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McPherson College to Begin Major Stadium Upgrades

Posted On: March 23, 2016
By: MC Admin

In partnership with USD 418, McPherson College will soon complete the final phase of $1.6 million in stadium improvements.

The cost of upgrading McPherson Stadium, which started about five years ago, is funded by McPherson College and supported by USD 418 as a long-term lease partner.

“It is great to have a partner like USD 418,” said Michael Schneider, president of McPherson College. “We are able to share the space and make important improvements that we would not likely be able to do alone.”

The project is part of an ongoing agreement between the college and the school district that has allowed both the college – which owns the stadium – and the high school – which leases it – to enjoy improved facilities.

Andrew Ehling, athletic director at McPherson College, said the final phase of improvements will include a new press box, ADA-compliant ramps, new spectator seating, and improvements to sidewalks, fencing, restrooms, and locker rooms. The project also includes replacing the grass at the south end of the stadium with concrete for better runoff and drainage, making the area more usable.

“We are proud to improve McPherson Stadium for our student athletes, the community, and the thousands of guests we host each year,” Ehling said.

Previous phases of the project included a new artificial field, new track surface, updated field event facilities, new lights and additional bleachers. In 2013, the college funded new natural-grass practice facilities to enable more flexibility in stadium use.

“The upgrades have been appreciated by our student-athletes,” said Mark Crawford, USD 418 superintendent. “I’m excited this partnership will provide an even greater fan experience.”

Construction is expected to start April 1 and substantial completion is expected by Aug. 1 to allow usage before the start of the academic year. The stadium will not be available for public use after April 1 until the project is completed.

McPherson College Art Professors, Students Stand Out in Professional Kansas Exhibitions

Posted On: March 9, 2016
By: MC Admin
"Lola Dancing With Arnie" by Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art

“Lola Dancing With Arnie” by Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art

McPherson College students and professors have distinguished themselves in recent regional art exhibitions.

Four MC students had their work on display in “Crazy 8’s” at Gallery XII in Wichita in February, and Wayne Conyers, professor of art, took best of show in the unique exhibition. Meanwhile, Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art, took first place for her work overall in the national “Topeka Competition 32” exhibition for the three works accepted into the show, which was at the Sabatini Gallery in Topeka, Kan., in January.

Conyers said the students who entered Crazy 8’s were Chloë Cloud, freshman, Wichita, Kan.; Danna Jacks, senior, Stafford, Kan.; Ian Rhoten, freshman, Wichita, Kan.; and Lisa Koehn, senior, Wichita, Kan.

The rules of Crazy 8’s are simple, Conyers said. All of the submitted works must be exactly 8 inches by 8 inches – no bigger, no smaller. The works from MC students demonstrate the variety possible within those constrains, however. Cloud created a “luscious,” close-up image of a face; Jacks made a mixed-media work incorporating postage stamps; Rhoten made a refined graphic illustration on computer; and Koehn drew a lock on a chain-link fence that, upon close inspection, is found to be covered in words.

“Everybody did something different,” Conyers said. “Which, of course, is what we’re after.”

As for Conyers, he also entered the exhibition with an 8 by 8 watercolor study of a larger work under development. The juror of Crazy 8’s liked the work so much that he selected it as the Best in Show almost immediately, and then purchased the watercolor for himself.

“For some reason it stood out,” Conyers said.

Groeblacher also was recently honored for the three works she entered into the “Kansas Competition 32” in Topeka. She has had works accepted to the show in previous years, but this proved a particularly good show. All three of the works she submitted for consideration to the show – “Lola, Dancing with Arnie,” “Hardy, Martie,” and “Helen” – were accepted. Those works garnered her top honors for her overall work in the show.

Since 1977 the juried show, sponsored by the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, has been providing a venue for 3-D art. This year, artists were asked to submit work on a theme of “History.”

McPherson College’s Friendship Hall Hosts First Juried Art Exhibition for MC Students

Posted On: January 27, 2016
By: MC Admin

The approval of the visual arts professors at McPherson College can mean a lot to college students at MC. The current exhibition of student work in Friendship Hall on campus, however, shows that the approval of an art expert who has never met them can mean even more.

Wayne Conyers, professor of art, said this is the first time in his memory that the annual student exhibition at MC has been juried by a professional, with awards and recognition.

“It’s one thing for us to say ‘This is good,’” he said. “But we may be biased. It means a lot for someone outside of the program to judge just on the work.”

About 100 pieces are in the current show, displaying a wide range of media. Conyers said there are multiple benefits to putting in the additional work required to put on a juried exhibition.

