The McPherson College community celebrated 18 employees and trustees for their years of service with a reception, dinner, and awards program at the McPherson Community Building on March 6, 2025. The annual recognition night celebrated the work of faculty, staff, and board of trustee members who have served the college for five to 30 years.

“The outstanding achievements and accomplishments by the honorees in the classroom, within individual departments, and in the McPherson community propel the college beyond being a great college to work for,” President Michael Schneider said. “These honorees facilitated world-class experiences for our students, and it is in this deep sense of campus community where our students excel to be future leaders.”

Those honored included:

30 Years – Renee Carlson, custodian

25 Years – Bryan Midgley, professor of psychology; Allan van Asselt, professor of chemistry

20 Years – Jd Bowman, professor of theatre; Amanda Gutierrez, vice president of automotive restoration

15 Years – Ed Barr, professor of technology; Kerry Dobbins, professor of history; T.J. Eskildsen, men’s basketball head coach; Manjula Koralegedara, professor of chemistry

10 Years – Matt Pfannenstiel, associate vice president of enrollment; Christi Paulsen, ERP manager; Jamie Pjesky, director of academic advising & student success; Tammy Sigwing, assistant controller

5 Years – Jerod Corbus, executive assistant to VPAA; Timothy Frye, associate professor of math

Board of Trustees – John Holthus, Randee Koger, Craig Little

The McPherson YMCA and McPherson Recreation Commission recognized the McPherson College Athletic Department as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year. An awards luncheon was held on January 28 at the McPherson Opera House.

“Through unwavering dedication, compassionate hearts, and an unrelenting commitment to making a difference, the McPherson College Athletic Department has consistently gone above and beyond to support our mission,” said Quinlan Rageth, YMCA interim CEO. “Their selfless service, tireless work ethic, and inspiring leadership have truly set them apart, making them the perfect choice for volunteer of the year.”

Over the past year, McPherson College athletes participated in approximately 1,000 hours of community service. At the awards luncheon, the women’s basketball program was specifically recognized for conducting the YMCA Little Dribblers basketball program in 2024, and the men’s and women’s soccer programs were recognized for conducting the YMCA/MRC Spring Soccer Academy for many years. In addition to YMCA and MRC service projects, Bulldog teams participate in High-Five Fridays at the local elementary schools, Brush Up MAC, and provided volunteers at Burnin’ Down Main, among other yearly community service projects.

“Our student-athletes love serving the McPherson community,” said McPherson College Athletic Director Josh Daume. “Along with their coaches, they have embraced the opportunity to live out this important part of the college’s mission. While they don’t do it for recognition, this is a tremendous honor for our department, and we are humbled to receive this award from the YMCA and McPherson Recreation Commission. We look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”

The center of Bulldog athletic activity has a new name – Holman Fieldhouse. The renaming marks the completion of a major renovation and addition to the former Sport Center and honors the family that supported the expansion project.

In 2022, McPherson College announced the first-ever seven-figure gift made to Bulldog Athletics by Craig and Karen Holman of McPherson. The gift totaled more than $1 million for the expansion and remodeling of the Sport Center as part of the Building Community comprehensive fundraising campaign.

The athletic expansion and renovation project added over 5,200 square feet to the former Sport Center facility and remodeled another 5,000 square of existing space. The expansion included an all-new athletic training room complete with treatment tables, taping stations, four whirlpools, an exam room, and three offices. It also more than doubled the size of the existing weight room and includes brand new state-of-the-art weight training machines and equipment. The renovation added lockers to the existing football locker room, increased storage space, and updated the existing weight room. The project was completed in February.

“It’s exciting to have this state-of-the-art athletic facility available for our students when we are competing to win in every sport,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “I am grateful to the Holmans for their long-time support of Bulldog athletics and their significant support for future student-athletes.”

Craig and the couple’s children are McPherson College graduates. While at McPherson College, Craig was an outstanding tennis player. He won conference singles, was District 10 singles championships three times, and was selected for the all-conference team all four years. He serves the McPherson community as a financial advisor, owning an Ameriprise Financial practice. Craig is a McPherson College Board of Trustees member and serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Bulldog tennis teams. Karen has served the community as a registered nurse and helped instruct those seeking to become licensed practical nurses. She is a volunteer at Lincoln Elementary and plays the violin.

The Holman family has been loyal supporters of McPherson area tennis, particularly the Bulldog tennis program funding the Holman Family Tennis Courts on campus.

“The expansion and renovation of our athletic facilities has already paid great dividends in recruiting and is a tremendous asset to our current student-athletes and coaches,” said Josh Daume, McPherson College athletic director. “This has greatly enhanced the student-athlete experience at McPherson College, and we are truly thankful for the generosity of the Holman family in making this project a reality.”

