Homecoming has come and gone. Students have caught up on homework and some rest through the Fall Breather and we just wrapped up Spiritual Emphasis Week where Rev. Christian Dashiell ’02, campus pastor, led the campus in learning about the transformational power of prayer. He did this through a variety of creative avenues, including campus prayer walks, a 24-hour-prayer vigil, and inviting Rev. Ben Ray ’82 to speak in Wednesday morning Chapel. You can see more information about the Chapel program on the official Chapel Facebook page or the SC website.
All of us reading this e-news share a bond and as you can see in the things below, God uses Sterling College to bring us together. I hope you’ll pray for SC and all the work that God is doing here and through here as you read this e-news.
Thank you for being a blessing to us,
Amy Thompson ‘96
Homecoming
Where to begin? The weather was beautiful! There were new things and old things and lots of fun and games! A huge thank you to the Alumni Council, Student Government Association, Student organizations and dorms, Chartwells catering and certainly not least, the SC Service Department. Homecoming went so well due to the hard work of all of these people and others.
Reunions were celebrated on Friday afternoon and evening and everyone enjoyed the major events of Homecoming on Saturday. The Homecoming Hangout was moved to the East Lawn of Cooper Hall this year and that was so successful we will be holding court there again next year.
For those of you who have not heard, we had an extra special football halftime show. The newly crowned Homecoming King, Jordan Stineman proposed to his newly crowned Homecoming Queen, Caitlin Magee (daughter of Randy ‘77 and Louise (Cunningham) ’77 Magee – who was also Homecoming Queen when she was at SC).
The Annual Alumni Banquet was held in the West Dining Hall with a superb meal catered by Chef Quintin Eason and his staff. Reunions were honored, especially the Class of 1961’s 50th reunion, which was recognized by classmate Richard Stewart speaking. Tradition allows for a number of things to occur at the Alumni Banquet and we fit it all in with time to make it to the Kling’s final musical production at SC before they retire at the end of this school year.
The Alumni Award, given to an alumna or alumnus that has been out of college for fifteen years or less, went to Sara “Sasha” Hildebrand ‘03 of Sterling. The Alumni Citation, given to an alumna or alumnus that has been out of college for more than fifteen years went to Dr. George Stickel ’71. Read more...
Every other year, starting in 2009, we take the opportunity to induct people into the SC Fine Arts Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include Leo Lawless as a mentor (posthumous), Jana Wagerle ’80 from the theatre, Gordon Kling as a mentor, Diane DeFranco-Kling as a mentor, Dr. Colin and Mrs. Joan Bailey as patrons of the theatre, Mike Sullivan ’75 from the theatre and Dr. Dennis Brewer ’70 from the theatre and music programs. Read more...
The Jim Chroust Era Reunion, held at this year’s Homecoming, took this opportunity to create The Jim Chroust Big Man Basketball Scholarship. This will be an endowed scholarship that players, students and friends who knew Jim while he was at Sterling, may make gifts toward as it grows to the goal of $25,000. One of the special items that was available to those who attended the reunion was a “Ray’s Rec” coffee mug. The mug, pictured here, can be obtained by anyone who makes a gift of $25.00 or more to the Chroust Scholarship. Send your gift to the College and you will receive your mug within two weeks.
All around it was a wonderful, if not tiring weekend as everyone tried to catch-up with their friends. Next year’s Homecoming falls on the culmination of the College’s 125th Birthday celebration and aims to be an amazing tribute to the legacy of SC. We are already in the process of recruiting leadership for next year’s reunions. Mark your calendars now for Homecoming 2012 – Oct. 19-20!
BEYOND Your Comfort Zone
“God worked in a might way, proving faithful in little details and huge miracles. Having seen Him like that, I can never go back. He has changed my priorities, my worldview, and my heart for the better.” – Annette Ensz '13, Valley Center, Kans.
Why focus on missions? “God so loved the world.” (John 3:16) “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
More and more Christian college students are realizing that traveling abroad is one of the best ways to step outside our protective and somewhat stilted “faith bubbles,” broaden our horizons, and solidify our own biblical worldviews.
About twenty-percent of our residential students have traveled on an international mission trip. This year, that percentage will increase. As of the this moment we have about 150 students hoping to travel on sixteen trips to twelve countries this next summer, serving God in a plethora of ways. This is a clarion call beyond the manageable and mediocre, beyond the comfort zone; an invitation to raise money beyond what students currently consider to be possible by casting themselves in humility on the One who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that they may ask or think (Eph. 3:20), beyond what they can manage in their own strength. Importantly, students are encouraged to come and discover beyond the enchantment of exotic places the simple truth that serving others in love and denying oneself is what following Jesus and servant leadership is all about.
The SC Bookstore carries a variety of great SC gear. However, if you are looking for something specifically ‘Alumni,’ ‘Mom,’ or ‘Dad’ you need look no further than right here. You may purchase t-shirts for Alumni, Mom and Dad for $10 each with $5 shipping and handling and Alumni hooded-sweatshirts for only $20 plus $6 shipping and handling. You may also choose to stop by the Alumni Office to avoid the shipping and handling charges.