“Once they graduate, if they are going to be showing work, this is the venue,” he said. “It’s more real-world – preparing students for what the competitive art world is all about. It makes the students more critical of their own work, and that’s a very good thing.”

A final reception for the exhibitors will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall on Thursday, Jan. 28. The award winners for the exhibition are:

  • Best of Show, Studio: Chloë Cloud, freshman, Wichita, Kan.
  • Best of Show, Graphics: Danna Jacks, senior, Stafford, Kan.

Honorable mentions:

  • Lisa Koehn (2), freshman, Galva, Kan.
  • Ste’fon Walker, senior, Mendenhall, Miss.
  • Danna Jacks, senior, Stafford, Kan.
  • Melicia Evans (3), senior, McPherson, Kan.
  • Monica Ewy (2), junior, Halstead, Kan.
  • Kaleena Nelson, freshman, Spring Hill, Kan.
  • Nathan Holthus, senior, McPherson, Kan.
  • Scott Bullis, senior, Colorado Springs, Colo.

At the same time that the student exhibit is up, the four visual arts professors at MC also have an exclusive exhibition up at the McPherson Arts Alliance, Inc. VAAM Gallery at 223 S. Main St. in McPherson.

Conyers; Dee Erway-Sherwood, associate professor and program director of graphic design; Ann Zerger, associate professor of art; and Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art, are showing their work in an exhibition called “Four of a Kind.”

“All four of us are professional artists who have chosen to teach,” Conyers said. “We’re not teachers who happen to teach art. You’re not going to be an effective educator if you’re not madly in love with what you do. The worst thing you can do as an art educator is stop doing your work. It will come back to haunt you.”

McPherson College Announces Fall 2015 Honor Roll, Honorable Mention

Posted On: January 14, 2016
By: MC Admin

McPherson College has recognized its highest academic achievers in their fall 2015 honor roll and honorable mention students. 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.

Honor Roll

The following students have been named to the honor roll at McPherson College (Please note that honorable mention roll is listed separately farther down). They are listed alphabetically by hometown.

