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Ed Lowry ’93 tells about how God has helped write his story, from Culbertson Auditorium to the silver screen
FROM THE DESK OF THE
PRESIDENT
Recently I set aside some time to rummage through the old Sterling College “stacks.” Many of you know this place, the area where the Sterling College library was once housed in Kelsey Hall. Now, that area is reserved for College archives and storage and is a place where treasures of years past can be found. This space, off limits to most, has many stories to tell – themes of yesteryear and artifacts that carry great sentimental worth. As usual, this trip to the stacks proved time well spent. David Landis ’88, our vice president for administration and institutional initiatives, accompanied me and came across a student handbook from 1904. Then Cooper College was in its 17th year of existence and while the six-page handbook offered a few chuckles, I came across this in the book’s final charge to students: “Live an earnest, prayerful Christian life. You will then be a comfort to your friends, a credit to the College, an example to others and a good servant of the Master.” Fast forward 113 years and the hope, the prayer and the charge is quite the same for our Sterling College students as it was during the leadership of Dr. Francis Spencer. I am sure it was not a simple task then, and I know it is not a simple task now. The battle for the hearts and the minds of young people continues. I have recently re-read a book written by the faculty at my alma mater, The Master’s University, titled Think Biblically: Recovering a Christian Worldview (Crossway, 2003). In this book, faculty from many academic disciplines across the TMU campus write about “the importance of Scripture as the single most important source that informs and shapes our view of God and His created world” (p.11). Each faculty member writes about their academic discipline through the lens of Scripture as the inerrant and authoritative Word of God. Every time I read this book my heart is refreshed and my soul is encouraged. Here at Sterling, we have the tools necessary for educating minds and training hearts. We have the ultimate source of Truth that shapes thinking. For to live an earnest Christian life and to be a good servant of the Master, we must train students to think creatively, to think critically and, above all, we must teach our students to think biblically. By His grace, and for His glory,
Scott A. Rich, Ed.D.
MISSION STATEMENT Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith.
S T E R L I N G M A G A Z I N E SPRING
FEATURE STORIES
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IN THIS ISSUE
FREEMAN LECTURE SERIES
PHIL VISCHER
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WRITE YOUR STORY
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
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HOMECOMING RECAP
In the News 04 Warrior Athletics 06 Phil Vischer 08 Write Your Story 10 Alumni Spotlight 14 EPC Partnership 15 Homecoming Recap 16 Alumni News 18 Alumni Award Winners 22 In Memoriam 23
PRESIDENT Scott A. Rich, Ed.D. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS Scott Carter ’88, M.S.A. | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Brad Evenson | WRITER FOR MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Rebecca Swartz | CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kara N. (Stineman) Smith ’14 | WEB AND VISUAL ARTS SPECIALIST Christopher Steen | MARKETING ASSISTANT Edward Adesodun ’14 | MARKETING WRITER INTERN Bailey Sims ’17 | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND DEAN OF THE COLLEGE Ken Brown, Ph.D. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT Dennis Dutton '82, M.A. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVES David Landis Jr. '88, M.Ed. | VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT LIFE Kimberly Christian, M.P.A. | ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Gary Kempf | POSTMASTER send address changes to 125 W. Cooper Ave. Sterling, KS 67579 | WEBSITE sterling.edu PRINTED BY Mennonite Press, Newton, Kansas. Letters and comments can be sent to marketing@sterling.edu.
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IN THE
NEWS MANELY, LAUDERMILK EARN DOCTORATE DEGREES Ryan “Pete” Manely completed his doctorate of health science from Nova Southeastern University in October. Manely currently serves Sterling College as director of graduate studies, director of the Athletic Training Program and associate professor of athletic training. In 2015, he was named McCreery Teacher of the Year and Kansas Independent College Association Faculty of Distinction.
PRESIDENT SCOTT RICH EARNS DOCTORATE President Scott Rich successfully defended his dissertation in December and completed his doctorate of education from Northcentral University. His defense was titled “Relationality on Campus: Student to Faculty Ratios and the Impact on Student Performance at Private Post-Secondary Institutions in Kansas,” in which he described how the relationship between two people affects the amount of learning that occurs. “Education can be defined as the science of oral interaction. Because education is also relational, the rela-
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tionship between the faculty and the student impacts the learning that can occur within that conduit. Data about the importance of class size proves that point, so that is where the concept of relationality in education impacts student learning, and ultimately, how that student thinks and makes important choices in life. This is a main tenet of Christian liberal arts education – we must teach our students to think critically and make wise choices. Society needs young people prepared to engage in the world around them,” said Rich.
Erin Laudermilk completed her doctorate of philosophy in education from Northcentral University in December, defending her dissertation, “Examining Athletic Training Students’ Perceptions of Professional Behavior on Online Social Media Using the Theory of Planned Behavior.” In addition to associate professor of athletic training, she serves as clinical coordinator for the Department of Exercise Science. Laudermilk was named McCreery Teacher of the Year in 2014.
