I gratefully acknowledge the assistance of many who contributed to the research and writing of this book. Without their assistance this book would not have been possible.

For access to archival records my thanks goes to first to Sandi Richard, Hesston College archivist, whose organization of college records and whose ability to find what I needed saved me countless hours. Dennis Stoesz at the MC USA Archives—Goshen, and John D. Thiesen at the MC USA Archives—North Newton, went to extraordinary lengths to grant me access to archival records. Betty Hartzler gave me enthusiastic support and information on early Harvey County Mennonite settlers as well as access to photographs at the Mifflin County Mennonite Heritage Center, Belleville, Pennsylvania. Beth Graybill, Carolyn Charles Wenger, Lloyd Zieger and Ivan Leeman provided information at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society; and Joel Alderfer aided me at the Mennonite Heritage Center, Harleysville, Pennsylvania.

Winifred Erb Paul, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, daughter of Paul and Alta Eby Erb and granddaughter of founder T. M. Erb, granted me access to family records, photos and the memory of three generations. Lorraine and Jerry Ruhl of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania, allowed me to explore the Jacob and Leah Miller Erb farm on which they now live and gave me photographs. For information on the A. L. and Anna (Pfautz) Hess family, I’m grateful for the assistance of great-grandson Nelson Hess and his wife Nancy from Lititz, Pennsylvania; Joanne Hess Siegrist, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania (also for leads on the Charles family); and Clark Hess of Lititz. For information on the David Weaver family, I thank John M., Ron, Nelson and Joyce Weaver of New Holland, Pennsylvania; Wilmetta Weaver Dietzel of Hesston and Ron Dietzel of Newton, Kansas; and the late Gene Weaver of Hesston. Dennis and Merle Sharp, Ephrata, Pennsylvania, provided information on the A. L. Hess home; and Don and Loretta Sharp, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, supplied information on David C. Mast, and gave me a home away from home.

Becky Roth, Hesston, Kansas, great-granddaughter of T. M. Erb, spent countless hours copying articles from the Mennonite Weekly Review and the Hesston Gazette. Jill and Becky Roth, daughters of Roy and Carolyn Roth, Eugene, Oregon, provided resources and editorial corrections and made many useful suggestions. Eugene Diller of Hesston read most of the chapters and made important corrections and contributions.

Bill Zuercher, Hesston College’s volunteer coordinator, not only recruited volunteers to help with various tasks, but also spent many hours transcribing interviews. Helen Hostetler, Goshen, Indiana, transcribed the diaries of T. M. Erb and D. H. Bender housed at the MC USA Archives—Goshen. Marilyn Voran helped in transcribing Erb’s diary. Kay Reimer, SOOP volunteer, spent countless hours gathering financial data and transcribing taped interviews. Diane White transcribed interviews in the sprint to finish the book. 

Gary Selzer and volunteer Paul Steiner, Columbiana, Ohio, compiled lists of faculty and staff and enrollment numbers. Ivan Miller, Hesston, searched Harvey County deeds and compiled enrollment numbers. Marion Nattier, Moundridge, Kansas, shared his treasure trove of photographs from the extended Hess family. Mahlet Yeshitla, student research assistant from Ethiopia, researched and compiled information on international students. Susan Balzer researched student publications and made her notes available to me; she also made editorial corrections. Margaret Wiebe, Hesston College librarian, cheerfully fielded countless requests for books and microfilmed records. Nancy Miller, Hesston College graphic designer, created multiple drafts of the book cover until we were finally satisfied. Barry  Bartel helped find photographs. 

I gratefully acknowledge the funding by The Schowalter Foundation, Inc., for the initial phases of organization of Hesston College archives and research; and John Pannabecker, grant writer and planning committee member.

Jim Mininger and Joe Miller read the manuscript and made insightful observations, corrections, and suggestions. Mininger’s role as historian, professor, and dean, made him a valuable critic. Miller’s prior work on the history of Hesston College and the Whitestone congregation provided crucial information.

I thank Jim Juhnke and Bill Zuercher, my editorial committee. As a veteran historian and author, Juhnke applied his masterful grasp of history and his keen insight to the project, making many important observations and corrections. Zuercher gave his characteristic meticulous attention to details that saved me from embarrassing errors, and his knowledge of the Mennonite world helped make connections that I missed. Both improved the manuscript immeasurably. Any remaining shortcomings and mistakes are, of course, mine.

I’m grateful for the unending support and encouragement of Dallas Stutzman and Elam Peachey, co-chairs of the Centennial Planning Committee. My thanks to both for the privilege of writing this book. I’m grateful, too, for the constant encouragement of Bonnie Sowers, Dwight Roth, and Becky Roth, members of the committee.

I am indebted to Michael A. King of Cascadia Publishing House LLC for his expertise, wisdom, and constant encouragement. His gentle prodding and manifold patience have made this book a reality.

And finally, I acknowledge the support of my family. My children Erin, MJ, and Laura have been patient and supportive. Beyond all, I thank my wife Michele Miller Sharp, who has unfailingly supported my writing, never doubted my ability to complete the task, and who patiently and without complaint endured my long hours at the office during my four-year Hesston College preoccupation, which sometimes bordered on obsession. Without Michele this book would not exist. Thank you!