Maci L Grimes, Andale, Kan., senior
Alia M Khalidi, Augusta, Kan., senior
MaKenzie S Smith, Augusta, Kan., senior
Cami N Engelbert, Beloit, Kan., senior
George M Reid, Broadway, Va., freshman
Geoffrey S Smith, Brownsburg, Ind., freshman
Brock Camden, Burlington, Ontario, senior
Mitchell Q Richardson, Burlington, Colo., sophomore
Daniel May, Caracas, Venezuela, senior
Ahmed Lahlou, Casablanca, Morocco, freshman
Jesse C Freeman, Castle Rock, Colo., freshman
Carson Douglas Clay, Choctaw, Okla., junior
James D Whitfield, Cleveland, Ga., sophomore
Cameron M Oram, Cody, Wyo., freshman
Scott R Bullis, Colorado Springs, Colo., senior
Rebekah R Gallegos-Romero, Colorado Springs, Colo., senior
Karl Moritz, Columbia, Pa., freshman
Luke C Robichaud, Concord, Mass., freshman
Megan N James, Concordia, Kan., junior
Crystal Jane Osner, Conway Springs, Kan., senior
Lindsey N Thornburg, Cypress, Calif., junior
Kavoderic De’Anthony McIntyre, Dallas, Texas, senior
Jonathan P Bubnis, Del Ran, N.J., junior
Tahja A Doublin, Denver, Colo., junior
Christian L Naillieux, Derby, Kan., junior
Samantha E Brandyberry, Derby, Kan., junior
Kayla Diane Burke, Derby, Kan., senior
Clarence C Allemand, El Dorado, Kan., freshman
Jared M Haury, El Dorado, Kan., sophomore
Heather E Diamond, El Toro, Calif., junior
Lea N Striegel, Emmendingen, Germany, freshman
Mason B Polston, Emporia, Kan., freshman
Adam A Mashiach, Encino, Calif., junior
Jacob O’Gorman, Ennismore, Ontario, senior
Matthew Allen Edmonds, Flagstaff, Ariz., junior
Erica L Almaraz, Fontana, Calif., freshman
Madison M Linton, Fort Morgan, Colo., freshman
Shelby L Maycumber, Fort Scott, Kan., junior
Jillian A Johnson, Fredonia, Kan., senior
Shannon L Popp, Galva, Kan., senior
Lisa Koehn, Galva, Kan., senior
Nadine L Baquiran, Garden Grove, Calif., junior
Christopher Kelly, Glasgow, Scotland, freshman
Bailey J Brown, Glen Elder, Kan., senior
Davis M Bint, Glendora, Calif., freshman
Justin C Smeltzer, Glendora, Calif., junior
Zane Rueben Luekenga, Glenwood, Ark., junior
James Covel, Goddard, Kan., senior
Joshua A White, Goddard, Kan., junior
Morgan L McIntosh, Great Bend, Kan., freshman
Tessa M Szambecki, Gridley, Kan., junior
Simone C Donaldson, Halstead, Kan., senior
Monica Jo Ewy, Halstead, Kan., junior
Anna M Wirges, Haxtun, Colo., freshman
Amanda R Lolling, Haysville, Kan., freshman
Abigail M Trenkle, Haysville, Kan., junior
Grant T Raleigh, Hesston, Kan., freshman
Johanna C Hoffman, Hillsboro, Kan., junior
Maci M Schlehuber, Hillsboro, Kan., junior
Lora Kirmer, Holly, Colo., senior
Scarlet R Rodriguez, Houston, Texas, freshman
Emily C Whitley, Huntsville, Ark., freshman
Shelby Augustine, Hutchinson, Kan., junior
Brooke D Racette, Hutchinson, Kan., freshman
Cecilia M Cross, Hutchinson, Kan., senior
Logan A Gates, Hutchinson, Kan., junior
Mitchell J Calvert, Hutchinson, Kan., senior
Dominic DeLuca, Hutchinson, Kan., freshman
Samantha Ione Cotell, Hyannis, Mass., sophomore
Micaela R Dimitt, Inman, Kan., senior
Caden J Severs, Inman, Kan., sophomore
Corey M Taylor, Iola, Kan., senior
Gavin R Hightower, Jacksonville, Fla., sophomore
Amanda N Darrow, Jasper, Mo., senior
Jonas Geisel, Johnstown, Pa., freshman
Jordon A Henderson, Junction City, Kan., freshman
Brittany A Childs, Junction City, Kan., freshman
Donald K Bell, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore
Elizabeth M Lindsey, Kansas City, Kan., senior
Michael P T Barrett, La Mirada, Calif., senior
Stephanie Romanowicz, Lakewood, Colo., freshman
Kayla R Snead, Las Animas, Colo., senior
Hugo Ball-Greene, Le Celle Saint Cloud, France, freshman
Gary Kau, Leander, Texas, freshman
Samuel C Arant, Liberty, Mo., freshman
Landon Bryce Stang, Limon, Colo., junior
LeAndra B Stang, Limon, Colo., freshman
Sawyer Bair Pittenger, Lincoln, Kan., sophomore
Micah S Waugh, Lindsborg, Kan., sophomore
Nathan J Finch, Lindsborg, Kan., senior
Rhianna I Smith, Lindsborg, Kan., freshman
Chauncey Charles, Los Angeles, Calif., freshman
Shelby L Makovec, Lost Springs, Kan., freshman
Dixon A Cooney, Loveland, Colo., senior
Arelyn Rene Fallis, Luray, Kan., senior
Jasmine Nicole Helms, Manhattan, Kan., junior
William D Bossa, Marion, Kan., senior
Tara D Gladding, Marquette, Kan., junior
Austin F Dowler, Mashpee, Mass., sophomore
Matthew J Goist, Massillon, Ohio, junior
Tyler R Bailey, McKinney, Texas, freshman
Jose A Angulo, McPherson, Kan., junior
Michael T Kokmeyer, McPherson, Kan., senior
Douglas S Williamson, McPherson, Kan., senior
Ashley N Venable, McPherson, Kan., freshman
Eric N Youvan, McPherson, Kan., senior
