All students experience homesickness at some point. Fabian Camacho remembers as a freshman feeling lonely and searching for community that felt like home. Those feelings inspired him to bring a piece of his culture to campus and invite others to share in it.

Now a senior elementary education major, Camacho received a grant from the McPherson College Horizon Fund to build an ofrenda to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a traditional Mexican holiday beginning on November 1. The ofrenda, located in the Miller Library lobby, is a shrine created to honor family members and loved ones who have died.

Ofrendas often include photos, candles, marigolds, and decorations. Camacho’s ofrenda features all those elements, along with spaces for anyone to display a photo of a loved one or even a pet. Dia de los Muertos, he explains, is about celebrating, honoring, and remembering those who have passed.

“Even though it’s a Mexican holiday, anyone can contribute to this,” Camacho said. “The one thing that unites us is death and loving people we have lost. I thought this was a way not only to share my culture with the community but also for people to come together and do something special.”

The ofrenda will be on display in the library through Nov. 10 and is open to anyone who wishes to place a photo in remembrance of someone they’ve lost.

The newest spot to meet friends and grab a coffee recently opened at McPherson College. Aspretto, a coffee shop inside McPherson College’s Campus Commons, welcomed its first customers just in time for the college’s Homecoming weekend, September 26-28.

The menu features classic coffeehouse favorites such as Americanos, cappuccinos, mochas, and lattes, along with tea and hot chocolate, iced coffees, chai lattes, and frappes. Food options are coming soon.

Aspretto is an international brand of ethically sourced coffee and tea, offered by Sodexo, the college’s food service provider. The brand emphasizes corporate social responsibility, with products sourced through fair trade practices.

The new shop is open to students and the public Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Band students will soon have another way to showcase their musical talent — and get paid for it. Beginning in fall 2026, the college will offer Pep Band, giving students the chance to perform at athletic events while enhancing the game-day atmosphere for fans.

The Pep Band will play at select football, volleyball, and basketball games, working closely with the athletics department and Student Affairs to boost school spirit. In recent years, band students have volunteered to play at athletic events, and the music department offered special ensembles like a drumline that performed at campus events.

“With the launch of a paid pep band, I’m excited to see band students getting more active across campus and performing music in different places other than our traditional concert venues,” said Kyle Hopkins, associate professor of music and director of bands.

Students who join the new Pep Band won’t be required to participate in the Concert Band, although those who choose to play in both ensembles will be eligible for additional financial aid.

“The McPherson College music department has a strong band program with a commitment to quality,” said Aaron Meis, executive vice president. “Pep Band gives students who enjoy playing music another opportunity to perform and will add to the overall student experience.”

Students interested in participating in the Pep Band next year can show their interest at www.mcpherson.edu/apply.

The McPherson College Student Government Association honored campus community members at the Light and Life Awards ceremony on Sunday, April 28, at the McPherson Community Building. The awards recognize excellence outside of the classroom and are awarded to students, advisors, college community members, sports teams, clubs, and organizations.

The following received awards.

• Kenya McCain – Bridge Builder, recognizes a student or group who embraces differences and diversity and works to bridge gaps with different campus factions.
• Gamma Beta Phi and Lucy Bowman – Excellence in Community Service, recognizes a student or group’s earnest willingness to serve others through community service efforts during the academic year.
• Malia Pfeiff – First-Year Student of the Year, reserved for a student who is new to McPherson College (freshman or transfer) and has demonstrated exceptional achievements in their first year. Through their active involvement and leadership potential, they have excelled academically and made meaningful contributions to the campus community.
• The 2023-24 Residence Life Team – Good Neighbor, recognizes a person or group who has demonstrated what it means to be a good neighbor through friendliness, consideration, and respect. Examples are demonstrating excellence when facing ethical dilemmas or difficult decisions, bettering the campus climate, or improving others’ lives through simple acts.
• Mariah Fede – Greatest Leap, reserved for a student or group who has significantly improved since the prior year. Examples include overcoming academic difficulties, increasing group membership, rising above circumstances, or other underdog success stories.
• Vicki Schmidt – Outstanding Advisor, for a club or organization advisor who models the college’s mission of developing whole persons through scholarship, participation, and service and mentors and guides students to lead the campus and become stronger leaders.
• McPherson Education Honors Society – Outstanding Student Group, recognizes a student organization, sports team, or other established group whose members exhibit scholarship, participation, and service; who have positively impacted the community; and who have contributed positively to the campus community throughout the year.
• Tavian Gray – PAWSitive Spirit, recognizes a student who embodies vibrant energy and infectious enthusiasm that define what it means to be a bulldog. Examples are cheering on our teams, being involved in campus activities, having pride for McPherson Bulldogs, and inspiring others to do the same.
• Taylor Star – Rising Star, recognizes a new leader of any academic classification who models scholarship, participation, and service through a willingness to lead and contributions to the campus community.
• Miranda Gaytan – Silent Warrior, recognizes an individual who embodies the essence of resilience, determination, and commitment without seeking the spotlight. This individual consistently demonstrates unwavering strength, quietly overcoming challenges and pushing through college life.
• Kourtnie Rohn – Star of the Show, recognizes a student or group of students who exemplifies excellence, dedication, and exceptional achievement in their role on stage, on the court, on the field, or any aspect on campus.
• Mia Birkes – Student Employee of the Year, honors a student whose outstanding dedication, exemplary work ethic, and crucial contributions have significantly enhanced the operations and atmosphere of our institution.
• Taylor Bohannon – Student Leader of the Year, recognizes an established student leader who has demonstrated excellence in campus leadership, academics, and achievement through multiple involvement or leadership opportunities or significant contributions to the campus community.
• Cooper Koestel and Benny Lopez (Sodexo) – Unsung Hero, individuals receiving this award may not have an official title but have positively influenced some aspect of the campus from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, and a commitment to excellence.

McPherson College students will have a new housing option in the fall with the addition of Maxwell Hall. The college worked with The Cedars Retirement Community to provide the new student housing located at First and Maxwell Streets.

The college is leasing the two north units of The Cedar Ridge Houses on Maxwell Street to accommodate increased enrollment and its commitment to quality student housing options. Just five blocks from campus, the new residence hall will provide co-ed housing for 50 students. It features two-bed suites with a private bathroom that share a large common area and kitchen. The new hall will offer the same amenities as other residence halls, including key-card access, furniture, security cameras, Wi-Fi, free laundry, and parking. Each room features its own temperature control.

“The new Maxwell Hall provides a living opportunity for students unique to anything else at McPherson College,” said Charles Snyder, resident assistant at Maxwell Hall. “I am honored to help introduce Maxwell Hall to the campus community and help grow our community in the building.”

Alexia Sandoval, another resident assistant at the new hall added, “I’m thrilled to be part of a process helping our community grow. With other big projects happening around campus, like the new Campus Commons and Boiler House, it’s fitting that a new resident hall would be included.”

The new hall is available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors currently making housing applications for next fall.

“This venture is a win for current Cedars residents because they will receive focused attention from Cedars staff and opportunities for intergenerational interaction,” LaMonte Rothrock, CEO of The Cedars, said in a statement. “We are excited about this relationship and plan for college students to spend time with our residents to enrich both groups’ lives.”