Hutchinson Community College has announced that Camryn Goertz, Valerie Weninger, and Elleson Yost have been selected as the 2025–2026 Wes Christopher Ambassadors of the Year.

Camryn Goertz is a graduate of Buhler High School. In addition to serving as an Ambassador, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa as well as a Presidential Scholar. She is currently studying in the Physical Therapy transfer program at HutchCC. Her goal is to earn her bachelor’s degree in health and human performance from Fort Hays State University and then pursue her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree to become a physical therapist.

Valerie Weninger is a graduate of Kingman High School. In addition to serving as an Ambassador, Valerie is involved as a Resident Assistant and is a member of the Pickleball Club, Catholic Connections, Concert Choir, and Phi Theta Kappa. She is currently pursuing an Associate of Science with a Psychology transfer emphasis at HutchCC. Her goal is to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kansas State University and then pursue a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Elleson Yost is a graduate of Kiowa County High School. In addition to serving as an Ambassador, Elleson is involved as a Resident Assistant. Elleson is majoring in Business Administration at HutchCC and plans to work full-time for ADM Grain in Hutchinson. 

The Ambassador group, comprised of HutchCC students from all areas of the college, assists the Admissions Office with recruitment activities. They provide campus tours to prospective students and their families, help with on-campus recruitment events, and contact future students to provide information about the College. The Ambassadors are led by HutchCC Coordinator of Admissions BreAnne Edwards and Sara Goertz, Campus Visit and Events Planner.

The Wes Christopher Ambassador of the Year Award is named in honor of Wes Christopher, a 2002 graduate of HutchCC and former Ambassador who passed away in 2005 as the result of a motorcycle accident.

Hutchinson Community College will celebrate its annual commencement ceremony this Friday, May 8 at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The ceremony will begin at 7:00 pm and will recognize students graduating with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of General Studies, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Applied Science and/or Certificates of Technical Education.

“Commencement marks both an ending and an exciting new beginning for our students,” said Dr. Tricia Paramore, president of Hutchinson Community College. “We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to the impact they will make in their communities and beyond.”

For those unable to attend in-person, the ceremony will be available on the College’s YouTube channel. For more information on Hutchinson Community College’s commencement and for links to this and other ceremonies, visit www.hutchcc.edu/graduation.

The Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association has announced a $1.8 million gift from the estate of Ray and Dolores “Dee” Waldo, the most sizable contribution in the organization’s history.

This remarkable gift builds upon the Waldos’ long-standing legacy of generosity, following a previous $1 million donation just ten years ago. Their continued commitment to education will have a profound and lasting impact on Hutchinson Community College students for generations to come.

Ray Waldo attended Hutchinson Community College during the 1956–57 academic year before embarking on a successful career as an engineering technician with the Kansas Department of Transportation. Dolores, known to most as Dee, worked with Farmers Alliance Insurance Company in McPherson and later with Farm Bureau in Wichita. Married for more than 50 years, the couple shared a deep appreciation for hard work, community, and the transformative power of education.

Although they had no children of their own, the Waldos were passionate about investing in future generations.

“This extraordinary gift is a testament to Ray and Dee’s belief in the life-changing power of education,” said Cindy Keast, Director of the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association. “Their generosity will expand opportunities for our students, helping remove financial barriers and opening doors. We are deeply grateful for their vision and the legacy they have created.”

Through this second transformational gift in just a decade, the Waldo legacy will continue to support Hutchinson Community College students by expanding scholarship opportunities and advancing other educational initiatives.

For more information on the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association, visit www.hutchcc.edu/endowment.

The Ray and Stella Dillon Lecture Series at Hutchinson Community College will welcome award-winning storyteller, artist, and creative technologist Taryn Southern to the Hutchinson Sports Arena on April 21.

A native of Wichita and graduate of Wichita East High School, Southern is known for her pioneering work at the intersection of emerging technology and human creativity. An early YouTube creator whose content has generated more than 750 million views, she has spent more than two decades developing digital storytelling and brand strategies for global audiences. Her innovative projects include composing one of the world’s first AI-generated pop albums, experimenting with digital identity and cloning technology, and directing a Tribeca Film Festival documentary exploring brain-computer interfaces.

In addition to her creative work, Southern has led marketing and communications for a leading neurotechnology company, helping guide successful funding rounds totaling more than $230 million. Through her speaking and storytelling, she explores how emerging technologies are reshaping creativity, communication, and the future of human potential.

“Taryn Southern brings a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, creativity and human potential,” said Susan Buttram, chair of the Dillon Lecture Series committee. “Her work exploring emerging technologies and storytelling will offer our audience an exciting look at how innovation is shaping the future.”

Tickets to the lecture are available now at www.hutchcc.edu/dls and will also be available beginning at 9:45 am on the day of the lecture at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Students are admitted free of charge.

Southern will appear at a press conference for members of the media prior to the lecture.  The press conference is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. in the Media Interview Room of the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Now in its 45th season, the Dillon Lecture Series has brought influential voices to Hutchinson since 1982, providing opportunities for students and community members to hear from nationally recognized speakers representing a wide range of disciplines.