Transition in Alumni Leadership
David Earle has accepted a new role as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Erskine College; a role he has desired for some time. David’s service in Sterling’s Advancement Office spanned 11 and ½ years, serving most recently as Director of Alumni. We thank him for his service and wish him the very best as he begins this new opportunity.
The search for a new Director of Alumni and Parent Relations is posted on the Sterling College website. Those interested in applying for this opening may find the posting by clicking here. If you want to recommend someone for this opening, please send your recommendation to the Advancement Office.
Highlights from 2011 Graduation
Four highlights of Sterling’s 2011 graduation included:
• Recognizing beloved Senior Associate Professor of Business Kathy Glynn, who was awarded Faculty Emeritus of Business status. Click here to read more.
• Ken Troyer, assistant professor of communication and director of forensics at Sterling College, received the McCreery Teaching Award. Click here to read more about Ken Troyer.
• Addie Swihart and Kenny McGrath were named the Outstanding Students and recipients of the Fran Jabara Leadership Award for the Sterling College class of 2011. Read more about Kenny and Addie.
• Chuck Larsen (’66) of Minden, NE received the 2011 Distinguished Service Award.
Congratulations to each recipient for contributing so much to fellow students and, in Chuck Larsen’s case, service throughout his life to and beyond Sterling College, especially in his efforts to bring clean water to the people of Haiti.
Congratulations to this year’s graduates for their hard work and dedication to their studies. Faculty and staff wish you the very best in your careers and as you demonstrate a servant leadership through your life and work. Welcome to the Alumni Association!
Alumni Event in Wichita
Warriors and Warthogs Unite! The next alumni gathering is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, 2011 in Wichita, Kan at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Wear your SC gear and come see how many warriors and warthogs you can find! Ty Herrington '86, President Elect of the Alumni Council and a group of Wichita alumni, are planning the event.
The event is from 1 to 4 PM with an ice cream social at 2:30 PM at the Poet Gazebo. Admission to the Zoo for alumni and family is $5 per person. Children 2 years of age or younger and zoo members get in free. Discounted tickets must be purchased at the SC table outside the main zoo entrance between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Sorry, no exceptions.
There will also be some entertainment and brief remarks from Dr. Greg Kerr, Vice President for Academic Affairs, giving an update on the college. Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 22nd to Jill (Bleam '75) Lundgren at alumnisc@hotmail.com or 316.681.2711. See you there!
2011 Homecoming
Homecoming is scheduled for October 14 and 15. Please put this event on your calendar and plan to attend. This year’s Homecoming theme is Tell Your Story. Gordon Kling and Diane DeFranco-Kling will direct the musical Children of Eden as their last Homecoming production before retiring at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. Scheduled alumni reunions will include 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001, and 2006, along with a Jim Chroust era reunion.
Mr. Chroust served 11 years as Men’s Basketball coach. Randy Magee ’77 (oakmagees@sbcglobal.net or 925.426.7515), along with Don Reed ’68 (dreed@sterling.edu or 800.346.1017) are the contact persons for the Jim Chroust Era Reunion. Updates and other regional alumni events will be announced in the July eNews.
Alumnus Reaches 100 Years of Age
Sterling Colleges congratulates Mr. George Gordon who celebrated his 100 birthday on March 6, 2011!
George graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1932 and received Sterling’s Distinguished Service Award in 1984. He is one of five boys and a son of a Presbyterian pastor. George, along with his brothers Don and Dave, founded Gordon Plastics in San Diego, CA, now Gordon Composites, Montrose, CO.
His daughter says that “George still lives in his own home, does his own cooking, goes to a midweek small group Bible study every week, and drives himself to church every Sunday.” His wife Margaret passed away three years ago.
Referring to her father, Jan wrote, “I know he has been a faithful contributor to Sterling College for many years…. Thanks to SC for giving my Dad a wonderful education and many fond memories!”
Fiscal year ends June 30, 2011
Sterling’s fiscal year ends June 30, 2011. With 30 days to go, $170,000 is still needed to reach the Sterling Fund goal of $1M. The Sterling Fund provides essential resources for priority expenses not fully provided for by student tuition revenue, such as student financial aid, library resources, faculty and staff salaries, etc.
In recent years Alumni participation has hovered around 15%. Alumni participation is an indicator of institutional financial health and directly impacts the ability of the College to provide for the priority expenses identified above. To give online go to onlinegiving.sterling.edu, otherwise, please send your gift to Sterling College, attn: Advancement Office, 125 West Cooper, Sterling, KS 67579.
New Faculty Joining SC this Fall
Business:
Dr. Dale Levering will be joining the faculty as the McVay Chair of Business. He holds the Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and M.B.A. (Finance and Management) from KSU, the Bachelors of Business Administration from Washburn University, and the B.A. in Military History from The Citadel. Dale is currently serving at LCC International University, a Christian institution in Lithuania, and is an experienced pastor. He comes to us with a passion to better connect our business program to our mission.
We are thrilled to have Irene Barkman, a CPA from Hutchinson, joining the faculty this fall. She has extensive accounting experience and this summer is scheduled to complete her master’s degree in accounting at Wichita State University. Be looking for some exciting changes to our business program made possible by Irene’s expertise!
Art:
Daniel Swartz will be joining our Art and Design faculty this fall. Daniel holds the B.A. in Illustration from Indiana Wesleyan University, the M.A. in painting from Ball State University, and is completing his M.F.A. in Illustration from the University of Hartford. He is an experienced freelance illustrator and adjunct instructor. Daniel and his wife Rebecca will be coming to us from Indiana.
Music:
Laura Bateman will be joining our music department faculty this fall. Laura holds the B.M. from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, the M.M. from the University of Northern Colorado, and is near completion of her D.A. in voice performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Her performance and presentations during the interview were wonderful! Besides a vocal performer, she is also a violinist. Laura grew up in Africa as a missionary kid, and currently resides in Florida.
English:
Gentry Sutton, Director of Institutional Assessment and Academic Support, will be wearing a different hat next year. Following his passion to help students improve their writing skills, he will be replacing Dr. Will Best as Assistant Professor of Language and Literature, while continuing his role in assessment. Academic Support will have new leadership that you will hear about soon.
Stay tuned to the next few e-Newsletters to find out more about Sterling College's new faculty and staff for the 2011-12 school year!
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.