Avery M Goering, McPherson, Kan., junior
Craig S Nelson, McPherson, Kan., senior
Melicia C Evans, McPherson, Kan., senior
Kelcie Scott, McPherson, Kan., senior
Alaina D Johnson, McPherson, Kan., senior
Coye Joseph Savell, McPherson, Kan., senior
Rachael D Anderson, McPherson, Kan., senior
Carmen Carranza, McPherson, Kan., senior
Shaelah M White, McPherson, Kan., sophomore
Rebecca N Hawkinson, McPherson, Kan., freshman
Ryan D Kresky, McPherson, Kan., senior
Emily S Davis, McPherson, Kan., senior
Alex James Glidden, McPherson, Kan., junior
Lisa M Goering, McPherson, Kan., senior
Madison D Hoffman, McPherson, Kan., freshman
Addie Johnson, McPherson, Kan., senior
Leslie L Kagle, McPherson, Kan., senior
Ashley Frankenbery Long, McPherson, Kan., senior
Ivanna A Moyer, McPherson, Kan., sophomore
Adam Keith Porter, McPherson, Kan., senior
Sophie LaVone Simon, McPherson, Kan., senior
Toney L Smith, McPherson, Kan., senior
Taylor Tiani, McPherson, Kan., sophomore
Lauren E Wankum, McPherson, Kan., sophomore
Mariah K Wedel, McPherson, Kan., senior
Madison K Whaley, McPherson, Kan., sophomore
Daniel M Musika, Milpitas, Calif., senior
Nicole R Neufeldt, Moundridge, Kan., freshman
Rebekah R James, Moundridge, Kan., senior
Andrew M Cuffman, Moundridge, Kan., junior
Jacob Renner, Moundridge, Kan., junior
Joel H Kellogg, Muncie, Ind., junior
Sheryl J Evans, Nassau, Bahamas, junior
Jocelyn M Cochran, Newton, Kan., junior
Austin W Hiebert, Newton, Kan., senior
Brian McPheron, Newton, Kan., junior
Kyle W Lakin, Oklahoma City, Okla., senior
Rissa Dee McNichols, Olathe, Kan., senior
Bailey J Reinoehl, Olathe, Kan., freshman
Parkes G Wolters, Osborne, Kan., freshman
Victoria A Broers, Ottawa, Kan., freshman
Erika L Doty, Ottawa, Kan., junior
Braden Bloomfield, Payson, Ariz., freshman
Jacob A Scruggs, Pearland, Texas, freshman
Makenzie T Nelson, Peoria, Ariz., junior
Jacob C San Martin, Perris, Calif., sophomore
Michael J Janzer, Peyton, Colo., junior
Ashley J Burch, Pittsburg, Kan., freshman
Jacob D Claycomb, Pretty Prairie, Kan., freshman
Brooke M Vorhees, Riverside, Calif., senior
Jessie A Neher, Rochester, Minn., junior
Luz G Gonzalez, Roma, Texas, freshman
Ethan R Woodcock, Rossville, Kan., freshman
Miranda K Clark Ulrich, Russell, Kan., senior
Timothy David Kortebein, Saint Joseph, Mich., freshman
Christopher R Newell, Salem, Ore., senior
Jonathan Dominguez, Salina, Kan., sophomore
Katherina L Paulson, Salina, Kan., freshman
Jacob K Singley, Salinas, Calif., senior
Keisha M England, Sand Springs, Okla., freshman
Hector Carrillo, Sant Joan Despi, Spain, sophomore
Gabriel Jonathan Franca, São Pedro, Brazil, freshman
Shon Pinard, Sedan, Kan., senior
Tyler Henning, Sedgwick, Kan., senior
Lacy M Fry, Severance, Colo., sophomore
Molly R Kelley, Shawnee, Kan., junior
Sunny J Smart, South Coffeyville, Okla., senior
Cheyenne Ranae Browning, South Haven, Kan., senior
Kaleena Nelson, Spring Hill, Kan., freshman
Danna Jacks, Stafford, Kan., senior
Kendahl C Kelly, Svendborg, Denmark, freshman
Colton C Taylor, Tahoka, Texas, freshman
Timothy W Lydon, Taylorsville, Calif., junior
Philip S Reinhardt, Tenants Harbor, Maine, freshman
Lexis J Kite, Thornton, Colo., freshman
Marcus J Dreyer, Topeka, Kan., sophomore
Marissa Celine Patton, Tribune, Kan., junior
Morgan P Quintana, Tucson, Ariz., junior
Benjamin D Labbe, Uniontown, Kan., freshman
Whitney M Miller, Valley Center, Kan., senior
Whitney Zimmerman, Valley Center, Kan., senior
Geoffrey Sunrei Pugh, Ventura, Calif., senior
Matthew Robert Bryan, Victoria, British Columbia, senior
Cara D Hudson, Wasco, Calif., freshman
Aaron McKellar Israel, West End, N.C., junior
Aspen M Anderson, Westcliffe, Colo., freshman
Lucas C Jez, Westfield, Mass., freshman
Blake Janes, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Mallory Jean Fowler, Wichita, Kan., senior
Justin R Cochran, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Aysia D Pryor, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Chloe J Cloud, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Savana Cross, Wichita, Kan., senior
Nicholas J Greenway, Wichita, Kan., junior
Jaden R Hilgers, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Cassandra Kyss Moreno, Wichita, Kan., senior
Ian J Rhoten, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Brittni Marie Cain, Wichita Falls, Texas, senior
Rea Samuels, Williston, Fla., senior
Aaron J Bachura, Wilsey, Kan., sophomore
Bobby Joe Robertson, Windom, Kan., junior
Alexander T Ramsier, Wooster, Ohio, freshman
Zoe Bouwmeester, Zutphen, Netherlands, freshman

