Outstanding Young Alumni: 2024
JOe Hirsch '15
Joe Hirsch ’15 graduated from Central with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and History. This past October, Joe was on campus and recognized for his academic and professional accomplishments, service to the community, and modeling the values of CCCK as the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
When thinking about Central and the college’s influence on his life, Joe says, “Central helped shape me. It helped me find my passions in life and discover who I was. I used what the faculty and staff taught me and I still apply it to my life. It helped me find my true voice, to find who I was in Christ.” As a student, Joe was an Education & History Major, served as Class President, Education Club President, and was featured in a number of |
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stage performances. However, it was not Central that gave Joe his first love for the stage. It was in high school in Oberlin, Kansas, where he fell in love with theater because of the influences of his sister and mother who were big into theatre, his vocal teacher, Mrs. Nelson who did the musical portion and his English/Drama teacher, Miss Davis who did forensics and the play.
“They both taught me the basics of theatre and taught me to be myself on stage. When I auditioned for Chris Gates at Central in the spring of 2011, I didn't realize then that he would become my mentor and after graduation one of my best friends. Chris taught me how to find a deeper understanding of my characters and how to direct. I absolutely adored my time with Chris and the theatre students in Greer Auditorium.”
Since graduation, Joe has spent the last nine years teaching, including time at Herington High School in Herington KS, where he coached forensics, directed theater, and taught history. In the fall of 2024, Joe opened up the curtains to his new venture as the Theatre Director at McPherson High School. He is now immersed full time teaching the basics of theatre and acting, how to design and build sets and the basics of lighting and sound design.
Sometimes in life you look for things to move into, such as changes in jobs or towns, etc. but the opportunity in McPherson was something Joe did not expect. “I was not looking for a new position or change, I LOVED teaching in Herington but through this I learned that as long as you trust in God and listen to the people in your life, you can find what is the right path for your life at the time.”
“They both taught me the basics of theatre and taught me to be myself on stage. When I auditioned for Chris Gates at Central in the spring of 2011, I didn't realize then that he would become my mentor and after graduation one of my best friends. Chris taught me how to find a deeper understanding of my characters and how to direct. I absolutely adored my time with Chris and the theatre students in Greer Auditorium.”
Since graduation, Joe has spent the last nine years teaching, including time at Herington High School in Herington KS, where he coached forensics, directed theater, and taught history. In the fall of 2024, Joe opened up the curtains to his new venture as the Theatre Director at McPherson High School. He is now immersed full time teaching the basics of theatre and acting, how to design and build sets and the basics of lighting and sound design.
Sometimes in life you look for things to move into, such as changes in jobs or towns, etc. but the opportunity in McPherson was something Joe did not expect. “I was not looking for a new position or change, I LOVED teaching in Herington but through this I learned that as long as you trust in God and listen to the people in your life, you can find what is the right path for your life at the time.”
Outstanding Young Alumni Honorees
The Outstanding Young Alumni honor was initiated upon the recommendation of the College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2004.
Listed below are the recipients who have been chosen by the Board since its inception.
Listed below are the recipients who have been chosen by the Board since its inception.
2024- Joe Hirsch '18 2023- Jacob Ogelsby '15 2021- Kelsey Vine '11, Louis Collins '08, Mayuko Shono '17, Nate Oswald '10 2018- Micah Johnson '08 2017- Melvin Sanders '05 2016- Sarah Ouren '09 For past winners click HERE
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