BIRD NAMED ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT Sheila Bird, former director of planned giving, began serving as associate vice president for advancement in November. Bird takes over in the position, replacing Dr. Marvin Dewey who served the College since 2009. “We’re thrilled to have Sheila in this important role for the College. She has established hundreds of trust-
ing relationships with our alumni and friends, leading to increased giving to the College,” said Scott Carter, vice president for institutional advancement and external relations.
College “seems to have worked out well,” said President Rich. Jones spent a short time as secretary for the Office of Advancement before returning to the Office of Admissions where she has processed the student application of almost every student for the past 30 years.
THEATRE FACULTY AND STUDENTS WIN REGIONAL AWARDS Assistant Professors of Theatre Arts Aaron and Samantha Kennedy were presented with three awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Kansas City in January. Aaron Kennedy was presented with Certificate of Achievements in Scenic Design for Hedda Gabler and Scenic and Projection Design for Chess. Samantha Kennedy was presented with a Certificate of Achievement for Costume Design for Hedda Gabler. Senior Bryce Bassett was awarded first place in Regional Lighting Design for Chess as well as two Certificate of Achievements for Lighting Design for Chess and Oklahoma! Junior Dani Goldberg was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Choreography for Oklahoma! Bassett also presented and displayed his design for Chess in the Design-Tech-Management Expo.
BUTNER PUBLISHED IN CHRISTIANS FOR BIBLICAL EQUALITY
annual sterling fund But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7
Assistant Professor of Theology and Ministry Dr. Glenn Butner published two articles in the fall 2016 semester, one featured in Christians for Biblical Equality and the other in the Journal of Reformed Theology. In Preserving the Trinity, a special publication of Christians for Biblical Equality, Butner published “Crumbling Cathedrals of the Mind: How Eternal Functional Subordination Undermines Transactional Atonement Theory,” an article that discusses how certain recent evangelical views of the Trinity cause problems for traditional theological explanations of how Jesus’ death results in salvation. Defending Reformed theology against accusations that protestant thought is too individualistic, Butner appeared in the Journal of Reformed Theology in “Reformed Theology and the Question of Protestant Individualism.”
JONES HONORED FOR 35 YEARS OF SERVICE Marge Jones, admissions office manager, was recognized by Sterling College for 35 years of service at the annual Kickoff Banquet. Having started her work as “temporary” while secretary in the Office of Alumni, her work at Sterling
To give a gift today, contact Luke Cureton Director of Development SSTTEERRLLI INNGG CCO LLLLEEGGEE 5 sterling.edu/giving ·O620-278-4208
W A R R I O R AT H L E T I C S
FOOTBALL MAKES 2ND PLAYOFF APPEARANCE; FINISHES 13TH IN NATION The Sterling College Warrior football team ended its record-breaking season, finishing 13th in the final coaches’ poll of the season. The Warriors finished 8-3 and earned a trip to the NAIA Football Championship Series for the second time in school history and the first with Chuck Lambert as head coach. “The level of play that our guys displayed all season long and the adversity they overcame along the way speaks volumes to the program. We are proud of the what these student-athletes have achieved and the men they have become,” said
Gary Kempf, athletic director. Sterling broke several KCAC records along the way, including a 48.6 points per game scoring average and most offensive yards per game with 516 per contest. Individually, senior Cedrick Phillips of Stockton, California, set the KCAC record for total offensive yards per game (629) and most passing yards in a single game (589) while TJ Brown of Stockton, California, enjoyed the second-most receiving yards for a KCAC receiver (287).
WARRIOR ATHLETICS
JOE MCFARLAND MEZZANINE Sterling College held a dedication ceremony for the Joe McFarland Mezzanine to honor the late Dr. Joe McFarland ’51 on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at halftime of the men’s basketball game. The mezzanine is made possible through a gift from Roberta (Dill) McFarland ‘51, who dedicated the new bleachers and renovations to the mezzanine level
in honor of her late husband. Joe McFarland served as president at Geneva College from 1984–92. McFarland served as a member of the Sterling College Board of Trustees from 1971-84 and also received the College’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, in 1982. He taught at a variety of
education levels as an elementary school principal, a sixth grade teacher and a professor at Emporia State University. McFarland was a letterman in football, baseball, basketball and tennis at Sterling. He also had a flare for the dramatic, celebrating both his 70th and 80th birthdays by skydiving.
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS
BROWN, LIND, & PHILLIPS NAMED TO 2016 AFCA NAIA COACHES ALL-AMERICA TEAM
FAIRBANK, RIEDL, & RIFFEL NAMED TO ALL-CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TEAMS
LADY WARRIORS SOCCER DUO RECOGNIZED AS ALL-CONFERENCE AWARD WINNERS
Senior TJ Brown of Stockton, California, was recognized as All-America First Team with senior Lars Lind of Golden, Colorado, and sophomore Cedrick Phillips of Stockton, California, receiving Second-Team designations. Brown led the nation in several offensive categories including receptions (95), receiving yards (1,585) and all-purpose yards (2,535). Phillips finished the season leading the nation in total yards per game, averaging 401.4. Always an offensive threat, Phillips finished with 48 combined touchdowns on the season. Lind was a unanimous All-KCAC First Team selection on Sterling’s offensive line and recorded a rushing touchdown of his own for the Warriors.