Honorable Mention Roll

The following students, listed alphabetically by hometown, have been named to the fall 2015 honorable mention roll at McPherson College:

Cora R Gouldner, Andover, Kan., senior
Bryce Brakebill, Anna, Texas, freshman
Leia I Seiler, Brighton, Colo., freshman
Destiny M Reid, Buffalo, Mo., junior
Chad Goings, Derby, Kan., junior
Amanda N Allen, Edmond, Okla., freshman
Haven Renae Cordova, Enid, Okla., sophomore
Taryn C Lee, Erie, Colo., senior
Ethan C Winter, Galva, Kan., junior
Logan C Necochea, Hemet, Calif., freshman
Joshua T Kelly, Hopewell, Va., senior
Francis O Fiemawhle, Houston, Texas, junior
Emily L Dumler, Hoxie, Kan., senior
Bradley Q Campbell, Hugoton, Kan., sophomore
Bryce A Strecker, Hutchinson, Kan., freshman
Lacey Garoutte, Hutchinson, Kan., freshman
Chelsea P Conrad, Ione, Calif., freshman
Evan R Wojtkiewicz, Kansas City, Mo., freshman
Whitney M Murray, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore
Michael K Rabara, Kealakekua, Hawaii, sophomore
Kathryn A Hicks, Keller, Texas, junior
Jasmine J Benson, Lakewood, Calif., senior
Grant Harrison Tuttle, Lewiston, Neb., sophomore
Chelsie A Whittier, Lyons, Kan., sophomore
Christian J Johnston, Lyons, Kan., senior
Connor J Kresky, McPherson, Kan., freshman
Andrea Nicole Kadeba, McPherson, Kan., sophomore
Sierra Lynn Ulrich, McPherson, Kan., senior
Corey J Long, McPherson, Kan., junior
Christopher J Bell, McPherson, Kan., freshman
Logan J P Schrag, McPherson, Kan., sophomore
William Guandique, Mesquite, Texas, junior
Nicholas G Powell, Montezuma, Kan., freshman
Emerson Vasquez, Moorpark, Calif., junior
Lane Aaron Barton, Moundridge, Kan., senior
Jennifer Kae Jacobitz, Muskegon, Mich., sophomore
David Allen Montelongo, Newton, Kan., sophomore
Takeia L Smith, Oklahoma City, Okla., freshman
Kaitlynn K Usdansky, Olathe, Kan., freshman
Rachel Harding, Oskaloosa, Kan., freshman
James M Virzi, Oswego, Ill., senior
Sadie D Atkins, Parsons, Kan., junior
Alexis M Lynn, Pleasant Hill, Mo., freshman
Paige Milem, Rio Rancho, N.M., freshman
Alejandra N Galindo, Roma, Texas, freshman
Nathan Stitcher, Rose Hill, Kan., junior
Zuriel R Reyes, Saint John, Kan., sophomore
Keegan R Hays, Salina, Kan., junior
Aaron Rene Vaughan, Salinas, Calif., senior
Miles P McCormack, Santa Ynez, Calif., freshman
Lucas R Giesey, Sheridan, Wyo., junior
Winston T Stauffer, Southampton, Pa., sophomore
Callie Nichole Atkins, Stillwater, Okla., junior
Justin D.E. Wiltfong, Stockton, Kan., freshman
Glenn S Ludwig, Strasburg, Va., freshman
Drew Anthony Reich, Sunbury, Pa., junior
Seamus M Hnat, Toledo, Ohio, sophomore
Joshua Hall, Tonganoxie, Kan., junior
Matthew E Green, Torrance, Calif., freshman
Austin J Schad, Valley Center, Kan., senior
Tyler J Lambert, Vinita, Okla., junior
Andrew J Lindstrom, Vulcan, Mich., senior
Trenton J Smith, Wellsville, Kan., freshman
Madison D Conley, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Jonah M Standley, Wichita, Kan., freshman
Amanda M Connell, Wichita, Kan., sophomore
Aaron L Parrott, Wichita, Kan., junior
Sarah A Lanter, Wilson, Kan., senior

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.”

McPherson College Artists Display Work for Senior Shows

Posted On: December 4, 2015
By: MC Admin

Senior students at McPherson College with majors in the visual arts will have one last opportunity to show their work before they cross the graduation stage.

