Tabor College

Tabor Celebrates 99th Commencement

May 25, 2009

Categories: General News

Constructed on the Kansas prairie by faithful risk-takers exactly a century ago, Tabor College persevered through a fire that destroyed the main campus building and overcame the Great Depression that closed its doors for a year to become the college it is today.

In the same spirit, James Wiebe, who himself overcame a failed business and bankruptcy to become a successful entrepreneur, challenged the newest graduates of Tabor College to trust God and take more risks during these uncertain times at the college’s 99th Commencement Exercises held May 23 in the campus gymnasium.

Tabor President Dr. Jules Glanzer conferred 95 bachelor’s degrees and two associate degrees on students from the Hillsboro campus. Thirty one BS and BSN degrees were awarded to students from the School of Adult and Graduate Studies in Wichita.

Tabor College School of Adult and Graduate Studies graduate Vernon Kampe receives his bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry from Tabor President Dr. Jules Glanzer during the 99th Commencement Exercises held May 23 in the campus gymnasium.

“As our centennial year celebration draws to a close, it was gratifying to see how the Tabor Experience has once again shaped and prepared our graduates for a life of learning, work, and service for Christ and his kingdom,” Glanzer said. “The eyes are the window of the soul, and as I looked into the eyes of each graduate as I gave them their diplomas, I saw joy and satisfaction.”

The ceremony began with an invocation by Adult and Graduate Studies class representative Vernon Kampe, followed by the capacity crowd singing, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” accompanied by the Tabor College Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Richard Cantwell, Professor of Instrumental Music.

The Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award was presented to seniors Joe Wuest, Ridgecrest, Calif., and Meghann Eblen, Leavenworth. Each received a cash award and a plaque in honor of leadership skills demonstrated during their time as Tabor College students and for their future leadership potential.

After accepting his award, Wuest was called upon to deliver the graduate address on behalf of Hillsboro campus students. His message was followed by the anthem, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” sung by the Tabor College Choir, conducted by Dr. Brad Vogel, Professor of Choral Music.

The second graduation address was presented Marissa Boese, a student in the BSN program from Hutchinson, on behalf of students from the School of Adult and Graduate Studies. Before the commencement address, Melissa Nickel, Ulysses, read scripture (Isaiah 43:18-19, Matthew 25:14-30).

Tabor College alum James Wiebe, an entrepreneur from Wichita, Kan. addresses the 99th graduating class of Tabor College on Saturday, May 23.

In his keynote address entitled, “Reinvention,” Wiebe, a 1979 graduate of Tabor who lives in Wichita, said Christians are called by God to take inspired risks. He commended his mother, Professor Emeritus Katie Funk Wiebe, a prolific Mennonite Brethren author who taught English at Tabor for 24 years, for “reinventing herself” after the sudden death of her husband, Walter, in 1962.

“We all have strong incentives to reinvent or change ourselves, from risk-less and complacent people into dynamic people who are willing to take risks,” Wiebe said. “We do this by considering what we’ve been given and by not letting the struggles of life tear us down.”

After his computer business failed in bankruptcy in 1996, Wiebe and his wife, Kathy, created a new company, WiebeTech, which became a major supplier of digital forensic equipment to law enforcement, including the Secret Service and the FBI. After that company sold in 2008, Wiebe launched a new endeavor in the field of aerospace composites.

“The point I’m trying to make here is that we have all sorts of things happen to us in life,” Wiebe said. “We have happy events. We get married. We start a career. There’s joy. A father dies. A mother excels. She changes, she re-invents. Then we have a bankruptcy. We have a business success. We have a new, thoughtful start.

“We have a commencement speech.”

The new graduates were presented by Provost Dr. Lawrence Ressler. Gold honor cords were presented by Dr. Bradley Vogel. Dr. Glanzer presented the diplomas, and gift bibles were presented on behalf of the Alumni Council by Christy Goentzel and Alumni Director Jeremy Jordan.

In an emotional tribute, the younger brother of Marcus Manny accepted a bachelor’s degree awarded posthumously to the popular student athlete from Dallas, Texas, who lost his life in an automobile accident on Feb. 22, 2009, during the final semester of his senior year.

In a speech on behalf of students from the School of Adult and Graduate Studies, Marissa Boese, a BSN program graduate from Hutchinson, Kan., and mother of three, thanked her children for the sacrifices that enabled her to earn a nursing degree.(Tabor Photos by Grant Overstake).

Student Senate President Daniel Carlson, from McPherson, gave the graduating class response. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the assemblage sang the Tabor Hymn, “Redeemed of God,” which was followed by the benediction by Cassondra Huxman of Moundridge.