The Sterling College volleyball team was represented in the KCAC All-Conference Awards with three Lady Warriors earning recognition: senior Brandi Fairbank of Cimarron, Kansas (Second Team), sophomore Chelsey Riffel of Sterling, Kansas (honorable mention), and senior Mykela Riedl of Hoisington, Kansas (honorable mention). Fairbank finished fourth in the KCAC with an attack percentage of .274 and led the team in blocks with 86 on the season. Riffel led the Warriors with 346 kills on the season. Riedl recorded a team-best 610 digs, third most in a single season in Sterling history and fifth best in the KCAC this season. She finished her career with 1,044 digs in two seasons, ranking her third on the all-time list in Lady Warriors history.
Sterling College was represented in the KCAC All-Conference Awards with two Lady Warriors earning recognition: senior Gabrielle Baca of Corona, California (First Team), and senior Jessica Barton of Edmonton, Ontario (Honorable Mention). Baca led the team with nine goals and also finished with nine assists on the season. Barton finished with eight goals and five assists while starting in all 19 games.
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Creator of “ VeggieTales”
PHIL VISCHER Most people know Phil Vischer as the very successful creator of “VeggieTales,” and those following Christian entertainment know that he now runs production company Jellyfish Labs, maker of “What’s in the Bible?” and JellyTelly TV. The story of how Phil got from one to the other is the story that he shared at the fall Freeman Lecture Series for Servant Leadership in October.
his dream and began envisioning what the future might hold. But right when Big Idea Productions was growing and seemed to have nowhere to go but up, sales stopped increasing and part of the staff was unsupported without new revenues. The company began downsizing and at the same time, lost a lawsuit that left the company bankrupt. The company was sold and Vischer was left with nothing.
Vischer grew up in a Christian home and attended a small Christian college, St. Paul Bible College, in rural Minnesota. While there he met Mike Nawrocki, and together they created skits for the college’s puppet ministry. Their friendship blossomed, but unfortunately, Vischer and Nawrocki missed too many chapels and were asked not to return. Vischer moved back to his hometown near Chicago, founded Big Idea Productions, and began to create the first few episodes of “VeggieTales” with the help of his friends.
After months of not knowing what to do and pursuing quiet time with God, Vischer’s mother gave him a sermon on cassette, preached by family friend Richard Porter. In the sermon, Porter said that sometimes God allows dreams to die to see what is more important to someone: the dream or God. The message struck home and Vischer began resting in God’s presence more, not searching for answers, but to just be in God’s presence.
“My dream was for impact. In particular, I wanted my stories to make the world a better place. And I wanted to use TV sets and DVD players and movie theatres to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to make America a better place. As of September 2002, all of my dreams were coming true,” Vischer said. “VeggieTales” gained popularity and eventually became the best-selling direct-to-video series of any kind. Vischer was ecstatic that he was accomplishing
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“Suddenly I found myself facing a God who I had never heard about in Sunday school. A God that apparently wanted me to let go of my dreams. Why would God want us to let go of our dreams? Because anything I am unwilling to let go of is an idol and I am in sin. I realized my good work had become an idol that defined me. Rather than finding my identity in my relationship with God, I was finding it in my intense drive to do good work. “... God could have spared me from the pain of Big
Idea Production’s collapse. He could have spared me from the consequences of my own mistakes and missteps, but He didn’t. And it wasn’t about God and my big idea; it was about God and me. My ambition. My dreams. My misplaced sense of identity and value were dragged kicking and screaming up onto the altar and now they were dead,” said Vischer.
...it wasn’t about God and my big idea; it was about God and me. After months passed, which Vischer described as a time to die to self, his creativity began to return. “Each (idea) was either derived from or confirmed during a time of waiting on God. … If Big Idea Productions felt, at times, like rolling a boulder up a hill,
this was like gliding on ice.” The outcome of Vischer’s new creative works became Jellyfish Labs, which develops new faith-based projects for kids and families such as “What’s in the Bible?” DVD series and JellyTelly, an online broadcast channel. According to Jellyfish Labs’ website, Vischer chose the animal because it is at the will of the current to move around the ocean, which is also the lesson he left with the audience at Sterling College: “When it comes time to do more for God, don’t worry about the outcome. … Your job is to simply do what He asks.”
