Faculty

Dr. Felicia Squires

Felicia Squires 2012
Position: 
Associate Professor of Language & Literature; Chair of the Language & Literature Department

Squires models continuous knowledge and growth in the field of Language and Literature for her students. Her students said of her, “Her effective communication skills changed the way I interpret literature. Her passion for students to learn and understand literature surpasses that of any other literature professor I’ve ever had. She is always willing to provide extra one-on-one help to any student in and out of the classroom.

Valorie Starr

Valorie Starr 2012
Position: 
Mabee Library Director

In practice, faith has pushed me to take risks when I was fearful. Trusting God to lead you into the unknown and take care of you is faith in action. The ability to identify and use quality information is vital for success in life, not just school. As a librarian, I work with faculty to purchase high quality resources which support the curriculum and spiritual growth in the Sterling College community. I am grateful to be able to

Gentry Sutton

Gentry Sutton 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Language and Literature, Director of Institutional Assessment; & Coordinator of Writing Across the Curriculum

Gentry brings a diverse set of experiences to Sterling College. As a writing instructor, he benefits from his background as a professional writer and editor. He began his editorial career by working as an academic editor and editing adult education materials. He is also an experienced composition instructor, and he is the author of Team Church: Big-League Teamwork to Strengthen the Local Church, in which he draws from his experience as a Sterling College baseball player.

Daniel Swartz

Daniel Swartz 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Art, Department Chair of Art & Design

Daniel Swartz is a working freelance illustrator and professor at Sterling College where he teaches Illustration, Graphic Design, and assorted foundations classes. Daniel has worked in publishing, editorial, entertainment, and advertising markets on a wide variety of nationally-distributed projects. He has been twice recognized by the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles through exhibition in their annual show, bringing his working experience as an invaluable resource into the classroom.

Education

B.S. in Illustration from Indiana Wesleyan University

Timothy Thorpe

Timothy Thorpe 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Business

Tim Thorpe brings 11 years of operations and management experience to the Sterling College Business Department. Prior to coming to Sterling College, Tim was responsible for information and data security at Viking Collection Service in Eden Prairie, MN. 

Ken Troyer

Ken Troyer 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Communications; Chair of the Communications, Media & Theatre Arts Department, Director of Forensics & Debate

Ken Troyer serves as the Director of Forensics & Debate and Assistant Professor of Communication at Sterling College. 

Ken taught 13 years in Kansas public schools as a forensics and debate coach as well as teaching public speaking and drama.  His teams won multiple state championships, with individual students not only winning state championships, but national titles as well.

Mary Ver Steeg

Mary Ver Steeg 2012
Position: 
Associate Professor of Exercise Science; Supervisor of Health and PE licensure program

Mary was an instructor in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. She has been a coach for volleyball, basketball, and softball. In 1986 she was inducted into the NWC Athletic Hall of Fame. From 1989-2005 she has the head volleyball coach of Sterling College. She was awarded 10 AVCA Team Academic Awards, lead her team to two KCAC championship victories (1994 and 1997), two-time KCAC coach of the Year, and won the McCreery Teaching Award in 2001.

Tom Vessey

Tom Vessey 2012
Position: 
Associate Professor of Psychology

The integration of faith and learning is important to Thomas, which is the main reason why he chose to teach at a Christian Liberal Arts college. Raising his family in a small and safe town was also very important to Thomas. He works as the Associate Professor of Behavioral Science. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys guitar, drama, reading mysteries, and golf. Thomas also enjoys his wife and 5 beautiful children who keep him quite busy.

Spencer Wagley

Spencer Wagley 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Education

Mr. Wagley is an Assistant Professor of Education at Sterling College. Prior to joining the faculty at Sterling College, Mr. Wagley taught English,Theatre, and Speech at the secondary level for eight years in Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from East Texas Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Hardin-Simmons University. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Education from Capella University.

Dr. Mark Watney

Mark Watney 2012
Position: 
Assistant Professor of Language & Literature

Mark was born and raised in South Africa until he immigrated to the United States in 1977. He has been a part of a view short-term missionary to Japan , India, and Turkey. He is married to his wife, Laurel, with three sons: Caleb, Micah, and Josiah. He was won the Whose Who Among American Teachers Award in 1998 from Belmont High School from Los Angeles, California.