Hesston College Students Graduate from DMP Program

Hesston, KS — Three students completed the requirements for their degrees in the Disaster Management Program (DMP) at Hesston College earlier this month. Luke Husbands (Lancaster, PA), Christy Kauffman (West Liberty, OH), and Zach Stauffer (Belleville, PA) received the degrees at the commencement ceremony on May 13.

In addition to the school ceremony a recognition program was held for DMP graduates on Saturday evening with family, friends, and folks connected with the program. Darin Bontrager (MDS Weekly Volunteer Placement Coordinator) a 2011 Hesston College DMP graduate gave an encouraging address illustrating how a personal zipline experience in the dark with an unknown length might relate to the futures these graduates experience.  It’s all unknown as you jump on this new zipline. They may have a plan for their future, but it probably won’t work out exactly as planned. He acknowledged a good foundation from Hesston College, good MDS and other service experiences, as well as good and bad job experiences. All of this within 6 years has led him to full time job with MDS.

Carole and Wayne Stucky, MDS Region 3 Board Chairs, were honored to present MDS sweatshirts to Luke, Christy, and Zach. After listening to Cleo Koop (Director of Disaster Management) and the students share about their experiences on MDS projects, we realize that the real MDS gifts are not these shirts, but what serving in places like Detroit and West Virginia has done for them.

All three want to continue with futures in serving others. Luke will serve in Pine Bluff this summer and then on to Mennonite Mission Network. Christy will serve with Mennonite Central Committee and then Saipan (MDS) before returning to more college. Zach has an enthusiasm for firefighting fueled by serving with the Hesston Fire Department and achieving steps towards an Emergency Medical Technician certification. Cleo will be working with the remaining DMP students in MDS Summer projects, then off to MDS Saipan.

God’s blessings to this year’s graduates. You are part of our MDS family, we hope to see you in the future. Thank you to Cleo for your leadership in this Academic program and promoting its partnership with MDS.

Carole & Wayne Stucky

MDS Region 3 Board Chairs