Upcoming Freeman Lecture Speakers: Dr. Sean McDowell Friday, April 7 Christian apologetics professor at Biola University
Kevin Palau Friday, Oct. 27 President of the Louis Palau Association
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s a high school student at a college fair, Ed Lowry ’93 never would have imagined himself acting beside Denzel Washington, who had just been nominated for his first Academy Award during Lowry’s junior year of high school. But as a 17-year-old strolling through a college fair in Kansas, Ed encountered people who helped lead him to his college career at Sterling. “The guys there in the admissions department at the time really invested in me. They came and saw me in some of (my high school performances). When they invited me out, I saw in Sterling an opportunity to jump in and be a part of the program and really grow in it. That combined with the opportunity to grow spiritually as well were two elements for me,” said Lowry. “I really felt blessed by the opportunity to learn so much from professors Diane DeFranco-Kling and Gordon Kling. I would have to say there were so many opportunities. It wasn’t just taking classes with them or being in play productions with them; it was having had the opportunity to work in the theatre directly under Gordon in building sets and to work with Diane in many things.” Diane also recalls Ed coming to Sterling College. “I remember one of our first sessions when [Ed] was delivering a piece that he had worked on. I said it was great, and then I said, ‘Well do you want to work on it?’ He was a little astounded because, of course, he thought it was perfect from the beginning. The more we worked on it, the more I saw Ed was very easy to coach. He picks up things particularly fast, and he is a gifted performer. He has a good sense of comedy and a good sense of theatrics. He wanted to be involved, and he was from the start. I think his first year he was in South Pacific and in one of my favorite plays - Scapino - where he played an old man. Ed was charming in it and carried it off well. I remember very much enjoying his performances,” said DeFranco-Kling. But Lowry didn’t just learn about acting while a student in the theatre department. He helped in all aspects: he wrote his own plays, he helped direct shows, and he helped build sets. By the time he was a senior, he was director of the set shop.
“Gordon taught me how to make art and beauty out of almost nothing. Or out of what was available, I should say more specifically. He would buy a little bit of lumber and take what was down in the basement of Culbertson Auditorium and build beautiful sets – made amazing things happen. “I just felt like I grew so much. I was prepared not just to go out and act, but prepared to direct, prepared to create, to be the person who wrote things as well as perform and interpret the work of other people as an actor, director, and set designer. ... Those skills really led to my ability to do a lot of the work that I have had ever since then. So much of it has been about creating. It’s been about taking what I have where I am and making the best of it,” said Lowry.
I GREW SO MUCH. I WA S P R E PA R E D NOT JUST TO G O OU T A N D AC T, BU T P R E PA R E D TO DI R E C T, P R E PA R E D T O C R E AT E . . . Since graduating in 1993, Ed’s life has continued to revolve around theatre in a variety of ways. He returned to Sterling College in January 1994 to start Act 1 Ministry, which Ed directed for eight years. The group, consisting of five to seven students, spent the spring semester preparing theatrical performances that Lowry had written to be performed at churches, camps, and some street evangelism. The group then traveled for about six weeks each summer to perform in various locations. In the later years of the ministry, Lowry and his students traveled out West. “That was always an interesting experience because invariably, we would have a connection at a church at somewhere like Big Bear Lake, California, or in Orange County, somewhere that was fairly well-to-do, and then we would be at this inner-city ministry, and then we would go back to another one of these churches that had a lot going for it. It was a culture shock often for
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THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN Ed Lowry appeared as Stablemaster in The Magnificent Seven, which opened in the U.S. on Sept. 23, 2016. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua brought in $160.4 million at the box office. Featuring actors Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke, the movie tells the story of seven gunman in the old west who gradually come together to help the poor village of Rose Creek against savage thieves.
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© copyright MGM Studios, used with permission
© copyright MGM Studios, used with permission
my students to go from one extreme to the other in a day,” said Lowry. His years at Sterling College prepared him in other ways for his future as well. In addition to director of Act 1, he worked as the director of marketing and communications, cross country coach, corporate storyteller writing Our Stories for each graduating class of seniors and resident director of Campbell Hall. It was also during this time that Ed married his wife, Andrea (Conard) ’96, and they had two children, Jackson and Margaret. Andrea and their children traveled with Ed and the students in Act 1 during the summer of 2001. When they returned from their tour, former classmate Janelle (Miyashiro) von Storch ’93, who was on staff at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, called Lowry to see if he would be interested in being the creative arts director at her church. With his family ready to transition away from summer travel, he applied for the job and moved to Little Rock that December.
Lowry family (from left): Margaret, Simone, Rose, Jackson, Campbell, Andrea, Quinn and Ed.