Adam Porter, McPherson, Kan.; Dani Jacks, Stafford, Kan.; and Arelyn Fallis, Luray, Kan., current have their senior exhibitions on display in Friendship Hall on the campus of McPherson College. All graduating seniors in the department plan and present a senior exhibition as their capstone project at the college.

This show features more than 100 works of graphic design, photography, ceramics, painting and other mediums.

Porter chose McPherson College because of the opportunity to create an interdisciplinary major. He was able to customize the courses he took to match the career path he wants to take, combining visual arts courses and business courses. He plans to have a career in digital design after graduation. He has focused on uncluttered graphics focused on users.

“I find myself ‘un-designing’ my website, document or logo to reach a point where the visual is simple and easily understood or navigated by the user,” he said.

Porter’s exhibit consists of his photography, graphic design and product design.

Jacks has worked with a broad variety of mediums in pursuing her degree in studio art – everything from photography to ceramics to tea. Jacks said early in her college career, she was trying to make “perfect” works of art. Soon she realized that it was an impossible goal and that it was separating her from what interested her in art – reflecting humanity.

“I quit trying to achieve this mockery, this grasping after the wind,” Jacks said. “Instead, I began to search for what truly was human, and how to best express and embrace the simple beauty found in things that are imperfect.”

Many of her works use the imagery of reflections in puddles. She was intrigued by how water reflects back at the viewer, but also changes them. It’s what she’s trying to do in all her art, Jacks said.

“I am creating some reflection that is not quite what you would expect,” she said. “I am trying to re-orient you.”

Fallis said that as she presents her senior show of graphic design and ceramics, she can see how she’s grown and learned from both mistakes and successes. She said she’s more willing to take risks because of what she’s learned and to truly “play” as she works. She’s also discovered her own artistic “voice”

“This show is a closing of a chapter of my life that I will look back on fondly with now doubt in my mind that I could have done it any better,” Fallis said. “I am so very pleased and blessed that I get to share it with you.”

The public is invited to a reception for these three artists on Friday, Dec. 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

McPherson College Photography Students Exhibit at Craft Coffee

Posted On: November 13, 2015
By: MC Admin
PHOTO: ‘Ruminate’ by Adam Porter on display at Craft Coffee Parlor.

Now through the end of the year, Craft Coffee Parlor patrons can enjoy not only a great brew but also beautiful, striking photography by McPherson College students.

The eight students featured in the exhibition at the coffee shop – located at 120 N. Main St. in McPherson – are all in upper-level photography courses taught by Ann Zerger, associate professor of art.

Many of the pieces have already been included in major regional exhibitions, including the 5 State Photography Competition/Exhibition sponsored by the Hays Arts Council. That exhibition includes work by both professionals and amateurs from Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado.

The student photographers are: Melicia Evans, senior, McPherson, Kan.; Nathan Holthus, senior, McPherson, Kan.; Nick Unruh ’15, McPherson, Kan.; Jessie Neher, junior, Rochester, Minn.; Monica Ewy, junior, Halstead, Kan.; Lora Kirmer, senior, Holly, Colo.; Bailley McKinley, senior, Derby, Kan.; and Adam Porter, senior, McPherson, Kan.

The work will be on display for all to enjoy until Jan. 1.

Aesop’s Fable Gets ‘Steampunk’ Treatment By Performing Arts at McPherson College

Posted On: November 6, 2015
By: MC Admin

Many can tell the Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” from memory. Tortoise challenges the bragging Hare to a race. The Hare – confident of victory – takes a nap, but the Tortoise continues to plod along so that “slow and steady wins the race.”

It’s unlikely, though, that anyone has experienced the classic tale in quite the way McPherson College will present it on Nov. 13 and 14 with “The Great Cross Country Race” by Alan Broadhurst.

Rather than a traditional “storybook” design, Crystal Osner of Conway Springs, Kan., is creating costumes in “steampunk” style for her senior project.

Steampunk – a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy in literature and other art – is set in the Victorian period of the 19th century, but infuses it with a healthy dose of tropes from genre fiction. Think Charles Dickens – but with a grittier look that includes clockwork robots, steam-powered death rays and “2,000 Leagues Under the Sea” – inspired submarines.

“I like the steampunk fashion,” Osner said. “I like the Victorian style, but also the way steampunk roughs it up.”