Also honored at the President’s Dinner held on Friday, Thomas VanWart, Hillsboro, Joanna Chapa, Rio Grand City, Texas, received the Larry and Elaine Nikkel Service Award from President Emeritus Larry Nikkel and his wife, Elaine.

Tabor College Class of 2009

* Associate of Arts

Kyle A deBlonk, Emporia, Liberal Arts

Amy Villarreal, LaGrulla, Texas, Liberal Arts

* Bachelor of Arts

Scott Christopher Adrian, Wichita, Biochemistry

David Alanis, Monterrey, Mexico, Biblical & Religious Studies

Jordan Michael Allen, Hillsboro, Business Administration-Marketing

Lance D. Baar, Joes, Colo., Health/Physical Education

Sarah Ann Baffa, Olathe, Elementary Education; Biblical & Religious Studies

Ashley Dawn Balzer, Inman, English; Secondary Education

Kyle Wayne Basinger, Pretty Prairie, Business Administration-Management & Marketing

Kassie Renae Bradley, Olathe, Social Welfare

Dustin Thomas Brooks, Cassville, Mo., Psychology

Daniel Cole Carlson, McPherson, Business Administration-Management & Marketing

Kevin Michael Carroll, Quitman, Ga., Business Administration-Management

Joanna Chapa, La Grulla, Texas, Biblical & Religious Studies

James Andrew Crosson, Minneapolis, Business Administration-Management

Brett David Curran, Kent, Wash. Business Administration-Marketing

Jonathan Daniel Denning, Hillsboro, Computer Science; Mathematics

Cody Alan Duff, Nederland, Texas, Business Administration-Management

Meghann Rose Eblen, Leavenworth, Music-Piano Pedagogy; Biblical & Religious Studies

Jesica Jamiel Enger, Wichita, Graphic Design

Craig Allen Fast, Lustre, Mont., Athletic Training; Health/Physical Education-Strength/Conditioning

Darrin Michael Fisher, Englewood, Colo., Health/Physical Education

Matthew David Fox, Council Grove, English; Secondary Education

Aaron M. Friesen, Wichita, Kan., Business Administration- Accounting/Finance & Management

Benjamin J. Friesen, Guthrie, Okla., Christian Ministry-Christian Leadership; Business Administration-Management

Shayley Marie Garcia, Limon, Colo., Psychology; Social Welfare

Jenny Leigh Gaskell, Horton, Communications-Communication Studies

Chad A Gayer, McPherson, Graphic Design

Katherine Elizabeth Goering, Newton, Graphic Design & Biblical & Religious Studies

Janene Rachel Goertzen, Henderson, Neb., Educational Studies

Linzy Kay Goss, McPherson, Business Administration-Accounting/Finance & Management

Micah Jerad Grafton, Wichita, Graphic Design; Biblical & Religious Studies

John Aloysius Gramza, Olathe, Business Administration-Marketing

Emily Joy Hasty, Ashland, English; Secondary Education

Zachary L. Helgesen, Reedley, Calif., Mathematics; Secondary Education

Stacie Nicole Herman, Derby, Health/Physical Education

Jared D Hett, Marion, Health/Physical Education-Sport Management

Silas William Hibbs, Hays, Business Administration- Accounting/Finance, Management & Marketing

Benjamin Barthell Hlad, Sylvan Grove, Chemistry; Mathematics

Cassondra Denise Huxman, Moundridge, Business Administration-Accounting/Finance & Management

Daniel A Jackson, Wichita, History

Thomas Aaron Jackson, Rockwall, Texas, History; Secondary Education

Melissa Leigh Jimenez, Fresno, Calif., Psychology

Stephanie Ellen Johnson, Windom, Minn., Biology

Clancey Catherine Kelley, Wichita, Elementary Education

Brad A. Kiser, Delphos, Business Administration-Accounting/Finance

Jerin James Kliewer, Reedley, Calif., Biblical & Religious Studies

Krystal Diane Kuntz, Abilene, Biblical & Religious Studies

Anthony Henry Loewen, Huron, S.D., Biochemistry

Marcus Manny, Dallas, Texas (posthumously) Health/Physical Education-Strength/Conditioning

Derik D Martinez, Orange County, Calif., Psychology

Seth Daniel Mills, Balko, Okla., Business Administration-Management

Misty Dawn Moon, Ellsworth, Psychology; Social Science-Sociology

Cheri Lee Mount, Hillsboro, Health/Physical Education

Mario Alan Nava, Peabody, Health/Physical Education

Melissa Sue Nickel, Ulysses, Communications-Organizational Communication; Biblical & Religious Studies

Jordan Lee Nuss, Wichita, Environmental Biology; Biblical & Religious Studies

Megan Elizabeth Peters, Shafter, Calif., Elementary Education; Biblical & Religious Studies