“Working at Sterling College was a strong growing time for me. I remember when the job description came from Fellowship it was almost as though my time at Sterling had been specifically planned to prepare me to take that job,” he said. Lowry worked at Fellowship Baptist Church for nine years as creative arts director. During this time, Lowry’s work helped build his resume for the next step in life through writing plays and skits for both Sunday morning and larger
productions, built backdrops and sets for the church and put on full-scale productions for major holidays, including Easter. When Fellowship had to cut the funding for Lowry’s position, he wasn’t sure what to do next. But Andrea was there to encourage him toward his dream of acting. At her prompting, Lowry attended a film festival in Little Rock where he ran into some acquaintances that brought him into a project they were working on. That opportunity led to the next, and his career in acting and the film industry began to grow. Although Lowry said, "I would not say that I have arrived by any stretch of the imagination at all," he did make it to the silver screen. Lowry played the stablemaster in The Magnificent Seven, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. “The Magnificent Seven was surreal in a lot of ways. It was a great experience and the biggest production I have ever been a part of, clearly. It was quite a machine, the way those things run. It was a big set; they built about 14 or 15 buildings for the town where my scene took place. … Of course, getting to work with A-list people like Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt was surreal as well. They are very nice people, great guys. It was a great experience,” said Lowry. “Certainly being in a big movie like The Magnificent Seven is great, and just recently I was in Des Moines, Iowa, on a TV set. And those are great, but they are really few and far between in reality and certainly not the bread and butter of life. They are a great opportunity and hopefully they will lead to new opportunities to make that a reality. In the meantime, there are six kids to feed and God has provided work in other aspects in other ways. “I think every day when you’re trying to pursue what you feel like God made you to do, it requires a level of dependence on God, especially when you are married and have six kids who are dependent on you to provide and do those things! So, I know I need Him every single day and can’t imagine how I am going to get through the rest of today with Him.”
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ALUMNI DAN SCHNURR ’93
Dan Schnurr’s experience at Sterling College was anything but traditional; his school day did not consist of merely being a student, but also of being a husband and a father to his three children, as well as working a full-time job. Schnurr, now the warden of the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Kansas, recounts how he would get off work at 6 a.m. and proceed to class where he would sometimes struggle to stay awake. He remembered the difficulty of getting homework done, but also that the professors were very understanding and compassionate. “There were so many caring individuals at Sterling College; I wasn’t just another number. I enjoyed Sterling. It was hard going to school full-time. I remember the struggles at the time, but now I look back on it so fondly. It was so important, and it really created a baseline for what we do in life. Sterling didn’t teach me how to be a warden; it didn’t teach how to be a corrections officer, but it taught me how to think through problems and work with others.” Schnurr’s passion for the criminal justice field did not begin as such, but rather through the need for a job. Schnurr attributed his ability to work with inmates to Sterling College’s emphasis on servant leadership. Schnurr also recounted how his non-traditional education prepared him for the work he does today.
noted, however, that eventually corrections officers can see the fruits of their labors. “As an individual, you’re rarely planting a seed— sometimes you’re watering it,” he said. “If we don’t have compassion for others, then we’re not really doing anything for them.” Besides compassion for inmates, Schnurr is also passionate about fostering a close, family-type relationship within the correctional facility. While it can be difficult in a large facility such as HCF, which supports over 600 staff members and houses around 1,860 inmates, Schnurr believes it is worth it to create that culture within the HCF. “This isn’t just another job; it really is an important aspect of society. We can’t treat it like it’s a warehouse: it’s real. It affects everybody,” he explained. Nearly all inmates will move back into the community at some point, which means that their time at the correctional facility influences the larger community, not just the inmates and staff at HCF. Schnurr’s four years at Sterling College impacted him greatly in his career. He majored in business administration, getting to know the community of Sterling as he learned and worked his full-time job.
“Being non-traditional like I was, I had to work with people who were ten years younger, which wasn’t easy. I had to learn how to work well with others.”
“I really credit Sterling College for being able to help me create that baseline for doing what I do now. There were so many people that helped me through that process,” Schnurr stated.
Schnurr spoke of how the corrections field has a long wait for pay-off: it will usually take years before a former inmate will call and say “thank you.” Schnurr
For Schnurr, Sterling helped create the standard by which he works within the criminal justice field, making a difference through servant leadership. BY BAILEY SIMS ’17
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Do you know a high school student that would be a perfect fit for Sterling College? Simply refer them to our friendly Admissions team who will show just what a blessing Sterling can be!
contact us
For more information visit: sterling.edu/refer
admissions@sterling.edu • 800-346-1017 • sterling.edu
NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Sterling College is reviving some of its founding heritage as it has entered into a strategic partnership with the Great Plains Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). The partnership, which was approved by both the Great Plains Presbytery and the Sterling College Board of Trustees, took effect Jan. 1, 2017, and continues for a period of three years, at which point both parties will review the partnership. “We are very excited to be partnering with the EPC and specifically, the Great Plains Presbytery. Our hope in entering into this partnership is to develop a mutually beneficial relationship that
will encourage the church and glorify God as we guard the Truth entrusted to us,” said Scott Rich, president. The partnership allows for Sterling College to attend and support the EPC and the Great Plains Presbytery at events and by making facilities, faculty, students and research capabilities available through events that further the missions of both parties. The Great Plains Presbytery will encourage churches to pray for the College and encourage youth in their congregations to consider Sterling. Sterling College groups such as choir, ministry and teaching teams from the College will
visit member churches of the Presbytery. Throughout its history, Sterling College has remained dedicated to its Christian heritage and mission. According to the original charter, the aim of the institution was to “…afford young men and women an opportunity to obtain a liberal education enlightened by the teachings of the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ.” This continues to this day and is embodied in the College’s mission “to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith.”