The plot of the script itself doesn’t have any explicit elements of steampunk science fiction or fantasy. It’s essentially a simple retelling of the original Fable, with a few unique elements. For example, the story also has two children – who are the owners of the Tortoise – as part of the story, but they only speak in an almost-discernable “gobbledygook.” The children’s other pet – a basset hound – is the only one of the animals who can understand human speech and acts as translator.

Having parts for children also makes for another unique opportunity for college students and 11 students from McPherson Middle School to act together on the same stage.

Osner said there was at least one strong parallel between the story and the design. Clockwork gears incorporated throughout the look of the play will reinforce the idea of a timed race. Dr. Rick Tyler, professor of speech and theatre, has designed a forest setting for the play that is infused with inspiration from steampunk.

“The steampunk is really different,” he said. “The leaves are pieces of paper and there’s all kinds of clocks and gears.”

 

“The Great Cross Country Race” is showing at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14. 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: McPherson College – Nick Greenway, junior, Wichita, Kan. (The Hare); Josh Hall, senior, Tonganoxie, Kan. (A Badger); Whitney Murray, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (A Rabbit); Ashley Burch, freshman, Pittsburg, Kan. (A Hedgehog); Logan Schrag, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (A Water Rat); Austin Crosby, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (A Squirrel); James Covel, senior, Goddard, Kan. (The Tortoise) Callie Atkins, junior, Stillwater, Okla. (A Rook); Aubrey Hollinger, sophomore, Lyons, Kan. (The Dog).

McPherson Middle School – Zach Wash (Jack), Kendall Boughfman (Robin), Andre Patton (A Fisherman), Arriana Gross (Maude), Blade Anderson (George), Isaac Rickman (Mr. Notcouth), Kaylee Zeitlow (Mrs. Notcouth), Abbey Paulsen (Sophia Notcouth), Kade Goss (Brando Notcouth), Kaylie May (Farmer), and Sydney Achilles (Mrs. Stainer).

Crew is: Dr. Rick Tyler, professor of speech and theatre (director, set and lighting design); Addie Johnson, senior, McPherson, Kan. (stage manager); Crystal Osner, senior, Conway Springs, Kan. (costume and make-up design); Eric Johnson ’89 of McPherson, Kan. (technical director); Whitney Murray, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (props); Abby Trenkle, senior, Haysville, Kan.

‘Horizon Faculty Fellowship’ at McPherson College Helps Entrepreneurial Professors

Posted On: October 27, 2015
By: MC Admin

There are teachers and professors who look beyond the day-to-day work, who dream farther, and who help their students develop an innovative mindset. These professors see clearly what lies on the horizon, so this year McPherson College introduced the “Horizon Faculty Fellowship” program to support and reward MC faculty who want to incorporate the ideals of entrepreneurship into their courses.

Abbey Archer-Rierson, chief of staff and head of the entrepreneurship initiative at McPherson College, said that interested MC faculty had to apply to become fellows and that six were chosen from among the applicants. Archer-Rierson said this first group of faculty fellows represent the broad variety of disciplines taught at McPherson College – business, art, automotive restoration, and chemistry.

“At McPherson College, we believe that everyone can benefit from being more creative, more innovative, and by pursuing their passions – in short, by being more entrepreneurial,” Archer-Rierson said. “These Horizon Faculty Fellows are fantastic examples of how entrepreneurship can change students’ educational experience.”

The fellowship program gives a grant to the faculty fellows to create a new course or modify an existing course to incorporate entrepreneurship concepts. In addition, they will be taking workshop sessions throughout the year to develop the knowledge and skills needed to implement their ideas. These sessions will include a variety of assigned readings on entrepreneurship, followed by group discussion. The fellows will also serve as mentors to the next group of Horizon Faculty fellows.

Here’s a look at the ideas the first fellows will be developing:

Dr. Manjula Koralegedara

Dr. Manjula Koralegedara

Dr. Manjula Koralegedara, assistant professor of chemistry

When Dr. Koralegedara first came to the United States, she passed on an opportunity to start a company importing spices from Sri Lanka. She declined because she saw it as too risky and didn’t fully realize what it meant to be an entrepreneur. Now, she regrets that she didn’t take the opportunity.

Through this story, Dr. Koalegedara said she learned how entrepreneurial education is valuable to students across all majors. For her fellowship grant, Dr. Koralegedara is working to incorporate the entrepreneurial concepts of critical thinking and sustainability into a general education chemistry course that emphasizes “Green” chemistry. The class will also develop an entrepreneurial mindset by creating a class project incorporating these concepts.