As part of the Homecoming Campus Tour on Saturday, October 19 from 9-10:30 a.m., the Holmans will be in the main lobby of Holman Fieldhouse to visit with alumni and community members. Visitors can view the renovations to Holman Fieldhouse at that time.

McPherson College marked a significant milestone as it welcomed the largest incoming class in its history when fall semester classes began on August 21. The college enrolled 319 first-time freshmen, which is the largest freshman class on record.

This year’s freshman class grew 35% with total enrollment up 5%. Overall enrollment was bolstered by a second year of increased retention.

“McPherson College continues to make great strides in growing enrollment despite a couple of challenging post-pandemic years,” President Michael Schneider said. “With new buildings going up on campus and program expansions, students recognize that McPherson College offers them a valuable academic experience. Additionally, McPherson College has some of the highest placement rates in the nation and offers students the ability to graduate with zero debt through the Student Debt Project.”

The college anticipates nearly 600 students will participate in the Student Debt Project this academic year. More than 400 students participated in the Student Debt Project last year and nearly 30% of seniors who participated graduated with zero debt. The debt project combines financial literacy education, employment, and mentorship building lifelong financial management skills. Participants commit to working part-time while earning their degree, and the college matches student earnings applied to their account at $.25 per dollar.

“I toured and researched other schools, but never found another program that did as much as the Student Debt Project,” said Luke Wood, a freshman from Shawnee, Kan. “The program was straightforward and easily accessible, and there is a wonderful staff available to answer questions. After paying my first semester, I can say the Student Debt Project has already benefited me immensely.”

Last year, the college matched more than $300,000 to support student efforts. Alumni and friends of the college serve as mentors who work with students throughout the year. Last year, nearly 50 working and retired professionals served as mentors in the program.

“Without the financial assistance from the Student Debt Project, I would be unable to afford college,” said Raina Decker, a McPherson area freshman. “The program allows me to prioritize my education during the academic year and continue life post-graduation free from financial constraints.”

In addition to reducing debt at graduation, nearly three-quarters of the students graduating in May 2024 had pre-graduation placements, whether starting careers, acceptance in graduate school programs, or joining military service. Additionally, 80% of McPherson College students gain internship experience during their time at the college.

This summer, the college also received substantial support for one of its newest academic programs. In June, Senator Jerry Moran announced he had secured $2.1 million in new, congressionally directed funding for McPherson College’s initiative to create an educational center in Kansas for Rural & Community Health Science. The funding will modernize key parts of the Melhorn Science Hall, including several labs, and support professional development and statewide health outreach programs that enhance student experiences in health science.

Beyond academics and career preparation, students are excited about the new campus buildings and updates. The recently completed renovation and expansion of the Sport Center added more than 4,500 square feet of space, with an additional 2,000 square feet renovated. The Boiler House, a café offering expanded lunch and dinner options will open on campus soon.

The largest building project on campus, the Campus Commons, is the centerpiece of the significant campus update. Scheduled for completion in June 2025, this 55,000-square-foot building will serve as a hub for students with new dining, a coffee shop, a campus store, student clubs, activities, lounge spaces, administrative offices, and a new welcome center. It represents the largest-ever single investment in new buildings in the college’s 137-year history.

In less than a year, McPherson College will open the doors to its new 55,000-square-foot landmark structure at the entrance to campus. The Campus Commons, currently under construction, is the centerpiece of a significant campus update, including two other new buildings. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (KS) recently visited McPherson College and viewed the construction progress firsthand. The ongoing construction represents the largest-ever single investment in new buildings in the college’s 137-year history.

The Campus Commons will serve as a hub for students with new dining, coffee shop, campus store, student clubs, activities and lounge spaces. The upper levels will contain student services, administrative offices, and a welcome center for events and gatherings.

The Boiler House and Holman Sport Center expansion are two additional major projects that funded partly by a successful $55 million campaign. The Boiler House, a new campus café in the middle of campus with indoor and outdoor seating, will be completed in August 2024. The Holman Sport Center project, which features more than 4,500 square feet of added space and renovation of another 2,000 square feet, was completed in February 2024.

“We are changing the face of our campus in a way that puts the needs of our students first and provides them with a better academic and social life,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “The new Campus Commons is at the forefront of a campus redesign, moving McPherson College away from the traditional residential campus to a modern living community.”

The prairie-inspired design of the new Campus Commons features two main entrances and numerous large windows that offer beautiful views of the prairie from the third floor. With a nod to the college’s acclaimed Automotive Restoration program, the three-story atrium will include a chassis of a classic car suspended from the ceiling. Clearly seen when exiting from I-135 into McPherson, the new building changes the landscape of the campus and community. Donlinger Construction of Wichita, builders of Exploration Place, is the general contractor for the project. It is expected to be completed by June 2025.

A detailed description of the building and artist renderings of the project are at www.mcpherson.edu/comingsoon.