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HOMECOMING 2016 RECAP
We Are
STERLING 1 Homecoming King Obedh “Oby” Rios ’17 and Homecoming Queen Ellie Becker ’17
Steve Crandall, former women’s assistant 2 basketball coach with members of the 1992-93 women’s basketball Hall of Fame team. Samantha Corwin ’12, admissions counselor, and Ryan Corwin ’12, assistant professor of 3 communication and digital media, hosted the Homecoming Fashion Show. 4 Parade Grand Marshal Helen Henry
Save the date for Homecoming 2017 | Oct. 5-7, 2017
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ALUMNI NEWS FROM ALUMNI AROUND THE WORLD
1950s Robert Molby ’53 and wife, Marcella, celebrated two years of marriage on Oct. 11, 2016.
1970s Jeff Sparagana ’75 retired on June 29, 2016, from the position of superintendent of the Pottstown School District after 41 years in the education system. He and his wife, Claudia ’75, live in Reading, Pa. Janet (Kilgore) Fuller ’77 retired from teaching after 30 years and is enjoying life.
1980s A Fred Dierksen ’82 recently accepted the superintendent position at Dodge City USD 443. Dierksen previously served Sterling USD 376 for 20 years as principal and superintendent.
April Brooks ’86 moved to Kansas after her husband, Brent, passed away on Aug. 14, 2016. Mike Brandt ’86 is the associate
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head coach of the women’s basketball team at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Cheryl Wood ’86 was recently named the director of children’s ministries at Tifton First United Methodist Church in Tifton, Ga. Carlos Turner ’87 is the head football coach at Life Oak Cliff Secondary School in Dallas, Texas.
1990s Heather McCreery ’90 was appointed last October as chief financial officer at The Rocky Mountain Institute. Dan Schnurr ’93 recently accepted the warden position at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson, Kan. He and his wife, Janet Sue (Webster) ’97, live in Sterling. Misty (Thorn) Elliot ’95 published a children’s book, “Flerds.” Misty and her husband, Bryan ’94, and family currently serve as missionaries in Wales. Chuck ’97 and Melanie (Lightner) ’99 Haspels announced the birth of their son, Isaiah Gene, on Jan. 3, 2017. He joins Johnathan, 7, David,
5, and Luke, 2. The family resides in Halstead, Kan. Rebecca (Abbott) Jorgenson ’98 received the Nebraska Art Teacher Association K-12 Art Educator of the Year Award on Sept. 30, 2016, in McCook, Neb. She currently teaches K-12 art at Shickley Public School.
2000s Jennifer Biga ’00 began her job as administrative assistant at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Jamie Bontrager ’00, April (Goertzen) Walcher ’00, Luke Walcher ’00 and Dorinda (Gates) Beeley ’02 have enjoyed connecting as an SC community in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Christian ’02 and Stacy (Coester) ’03 Dashiell welcomed their son, Luke William, to the world on Sept. 4, 2016. B
Nathan ’02 and Joy (Heller) ’07 Smith announced the birth of their son, Hudson Archer, on Dec. 18, 2016. David ’02 and Andrea Withrow announced the birth of their second son, Garrett Connell, on Jan. 9, 2017.
ALUMNI NEWS
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MEET THE NEW ALUMNI DIRECTOR
SUSIE CARNEY As alumni director, Carney will coordinate alumni gatherings and Homecoming, work closely with the Alumni and Parent Councils, manage special events, aide in career networking for alumni, educate stu-
dents about their alumni association, and collaborate with advancement colleagues in increasing support from alumni. Carney will return to her Alma Mater after serving Andover Public Schools in Kansas for 13 years. Previously, Carney held positions such as online team lead in the banking industry. Also, she has served on Sterling’s Alumni Council in addition to several boards in the Greater Wichita area. Carney graduated from Sterling College in 1988 with a B.A. in Language Arts. “I am really excited to return to Sterling College in the Alumni Office. Having enjoyed my time here as a student, I look forward to sharing that experience and connecting with fellow alumni and working together with our partners on campus, across the community and around the world,” said Carney.
Carrianna (Cordileone) Fritsche ’03 and husband, Richard, celebrated the birth of their son, Evan Michael, on July 18, 2016.
Rachel (Harris) ’07 and Jake Morrison welcomed home their son, Merrick Joshua, on July 31, 2016.
Allison (Lobst) ’03 and Sean Hannafin celebrated the birth of their daughter, McKenzie Brooks, on Aug. 5, 2016.
2010s
Andrew ’05 and Megan (Clark) ’06 Giorgetti announced the birth of their third son, Asher William, on Jan. 17, 2016.
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Chad Friess ’10 is operating and instructing basketball fundamentals at Kansas Elevate at the Fieldhouse in Great Bend, Kan. C
Patrick Hill ’05 started a new job as Salina Area Technical College’s new recruiting coordinator.