We had these for sale first at Homecoming and people loved them! Send your check to the Alumni Office at 125 W Cooper, Sterling KS 67579 along with your size and mailing address and we will get them right out to you so that you can show off you school spirit with pride!
New Alumni Directory
As part of the upcoming celebration of our 125th year, we are doing a new alumni directory complete with special historical pieces. Publishing Concepts (PCI), is the company Sterling has selected to publish our next alumni directory. They are one of the leading companies in this area and we ask that you accept their call and complete the alumni survey. You will pay for your directory at the time of the call but not receive your directory until completion of the project in about a year. You will have the opportunity to purchase both a digital and print copy of the new directory.
There is a lot of value in your completing this alumni survey. We will use that data to make sure that you are receiving all the news from your alma mater. We will also use it for grant writing, job placement statistics, internships for current students and reunions. This simple step is a great way to help out SC and keep in the loop.
All alumni completing the survey will be in the directory, a purchase is not required.
Topeka
Over twenty alumni and friends gathered at the Kansas History Museum in Topeka on Saturday October 29. People enjoyed the museum at no charge both before and after the official gathering where old roommates caught up, people purchased Alumni clothing (see above), received freebies and heard from College representatives.
Alumni all took a moment to introduce themselves and many shared antics and touching moments from their time at SC. Director of Alumni & Parent Relations, Amy Thompson ’96 was on hand with a brief update, as was Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Gregory Kerr. He spoke of the high quality, energy and motivation of our faculty (six of whom are currently working on their PhD). Dr. Kerr highlighted some of our programs and answered several questions from the group. Two current SC students, senior Emily Zerger of Derby, Kans. and sophomore Ryan Ehersman of Wichita spoke on why they chose SC, why the stay and what they are learning. Having the students there was certainly a highlight of the afternoon.
Telefund
This year’s Fall Telefund began after Homecoming on October 18. A Sterling student or young alumnus/alumna will be giving you a short phone call and I am confident you will enjoy your conversation. In addition to sharing their Sterling experience with you, they will:
• thank you for your past support
• bring you up-to-date on what’s happening at Sterling
• hear your news
• update your address and e-mail address
• check that you are receiving the Sterling Magazine and other communications from us.
Most of our student and young alumni callers have received financial aid from the Sterling Fund, and they really appreciate the opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support of Sterling College. They know that without your help, getting through school would be much harder. Your continued support is an investment in the transformation of lives of students, just as others participated, giving to scholarships and the Annual Fund (now Sterling Fund) when you were a student.
We want to see a growing number of alumni giving to Sterling College. Approximately 15% of alumni give in any one year. A strong Sterling College, like any college, is determined in part by the participation levels of alumni. Perhaps this year we can reach 17% or 20%. Your continued participation will help make this possible.
Scholarship Luncheon
Early October brought our first Scholarship Luncheon. Donors to all named scholarships were invited to campus for a special luncheon bringing together the donors and recipients of those scholarships. We had a full room in Heritage Hall in Cooper Hall with a lovely luncheon, hosted by Director of Gift Planning, Don Reed ‘68.
The luncheon included introduction of all donors and students along with two student speakers. Junior, Larissa Versaw from Canon City, CO, spoke about only being able to remain at SC after her freshman year due to receiving the Carol Brown Music Scholarship, provided by Charles Brown ’53 and his late wife, Carol (McCullough) Brown ‘55. Sophomore Daniel Karamoy from Indonesia then spoke about the scholarship allowing him to attend and remain on campus. Daniel’s scholarship is provided by the Irwin Family Scholarship, which was created and funded by members of the J. Walter & Nelle Irwin family. Also speaking, was one of the donors of the Roy & Delma Ray Scholarships in Theology & Ministry and Education, Mrs. Carol (Ray) Sonnevik ‘64, daughter of Roy & Delma. Carol shared why she, her husband Ken, and other family members provided this scholarship in memory and honor of her parents.
The room was filled with conversation as students and donors enjoyed getting to know one another. Students were honored to meet those providing for their Sterling education and donors were thrilled to meet those with whom they were celebrating how God had provided for them.
Clothing Drive
NuTSO, the Non-Traditional Student Organization on Sterling College campus, developed a clothing closet a year and a half ago to provide a resource for students to acquire the business casual clothing they require for events, job related needs, and student teaching. They accept professional clothing donations year round in order to maintain a selection and provide this service at no charge to the students. At this time, they are sponsoring a clothing drive in support of the upcoming Networking Night event put on by Alumni Relations and Career Services. It is the goal to make sure that every student who wants to attend this event is adequately dressed so they can feel confident about themselves and the impression they are making on the professionals they will be meeting. To make donations of professional clothing and accessories, please contact Leonore Enfield at enfield01@sterling.edu or Christine Foster at 620-278-4463.
Facebook
Don’t forget to ‘like’ us on Facebook! This is where you will find all sorts of current events, photos, contests and links to your classmates and former professors. You can find the Director of Alumni & Parent Relations here and the official page (all official pages are noted with the SC seal) here.
Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kan., with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.