Jana KayLyn Peyton, Ord, Neb., Christian Ministry-Youth Ministry

Ashley Nicole Pohlenz, Hesston, History; Social Science-History

Danielle Renee Pohlenz, Hesston, Biblical & Religious Studies

Stephanie Michelle Regrut, Monument, Colo., Health/Physical Education

Jason Daniel Reiswig, Wichita, Biochemistry

Zachary Jacob Remboldt, Topeka, Graphic Design

Virginia Rae Richardson, Simla, Colo., Elementary Education

Leah Marie Jo Bridget Rose, Hesston, Biblical & Religious Studies

Brittany Jo Roth, Milford, Neb., Educational Studies

Michael L. Rousell, Copperas Cove, Texas, Business Administration-Accounting/Finance

Marisa Ann Ruhter, Newton, Elementary Education

Benjamin Jacob Ruzinsky, Loveland, Colo., Biology

Stephen M. Sanglir, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Graphic Design\

Travis Jay Schafer, Galva, Elementary Education/Special Education

Audrey Morgan Schellenberg, Wichita, Natural and Mathematical Sciences-Biology

Roger William Schroeder, Fresno, Calif., Business Administration-Management

Megan Leigh Schuckman, Wichita, Graphic Design

Ashley Nichole Siler, Beloit, Biochemistry

Holly S. Still, Buena Vista, Colo., Mathematics; Secondary Education

Kurt Emanuel Swygert, Sharpsburg, Ga., History

Mindy Ryan Tharp, Landstuhl, Germany, Communications-Communication Studies

Danelle Kay Thieszen, Henderson, Neb., Business Administration-Management

Orson Cedric Thomas, Grenada, Business Administration-Accounting/Finance & Management

Casey Reid Toews, Lustre, Mont., Psychology; Social Science-Sociology

Brianne M. Tucker, Wichita, Communications-Communication Studies: Biblical & Religious Studies

Thomas Mathew VanWart, Hillsboro, Christian Ministry-Christian Leadership

Zack S. Vanselow, Papillion, Neb., Business Administration-Marketing

Matthew Kasey Vaughn, Joes, Colo., Health/Physical Education-Sport Studies

Brandon S. Voth, Lynden, Wash., Music; Biblical & Religious Studies

Danae Joann Warkentin, Corn, Okla., Social Welfare; Biblical & Religious Studies

Kirsten Leigh Watson, Quanah, Texas, Psychology; Social Welfare

Eric Matthew Weinbrenner, Hillsboro, Business Administration-Marketing

Maggie Rose Weinman, Wichita, Athletic Training; Health/Physical Education-Strength/Conditioning

Tina Louise Wesley, Topeka, Social Science-Psychology & Social Welfare

Estelle Joy Wichert, Buhler, Mathematics; Secondary Education

LynAnne Marie Wiest, Kingsburg, Calif., Graphic Design

Heather Marie Witham, Wichita, Graphic Design

Breanna Lynne Wray, Walsh, Colo., Elementary Education

Joseph Neil Wuest, Jr, Ridgecrest, Calif., Communications-Organizational Communication

* Bachelor of Science

Maria Leticia DeVorce, Wichita, Christian Ministry

Travis Linn Friesen, Wichita, Business Administration

David James Gass, Wichita, Christian Ministry

Eboni Goss, Wichita, Business Administration

Rosa C. Jantz, Walton, Christian Ministry

Darrell B. Johnson, Hesston, Business Administration

Vernon E. Kampe, Clinton, Mo., Christian Ministry

Marshal G. Lusk, Derby, Christian Ministry

Matthias E Morford, Newton, Business Administration

Jon Deric Moutray, Wichita, Business Administration

Rick T. Nichols, Winfield, Christian Ministry

Travis R. Pollock, Wichita, Business Administration

Justin B Seltzer, Hesston, Business Administration

* Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kendall K. Beckwith, Larned

Marissa M Boese, Hutchinson

Elana G. Bupp, Wichita

Julie Ann Dearinger, Pratt

Zena Jacobs, Great Bend

Sharon E. Johns, Newton

Mindy Sue Lovendahl, Bennington

Michelle Mosiman, Sedgwick

Daryl A. Patrick, McPherson

Carol L Price, Wichita

Carola Ratzlaff, Moundridge

Hetaf Ghassan Shaban, Hutchinson

Amanda Kay Sill, Park City

Tanya K. Srna, Assaria

Michelle Marie Starks, Hutchinson

T. Lois Stolifer, Galva

Janice Ann Suppes, Larned & Great Bend

Tisha M. Wikum, Wichita

More Commencement Photos