Faculty

Dr. Jonathan Conard

Jonathan Conard 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Biology; Department Chair of Natural Sciences & Mathematics

Dr. Conard enjoys being a part of the Sterling College community because he can work directly with motivated students and make a difference in enhancing their professional and personal development. His teaching style emphasizes the value of experiential learning and encourages students to actively participate in the learning process by promoting critical evaluation of topics within the discipline.  Before arriving to Sterling College, Dr. Conard taught as an Adjunct professor at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Research projects headed up by Dr. Conard include understanding white-tailed deer movement patterns and contact rates at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Current and prospective students are always welcome to contact Dr. Conard directly to discuss existing or new research opportunities.

Megan Fraley

Megan Fraley 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Megan Fraley joined the Mathematics Department in the fall of 2011.  She earned her B.S. from Doane College with a major in mathematics and a minor in business administration.  From there, Megan went on to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where she completed her M.S. in mathematics.  Prior to coming to Sterling, Megan taught in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Education

M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Nebraska

B.S. in Mathematics from Doane College

Dr. Arn Froese

Arn Froese
Position: 
Professor of Psychology; Chair for Behavioral Science

Arn serves on the Sterling College campus as department chair and Professor of Psychology. He was very attracted to the rural environment of Sterling and its close-knit community feeling. Arn enjoys the challenge of the classroom and being able to facilitate that challenge. He lives with his wife and has 2 grown children, 3 biological grandchildren, and 5 “bonus” grandchildren.

Terri Gaeddert

Terri Gaeddert 2012
Position: 
STEP Director and Licensure Officer; Associate Professor of Education; Chair of the Education Department

Serving as the Associate Professor of Education, Terri is passionate about preparing future teachers to serve and change the world through education. One aspect that brought Terri to Sterling College is that she strongly believes in its mission and vision. Terri enjoys stamping, scrapbooking, skydiving, biking, and camping in her spare time. She is married to her husband, Tim, and has 2 sons.

Dr. Adebukola Gbade-Oyelakin

Dr. Adebukola Gbade-Oyelakin 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Mathematics

Dr. Gbade-Oyelakin earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Salem College with minors in computer science and fine art. While in her undergraduate experience, she was captain of both the volleyball and tennis teams. She earned her M.A. in Mathematics from Wake Forest University and her Ph.D. in Mathematics from Howard University in 2011. Following graduation, Gbade-Oyelakin completed one year as a lecturer in mathematics at Howard University.

Dr. Adebukola Gbade-Oyelakin has been named to the Talmon Bell Chair of Mathematics at Sterling College.

Dr. Wai-Foong Hong

Wai-Foong Hong 2012
Position: 
Associate Professor of Biology

I aim to teach in a way that enables the students to understand the concepts thoroughly, be able to analyze the issues critically and gain an ability to apply knowledge in practical ways. In addition, it is important that students understand that a significant part of gaining knowledge occurs through experience, by a series of practical (experimental) works.

I find it very rewarding working with students, promoting their growth both professionally and personally. I believe that bringing out the best from the students is a way to love God and my neighbors. It is also essential to ensure the students feel encouraged and cared for during their learning process.My professional research interests include plant molecular biology and microbiology. Recent research projects at Sterling College are related to the impact of changing local weather patterns on different wheat varieties. This genetic study is enabling a better choice of wheat varieties for the local farmers.

Publications

Palumbo, R., Hong, W. F., Hu, J., Craig, R., Locke, J., Krause, C., Tay, D. and Wang, G. L. 2007. Target Region Amplification Polymorphis (TRAP) as a tool for detecting genetic variation in genetic variation in the genus Pelagonium. HortScience 42(5):1118-1123

 

Hong, W. F., He, C. Z., Wang, L .J., Wang, D. J., Joseph, L. M., and Wang, G. L., 2007 BWMK1 Responds to Multiple Environmental Stresses and Plant Hormones. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology49 (6): 843-851

 

Kakani, A., Chitteti, B., Hong, W. F. and Peng, Z. P.  2007 Developing a method for quantitative comparison of molecular reporters among individual cells and determining the auxin level required for cell dedifferentiation in Arabidopsis. Botany and Plant biology Joint congress July 7-11, conference abstract.

 

Kakani, A., Hong, W. F., and Peng Z. P. 2006. Role of Auxin in Cell Dedifferentiation. The Annual meeting of The American Society of Plant Biologists. Boston, August 5-9, Conference abstract.

 

Oberhofer, A., Hong, W. F., and Peng, Z. P. 2006. Characterization of a cell dedifferentiation mutant in Arabidopsis. ASBMB Annual Meeting and Centennial Celebration. San Francisco, April 1-5, Conference Abstract.

