell she wears her heart on her sleeve while she’s teaching. It makes me proud to be a McPherson College graduate.”

Happy Holidays from the McPherson College Singers

Posted On: December 2, 2015
By: MC Admin

Enjoy this special holiday greeting from our mixed vocal ensemble the McPherson College Singers under the direction of Dr. Josh Norris. Recorded on campus and filmed at the President’s House, the Stone Chimney, Clayworks and Craft Coffee in McPherson.

 

Homecoming 2015 Photo Album

Posted On: October 16, 2015
By: MC Admin