Ken Hochstetler (’83) is the president and chief executive officer of Goshen-based Everence Financial. Everence is a Christian-based, member-owned organization that helps people integrate their faith and finances through a variety of financial services.

As a native of Goshen and having grown up in a home along College Avenue, Hochstetler had early exposure to Goshen College. It was the natural place for him to continue his education. At the dawn of the age of personal computers, he was drawn to study business and systems.

“A highlight was gaining global and multicultural awareness during a Study-Service Term spent in Costa Rica,” Hochstetler said. “What I really came to appreciate was the lifelong learning preparation of a faith-based, liberal arts education. I was well prepared to enter the workforce and go on to get a Masters of Business Administration for further technical education. I am appreciative of the opportunity to now give back through service on the Goshen College Board of Directors to help shape the next generations of learners.”

Everence has recently been doing some exciting work to re-envision its digital presence and how it might better meet the needs of its customers locally and across the country.

“I am excited with this project, and how it will better serve future generations in new ways and new places,” Hochstetler said.

Ben (’01) and Rachel (’99) own Clay Bottom Farm, a behind-the-scenes farm for Goshen’s own Kelly Jae’s, Venturi, Constant Spring, Goshen Brewing Co., Dutch Maid Bakery, and the Maple City Market. They also sell their produce at the Goshen Farmers Market. Ben has also written two books on applying “lean thinking” to small-scale, local agriculture.

Ben and Rachel’s Goshen College experience factors into the day-to-day operation of Clay Bottom Farm.

“Goshen College always encouraged cross-collaboration, and I think that success in today’s workforce depends on your ability to stretch yourself, learn new things, and become a multi-disciplinarian,” Ben said. “To say I’m a farmer is too simplistic. I’m a businessperson, mechanic, communicator, field biologist and more, all mashed into one job.”

Ben also pointed out that GC stressed servant leadership.

“When we make decisions on the farm, it’s not just about what can make us the most money, but we also ask, ‘What does the community need? How might we fill that need?’ he said. “We sometimes make decisions that line up with our values even if they don’t make the best business sense.”

The duo just recently finished moving Clay Bottom Farm to within Goshen city limits, and Ben plans to build a new greenhouse this winter.

“This will allow us to better serve our customer base in Goshen,” Ben said. “For instance, if a restaurant runs out of salad, we can quickly harvest a fresh crop and get it delivered within minutes. This gives us advantage over trucked-in food from far away.”

Ben also just finished writing “The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables,” an in-depth manual showing how to use the latest tools and techniques to run a successful farm.

Anna Mast (’08) runs Anna’s Bread, which specializes in wood-fired, European-style sourdough breads. Anna’s Bread features pastries that are hand-laminated and lunches and breakfasts that are locally sourced and employs three to seven Goshen College students regularly.

“I was an art major with a jewelry focus and a women’s studies minor,” she said. “I started working at the bakery, when it was Rachel’s Bread, right before I began college, and worked there all four years. I think that was probably the best combination of college and work I could have hoped for. I know that Goshen shaped me into a stronger woman, a critical thinker, and a far more compassionate person.”

In October, Anna’s Bread switched its usual lunch menu to offer meals inspired by the Harry Potter series.

“It was a way to keep the staff from getting bored, and definitely brought some new creative energy into the kitchen,” Mast said, adding that she’s looking forward to the Christmas season.

“(The season) always demands more celebratory breads and desserts, so I’m excited to get to make Stollen, Panettone, lots of boozy dried fruit cakes, Buche de Noel and Christmas cookies,” she said.

Diane Woodworth (’83) is the superintendent of Goshen Community Schools.

“I would say that Goshen College’s motto ‘Culture for Service’ could not be more appropriate for what I’m doing now!,” she said. “The travel experiences I had at Goshen College, and in the years since then, have helped me to be a more compassionate leader for a very diverse population of students and staff at GCS.”

Woodworth also feels that GC’s core values are ones she holds personally.

“…To be Christ-centered in my work, even in a public school setting,” she said. “To instill in our students and staff the desire to be lifelong passionate learners; to lead this school corporation as a servant leader who is willing to do whatever it takes to support staff, provide opportunities for students, and listen to families in our community; to provide in our schools a culture where conflict finds resolution through the work of caring, compassionate peacemakers; and lastly, to provide educational pathways to our students, such as New Tech and International Baccalaureate, that encourage students to think beyond themselves and graduate ready to be responsible, global citizens in a global society.”

Goshen Community Schools has a major undertaking in the works – the possible construction of a new school for students in grades five through eight. Community meetings have been part of the process.

“There are differing opinions, so it will be our job to meet with community members to explain the work of the facilities committee, to hear their concerns and opinions, and to eventually make a final determination of what kind of school GCS should build, that all members of the community can feel good about and support,” Woodworth said.

Byron Shetler (’83) is the chief technology officer and “alpha geek” at Hertzler Systems Inc. His responsibilities include product direction, systems design, and occasional programming. He also assists with some of the more complex (and fun!) integration projects at customer sites.

“I think the broad range and mix of classes (math and physics combined with a liberal arts education) that I experienced at Goshen College assist me today in being able to translate hard science into usable and understandable information for end users,” Shetler said. “Computer hardware and software have changed significantly since I began programming in the early 1980s and I give credit to my Goshen College education for the flexibility and adaptability that has been needed to stay in front of these changes.”

Shetler’s current projects include automating the data collection analysis for a medical device manufacturer in Ireland, and the complete automation of 24 jet engine work cells for a well-known international company.

“I enjoy figuring out how to connect to various devices and machinery,” he said.

Shetler notes that his empathy for users helps in designing software that is usable and understandable from a non-technical point of view.

“I am told that I am the rare programmer that can carry on a conversation with normal humans!,” he said.

Phoebe (‘03) is the designer/owner/grower of Flowers By Phoebe, a floral business that is focused changing the conversation about fresh cut flowers in Michiana.

“Although we love the variety of blooms that the international flower trade has to offer, we know that seasonal and local is best for the environment and the local economy,” she said. “We are dedicated to sourcing the majority of the blooms we sell from local farms during the growing season of April through November.”

Phoebe was a history and theater major at GC, and said the intersectionality of those studies helped to shape her into the fledgling entrepreneur she is today.

“My degree in History has been invaluable in helping me to ask good questions, to challenge assumptions, and to do quality research,” she said. “My theater degree taught me about designing on a large scale and for a specific audience.  It also taught me about working with a limited budget and thinking creatively and collaboratively with other artists to solve problems.  It was also my introduction to a community of people that is open and encouraging to those who are willing to try something new.”

Flowers by Phoebe is developing three different plots on its farm, adding perennial shrubs, spring bulbs, and potentially a field tunnel and/or greenhouse to extend the growing season into the cold weather seasons.

“Our farming efforts are supported in a large part by our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members, loyal customers who act as investors by buying a share of each season’s crops ahead of time,” Phoebe said. “We are also exploring expanding our CSA distribution area beyond just Goshen and are looking at distribution sites in Granger, South Bend, Syracuse and Warsaw/Winona Lake.”