Ashley (Perrett) ’10 and Armando Mercado celebrated the birth of Kathryn Sofia on Nov. 20, 2016. She was welcomed home by siblings Isaiah and Micah.
Joshua ’07 and Melissa (Yarrow) ’09 Wisner announced the birth of their son, Obadiah Arthur Wisner, on Jan. 24, 2017.
Jonathan ’11 and Danielle (Burk) ’13 Van Veldhuizen celebrated the birth of their son, Kaiser Joseph, on Aug. 1, 2016. Brother, Zechariah,
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STERLING COLLEGE
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ALUMNI NEWS
helped welcome the new addition to the family. April Burns ’12 started her new job at Thompson Middle School in Quinlan, Texas, teaching sixth grade math and coaching volleyball and basketball.
Brittany (Outerbridge) ’13 and Jordan ’15 Coleman welcomed their son, Brody John Kirby Coleman, on Aug. 31, 2016. Randi (Morris) ’13 and Tyler ’15 Wise welcomed home a son, Levi Dean, on Aug. 4, 2016.
Deacon Dobbs ’15 is the new athletic director at Grace Brethren Elementary in Simi Valley, Calif. Tennissa (Williams) Morgan ’16 teaches first grade at Jacks Valley Elementary in Carson City, Nev. Michaela Moore ’16 graduated Basic Training for the Army National Guard in Nov. 2016, after which she began working at Shelterwood Academy, a ministry for at-risk teenagers. E
Brittany (Gant) ’12 and Shane Campbell welcomed home their daughter, Arianna, on July 27, 2016. Brittany earned her B.S.N. from Indiana University School of Nursing and began working as an ICU nurse at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind.
Kevin Burgess ’14 is now camp director at Grindstone Bible Camp in Sandstone, Minn.
Adam ’12 and Anita (Bunney) ’12 Taylor welcomed their son, Isaiah David Taylor, on Jan. 28, 2017.
D Kendra (Schaffner) ’15 and Jaden ’16 Campbell celebrated the birth of their daughter, Payson Grace, on Aug. 11, 2016.
Shiloh Duff ’14 recently moved to China, where he will be living for a year teaching youth theatre.
Jennifer Fruechting ’17 accepted a data analyst position at Daymon Worldwide in Hutchinson, Kan.
what’s new?
Share your news with fellow alumni by completing this form and mailing it to Sterling College Alumni Association, 125 W. Cooper, Sterling, KS, 67579 or by visiting sterling.edu/alumni/info.
Name (First, Middle initial, Maiden, Last)
Degree and Graduation Year
Spouse’s name
Degree and Graduation Year (if Sterling College alumni)
Children’s names
Home Phone
Address
Email Address
Business Phone
News you’d like to share: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20 S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 S T E R L I N G
ALUMNI NEWS
I DO
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Lisa (Allan) ’04 married Chris Clay on Aug. 13, 2016.
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01 David Guthmiller ’13 and Kadi (Smith) ’14 were married on July 2, 2016.
Candice (Williams) ’12 married Gee Hamilton on July 30, 2016.
02 Sarah (Grafel) ’13 and Josh Greenwood were married on July 23, 2016.
Alexa (Pelton) ’13 and Jake Marker were married on Sept. 17, 2016.
03 Erica (Wilt) ’14 married Adam York on Dec. 30, 2016.
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Austin Porter ’16 married Emily (Harder) on July 23, 2016. 04 Billy Day ’17 and Tana (Koehn) ’17 married on July 30, 2016. 05 Holly (Harshberger) ’17 married Steven Westrup on July 16, 2016.
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ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
K.C. Bassett ’07, Tracey Schultz ’94, Joey Gilsdorf ’08, Billie Joe “B.J.” Hope ’82
1992-93 Men’s Basketball Team
1992-93 Women’s Basketball Team
2016 HALL OF FAME CLASS INDUCTED Six members were inducted into the Sterling College Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2016. Sterling's 11th Hall of Fame class includes four individuals and two teams.
2016 Hall of Fame Induction Class: Billie Joe “B.J.” Hope ’82 1992-93 Men's Basketball Team 1992-93 Women's Basketball Team Tracey Schultz ’94 K.C. Bassett ’07 Joey Gilsdorf ’08 S T E R L I N G C O L L E G E 21
ALUMNI NEWS
ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS Simpson graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Emporia in 1969 and went on to graduate from Kansas University School of Medicine in 1973. He was board certified in 1976 and followed with three years as lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy in New Hampshire. He and his wife, Linda, returned in 1978 to Sterling, Kansas, where he began a family medical practice and served in this capacity for 30 years. During that time, Simpson worked in three different hospitals and served with seven different medical professional associations. He has been a consultant for perinatal care since 1988.