Ann Zerger

Ann Zerger

Ann Zerger, associate professor of art, and Garrick Green, associate professor of technology

For those outside of McPherson College, a partnership between an automotive restoration professor and an art professor may seem an unlikely collaboration. But for those who know how entrepreneurship takes shape at MC, it should come as no surprise that professors are working across traditional “silos.”

Zerger and Green have proposed a joint project centered on the two 3-D printers that are located in Templeton and Hess. They propose making more use of the printers by incorporating them into existing classes or a new class. In particular, they want to explore how to use the printers as the first step in creating metal castings of obsolete car parts or artistic works.

Dr. Allan van Asselt

Dr. Allan van Asselt

Dr. Allan van Asselt, professor of chemistry

Science isn’t the area of study immediately conjured up by the word “entrepreneurship,” but principles for good scientists and entrepreneurs share much in common – including problem-solving, creativity, curiosity and passion.

Allan van Asselt is receiving a Horizon Faculty Fellowship to develop the concepts of entrepreneurship in both introductory chemistry courses as well as more advanced research courses (Research Methods, Junior Seminar and Senior Research).

His work will involve both re-framing existing elements of these courses in the context of entrepreneurship and adding new lessons that will focus on entrepreneurial concepts important to scientists.

Dr. Dale Hartley

Dr. Dale Hartley

Dr. Dale Hartley, assistant professor of business

Students may be good at arguing, some might say, but what about negotiation?

Dale Hartley’s proposed course is “The Art and Practice of Negotiation.” Not only is negotiation an essential (but rarely taught) skill for business professionals, it also applies across a variety of careers and avocations.

Hartley said that the course could benefit students at MC in all majors, as well as benefit the local business and professional community to learn this important art.

Michaela Groeblacher

Michaela Groeblacher

Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art

Groeblacher is receiving a Horizon Faculty Fellowship for her class concept – “Art and Entrepreneurship” (or “Professional Practices for Artists”)

The class concept is working to combat the stereotype of the “starving artist” and dispel the notion that there’s not a way to make a living as an artist. The class will teach artists the principles of good business and self-promotion to achieve success in an artistic career.

‘Behavior Mania’ at McPherson College Offers Encounters with Behavioral Science

Posted On: October 24, 2015
By: MC Admin

With “Charades,” optical illusion fun, and a real life “What’s Different” game it might have looked like play time for the high school students who attended “Behavior Mania” at McPherson College Oct. 22.

“Play Time,” in fact, was even the name of one of the experiences MC offered at the 7th annual event. While the primary purpose of “Behavior Mania” was to have fun, the 66 students from seven area high schools also learned more about psychology, sociology and criminal justice at MC. Through entertainment, the hope is students’ interest in behavioral science will be piqued.

Students came from the high schools of Canton-Galva, Southeast of Saline, South Gray (in Montezuma), Norwich, Cunningham, Macksville, and Centre (in Lost Springs).

Dr. Laura Workman Eells, professor of sociology and chair of the behavioral sciences department, said Behavior Mania also had a beneficial side-effect for the college students in the department at MC.

“It’s a community event for the department,” Dr. Workman Eells said. “It’s where all our psychology and sociology majors have the opportunity to work collaboratively.”

As a group, the high school students go from one interactive encounter to another, with each room offering a lesson in behavioral sciences in an interesting way. Dr. Workman Eells said they “shook up” the sessions this year, with many of the encounters new or gone unused for several years.

“We just decided to do something new,” she said.

Among the sessions were “Back-2-Back,” in which students tried to communicate an emotion to someone facing the opposite direction. The trick was they could only make gestures as they touched back-to-back or make non-language sounds.

In “Cultural Charades,” Dr. Ku-Sup Chin, associate professor of sociology, talked about how symbols such as Internet slang and “smileys,” symbols, and hand gestures gained cultural significance as methods of communication. He included one personal story when he failed to use a left-turn signal when driving and another driver made an obscene gesture at him. He wasn’t offended, because he hadn’t encountered it in U.S. culture before.

In that context, MC students then took turns playing “Charades” to act out common sayings – such as “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” or “Dog is a man’s best friend” – for the high school students to guess.

Another session – “So, You Want to Be a Detective?” – had some of the high school students act as “detectives” who left the room. Everyone remaining rearranged small details of the room, and the detectives had to spot the changes when they returned. That it was startlingly difficult revealed just how fragile and unreliable human memory can be.

The day capped off, however, with a startling display of excellent memory, as demonstrated by Dr. Chin. With all the high school students gathered back into one large group, they called out a string of 40 random words. After a few minutes of memorizing, Dr. Chin repeated them back – with only two errors – forward, backward, and with a randomly called out number.