 

Hong, W. F., Kakani, A., and Peng, Z. P. 2005. Genetic and Pharmacological Dissection of the Pathways Regulating Cell Dedifferentiation in Arabidopsis. The Annual meeting of The American Society of Plant Biologists. Seattle, July 16-20, - Conference abstract, page 677

 

Hong, W. F., He, C. Z., Wang, L .J., Wang, D. J., Joseph, L. M., and Wang, G. L., 2003 BWMK1, A Map Kinase Regulating Responses To Multiple Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Rice, Plant and Animal Genome XI, San Diego, CA, USA, - Conference Abstract, page 276

 

Hong, W. F., He, C. Z., Joseph, L. M., Wang, D. J., and Wang, G. L. 2000.  Identification of a blast defense-related gene in rice (Oryza Sativa L.), NIAR-COE/BRAIN/CREST Joint International Symposium, Tsukuba, Japan, - Conference Abstract, page 17

 

Hong, W. F., and Krishnapillai, V. 1999 Genome organization of Ralstonia (Pseudomonas)solanacearum.  Pseudomonas 99: Biotechnology and Pathogenesis Conference.  Maui, Hawaii, 1-5 Sept, - Conference Abstract. 

 

Hong, W. F., Krishnapillai, V. and Holloway, B. W.  Whole genome analysis of Ralstonia (Pseudomonas)solanacearum AW1 Ph.D Thesis, Biological Sciences (Genetics and Developmental Biology), Monash University, Australia, June 1999

 

Hong, W. F., and Krishnapillai, V. 1997.  DNA sequence analysis of a conserved chromosomal segment of a bacterial plant pathogen.  Genetics Society of Australia Annual Conference.  Perth, Australia, - Conference Abstract, page 36

 

Opina, N., Tavner, F., Hollway, G., Wang, J-F., Li, T-H., Maghirang, R., Fegan, M., Hayward, A. C., Krishnapillai, V., Hong, W.F., Holloway, B. W. and Timmis, J. N.  1997.  A novel method for development of species and strain-specific DNA probes and PCR primers for identifying Burkholderia solanacearum (Formerly Pseudomonas solanacearum).  Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 5(1):19-30.

 

Hsu, S. T., Hong, W. F., Tzeng, K. C. and Chen, C. C.  1993.  Bacterial wilt of Perilla.  Plant Disease 77(7):674-677

 

Hartman, G. L., Hong, W. F., Hanudin, and Hayward, A. C.  1992.  Potential of biological and chemical control of bacterial wilt.  In: International Bacterial Wilt Symposium.  Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Bacterial Wilt.  ACIAR Proceedings No. 45, 322-326.

 

Hartman, G. L., Huang, Y. H. and Hong, W. F.  1992.  Interaction of Pseudomonas solanacearum and Phytophthora capsici on peppers.  In: International Bacterial Wilt Symposium.  Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Bacterial Wilt.  ACIAR Proceedings No. 45, 348-351.

 

Hong, W. F., Hsu, S. T. and Tzeng, K. C.  1992.  Bacterial wilt of Perilla crispa : A new host and new transmission method.  In: International Bacterial Wilt Symposium.  Kaohsiung, Taiwan.  Bacterial Wilt.  ACIAR Proceedings No. 45, 373-376.

 

Hartman, G. L., Hong, W. F. and Wang, T. C.  1991.  Survey of bacterial wilt on fresh market hybrid tomatoes in Taiwan.  Plant Protection Bulletin 33:197-203.

 

Hong, W. F.  1990.  Studies on bacterial wilt of Perilla caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum.  Master Thesis.  Research Institute of Plant Pathology in National Chung-Hsing University.

Education

Ph.D., Biological Sciences (Genetics and Developmental Biology), Monash University, Australia

M. Sc., National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan, R. O. C.

B. Sc.,  National Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan, R. O. C.

Office

Thompson 130

Dr. Daniel Julich

Dr. Daniel Julich 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of History and Government
 

Aaron Kennedy

Aaron Kennedy 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts

Aaron is a native Kansan, born in Wichita, and raised in the tiny town of Madison (pop.

Dr. Gregory P. Kerr

Greg-Kerr.png
Position: 
Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. Kerr began his tenure as Vice President for Academic Affairs on July 1, 2010. He provides oversight to the academic programs of Sterling College, including the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Professional Studies, library, academic support, registrar, institutional assessment, and Sterling College Online, the distance education division of the College.

Hanna Kozlowski-Slone

Hanna Kozlowski-Slone 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Art

Hanna Kozlowski-Slone teaches Painting, Drawing, and Photography in the Art & Design Department. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Anderson University, receiving a B.A. in Art with a Concentration in Painting and Drawing.