Dr. Tom Simpson awarded Distinguished Service Award Sterling resident Dr. Thomas Simpson was honored with the highest alumni award from Sterling College, the Distinguished Service Award, for his lifetime of service to the community and the College. The award recognizes an alumna or alumnus who exemplifies the purposes for which Sterling College exists – exceptional contributions to society, distinguished professional accomplishment, and outstanding leadership and character. “Dr. Simpson is a legend in the community, surrounding counties and the state of Kansas. His outstanding leadership and humble spirit are just two of the characteristics that make him a servant leader,” said Scott Rich, president.
In addition to his medical accomplishments and service, Simpson has worked with 17 community service organizations, including several roles in Boy Scouts of America, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department, the Sterling City Commission, the Kansas Health Institute, Habitat for Humanity and Sterling Presbyterian Manor. He currently serves as an elder at Sterling United Presbyterian Church, chairman of the board for Lil Cubs Daycare, institutional representative for Boy Scout Troop 369 and director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, where he also serves on two subcommittees. Simpson’s involvement with Sterling College also dates back more than 30 years when Simpson served as the team doctor for the Warrior football program. As team doctor, he would attend every game, home and away. It was during the early years in Sterling that he and Linda created the foster family program, a relationship between the students at Sterling College and community members, that is still running today. Simpson has served on the Sterling College Board of Trustees since 1988.
Bryant receives Sterling College Alumni Award The annual Alumni Award was awarded to Teddi Bryant ’88 of Denver, Colorado. Bryant is the founder and owner of Hot Mamas Exercise. She was recognized at the Alumni Banquet and Awards Dinner. The Alumni Award is presented annually to alumni who graduated more than 15 years ago and who has demonstrated sustained excellence in career, service to others and loyalty to Sterling College.
Ehresman awarded Sterling College Young Alumni Award Just six years after graduating from Sterling College, Matthew Ehresman ’10, has been published in several popular Christian magazines and has authored his first book. For demonstrated excellence in his career, service to others and loyalty to Sterling College, Ehresman was awarded the 2016 Young Alumni Award at the Alumni Banquet and Awards Dinner. In addition to his freelance writing, Ehresman is the creative media director at First MB Church in Wichita. 22
SPRING 2017 STERLING
IN MEMORIAM
If you would like to honor a dear friend or mentor, you may send a donation in their name or purchase a personalized brick for the Sterling College Legacy Walk. For more information, go to www.sterling.edu/giving.
DONOR | FRIEND
1930S
Dorothy Johnson
Evelyn (Loewen) Friesen ’39 Harold McCreight ’39 Dr. Norma R. Wendelburg ’39
EMPLOYEE | LEADERSHIP
1940S Doris (Warnock) Welch fs46 Elsieferne (Mendenhall) Stout ’48 Martha (Maxwell) Vandevort ’48 Dr. Dick Walker former professor of biology and interim academic dean 1966-2000
Lonnie Kruse ’71 former women’s basketball head coach 1981-2014 Robert “Bob” McCreery ’63 former Board of Trustee member 1986-89 Patricia Ruth Brothers assistant to advancement and to the president 1992-98
1950S Shirlene (Scott) Lindeblad ’52 Donice (Brownlee) Buller ’56 Sarah (Hewitt) Hixenbaugh fs56 W. David Kilbourn fs56 Forrest Riner ’57 Daniel Manwarren ’58 Barbara (Wilson) Bath ’59 Joyce (Brewer) Collins ’59
1960S Lloyd Wiseman ’60 Inez (Nachtigal) Heinrichs fs61 Doris Kennedy ’61 Milton Tenopir ’62 Harry Wilkey fs64 Donna Allen ’66
By giving a capital asset to Sterling College: • • • • •
You support the next generation of servant leaders You pay no capital gains tax The asset is no longer part of your estate, possibly lowering estate taxes You receive an income tax deduction You receive the satisfaction and joy of knowing your asset is benefitting Sterling College
For more information, contact Sheila Bird Associate Vice President of Development and Planned Giving sbird@sterling.edu · 620-278-4247 · sterling.edu/giving
Johnnie Collins ’66 Gale Palmer ’66 Melvin Muxlow ’67 Harry Fleeson ’68 Delores (Knoche) Goyen fs68 Robert Ewing ’69 James Grogan ’69
1970S Mary Loutzenhiser ’70 Steven Tursick ’70 Duncan Long ’71 Mark Germann ’72 Larry Hart ’72 John Borst ’75
1980S Edgar Wilkey ’80 Lynette (Keller) McLaurine ’83
1990S Wanda (Phillips) Doran ’93 John Engstrom ’96
2010S Xavier Bradford fs18 Esther Jenkerson fs18
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 2 Sterling, KS
UPCOMING EVENTS Commencement May 13, 2017 Speaker: Larry Dashiell ’76
Oscar Schmidt Lecture Series Sept. 15, 2017 Speaker: Tony Reilly ’91
Homecoming Oct. 5-7, 2017 Featuring: Fine Arts Hall of Fame
Freeman Lecture Series Oct. 27, 2017 Speaker: Kevin Palau